Enjoy!

17 Again: Scarlett's Story

Part 3

Of course he wasn't there. As she stood in court, she was shocked that Mike didn't even bother to show up. Here she was, alone. The judge looked surprised when she announced that she wasn't seeking full custody. Even though Mike couldn't be bothered with her anymore, she knew it would kill him to not see Maggie and Alex anymore. Even with all their problems, she couldn't hurt him like that.

She jumped out of her chair as the doors burst open. Looking up, she half expected to see Mike bursting in, but was pissed when she saw Ned and Mark making their way down the aisle. For a brief second, she questioned the fact that Mark looked NOTHING like Ned, and brushed the thought from her mind.

When Ned announced that he was a lawyer, she laughed out loud.

As the two of them were being dragged out, Scarlett was puzzled by the fact that Mark held a letter from Mike. Why didn't Mike send it to her if he couldn't be here? Why send this letter to the teenage boy that had just appeared in her life?

"If it's ok, I'd like to hear the letter." Scarlett sat back down as Mark made his way back towards the front of the room. He seemed nervous has he unfolded the paper and started to read. All of a sudden, it was like there was no one else in the room but the two of them. As Mark painted a picture, she was there with Mike as she whispered, "I love you" into his ear as they moved to the music. She saw the tear roll from Mark's eye as he glanced up from the paper before looking down again. The room was silent as he finished, and he lay the paper down.

Her eyes followed him as he made his way out of the room. She couldn't do this. She wanted Mike back. After requesting to delay the hearing, she walked over in daze towards the letter that Mark had left. She picked it up and noticed that instead of the words that Mark had read, all the paper had was directions to the court house in Mike's messy chicken scratch. How was it possible that Mark would know all that?

* * *

Sitting in the stands, Scarlett felt completely out of place. The roaring crowd around her seemed way to loud. The pounding of the drum, seemed to be right in her head as she sat beside Maggie and her friends. Watching the cheerleaders dance, she half expected Mark to join in and show off. But a quick glance down to the court showed the boys warming up for the game. His eyes seemed to scan the stands and stop above her. She turned towards where he was looking and saw two men, wearing Ohio State colours.

It was complete dejaveiw for her. She placed her hand on her abdomen, half expecting to feel a slight bump. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the court, after hearing a sharp whistle. The team took to the court, Mark leading the way. Scarlett's eyes followed him as he turned around and took his place. When their eyes locked, the roar of the crowd was a whisper in her ears.

When his hand came to his lips and he followed through, her heart stopped. That was for her. That was his message to her. This wasn't some boy that acted like Mike, this was Mike.

Sputtering an excuse to Maggie, she stood and quickly made her way down the stands. There was no way she could be here. The room was to hot, to loud. She had to get out of the gym. The sound of the ball hitting the ground was loud in her ears. It pounded as she made her way towards the hallway. She could feel his eyes as they followed her path. Turning she locked eyes with him, and suddenly she was staring a Mike. Seventeen-year-old Mike started back at her, long curly hair over his eyes. She was frozen as they stared at one another. And then she ran. Down the hall. Into the darkness. Just like last time.

But she stopped. Would he do it again? If given the chance to do it over, would Mike chose her? Or would he take the road not taken? She held her breath as she slipped into the shadows. A chill whipped by her, and she heard Mike call out to her. Mike's deep, strong voice called out after her. She heard him stop at the doors and took a step into the light.

There he was. Mike, looking ridiculous, in a Hayden High basketball uniform and high top running shoes. He was just like she remembered. His hands ran through his hair as he turned around.

"It is you."

The characters are not mine. I'm just borrowing them!

Thank you.