The next day at lunch the quartet consisting of Mitch, Scott, Kirstie, and her boyfriend Jeremy were unexpectedly joined by a fifth member. Alex brought his lunch up and sat beside Scott. The blonde was a bit shocked even after Mitch had spent the entire morning trying to drill into Scott's head that Alex did indeed like him.

The pair had also discussed ways of dealing with Scott's anxiety about the situation and Mitch promised he would be there as much as possible. Scott was terrified to tell Alex about his diagnosis. However, he was even more scared that he would be triggered one day and Alex would see him have a meltdown.

"Sometimes I really hate that I have all this wrong with me Mitchy. It gets in the way of everything."
"Hey Scott... none of that okay? We don't do that! There is nothing wrong with you. You are absolutely perfect. And if Alex or any other boy can't see that they don't deserve you."
"I can't even tell if someone is excited or scared most of the time. I get panic attacks for stupid reasons. I just want to be normal."
"Hey! How would you feel if it were me saying things like that about myself? Huh?"
"But you're not as bad as I am Mitchie...I'm a freak."
"Negative... and fuck being normal... it's vastly overrated. You're wonderful and the best friend I've ever had Scottland. Now stop being so hard on yourself. I don't like it."
"I just want to be able to go out with Alex..."
"And you will... matter of fact ask him out for coffee or something this weekend. I'll go with Kirstie and we can sit in a booth near you and coach you from afar. Deal?"
"Deal..."

So that's how they ended up at lunch. Mitch's hand on Scott's knee grounding him and reminding him nothing terrible was going to happen. Alex and Jeremy were quick to pick up a conversation about some sports team, soccer or hockey or something, Scott wasn't sure. Closer toward the end of lunch Alex gathered all their trash and took it to the bins, when he returned Scott looked up at him to say thanks. Alex gave him that smile again and Scott got an uncommon but not unwelcomed surge of confidence.

"Alex... do you wanna get coffee Saturday, just us maybe?"

If the smile could get any brighter it did.

"I'd love that... ummm maybe at like 10:30?"
"It's a date!"
"Indeed it is."

Alex bite his bottom lip and Scott was sure he might just die from the sight. He somehow managed to get things in control before the bell rang and he had to be in choir.

Art goes exactly as it did yesterday except Alex and Scott seem to be more aware of each other. There are more glances and shy smiles, a compliment every now and then. Scott enjoyed it. It made him feel normal and that was something that didn't happen often.

Mitch smiled at the interactions between the two. He saw the smile on Scott's face and vowed silently to himself that if Alex hurt his best friend he was a dead man. Mitch would protect Scott at all costs. Murder included, besides, he loved oversized clothes and stripes so he was pretty sure he could pull of a prison uniform.

Scott was ecstatic that night and let his parents know he had a date on Saturday. They of course looked extremely concerned and as soon as Scott excused himself to the restroom began to grill Mitch for information. He gave them what he knew about Alex being sure to include the fact that he had never seen Scott initiate conversations the way he did with the new blonde. Connie and Rick were only relieved when Mitch promised he and Kirstie would be with Scott on his date. They knew with Mitch with him, the likelihood of Scott having a panic attack was greatly reduced.