My shoulders were slumped and my eyes cast down in a mournful gaze. I kicked a stone along the pathway with my muddy boot.

I couldn't focus on anything else but the kiss they shared, as I walked into the field and past the cattle.

It was my fault for letting Noah convince me into thinking I had a chance.

The nice guys always finished last, after all.

"Cole!" I heard a feminine voice call out, "Have you seen Scout, she went to the barn to get the chicken food ages ago and hasn't come back,"

I turned towards Daisy," Yeah, she's there,"

Daisy stared at me intently, "Are you okay, Cole? You seem...uneasy?"

I laughed, "Well, she's in there making out with Trent, so yeah, I'm a little uneasy,"

Her jaw dropped, she could barely respond, "I-I see,"

I sat down on the haystack, with my hands over my neck, "I'm sorry, Daisy, I'm just a bit-"

"No, I get it," she gave me a warm smile as she put her arm around me.

From a distance, I could see Noah jogging over to us.

"Damn, you walk fast, Cole," he huffed, trying to catch his breath.

I laughed awkwardly, "Sorry for bailing on you like that, bro. I just couldn't be there, you know,"

"You're good," he nodded, understanding how I felt, "And I'm sorry for how things panned out, Cole, I really am,"

"It's not your fault," I shrugged, "I didn't like her that much anyway,"

I knew it was the pain talking, but if it would help me get over Scout quicker, I was down to try anything.

"You don't have to pretend to be okay, you know that, right?" Noah asked me, crouching to mine and Daisy's sitting level.

"Noah's right, Cole," Daisy chimed in, "We're you're friends, you don't have to keep the wall up around us,"

I stood up, I was tired of feeling this way, "I'm fine really, guys,"

I just need to get out of here.

So, I headed into the forest, back to the tents.

I could hear the two of them call out for me, concern laced in their voices, but I was fine.

I just needed to forget about Scout Martin.

***

"Hey-woah are you good, Cole," Olivia asked, startled by my angered entrance.

The sadness had left my system and was replaced by resentment.

I shouldn't have let myself fall in so deep, this was my fault and my fault only.

Ignoring Olivia, I walked towards my tent, annoyed at the world.

"Cole, I asked you a damn question," Olivia called, causing me to turn, "Would you like to try again?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her sternness, "Just fine, Liv, thanks,"

"Yeah, just fine my ass," she retorted, gesturing for me to move over as she climbed into my tent.

I looked at her as she waited for me to speak, but I had nothing to say, "What?"

She rolled her eyes, "You aren't making this easy, Cole,"

"There's nothing to say, Olivia," I sighed.

"So you expect me to believe you just came in here all flustered for no god damn reason? Yeah, I don't think so," she demanded.

I knew she was only being harsh because she cared, but there was nothing to worry about.

I heard the tent unzip to reveal Eli, who jumped in.

"Eli, do you know what's wrong with him?" Olivia gestured toward me, laughing.

"Nope," he popped the 'p', "but I was hoping I'd find out now,"

"I just don't want to talk about it anymore," I ran my fingers through my hair, lying down.

"Anymore? You've barely started!" Olivia exclaimed, furrowing her eyebrows.

Once again, the tent unzipped, but this time it was Noah and Daisy, who also invited themselves in.

Great.

"Didn't know we were having a tent party," I stated, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Cole," Noah began, "You're a great guy, and if she can't see that then it's her loss,"

Olivia gave him a puzzled look "What? Who is 'she'? Can someone actually explain what's going on, I feel left out,"

"Trent and Scout are back on it seems," Daisy explained, "Apparently these two saw them kissing in the barn,"

Olivia gulped, while Eli facepalmed.

"Not again!" Eli whined, leaning into Daisy.

"Cole here, has a little thing for her," Noah continued, "So, he's having a hard time of it right now,"

"Awwww I knew you liked her," Olivia teased, punching my arm ever so slightly.

"We all did," Daisy laughed, as the rest nodded in agreement.

Was it that obvious?

"Well it's had, as in past tense, that chapter's closed now," I said firmly, "We're friends and that's it,"

"Sorry, Cole," Eli patted my stomach gently.

"It's okay little man, we move," I ruffled his hair not wanting him to be sad for me.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay, we'll give you some space now," Olivia said, gesturing for the others to follow suit as she left.

"And if you need us, we'll just be outside," Daisy reminded as she left through the opening of the tent.

I nodded, smiling at her.

"Come on, Eli," Noah took his hand as he helped him step over me and get out.

Noah took one last look at me as he reached his hand out to squeeze mine.

And then there was one.

I turned over and grabbed a tennis ball from the side of the tent.

I threw it up in the air and caught it again and again in an attempt to take my mind off everything.

Things were bound to be awkward between us for a while, but I wasn't going to lose my friendship with Scout over feelings she's not responsible for.

My feelings.

I knew I would get over it, and it wasn't worth losing a friend like her over anyway.

All I needed was some time.

Time to heal and move on.

Then I would be fine around her again, and we could get back to how we used to be.

I smiled at the thought of us being okay with each other, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

This was our destiny.

Friendship, not love.

It was dumb of me to have ever thought otherwise.

Operation: Get Over Scout Martin was a go.
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Hope you enjoyed this chapter - make sure to give me a vote and a comment to let me know x

So Cole's a bit depressed but he came to a conclusion in the end - what are your thoughts?

Next update: 5/9/20

Teaser: scout's reflection on everything and begins to question her relationship with trent more than ever (finally lol)