When Scott arrived the first thing he noticed was Kevin was still nowhere to be found. He then heard whimpering and noticed a lump lying on Avi's bunk. Scott sighed as he made his way over and sat on the floor beside the older boy's bed. He reached out hesitantly to rub Avi's back. He could only imagine what the guy was going through. Sure, Scott had literally been ripped from Mitch's arms but at least he knew Mitch was relatively okay. Avi had no idea what was going on with Kevin or why he hadn't returned from solitary.

"Hey Avi..."
No response.
"Avriel, talk to me please. I know you're worried but so am I. You can't keep acting like this though."
Avi rolled over and looked into Scott's blue eyes, his own green orbs red from all the tears he'd shed over the past few hours.
"Scott, why isn't he back? He should have been back."
"He'll be back soon."
"How do you know that? What if he never comes back? What if they took him away? What if I never see him again?"
"Avi don't. He'll be back."
"But what if he's not Scott?!? I... I... I'm in love with him Scott. I don't think I'll ever love another person the way I love him."
"He will be back Avi. I swear it. You'll see him again."
"But when will I see him? I need to make sure he's okay."
"I don't know Av. But I'm sure he's fine."
"You know he's always taking care of me. I never take care of him. I'm a bad boyfriend. I let him take the blame for something that wasn't even his fault, now he's gone."
"I'm sure you're a great boyfriend, I know Kevin thinks you are. And we've been over this, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't his fault. It's just how things are in here. Y'all are in love and it sucks because in here you can't show affection like you want to. It's just the damn rules."
"Just the rules? Rules that we wouldn't have if we weren't in this fucking place."
"True. But if you weren't here you may not have met Kevin."
"So it's a good thing we're in jail?"
"No, but it's a good thing you met your boyfriend. I'm just trying to brighten this day a bit. But there aren't too many positives about being locked up." Scott chuckled, thinking he really sucked at giving pep talks.
"You don't suck at pep talks, you actually kind of rock at them."
"Did I..."
"Say that aloud, yes you did. And maybe there are positives to being here. I met Kevin who is the love of my life and I met you, who turned out to be a great friend. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through these past two days without you."
"How did you get through them before I came?"
"I didn't really have to. Neither Kevy or I have been to solitary since we first got celled together."
"Really?"
"Yea. Before that I was in a lot. That's why I have an extra two months on my sentence. Kevin had been a couple of times, no where near my count. I guess that's why Kevin calls me a fighter. Someone would say something and rather than ignore them, I'd hit them. Especially when I first got here, I guess I was just angry with the world."
"What happened? You don't seem angry to me."
"That's because I'm not. Not anymore. I guess I have Kev to thank for that. He calms me down. Taught me about love I guess. Showed me I don't have to be that angry boy anymore."
"You really love him don't you?"
"I do Scott. More than life itself. You know how you told us that without Mitch you felt like there was a hole in your chest?"
Scott just nods.
"That's how I feel." Avi places his hand over his heart. "It's gone because it belongs to him, he has it."
"It get that Avi. I damn sure understand that. I just saw Mitchie, but every time he leaves it's like something rips open inside of me."
"Exactly!"
"Wow! We sound like some love struck little girls."
"Well, we are love stuck I guess. But I wouldn't change that."
Scott smiled, "I wouldn't either. But we really need to stop all the sad talk and get to bed before the guards come and yell."
"You're right."
"Night Av. It'll all work out. Kevin will come back to you."
"I hope so. Night Scott."

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

Nel and Mike were surprised to see how happy Mitch was when the quartet dropped him off.

"You're awfully joyful..." Mike eyed him suspiciously.
"I think I might almost be happy. Almost."
"And why is that?" His mother questioned.
"Because Scott loves me. And I love him. And even though we're apart, I know we still have that love. And I got to see him. I love looking at him."
"He is a handsome young man." Nel continued. "Did you tell him about Alex and you getting suspended?"
"Yea..."
"What did he say?" Mr. Grassi asked.
"Well he was more than shocked that I actually got suspended. And as far as Alex, he screamed he was going to kill him. I, of course, told him to not say things like that because they record those visits."
Nel continued, "that's true. I'd hate for something he said off handed to keep him there longer than necessary."
"Any time is longer than necessary. But I have a question for you guys."
"Okay, shoot." Mike said.
"So the quartet signed off on Jeremy and Kirstie being allowed to visit Scott."
"Okay... that's good. Where is the question though?"
"Well, tomorrow is Saturday so they get long visitation time because they don't have school. And I know I just went today and saw him but Kirst really wants to go and they asked me if I could go with them. Please mom and Mike. Please!" Mitch barely took a breath.
His parents exchanged a brief glance before his father spoke up.
"Well... I don't see why not. Matter of fact, why don't you go call Kirstin and let her know you can go and tell her to come stay over tonight. You two haven't had a girls' night in a while. I think it would do you some good."
"Really? You used to hate us having "girls'" night."
Mike smiled, "it took me a while I guess to get used to everything. To get used to you being you."
Mitch started to tear up, his mother quickly following his lead, "thanks you dad."
"I don't tell you enough Mitch, but I'm proud of you and the person you've become. I love you."
Mitch attacked his father with a hug as he completely broke down sobbing, "I love you too," he managed to choke out.