You Are The Reason

Chapter 3: That's the Truth

Author's Note: I'm realizing the more I write, that I use A LOT of McFly lyrics as chapter titles. Anyway, carry on.

Chapter 3: That's the Truth

"Morning, Mitchy," Scott mumbled as he padded into the kitchen, still half-asleep. He was thankful that they had nowhere to be today. He felt like he had been hit by a truck.

Avi's coldness last night left Scott feeling like he had a hangover. His chest was aching like he had been dumped. He was no stranger to the feeling. He had been dumped an embarrassing amount of times, honestly. And once, he had even been dumped by the man sitting at their kitchen island, in fact. Even that hadn't stung like this.

Because in his heart of hearts, Scott couldn't figure out what happened, here.

"How are you feeling, Scotland?" Mitch asked, sipping his Starbucks. "Yours is in the fridge."

"You're a lifesaver," Scott replied, venturing to the fridge. "What did I do without having you here for those few years?"

"You made Mark do everything for you," Mitch rolled his eyes, jokingly.

"Well... you're one to talk. You made Beau run in circles for you." Scott attempted to smile, but he didn't have it in him today.

"Good thing they're out of our lives and we can simply torture each other again, eh?" Mitch asked, winking and raising his cup. Scott smiled and held his up as well, tapping Mitch's cup with his own in a mocking "cheers".

"Am I a bad person?" Scott suddenly asked, his expression vacant.

"Why on earth would you ask your biggest fan that question? You know I'm gonna say no."

Scott attempted to laugh, but that didn't work, either.

"What's going on in your head, Scott? Seriously. Talk to me."

Scott knew this was coming, since they hadn't had a chance to talk about it last night. Scott had pretended to be asleep when Mitch had arrived home from Esther's house. His heart stung when he realized how late into the night they had all been together, without him.

Mitch wasn't accepting his silence. "Seriously, Scott. Why did you leave?"

"Avi hates me."

Mitch laughed. Scott wanted to throw his iced coffee at him.

"Avi doesn't hate you, babe."

'He pretty much told me so, last night." Scott's eyes bore into Mitch's.

"What?"

"He told me, basically, that we were never very close, and he didn't really have any interest in knowing me, anymore."

"He said what?"

Scott felt tears stinging his eyes in response. He cursed himself for letting Avi's hatred get to him. He had always thought they were solid, that they understood each other. Scott had always adored Avi. To know that the feeling wasn't mutual was agonizing. He felt stupid.

He thought back to 2015, when Scott had developed a slight crush on the older man. He shook his head with embarrassment at the thought. Scott had hidden his feelings well, moving on quickly. He had had to, considering Avi was straight, for crying out loud. But the fact that he damn-near idolized him? That never went away.

"Scott... I think you need to talk to Avi again."

"Avi doesn't want to talk to me. And quite honestly, I don't think I want to talk to him anymore, either."