trapped in time

7- tokyo

Scott and Kirstin got ready in their hotel room and met the other three in the lobby.

Mitch was on his phone, and Kevin and Matt were chatting.
"Hey! How was your night?" Kevin asked hugging them both.
"Not much sleeping, just talking." Kirstin said with a grin.
Matt laughed. "About what?"
Scott glanced at Mitch, still on his phone. Scott could tell Mitch was not listening to their conversation.
Scott turned back to the others.
"Girl stuff." He responded, causing a laugh from all three of them.
"Well, how was your night?" Kirstin asked Matt and Kevin.
"Sound." Kevin responded, Matt nodding. "Same." He agreed.
Kevin turned around to Mitch.
"Hey Mitch, tell them about what you were telling us!" He prodded. Mitch looked up from his phone.
"About... Oh, right. I had a sleep paralysis thing. I don't really wanna get into the details." He explained.
"Come on, you told us about it!" Matt exclaimed.
"Yeah, but now I can't get it off my mind! I just don't wanna again, sis."
Kevin sighed. "All right."

As they left the hotel, Scott was immediately amazed by the city. He hadn't seen it in all its glory when they went to the hotel, as it was dark. But now, it was full of people, light, and life. Stores with big signs, both pastel and bright, people filling the streets, and green August trees lining all the way as far as Scott could see. "Oh my god! This is amazing!" Kirstin exclaimed. Scott smiled. She had told him last night how much she loved Japanese culture and media. Scott looked at his friends. Kevin was looking at all of the stores (Scott could tell he was confused by the Japanese character so similar yet different than the Chinese characters he knew), and Matt was taking a picture. Scott didn't have the heart to remind him the picture would delete again in the morning. Mitch was grinning, with the biggest smile Scott had ever seen on his face. He could tell Mitch had found his place.
Kirstin turned to look at the boys. "Let's go adventure!" She exclaimed, and ran down the sidewalk. "Kirstie!" Kevin exclaimed. They all ran after her.

The quintuple stumbled upon a huge merchandise store after an hour of shopping and exploring. They all gasped in synchronicity. It was filled with plushies, books, stationery, bags, clothes, and decorations of almost any cartoon or anime character ever. Mitch and Kirstin seemed to lose their minds. Scott laughed as they both ran around and looked at all of the products. The other three approached the store with more ease, but Scott was still filled with excitement.

After hours and hours of shopping, the group piled into a cab. Their arms were full with toys, clothes, and other assorted souvenirs.

"Guys..." Kevin said, seemingly reluctantly. Scott was immediately worried.

"We're not gonna have this stuff in the morning."

They all silenced. Nobody really knew what to say. A few seconds later, Matt let out a little giggle. Kirstin followed, then Kevin, then Mitch. Scott smiled at his friends adoringly. They saw the positives and humor in every situation, and he loved it. I have great friends, He thought to himself, no. Best friends.

That night was more sleepy. Kirstin, worn out from her particular excitement fell asleep easily at only nine. Scott couldn't sleep.

There was one thing he couldn't get out of his head. Well, person. Mitch.

That day had made Scott really start to like Mitch. He was funny, intelligent, handsome, talented, kind- everything Scott wanted in a guy and more. But there was no way Mitch would like him back. There was no possible way.

Scott laid, contemplating and day dreaming. Suddenly, a knock on the hotel door reached Scott's ears. He got up and looked through the peephole.

There, standing outside his door, was a clearly tired but still beautiful Mitch Grassi. Scott opened the door.

"Hey Mitch! What are you... doing here? It's s-so late, I mean-" Mitch cut Scott off with a kiss.

Scott was taken by surprise, and his heart started beating fast. Mitch, still locking lips with Scott, directed him to sit on the bed. They sat on the bed, kissing.

Mitch pulled back. "Hi Scott."

"M-Mitch- I just- wow- um," Scott stuttered.

"Should I go?" Mitch asked. Scott looked into him eyes.

"No," he put his hands behind Mitch's head, "stay."

He laid on the bed and pulled Mitch on top of him. Mitch rolled over and they laid next to each other.

Scott didn't remember the rest of the night. He knew that he and Mitch mad out for a while, but nothing else really happened.

When he woke up, Mitch was gone. He looked at his phone. It was 7:20 AM. Their plan was to meet in the lobby at 10:15. He had plenty of time. He looked over at the other bed. Kirstin lay, sound asleep.

He sunk into his pillow. His kiss with Mitch was still on his mind. He didn't know if it really felt right. Something was off. He thought about the five of them. We're like a family, he realized, that's what was wrong. He got out of bed and slipped on some extra clothes. He grabbed his shoes and key before walking out to the hotel room next door. He knocked. Please let it be Mitch. He hoped.

The door opened.

"Hey Scott." Mitch greeted him, yawning. "Come on in."

Scott walked in. He noticed Kevin and Matt fast asleep, Matt in a makeshift bed on the floor.

Mitch noticed that Scott saw Matt's makeshift bed. "We told him that since Kevin and I had been in the repetition the longest he had to sleep on the floor."

Scott walked over to Mitch's bed. He patted the spot next to him. Mitch day down.

"We need to talk," Scott started. "I don't think we're right together." Mitch was expressionless, but didn't look away from Scott or make any indication of opinion. "We're really good friends. Like family. And relationships are dangerous. I don't want a relationship to ruin our friendship."

Mitch nodded. "I'm sorry about last night."

Scott shook his head. "No, don't! I needed last night to sort everything out in here." He pointed to his heart. Mitch smiled.

"This is good for us." Mitch stated. Scott smiled and nodded.

He gave Mitch a quick hug before standing and opening the door to leave. He turned around. Mitch stood up and followed him.

"Thanks." Scott told Mitch. Mitch nodded. Scott stepped out and Mitch gently closed the door behind him. Scott walked back to his room.

That was the right thing to do. He's like my brother. Scott opened the door and walked in. No, we're sisters. He giggled to himself softly.