Dear journal,
Alex had got me thinking, homecoming was coming up soon. There was no way Kirstie would be going alone, which meant I'd be alone most of the night. Maybe I just won't go. Yeah, that's it! I'll let her have her fun while I'm happy in my room.
                                      -M

--

"She lives in Oregon now," Scott says to me across the table, taking a sip of his coffee. "Do you know how northern Oregon is?" He asks. "If she wins and I actually have to live with her, then I have to move to Oregon, Mitch." He sighs.

"She won't win," I say confidently. "She left you guys for that long with no explanation or anything, then there is no way she'll win," I explain. "You shouldn't doubt it." He nods gently.

"I can't stand her for putting my dad and I through this. I don't fucking need, or want, her in my life anymore," he says angrily. "When I was younger, I used to cry and cry for my 'mommy'. Thank God I learned how much of a bitch she is," he spits. After a moment of silence, he looked up to me with a more calm look on his face. "Want to tell me about yours?" He asks gently. I sigh and nod.

"She, uh, lived in Hollywood with us," I start off. "She started really getting depressed after her and my dad got divorced. It was mutual, though. They didn't hate each other, they actually were friends," I clear my throat. "She was like my built in best friend. She was the first person I came out to. I haven't even come out to my dad," I continue. "She was accused and put in jail," I whisper. "I still don't think she did it, I really don't, Scott," I say in defeat. I felt his hand reach out and hold mine. I smiled softly. "She was accused of theft at a bank. She swore to me that she didn't do it, and I believed her, I still believe her." I sigh. "When my dad found Stephanie and was comfortable enough with her, he figured it'd be best if we moved. Kids were starting to hear at school about my mom, and I got ripped to fucking shreds. I was known as the kid with the criminal mother. Moving here has actually been a great thing for me. I can cope with this drama, we all can. It was recently that my dad was called by my mom's dad, and he told him about her," I paused for a moment. "About her death," I say quietly, biting my bottom lip to prevent myself from crying.

"Hey," Scott says softly. "You ain't gotta say anymore. You didn't have to tell me anything, not so soon," he continues. "I've heard enough, I can't even begin to imagine the pain you feel," he smiles softly at me. I nod slowly. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," I tell him with a shy smile. "It's hard to talk about, you know?" I question. He nods.

"You've been through a lot," he starts. "And you're still so nice and civil and just a pleasure to be around," he clears his throat. "And I guess it's why I like you so much, to be quite honest." I smile at him. I felt my cheeks redden a little. I looked down with a smile, an attempt to hide my blush.

We sat and talked for about an hour. We talked about our lives, our family, hobbies, even about my old home in Hollywood. He was nice and sweet to me. I saw a different side of him. It was so genuine and so caring. He made me feel very comforted.

"So, what're your plans for the Homecoming Dance?" Scott asks me suddenly. I raised my eyebrows slightly.

"Oh, Homecoming?" I question. "I, uh, I've actually decided that I'm not going, I think," I say and rub the back of my neck. Scott nods.

"What can I do to change that decision?" Scott asks quickly. I chuckle softly.

"I'm not sure," I say. "Don't want to be surrounded by all the couples," I chuckle.

"And what if you didn't go alone?" He questions. I shake my head and smile.

"I told Alex and Kirstie that I wasn't going with anyone," I say with a shrug. "I think I'm just going to stay home and watch movies."

"Can I join you?" He asks. "I was goin' to ask you to Homecoming, believe it or not," he laughs. "But since you're not goin', I could go for a movie night." I chuckle.

"I guess since I clearly invited you," I start sarcastically. "You can come along," I finish with a smirk. He smiles.

"Awesome," he says.

"Just a warning, my dad and Stephanie will most likely be there. Stephanie is a little...intrusive, in a way. She is very interested in knowing about me and my friends," I chuckle.

"She sounds nice," Scott says. "Caring."

"Eh," I murmur. "She's okay, I guess."

"Well, I can't wait to meet her," he smiles.

Scott ended up driving me home after our time at the coffee shop. It was a nice drive with him, he even reached across to hold my hand as he drove. I felt better with him than I felt with Alex. Was that wrong? He pecked my cheek when I got out of the car, and told me to text him.

I walked in my house with a wide grin. Stephanie immediately noticed me, walking over with her arms wide. I accepted her hug.

"How was coffee?" She asks me, pulling away for the hug. I hold two thumbs up. "Sounds like you had a blast! Who is the lucky someone?" She questions.

"Scott," I say. My eyes immediately widened as I realized what I said. Stephanie simply smiled at me. "I mean, Scott-Scotty," I say quickly. "It's her, uh, her nickname. Girl. A girl." Stephanie blinked at me.

"Mitch," she says softly. "You know it would be okay if it was a boy, honey," she continues. I felt my eyes tear up. "You can tell me."

"Please don't tell dad," I whisper.

"Oh, my sweet boy," she pulls me into another hug. "We both love you so much, darling. I accept and support you, I always will. I won't tell your father, but I know he will react just like me."

"Stephanie," I whisper. "Thank you."