Dear journal,
I thought hiking would be fun, but we've been walking for about twenty minutes and I'm already tired. I wrote this in my notes on my phone so I could transfer into my journal at the hotel. I also wrote that last part so I do not forget, hopefully. One more thing: don't forget to do your laundry, you know, since we're on the topic of not forgetting things.
-M

--

I stopped walking when I got the text from my dad, staring down at my phone. My eyes widened as I read the message, tears brimming at my eyes. My friends didn't notice at first, but Scott eventually did and walked back to see what had happened. He placed his hand on my lower back.

"What's up, cutie?" He asked gently. I blinked a few times and handed him the phone. "Hey, son," he begins to read. "I will be bookin' a flight in three weeks from now to go to California for your mother's funeral," Scott stopped for a moment and looked at me. When I didn't say anything, he continued. "It will be an emotional trip. Stephanie will be staying here in Texas. You're willing to come with me or stay home, whichever you choose. Just let me know," he finishes. He sighs and hands me my phone, pulling me into a hug. With his hands on my waist, he pulled back a little. "Can I have a kiss?" He asks. I pecked his lips once. "Are you okay?" I nodded. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I mutter, turning off my phone and sliding it into my pocket. I threw on a fake smile and grabbed Scott's hand. "I'm fine. Let's go," I say and drag him back towards our friends. He sighed and followed, us quickly rejoining the others who had been waiting for us.

"Is everything okay, Mitchy?" Kirstie asks. I smiled again and nodded, leading the group back on the hike. I tried to forget the text so I could worry about it later, but it stayed in my mind during the entire hike. I'm sure Scott could notice, but he didn't say anything about it.

We all observed the scenery on the hike, laughing and taking pictures for snapchat. Most of my pictures consisted of aesthetically pleasing photos of Scott shirtless, because who wouldn't want to see that? He had taken his shirt off, like, ten minutes ago and thrown his shirt over his shoulder. It was hot as hell, to be honest.

Another half and hour into the hike, we had come along a few resting benches that we all took advantage of. We all took a seat and chugged our water bottles. Scott leaned close to me.

"You alright?" He asks. I nod quickly.

"She's dead," I answer. "It's a funeral, it's not out of the ordinary or anything." Scott sighs. I reached for his hand and smiled. "I'm fine. I knew it would be coming soon."

"Are you gonna go?" He asks. I shrugged.

"Probably not. I shouldn't miss school, you know?" I answer. "It's probably best if I don't." Scott frowned.

"You should go, really," he says. "I'm sure your teachers would understand," he continues. I shake my head.

"We'll talk about this when I actually have to make the decision, okay?" I suggest, lightly holding his cheek. He sighs. "Let's be happy on this trip. Don't worry about me."

"But-"

"No," I interrupt. "No 'buts'. Now, make a plan to get Avi out of your hotel room after we all shower. I want to come see you," I smile. Scott smirked and nodded, running off to find Avi. I chuckled, quickly standing up to walk to Alex who was sitting with Kirstie and Malory, but eyes still glued to his phone. "Hey," I say. He smiles. "You texting your soon-to-be boy?" Alex chuckled.

"You could say that," he answers. "It's pretty early for him, though. You know, with the time gap," I nodded. Alex looked down to his phone and smiled again. "He's really nice." He blushes. I chuckle at him.

"You're like a little puppy who's in love," I swoon. Alex playfully hits me. I watched Scott find his way to me again, sitting very closely next to me. He kisses me twice. "What was that for?" I ask. Scott smiled.

"'Cause you're mine," he answers. Alex awkwardly shifted next to me. I cleared my throat and moved a little farther from Scott. He simply replied by moving a little closer.

"Scott," I mutter. He sighed and moved back a little.

"What?" He asks. "I just want to show you some affection," he continues. I awkwardly smile. I pecked his cheek before standing up and walking away towards Esther and Kevin, sitting by them. They barely noticed me coming over as they talking to Avi intently.

"I'm just saying Avi, the boy should know if you're going to talk to someone else," Kevin says. Avi sighs and shakes his head. "Do you still like Jackson?" Avi rolls his eyes.

"Does it matter? We never made anything official, it's not like I'm cheatin' or anything," he answers.

"No, but it makes you an asshole," Esther adds. "I'm your sister and I want what's best for you, and I'll support you, but you shouldn't do that to someone."

"Agreed," says Kevin. "If you don't like him, he deserves to know-"

"Well, maybe I do like him!" Avi exclaims defensively. He shakes his head and looks down. "I don't know, man," he says.

"Avi," I start, putting a hand on his back. "If you like him, then why is this an issue?" I ask. He shrugs.

"I dunno, Mitch. Dating is...hard. I haven't settled down in a relationship since sophomore year, and it seems like just playing and messin' around with people is easier."

"It's easier, yeah, but what is better for you? Do you really think messing around with all these people and making others feel bad is good for you?" Avi shakes his head.

"You're right," he says. "I'll call Jackson and tell him that I'm done with him tonight," my eyes widened.

"Wait, what? That isn't what I meant-"

"No, I need to end things. I like him, sure, but I don't want to settle down and I shouldn't make him wait for me because of it." Scott approached us, clearly having to of listened to everything.

"Avi-" Scott put his hand over my mouth and shook his head.

"Leave him, Mitch," Scott says. "Just let Avi do his thing, okay? He'll figure it out." He continues.