Scott headed into the yard with the other residents. A lot of the boys were playing sports, some were running around making laps. Scott just stood in the middle of the yard, taking in his surroundings. The area they were contained in was no bigger than a football field and was surrounded by tall fencing topped with barbed wire. Past the fence Scott could see the Dallas skyline. The irony of standing in a prison looking at one of the most gorgeous views of the city was not lost on him.

He glanced around until he saw Avi and Kevin running laps, he began to jog behind them, too lost in his own thoughts to pay attention to their conversation. After working up a sweat, the residents were lead back inside to their cells.

"So what do we do now?" Scott asked.
"We wait," Avi answered. 
"They'll come get us for showers soon, they only allow so many in at once," Kevin continued, realizing Scott needed more of an explanation.
"Ughh," Scott groaned, "I forgot about showering in front of everyone."
Kevin looked at him confused, "shouldn't you be looking forward to seeing all these dudes naked? Isn't that something you would enjoy?"
Scott rolled his eyes. "Uh no. To be honest the only boy I care about seeing sans clothing is Mitch."
"Well, you better get over that real quick, I think we're next in line." Avi said.

A guard walked over and opened the slat in the door, calling Avi forward. He instructed Avi to turn around, handcuffing him behind his back before doing the same to the other two. Once all three were restrained, a guard unlocked the cell calling each one out individually to attach a waist chain and shackles. A chain was then placed between each boy, connecting them, Avi to Scott, Scott to Kevin. The three were lead out of their block into a large room where they were unchained and told to stripe. The shower was one room, grimy, with no partitions to separate the showerheads.

Scott looked around uncomfortably trying to use his wash rag to cover his private areas. He quickly showered and was told to leave the room. After toweling off, Scott got dressed before he was cuffed and shackled again. Since he was the first one of his group done, he was told to sit and wait for Avi and Kevin. Afterward they were lead back into their "classroom" and instructed to work until dinner.

During dinner, Scott questioned Avi and Kevin about their crimes.

"Weapons charge," Avi mumbled, mouth full of stale cornbread.
"Robbery," Kevin chimed in.
"Ohh." Scott responded not wanting to intrude further.
"But Kev gets out in 2 months."
Scott looked up, "that's great man."
"Yea, I guess," Kevin said nonchalantly.
Scott confused by his answer continued, "you're not happy?"
"No, I am. I just think I'm going to miss some people."

Scott couldn't help but catch the look that passed between Kev and Avi. Scott knew that look but chose not to question it.

"So Avi, when are you released?"
"Umm, April I think, so like 7 months... what about you?" Avi now seemed dejected.
"I actually don't know, no trial date, no sentencing has been done. But my lawyer said I could be in up to 3.5 years. So I'd be here until September then placed into an adult facility."
"That sucks man," Kev responded.
"Yea, it does."

The rest of the week passed in much of the same way. Mr. Soles came by to see Scott and told him they were in talks with the DA about a plea but no other news but that.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Down stairs, Mrs. Grassi was preparing lunch while on the phone. "Well what if he has no guardian to sign?" Mitch heard his mother ask. "Well that's the stupidest rule I've ever heard of...mmhmm...kay...bye!" She slammed the receiver down before looking to meet Mitch's eyes.

"Who was that mom?"
"That was the facility where Scott is being held."
"When can I go see him?" Mitch asked, eyes wide with excitement.
"Unfortunately, visitors under 18 who are not directly related to the resident must be given permission by that resident's parent or guardian. And since Scott isn't in the care of anyone but the state, we can't get anyone to sign off. So you can't visit him."

Mitch stared blankly at her, trying to comprehend.

"You can write letters though and he can respond. I know it's not much but it's better than nothing."

Mitch just continued to stare.

"I made you lunch."
"Not hungry," he turned and made his way back up the stairs throwing himself onto his bed.

After a few moments of crying, Mitch stood and made his way down stairs again.

"Mom, can I go to the store?"
"Why? What do you need?"
"I want to get some nice stationary and pens so I can write Scott."
"Yea, go ahead, take my car, just be careful."

Mitch drove downtown to the shopping district. He found a store that looked like it might have what he needed. He parked and went inside, browsing through the aisles of colorful paper, envelopes, and pens. He finally settled on blue paper because the color reminded him of Scott's eyes. He then selected gold envelopes and an array of metallic pens. On his way to the checkout, he got distracted by the greeting cards, deciding to choose one and send it along with his first letter.

He perused the lines of cards trying to find one that accurately described his feeling. Unfortunately they don't make cards that say "sorry you're in jail but thanks for beating the guy up for me." He settled for a blue card with white clouds that had a velvety texture. There were not words on the front but the inside said "miss you bunches." Mitch figured he could fill the card with all the things he wanted Scott to remember while they were apart. He paid for his haul before making his way back to his care and driving home.

As soon as he got back, he went to work compiling a list of song lyrics he wanted to use in the card. He and Scott had always had a special connection through music it would be perfect. He found his phone, ignoring the texts from Kirstie, and opened the music app, scrolling through to find the playlist he wanted: 💙💙Scottie💙💙. He pressed shuffle and began picking out pieces of the music that he thought best fit Scott.

"Everywhere I'm looking now, I'm surrounded by your embrace. Baby, I can see your halo, you know you're my saving grace. You're everything I need and more, it's written all over your face. Baby, I can feel your halo, I pray it won't fade away."

"Love it patient. Love is kind. Love is patient. Love is kind."

"I need you like a lighthouse on the coast, like the Father and the Son need the Holy Ghost, I need you."

"I found the one stronger than anyone I know, he shares my dreams I hope that someday I'll share his home...We are still kids but we're so in love, fighting against all odds, I know we'll be alright this time. Darling just hold my hand, be my love, I'll be your man. I see my future in your eyes."

Once he was done with his list he went to work copying them in his best handwriting filling the inside of the card. On the bottom right corner he write Mitchie + Scottie inside of a heart.  He then set the card to the side, pulling out a piece of stationary.

Dear Scottie,
First off, I love you more than anything. I miss you. I miss your hand holding mine. I miss your smell. I miss how you would hug me from behind. I miss the taste of your kisses. I miss the warmth of your touch. I miss playing with your hair. I miss you playing with mine. I miss your cuddles. I miss you singing me to sleep. I miss getting cute texts from you just because. I miss your presence.
I
Just
Miss
You!

I want to see you but they won't let me. I can't get in because there's no one to sign off on my name. My mom said she would keep calling around and try to find a way around all these rules.

I haven't been back to school and probably won't go back until Monday. I'm not sure what I'll do in class without you beside me. I'm scared to go back. I'm going to be lost without you Scottie. I feel so empty without you.

I miss you so much.

Write back soon baby.

                                    Love,
                                        Your Mitchie💜

After he composed his letter and was satisfied, he took his cologne, one that always drove Scott crazy, and spritzed some being careful not to smear the ink. He placed the letter in an envelope and sealed it, writing the addresses neatly and legibly. He placed a stamp on both the card and the letter and ran down the street to drop them in the mail box.