𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 . . . 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝

𝟒𝟑. 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡

43. on watch

season four, episode two: college tour

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"You ready for this?" Scott asked his girlfriend as they walked through the halls and toward the buses for their college tour. Nessa chuckled, nodding her head.

"Great day off from school, but useless to me." she told her boyfriend. "I know exactly where I want to go, and it's nowhere in California."

Columbia University had been on Nessa's radar ever since she was a child, it was the one dream that had stayed consistent. Her career path had changed, but her dream university always stayed the same. The constant dream was the only reason that she had pushed through to maintain her strong grades throughout the highs and lows of the last two years.

"Oh trust me, I know." Scott told her as they got in line beside the bus with Ani and Clay in front of them. "You have nothing to worry about there."

Nessa smiled, squeezing his hand. "I do, but thank you for your support."

Scott nodded as the two moved further along in the line.

"So, any updates on your fut–" Nessa tried to divert the conversation, but she was interrupted.

"Gentlemen, there is a line!" the teacher at the front of the bus tried to scold someone, but it was clear by the fact that no one exited the bus that whoever it was didn't listen.

"Zachary Dempsey and Alex Standall!"

Nessa rolled her eyes, letting out a scoff. "Dicks."

The pair moved further in line, finally shuffling onto the bus. Alex and Zach were already on the bus, clearly, and Nessa met Alex's eyes as she walked further toward the back of the bus. They maintained eye contact for a split second before Alex looked down, a sad twinge on his face. Nessa ignored the sadness that she felt too – she missed Alex, her friend. But she knew why they were so distant.

Nessa and Scott occupied the seat beside Ani and Clay, the latter looking like he had just seen a ghost. Something was up with Clay today, but then again, something was up with everyone today.

Nessa found herself occupied with her own thoughts, as she usually was. She wondered what it would be like if Montgomery was on this bus, like he was supposed to be before he showed his true colors and hurt people she cared about, herself included. What it would be like if everything in the last few years just – hadn't happened.

"You okay?" Scott's concerned voice interrupted Nessa's train of thought as he put a hand on her thigh, rubbing his fingers against her jeans.

"Yeah." Nessa replied as she forced herself to give him a soft smile. "Just thinking."

"Well." Scott began as he grabbed her hand. "Give that pretty little mind a rest for now. Just enjoy this day with your amazing boyfriend on a college campus. A little look into our future, if you will."

That was enough for the mudslide of thoughts in Nessa's brain to come to a temporary halt. She squeezed his hand and smiled, a real smile. He always knew what to say.

"I like when you talk about our future." she told him, and Scott nodded.

"I like knowing that we have one."

"Good morning, seniors!" Principal Bolan's agitating voice filled the bus, and Nessa groaned quietly.

"Shit, Bolan." Clay muttered from beside her.