As Evan and I made our way back down the large hallways, I found myself focused on the symbolism surrounding the fox.

There had been the words 'White Fox' on her card, which could easily be brushed off as the company responsible for the card, or perhaps another name she went under. But then there was the ring. The fox. Perhaps it was her favorite animal, but there was a deep suspicion that it meant something more. It was a hunch, a gut feeling.

And I couldn't just let it go.

As we left through the same doors we came in, it felt I was stepping back into the real world. Where I would face therapy, Jake, cold, and hunger pains. The temperature was still unbearable, and I was more than thankful as Evan unlocked the car and I quickly made my way inside.

Somehow, the visit had taken up the entirety of the day. Scott would be gone by the time we returned, and I would have to face Jake again. As Evan drove, I took out the card from my pocket. I added Jordan's number to my phone, wondering if I would be able to ask her about the fox. I flipped the card over in my hand, reading and rereading the small text.

White Fox.

"She likes you," Evan said, beaming. He caused me to jump and I shoved the card back into my pocket. The car hummed quietly as it drove down the back roads of the city, "She always said she wished another girl would join computer technology. In just a few days she'll be begging me to bring you along,"

"She's nice," I said, staring out the window. The sun would begin setting in a few hours, and all I had managed to eat today was a few cookies. My stomach growled and I tried to ignore it, watching as the landscape spun past.

For the rest of the trip, neither of us mentioned the lie we had spun for Jordan. It had become an unspoken truth.

As we arrived back, I was surprised to see Scott waiting outside, looking cold as Noah was locking up the building beside him. I was suddenly oddly excited to talk to him, and when the car pulled up, I couldn't help as I stumbled out. It was cold and freezing, but it didn't stop me before I threw my arms around Scott.

I don't know why, but I was glad to see him again. To have someone like him, knowing he wouldn't just disappear. That I didn't have to pretend that he was gone. I didn't need to lie to him, and even if I tried, he was excellent at calling out a lie.

Because around Scott Preston, I could be myself.

And he hugged me back. He was warm, a contrast to the air around us. He was slightly taller than me, but I was still able to rest my head on his shoulder. He didn't speak, and I didn't want him too. At least for now. I just wanted to live in this moment for just a bit longer.

"Go home kids, I'm cold," Noah grumbled, shooting Evan a glance as he made his way to his own car. Evan  rolled his eyes, shivering for a moment, before getting back inside the car.

There was a murmur of engines, before both men drove off. And we were alone, sitting in the middle of the empty car-park for a moment, before he moved back, taking my shoulders in his hands as he looked at me. Those eyes, those deep green eyes trying to read me.

"Are you alright?" he asked quietly, "You were gone all day,"

"Sorry..." I said, moving back further. I could feel my cheeks blooming with blush, "I should have asked if I could hug you I just- I've had a rough day,"

The sun would be setting soon, dipping below the horizon as it always did, casting the city into darkness. Scott looked at me, adjusting his glasses. Twice today, he had waited for me. I didn't know why, but he did. And I was thankful for it regardless of his intentions. He gave me a small smile.

"It was nice," he said, looking away for a moment. He pulled his arms closer around himself, and I did the same. He continued, "Besides, it's quite cold... warmth is always welcome,"

We began to walk to the train station, but before we got on, I felt a deep dread in my stomach. I couldn't face Jake, I wasn't ready. I was hungry, cold, and still processing everything. All I wanted was to tell Scott everything that had happened with Jordan, perhaps he remembered her? Perhaps he knew what the White Fox meant?

"Can we... can we go into town?" I asked as we reached the train station. He stopped for a moment, his breath coming out as white wisps. I continued, "I just... I don't want to go home quite yet,"

"I'd like that,"

- x –

After catching a train into town, which was just what we called the inner city stores, we began to make our way through all the shops. We were holding hands because I said I was cold, but in reality, it was because whenever we held hands it made my heart go all jumpy. There was a small café which we stopped at, buying something to eat. After all, we had already saved up some credits from work.

Scott ordered a spinach and feta roll, although I had a suspicion that the cheese was just chemically processed. When I purchased a sausage roll, it also seemed to be made of inorganic matter. But I was hungry, and it was cold, so I was more than thankful for whatever I got.

We sat in a small courtyard with a table in the center, fake flowers, and trees dotting the edges of the clearing. Behind a bakery, the sun cast the buildings into silhouettes, casting everything into a dark golden hue. As I took a bite into the roll, I was not captivated by the taste, but the warmth was more than welcome.

I explained to Scott everything that had happened. My Dad, Jordan, and the Fox. As I said it, I brought out the card that she had given me. He brought it to his eyes, shifting it in the light slightly to see the wording in the corner.

"Odd," he said, before handing it back to me, "My father used to have many people come and go in the store, so I do not remember particular people... but White Fox is quite a peculiar signature,"

"What if it's some kind of organization?" I said, nervously fidgeting, "I mean she had a ring... and who'd put their favorite animal on a card?"

"Perhaps," he said, thinking for a moment. The street lights turned on instantly, causing me to jump. The day was gone, and the night had arrived. He sighed, "I'll have to do some research into it,"

"You don't have to," I said quickly, "I just- thought you might find it interesting,"

"I do," he said, a small smile adorning his face, the street lights reflecting off of his glasses, "That's why I want to look into it,"

There was a moment of silence as we both finished our food, but as the air grew colder, we both knew we would have to return soon. As we both stood, he smiled at me, a smile which made my cheeks turn red and heart stop for a moment.

"Thank you for this evening," I said as we began to return to the station. Scott nodded, his eyes trained on the ground. I continued, "I've really enjoyed hanging out with you,"

Sometimes I say things and wonder if I shouldn't have said it. An instant regret. I wonder if I should have said it, and think for a moment if there was some way I could undo a sentence. But I had said it, and the moment I did, Scott stopped walking. He turned, looking to me, furrowing his brows before he smiled.

"I've- I've enjoyed it as well," Scott said, a light blush on his face. When he smiled, it was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile back. He continued, "We should do it again some time... if you wouldn't mind that of course,"

"No, I'd really like that," I said, sitting down as we waited for the train, "It feels like it's been a long time since I've had a friend like this,"

Scott nodded, staring out at the tracks. There was a light hum as the train drifted into the station. We got on, the only two people in the carriage. I found myself yawning as I sat down beside Scott, and when I leaned against his shoulder, he didn't seem to mind.

"Apologies to disturb you, but our stop is next," Scott said quietly. I must have drifted off, although it had only felt like moments had gone by. I sat up just as the train slowly pulled into the stop.

As we stood off, I shivered at the sudden change in temperature once more. We began to walk home, slightly closer than usual, and once in our building began to go up the elevator again. When Scott turned to me, I couldn't help my heart thumping harder. I didn't know why Scott had been causing me to react like this lately.

"If Jake tries anything, don't hesitate to come to me," he said, looking at me intensely, "I understand you do feel some things for him. And- and even a blind man could see that he likes you in some form. But- I do care about you. Quite a lot. And I can't have you hurt again,"

The elevator door opened. I nodded, pulling him closer and embracing him once more. The elevator door binged impatiently for me to exit and I pulled away, stepping outside as I gave a brief wave goodbye to Scott as the doors closed.

Walking to my apartment building, I felt prepared. I felt ready. That whatever Jake needed to say, I could take it. Because, compared to how alone and distressed I had felt this morning, I knew that whatever happened, Scott was just a minute or two away.

I opened the door, feeling warm and happy. Even with the therapy appointment tomorrow, I no longer feared it. But as I stepped inside, the warmth faded. In the darkness, a silhouette cast against the city lights, head in his hands as he sobbed.

It was Jake.