Foot steps resonated through the Finnegan's household. Maddie ran down the stairs as Scott chased after her. She was running for her dear life, holding onto Scott's phone as she turned the corner into the living room.
Scott wanted to catch her and tickle the life out of her for what she did. It was surprising to Scott that Elijah would've texted him within a day. He had obviously gotten rusty in that department and went to his sister for help.
Maddie being the younger darling sister had jumped right in when Scott came knocking on her bedroom door. She was up for the role of cupid, even shooting an imaginary arrow at Scott and saying she would do the same when she saw Elijah again. All jokes aside she took Scott's phone and read the simple greeting Elijah had sent. Scott wanted to reply even simpler when Maddie swatted him atop his head and told him a 'hi' won't cut it.
After carefully listening to Maddie's advice, Scott's finger hovered over the keyboard. He replied back just as Elijah did, this time adding a smiling emoji to add effect, something Maddie told him to do. Next she told him to say he enjoyed himself, tell Elijah he had fun. Scott felt like he was in a lecture on how to text; better yet how not to have awkward conversations with someone you find interesting. He had complied and told Elijah he had fun.
Did Scott truly have fun? In the beginning he was a rocky ride but as he settled, he thought it wasn't so bad. Elijah knew of his return yet he didn't ask Scott about anything. Not even the slightest interest about his life outside this small town. Scott appreciated that, he liked that Elijah had a calming aura about him, having casual conversation and never forcing Scott to answer questions he didn't want to answer.
He noticed how sometime Elijah would continue on when he found something interesting, much like he did when he realized Scott was the very same --as Elijah said-- legend Scott Finnegan. He had never received such praise in a long time from anyone besides his family so when Elijah said he was handsome while sporting his famous smile, it warmed Scott's heart.
He had indeed enjoyed himself in a long while and he never thought that would happen again. Dwelling from unforgettable school moments to childhood memories, Scott even got in about how many marvel posters he had in his room which was now either thrown away or locked away in the garage.
Scott felt like he was just like before, enjoying life while he had it. But when he thought about Elijah knowing just how broken a soul he is, his smiled was replaced with a frown. Before he moved back home after the incident, he's encountered people who would call him crazy if he said that there was a constant beeping in his mind or if he would hear something that wasn't even real. He didn't want Elijah thinking that way of him.
When he saw that Elijah wished for them to hang out again, even though Scott had already agreed that they got to know each other. He felt his chain of doubts and worry being pushed to the side. It was great that Elijah also had fun despite Scott's stuttering and lack of words in the beginning.
The milkshake was great and Elijah looked to be in love with the creamy goodness as he didn't break away from it, only when necessary. Scott also enjoyed it, the taste was much more delicious than the last time he had it. Going back to Pops Diner didn't sound too bad, he wanted to have a taste of the meals on the menu, savour the food he loved as a kid.
When Maddie flat out denied going back to Pops, Scott couldn't help but look at her in confusion. If she was worried about him then she didn't have to, Pops had a rather small crowd during the early parts of the day so he could go then and if Elijah's with him, he felt like he would just forget about the evil the world had to offer.
What he didn't expect was for Maddie to tell him that Pops was a hot spot for Mikey and his crew. Scott with no hesitation wanted to avoid Mikey and he also didn't want to worry his mother.
Scott frowned as he would probably not have the chance to eat at Pops as often as he would like. They would just have to hang out someplace else. He also didn't expect for Elijah to mention the poetry group again along with the movie theatre. Both places looked to involve too many persons than he can imagine. He knew sooner of later he had to start establishing new connections with people, Elijah was the first and he was taking it one step at time.
If by any chance he happens to come across anyone he knew and they started asking him questions he wanted to avoid, he didn't think he could handle it, most off all he didn't think he could handle the betrayal that come with. Elijah was no different, at some point he feared that Elijah would leave him for dead; figuratively and literally. Maddie on the other hand had no problem with what Elijah had suggested. Scott had to explain to her, telling her every bits and pieces of how he felt.
She only replied with, "If you go you don't have to talk to anyone, just talk to Elijah alone if that makes you comfortable and if you happen to come across one of your former classmate and they start bombarding you with their nosiness just tell them that its none of their business. In the end it all comes down to you"
She was right, he didn't have to force himself. Elijah was just enough right now and his life was nobody's business. His sigh was long before he nodded in agreement. Maddie snatched the phone from him and replied after a long time, she'd arranged for poetry this Friday and a movie Saturday. Scott noticed she was typing something else as she grinned. Turning the phone to face Scott, his eyes widen when he realized Maddie had wrote it was a date. Hence, their current situation.
"If you come any closer I'll be forced to use my secret technique" Maddie said, striking an awkward pose as she stood at the far end of the couch.
"You don't have any secret technique" Scott rolled his eyes playfully, taking a few steps forward as Maddie took a few backwards as well.
"Its a secret that's why you wouldn't know. I've been harnessing it for years" Maddie said feeling proud of herself.
"You can't fool me Maddie" Scott replied, slowly walking forward.
"Watch me" she started doing some other weird poses as if it would help her escape the wrath of Scott. "Wait for it" at this point Scott was just about to laugh at her. "I call it..."
Maddie finally stopped with the poses, looking Scott dead in the eyes, "running away" she yelled before bolting out of the living room, leaving Scott to process what was happening.
He couldn't help but laugh to himself at the fact that he had such a silly sister. Maddie was dying of laughter, holding on the side of the stairs to balance herself.
"Very funny" Scott said walking towards her. Just in time the front door opened and Gianna came in.
She had left the house a few hours ago, not telling Scott or Maddie where she was going. As she entered a wide smile was on her face. Scott pointed at Maddie telling her it wasn't over which she stuck out her tongue at him. As Scott turned to look back at his mother, he saw a familiar tall frame with black hair with specs of grey, a dimple shown in his cheeks as he smiled the same as Maddie but hers was on the opposite cheek.
Scott haven't seen his father in a month, he had went away for work and would call every single day. He knew his father was coming back home soon but he didn't expect it to be so soon. Don't get him wrong, he was happy that he didn't even know what to say or how to react.
His father's gaze went cold, dropping his smile as he stared ahead of the two. His footsteps sounded heavy as he walked up to them making Scott feel as if something was wrong. Scott confronted his cold eyes, searching for some sort of answer. Maddie stood calm beside him, his father only giving him all his attention.
His hard exterior broke as he smiled once again at Scott, "I've missed you both so much" David, his father said hugging the two of them.
There was nothing for Scott to worry about. David squeezed the life out of him, Gianna smiling at the sight before her. David pulled out of the hug though he would love to hugs his two precious children some more, he was a tad tired.
"There's so much for us to catch upon" he said, particularly to Scott before walking back towards Gianna. "but first your mom and I have a lot to catch up on" he snaked his hands around her waist, pulling Gianna close then giving her a small kiss on her lips.
"We did not need to hear that" Maddie said, finally handing back Scott his phone. "I'm going back upstairs" she added, she'd spent enough time away from the sleeping Simon.
She left leaving Scott, still not knowing what to say. He'd made no real progress with his life and he sudden felt like that would disappoint his father. "I'll help with that" he finally spoke, walking over and taking the suitcase from his father.
"Scott" David call as Scott was almost half way up the stairs. "Stop thinking so hard" he pointed to his own forehead, telling Scott that the wrinkles between his eyebrows were showing and he only did that when he was thinking hard about something. "We'll talk later"
**
"Mom just had to forget " Maddie said for the third time since they left the house.
Gianna was making a special dinner since David had returned. It consisted of mostly foods he enjoyed and she happened to forget one of the ingredients. Maddie clung to her jacket, trying to avoid the cold of the night air. They were almost at the grocery store and Scott just wanted to go back home. The night was cold and he was starving. He suddenly stopped in front of Maddie making her look up at him in confusion.
He flicked her on the forehead, making her wince from pain, "That's for what you did" Scott smiled satisfyingly.
"I'll let you go for now" Maddie continued to hold her forehead. "I wouldn't want to use my other secret technique here. This one is more dangerous"
Scott chuckled, "does it involve running away?"
They both burst into a fit of laughter. Its been awhile since Scott had such a good laugh. Having their full of laughter they continued on to the grocery store. Scott noticed a silhouette walking towards them. They slowed their pace, watching as the person was exposed under the street lamp.
"Keep walking and just ignore him" Maddie said as she saw it was Mikey.
Scott continued on, Maddie pulling on his arm as they neared Mikey. He was smirking at the two as he stomped out his cigarette on the cold hard ground.
"Not going to greet your friend" he said, stepping in front off the two Finnegan siblings.
"Move Mikey" Maddie said, her words laced with hostility.
Mikey eyed her from top to bottom, looking at Scott for a brief second then back at Maddie. "How's the kid Maddie?" He asked, stepping closer towards Maddie.
It was no surprise to Scott that Mikey knew Maddie had a child. As they exchanged words Scott couldn't help but think something happened between the two while he was gone.
"Piss off Mikey" Maddie hissed, walking to the side only to be blocked by Mikey again.
"We're in a hurry Mikey" Scott finally spoke. "And stop bothering my sister" he tried to sound as serious a he could without faltering.
Mikey held up his hands in defense, "No need to be hostile Scotty we'll talk some other time" he finally moved out of the way.
Maddie stormed right ahead, Scott giving Mikey a disapproving look before he walked away.
"I know Maddie" he yelled into the night. "I know all about it" he started laughing like a maniac.
As Scott looked at Maddie who was far ahead, just what did Mikey know.