The Boy From Italy (Pentatonix)

Ch 25. Burger Time

I'm home sick, so here's an update for all of y'all.
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Scott and Mitch pile into his truck a minute after Avi takes off on the motorcycle. It's quiet at first with both boys sitting silently in the car as some radio talk show plays softly from the stereo. The sound quality in Scott's truck isn't great, but it doesn't matter as that isn't what Scott is focused on. He wants to touch Mitch again even if it isn't as intimately as before and he can't explain why he wants to.

After a few minutes if Scott driving Mitch turns in his seat to face the blonde. Scott raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything to him. Mitch can speak when he's ready.

"How are you?"

It isn't what Scott is expecting to be asked but it causes a smile to form on his lips. "I'm okay. I won't lie and say that things are right now but this helps."

Now Mitch is smiling. "This?"

"Yeah, this. You and Avi. My friends. It helps to have you two at my house and with me. I know school starts back up tomorrow, but I had a really nice time."

"So did I, amico."

The silence returns but Mitch stays facing the driver's seat. Scott knows that the option to talk is still there but he doesn't have to take it if it makes him uncomfortable. It's a nice option to have sometimes.

"Are you excited for school?" Scott knows it's one of the lamest questions he could ask but it's all he's got.

Mitch giggles. "I am. I'll be moving up in my art classes so things should be a little more challenging."

"That's good. You should let me see something you've painted sometime. I really want to. No pressure, of course."

"Sometime when Kirstie is at work you could come over and see some of my stuff. If you really want to, that is."

Scott nods. "I would love to!"

Scott doesn't try to make any more conversation after that. He hasn't been in the most talkative mood since the breakup, even a conversation that simple was taxing. Scott wants nothing more than for things to go back to normal. He knows it can never happen though. After all, his normal was having an amazing, loving girlfriend. Scott won't be getting that anytime soon and he knows he'll never have it with Kirstie again.

When Scott pulls into the parking lot of a small diner he can see Avi and the bike already in one of the few spaces. He waves before shutting the car off and turning toward Mitch. Scott shares one of his goofy grins with Mitch, eyes shining with genuine happiness for the first time since the breakup.

"I am so excited to be the first person to help you experience an American burger." Scott knows the smiling will get weird soon but he can't help it. "And I promised to show you around weeks ago since Satan Herself wasn't doing it."

The loving nickname for his ex gets Mitch to laugh. "It's okay, amico. I understood that things got really hectic for a while there. I'm glad you can be here with me now though. I'm really excited to try this."

"Good. If you don't like burgers Avi might stop being your friend which means I'll have to do the same so I'm not shunned." Scott flashes another grin. "But no pressure, Mitchie."

They meet up with their bearded friend before entering the small, homey diner. Most of the places Scott eats at are family owned restaurant that only have one location and have to work hard to stay open. Some would say it's his big heart that leads him to them and others would say it's his appetite. He comes here just as often as he goes to the taco place, so he knows everyone that works there by name. Scott makes sure to greet all of them by such.

"Hey, Ryan." Scott greets the one waiter standing near the front of the diner.

the young man perks up when his name is said. "Scott! I haven't seen you here in a good while. I was starting to wonder where you had run off to. Pops has been asking about you."

Scott chuckles. "Tell George that his best costumer will never leave him so he has nothing to worry about."

"Will do." Ryan smiles brightly. "So, what brings you here today? And with someone new, I see."

"Oh, this is Mitch. He's a foreign exchange student, a good friend, and a man that has never had a burger before."

"We can definitely change one of those things."