The Boy From Italy (Pentatonix)

Ch 14. Calm Before The Storm

Life is hard so for now, I'm going back down to two updates a week.
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For the next week or two things were good between Scott and Kirstie. It was officially seven weeks into the first quarter of the school year meaning soon there would be a small break before second quarter started. The only class that would switch over for Scott would be gym, so that wasn’t anything Scott was worried about. Things seem to be good right now, he just hopes that they stay that way.

Scott and Kirstie were holding hands in the cafeteria before school. She smiles up at her boyfriend. “Gosh, I will never get over just how tall you are.”

Scott laughs. “Yeah? Well, I’ll never get over how short you are.”

Avi, who was sitting at the table next to Mitch and across from Scott, rolls his eyes. “We get it, you two are adorably in love. Now, stop being sickeningly sweet and let me eat my damn breakfast burrito.”

Kirstie giggles, smiling and leaning her head against Scott’s shoulder. “When do you guys have your first match?”

“Oh, soccer doesn’t really start until next semester. Our coach is just on crack.”

Avi snorts at Scott’s last statement. “He isn’t wrong about that.”

“So you have to practice all year? Even when the season doesn’t start for months?” Mitch looks between Scott and Avi after taking a sip from his travel mug.

Scott nods. “Yep. Coach wants us to be so far ahead of the other teams that they can’t even see us anymore. As I said, he’s on crack.” Scott runs a hand through his hair before facing Mitch. “How are you liking America so far? You’ve been here for almost a full quarter now.”

“It’s definitely a lot different than Italy is, but not in a bad way. The art program here is a lot better and that’s the main reason I applied to exchange schools. And everyone has been very accepting of me which is always a big relief.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Scott smiles and holds his water bottle into the air. “Cheers to Mitch liking America.”

Kirstie and Mitch raise their travel mugs while Avi just raises his burrito. That makes everyone laugh. These mornings were always Scott’s favorites. Everything was back to the way it should be. Scott and Kirstie aren’t having any more problems, Scott’s grades are up for the end of the first quarter, and his stress levels are down for the first time in months. He’s feeling really good about everything. Scott just hopes it stays that way.

The bell rings signaling that class will start in ten minutes and the group of four stands to find their classrooms. Scott grabs Kirstie’s hand before she can leave, spinning her around so their chests are touching. She giggles, resting a hand on his chest. “Can I help you, Scott?”

He’s quiet for a moment as he gazes into her eyes. “No, but you can kiss me.”

She does and for a moment the rest of the world seems to melt away. It’s just them and their lips pressed firmly together. It’s when Avi awkwardly clears his throat that Scott chuckles and breaks the kiss. Kirstie smiles. “I love you, Scottie.”

“Love you too, babe.” He smiles. “I’ll see you later tonight, right?”

She nods. “You better.”

Avi rolls his eyes. “We get it, you two are in love. Can we go to class now, Scott?”

---

It’s a little later in first block when Avi leans over to speak to Scott. Their English teacher is talking about the importance of using commas or something, neither Scott or Avi really care to listen.

“Hey, I know that I tease you two a lot, but I’m really happy that you and Kirstie were able to work things out. I know how important she is to you.”

Scott smiles, leaning over to whisper something back to him. “That means a lot to me, man. And thank you for pushing me to talk to her. It really helped us sort things out.”

“Don't mention it, Scott. You're my brother, I would help you walk through fire if you asked me to.”

“I would do the same for you. You're my best-”

The teacher’s shrill voice interrupts them. “Mr. Hoying, Mr. Kaplan! Would you care to tell the class what is so important that you have to talk during my lecture?”

Scott’s eyes widen as he realizes he’s been caught. Avi just clears his throat, standing from his chair. “I would gladly inform the class of what we were talking about, Ms. Marston. You see, my friend and I were just talking about how much we love each other. Not in a gay way, not that either of us has anything against the gays. My main bro here is actually bisexual, so ladies and gentleman, please, have at him, not that that’s the point. Anyway, Scott and I are bros until the end, we-”

While Scott, and most of the other students in the room, have to cover their mouths to keep from laughing out loud, the teacher does not seem amused by what Avi is saying. “Mr. Kaplan, just sit down and listen this time.”

Avi takes a seat, bowing twice for the rest of the class once the teacher turns away. By the time he’s receiving a few claps from the others, Avi is already sitting down and looking away from their teacher’s harsh glare.

Scott lets out a quiet chuckle. “Are you trying to get yourself expelled, Avi?”

“No, of course not.” He grins again. “I’m just looking out for my main bro, am I not?”