I listened to Jamaica go off in the middle of the Brick.

"...audacity to call the hotel me and my parents were checked in at and tell me I'm making a mistake?" she demanded, throwing her hands in the air in frustration. "What the heck was that about?"

The squad was back on campus for the second semester of the school year, half of the students were. We were hanging out at the Brick and catching up.

Apparently, Brody finally gathered his balls and tracked down Jamaica. I wasn't sure what he was trying to pull. But our queen bee wasn't having it. He needed to try harder, by the looks of it.

"Maybe he's regretting not putting out," said Madeline, before taking a spoonful of her mac and cheese.

Lilian was quietly sipping her milkshake, not feeling the need to speak. She just kept her curious eyes on us and listened.

"In the middle of winter break?" Jamaica scoffed, incredulous.

"When did he call you?"

"The twenty-eighth," she answered, after checking her phone.

I chinned up. "Oh, yeah. I ran into him that day when he visited Mount Valley with Gaige," I admitted, as if it wasn't a big deal. "I gave him a piece of my mind. Looks like he acted on it."

Good for him, really. I would've taken my own advice but I hadn't called Scout – not because I was chicken shit, but because I wanted to talk to him face to face.

I was just waiting for him to come back from their ski trip.

"Did you tell him something?" Jamaica asked me. "He made it sound like he was stopping me from walking down the aisle."

Lilian giggled, while Madeline laughed.

I snorted, amused that the thought freaked him out so much. "I said that maybe you found someone who'll finally give you what you want."

"Huh." She crossed her arms and leaned back on her chair, looking thoughtful.

"Hey, Cons," Madeline called, pausing for a second to swallow her food. "Sorry, I forgot to ask – How's your ex-boyfriend slash best friend?"

I gave her the middle finger, to which she only grinned.

"Doing better," I replied.

I actually thought getting suspended would get some of the weight off of Alfie's shoulders. At least, I hoped it would. He seemed like he was back to his old self during winter break. That was a good sign.

"And Scout?"

I sighed. "Haven't spoken to him since the day after the party." I grabbed my can of soda, and downed it.

Lilian reached out and stroked my arm. I gave her a small smile.

Jamaica made a face. "Sorry, Cons."

"I totally do not envy your boy problems," Madeline muttered, chuckling.

"Problem," I corrected. "Singular."

My roommate shrugged. "If you say so."

Before I could stop myself, I stuck my tongue out at her like a fucking kid. Holy shit, I had reduced to doing this instead of dishing it out to her like a normal human being. I was losing my touch. This was definitely proof that I was really out of it.

When the hell was Scout coming back?

"Here, Mads. Have some strawberry," Lilian said, practically shoving the bowl of her favorite fruit and chocolate dip to Madeline.

I tilted my head, faintly reminded of someone doing that – but in the diner. It was some freaky sense of déjà vu.

"You're wrong if you think I'm going to refuse this," Madeline said, right before she got a strawberry and dipped it in the liquid chocolate.

"When do you plan on talking to him?" Jamaica asked me.

"As soon as they get back from their ski trip," I answered, placing the empty can of Coke back on the table. "Do you know when that is? Did Brody tell you?"

"Today," she said, looking behind me. "Now."

My eyes widened, and I glanced over my shoulder. My heartbeat accelerated at the sight of three guys entering the room. I watched Scout shake the snow out of his red hair. He was in his forest green parka, and he looked good as always.

Brody looked around the place and spotted us. He turned to the other two and said something, making Scout and Gaige glance in our direction.

Gaige was the first one to reach us, wearing the biggest grin.

"Ah, my favorite feisty ladies – and baby girl," he added, winking at Lilian. His eyes traveled around the table, before asking, "Miss me?"

"No," said Madeline, while Lilian replied, "Yes."

Jamaica shrugged. "Eh."

Gaige burst out laughing, then his eyes landed on me. "No comment?"

"Doesn't deserve one."

"Ouch." He chuckled. "A'ight, lemme get some food first. Be right back!"

With that, he headed to the bar and left his two buddies with us. Brody walked over to the very person who was just ranting about him ten minutes ago.

"Jamaica."

"I'll accompany Gaige," announced Jamaica, getting to her feet.

"Look, I'm really sorry about tracking you down without your permission. But I got worried when you weren't answering my..."

She completely ignored him and went to the bar where Gaige was.

"...calls," finished Brody, staring after her. "Shit."

"Aren't you two going to sit down?" asked Madeline.

Brody did, looking defeated. But then just as quickly, he shot up from his seat. "To hell with it," he muttered, before running after Jamaica.

As much as it was fun watching them with their very own melodrama, I really hoped they worked their shit out.

"Happy New Year, Scout!" Lilian said, with a sideway glance at me.

Scout tore his eyes away from his friends and offered her a smile, before saying, "Happy New Year." He took a seat beside me and pulled out his phone.

There he was, right by my side. Just like old times, except... he acted like I wasn't there. I waited for him to come back from his trip so I could finally talk to him. Now, here he was in the flesh. Why couldn't I suddenly speak?

I met Madeline's eyes. She raised an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to make my move. I closed my eyes briefly and turned to Scout.

I cleared my throat, and said, "I went by your house last week."

"I was in Maine," he merely said, his eyes on his phone.

"Yeah, I know. Snow told me."

He didn't say anything. He just kept at it on his phone like it held the secrets to the fucking world.

"We had a chance to talk," I added.

"That's good."

I seriously wanted to throw away his fucking phone.

"Scout, I'm trying here."

"I can see that."

"Can you?"

"Yeah," he said, still on his phone.

That fucking does it.

"Alright, you know what? I'm done!"

I grabbed his goddamn phone and placed it on the table, ignoring Madeline and Lilian's startled faces. I clutched Scout's arm and dragged him out of the Brick. I didn't stop walking until we were both outside, alone, and away from all the distractions.

Thankfully, it stopped snowing. Otherwise, I would've frozen to death with my lack of winter protection since I was in such a hurry that I left my jacket on my chair. I still shivered, though. But I was too hyped up to care.

"You're gonna get cold, you know," Scout said. "Let's go back inside."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, suddenly you're all warm and caring?"

He took a deep breath and looked away.

It seemed like that was the only reaction I was getting out of him. Fine. I didn't need him to speak. I just needed him to listen.

"I've been trying to talk to you," I started, "since that day you called me and told me to hitch a ride home with someone else – even when we both agreed that we'd go home together."

I shook my head. "But you needed space to 'think things through' so I gave you that space, even though I badly wanted you to hear my side and explain that..."

For a moment, I got lost in Scout's green eyes and forgot what I was saying. He was looking intently at me, listening carefully to what I have to say.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued.

"Yes, there will be times when my best friend will need me. And yes, that will mean that I will have to drop everything the moment he does because I'm that kind of friend, and we've been through so much shit together. But..."

He's confused.

"But even if he is an important part of my life..."

He needs assurance.

"I'm not in love with him like I am with you."

Well, there went my confession.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, wetting my lips because it dried from talking too much. When I opened them again, Scout's eyes locked with mine. He was clearly surprised, like it was the last thing he expected me to say.

You and me both, buddy.

I was expecting a more romantic way of telling him than this crappy one. But I might as well go along with it. I shook my head, trying to calm my nerves.

You already let it slip, Connie. Pour it all out.

I drew in a shaky breath.

"Scout... I'm so in love with you that the thought of not being with you fucking terrifies me. I'm so in love with you that I couldn't say no to Snow just because she reminded me of you. I... I'm so in love with you that I'm willing to fucking grovel just to get you to talk to me again."

He looked speechless, standing like a complete statue. The only sign of life from him was him blinking like he was replaying the whole thing in his mind.

I waited, looking down as I crossed my arms to warm myself. I just poured my soul to Scout fucking Crimson, and I'd never felt more free. Like I could breathe again.

The ball was in his court now.

To my surprise, he placed his parka around me. I stilled while he tucked me in it. He didn't say anything. He just made sure I was warm as he rubbed my arms.

"Are you going to ignore me forever?" I asked quietly.

That got a chuckle out of him, making me look up.

If wanting to cry just because I heard him laugh again after such a long time wasn't a sign of me being deadass crazy for his ginger ass, then I didn't know what was.

"For the record, I hated not speaking with you these past couple of weeks."

"Good, I'm not the only one who suffered," I muttered.

"I don't regret it, though." His face broke into a smile. God, I missed seeing that. "I got to hear the tough Connie Anderson confess how she's so in love with me."

I felt my cheeks warm from embarrassment. "Whatever."

He was grinning broadly now. "So worth it."

After flashing him a glare, I turned to leave and escape from this mortification. I couldn't take him looking all smug like this after ignoring me for two whole weeks, only to get me to confess like a lovesick dumbass.

"Whoa, hold it." He grabbed me and pulled me to him, putting his arms around me to hold me. "Don't you wanna know what I got to say?"

I only stared at him, trying not to smile because he was practically hugging me. I missed his embrace so much that I didn't think I could keep my poker face for long.

"Promise you won't get mad, though?"

My eyes narrowed.

"After I had some time to think, I was actually planning on going to you the day after Christmas so we could talk. But then Alfie showed up at the house."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

What? Alfie O'neal, at the Crimson house?

"Yeah, I know. I couldn't believe it either." He chuckled. "Then, he told me what happened the night of the party and assured me that you guys were just friends".

Oh, my God. Alfie did that?

I wanted to fly to Florida and give my jackass best friend a tight hug.

"There's more," he added.

"What else?" I asked warily.

"Well... He told me that if I wanted to know how you really feel, I should ignore you 'til you snapped."

Nevermind, I was going to kill Alfie with my bare hands.

"You obviously listened to him," I grumbled.

He grinned. "And it obviously worked."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, you win."

"Thought it wasn't a competition?"

My eyes turned to slits. "You talked to Snow."

He didn't even look guilty. "She's my twin."

I sighed, giving up. "Why does it feel like they're all taking your side? You even got Alfie to help you."

"Don't worry." He smiled and gave me an affectionate look, before leaning down to my ear and assuring me, "I'll always be on yours."

His breath on my skin sent tingles down my spine. My heart pounded against my chest, and my hold on his parka tightened.

"Then," I whispered, "why haven't you kissed me yet?"

"There's one last thing."

I pulled away and looked at him. "What?"

He raised a hand and stroked my cheek, taking his time as he gazed into my eyes. Then, he said softly, "I'm so in love with you, too."

With that, he closed our distance and pressed his lips against mine. Tears rolled down my cheek as I closed my eyes, thinking that there was nowhere I'd rather be. It was freezing cold, but I couldn't feel cozier with Scout's warmth surrounding me.

I was finally home.

Scout broke the kiss and stared at me with a worried face.

"Hey, why are you crying? Is my kiss that bad?"

I let out a small laugh as I shook my head. "It's just..."

I stared up at his handsome face, committing this moment to memory – with his nose red from the cold, his lips a little swollen from kissing me, freckles splattered across his face, green eyes filled with love and concern, and his red hair sparkling wet from the snow earlier.

"I'm happy."

His expression softened at that, pulling me tighter against him as he touched his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.

"I'm never letting you go," he said.

"I'm not going anywhere."

_____________

If you've read my other works, you'd know that I don't really do grand gestures much. Rather than that, I always see my characters (especially my MV babies) in an atmospheric scene. Though grand gestures are awesome, there's just something about a quiet vibe that makes you feel as if you were there, sharing the moment with them... Or maybe that's just me. Hahaha!

Next update: Wednesday

Coming up next... Chapter 40: Warm With You
LAST CHAPTER! Are you ready to say goodbye?

#SavageMeWP