Josh had been thinking about Scatty throughout the entire day. He imagined every possible way his future date could go. From the good outcomes to the bad outcomes. He thought of the night ending with them sharing a kiss, and he thought of her slapping him and storming away never talking to him again. No matter what the outcome was though he still got the date, which was good enough.
The week went by quickly until Friday rolled around. Josh was talking to Scatty like he had done everyday that week. "So Scatty, me and Sophie's birthday is on Sunday, and since you're not that far from our house, I was wondering if you wanted to come over." Josh said to her nervously. She gave him a cute smile and said "Sure."
He smiled back and continued to talk to her joyfully. The day couldn't go by any slower until he could talk to her on the bus again at the end of the day. He talked to her the bus ride home but it seemed to go by twice as fast as usual. The first thing he did when he got home was run into the gym room his parents had set up just for him. For the rest of the day and most of Saturday he did pull-ups, bench presses, and sit-ups, so he could show off for Scatty on Sunday.
Once Sunday came around he ran over to personally escort Scatty over to his house. He walked with her back to his house, talking to her and laughing the whole time. About halfway she got tired and she asked to stopped. Josh simply picked her up and she piggy-backed on him the rest of the way to his house. He carried her there easily thanks to all the working out he had been doing since Friday, which he was extremely grateful for.
The second that they walked in Josh's parents bombarded him and Scatty with questions and attention, which made Sophie giggle a little. Josh new this would happen, and he hoped that Scatty would be able to handle all their questions and embarrassing baby stories. Luckily they made it through without Scatty thinking he was a total loser. Once they were done Josh hurried her away saying "Hurry, before they start up again."
He led her to his room so that they could be alone. They sat on his bed side by side, holding each others hands in a bit of an awkward silence. "The one time we have nothing to talk about," Josh said to her with a smile. She giggled lightly when he said this. "We don't really need to talk," she told him leaning in slightly. He backed away just a little. "Listen Scatty. You know I like you. I've never felt like this with anyone, but here's the thing. My parents have told so many stories about how they've ruined a relationship because they rushed into things. Do you wanna wait, just a little while?"
She smiled and backed away. "Good job. Just checking to make sure you're not another horny teenager," Scatty told him as she leaned back. He smiled and sat up straight again. "So then what do you wanna do?" Josh asked her after a little bit. She looked around his room. "Well, how bout I whoop your ass at a couple video games," she said with a smile. He simply looked at her. "You just got 40% hotter, I hope you know that."
She gave him a large toothy grin "I know," she said happily. "So what do you wanna play. I got COD, Halo, Mortal Kombat-" Scatty cut off Josh the second Mortal Kombat left his lips. "Mortal Kombat!" she said enthusiastically. He laughed and put in the disc. He handed her a controller and started the game. She quickly chose her best character. Once the fight started it took no time at all for her to demolish him. He watched the screen, stunned. "Well, that was unfair," Josh complained. "Oh ya? And why is that," Scatty said in a joking, snooty voice. "Because...yooou, did not tell me that you were so good," he said, making up an excuse on the spot. "So, you're saying that now that you know how good I am you could beat me?" she asked him with a smile. "Definitely," Josh told her confidently.
They had a rematch and she beat him just as bad. "Well. I withdraw my complaint," he told her, defeated. She put down her controller and laughed. "Come on, don't give up. You can do it. Actually no you can't. You should give up now," she said smiling. "Oh, hardy har har," Josh faked a laugh. He picked up his controller and he continued to get beat by her for hours. They played, and played, and played. Once they were done it was late. "Well I better walk you home," Josh told her putting his controller down. "You know, I have an idea. My parents are really cool. Do you think your parents would let you stay the night at my house," she said hopefully.
"Actually, that's a really good idea," Josh replied. He asked his parents and sure enough they said yes. He packed a bag for himself and walked with Scatty all the way back to her place. "Can I tell you something?" Scatty asked Josh on their way to her house. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow "Hm?"
"Well, on the way here this morning. I didn't really get tired. I just pretended so that we could spend more time alone. But of course, I got a piggy-back ride instead, which is just as good," she told him with an embarrassed smile. He chuckled and took a hold of her hand. She didn't say anything, they simply walked in silence the rest of the way. Once they got to her house she asked her parents if he could stay the night. They shared a glance with each other and said yes with hint of sadness. Josh and Scatty didn't catch it however and simply ran up to her room. By this time it was late so they didn't do anything. They simply fell asleep together in Scatty's bed.
The next day they went to school together and came back to Scatty's house. Once they walked in her parents stopped them. "Scatty, we need to talk to you. Josh, I guess you might want to hear this to," her mom said sadly. They sat them down and explained to them that they would be moving. By the end Scatty and Josh her holding each others hands tightly. They ran up to her room and simply sat side by side. Eventually Josh broke the silence.
"Listen. I know we said we wanted to take things slow but-" once again Josh was cut off, but this time Scatty wasn't talking. She had suddenly taken his face in her hands and kissed him. Once the initial shock was over he kissed her back. They kissed for a while. Once they ran out of breath they broke apart and Scatty had started to cry. "I don't want to go," she sobbed into Josh's shoulder. "I know, I know. I don't want you to leave either." Josh said to her. He kissed her on the top of her head and held her.
She left soon after. In the following months Josh seemed constantly depressed. He wouldn't read, he wouldn't talk to anyone but Sophie, and he would barely eat. It took at least three months but eventually he got over her. What he didn't know was that this wasn't the end. No, not even close. He would see her again, in years to come.