Three

When you hear the name Scott Finnegan, you immediately remember the middle school baseball player.

That same middle schooler who stuck gum in Hannah Sawyer hair when she was bullying Carly Huston for wearing glasses.

And if you're lucky enough you would remember that he was the same Scott Finnegan who kissed Mason Forest on Valentine's day back in freshman year.

So if you've heard that Scott Finnegan was back in town likelihood you're not going to see the once star baseball player who hit a home run and broke the schools loosing streak.

He wasn't the same hyperactive kid who would run you down the street with those disgusting earthworms.

He was different, wrapped in a shell from the whole world, broken and trying to find repair. Scott Finnegan was just the guy who came back home after a terrible incident.

No encore, no reunions, just a broken boy.

Scott wanted to get away from the small town madness, go beyond the the lopsided, rusty old sign at the entrance of the town.

He packed his bags and escaped right after highschool into the larger parts of the world for university.

When he saw Mikey Downey with his overgrown scruffy beard, red eyes and the stale stench of beer emitting from his body.

Oversized jeans that hung loose on his hips revealing his bad coloured underwear, shirt that had so many stains you thought it was decoration, Scott knew he hadn't escaped.

He knew Mikey hadn't escaped the small town madness, only to be pulled in deeper and thrown to bad end of it.

"Scotty is that you" Mikey said, his voice grated Scott's ears as he walked with a limp in his step.

Maybe it was just a thing they did since Scott saw a few others having a can of beer and doing the same limp walking.

"The one and only" Scott scrunched his voice at how close Mikey was, mixtures of odours that could accidentally cause someone to faint.

Scott hasn't heard that nickname in years, he thought it was long gone; faded in the wind.

He had gotten it after hitting that home run Scotty the home runner; looking back it was just a lame name.

It followed him into high school then appeared back after kissing Mason. The name was always followed by something.

"Its me, Mikey" he said, pointing to himself. "Man, I thought I wouldn't see you again"

Scott thought the same and if he did see any of his old classmates he always envisions them differently.

Mikey was also a baseball player. The lean boy grew full muscles in highschool as he continued playing baseball and even took on swimming. Scott gradually lost interest in the sport.

He thought Mikey had gotten a scholarship to some university. Yet, here he was, high on something and stinker than a skunk.

Scott wasn't the only one who had hit rock bottom, Mikey just got hit harder.

"When did you get back into town?" Mikey asked, taking out a cigarette and lighting it puffing the smoke to the side.

"Few months ago" Scott forced the words to leave his mouth. He just wanted to buy the story book and go home.

"That long" Mickey took a long draw from his cigar. "You still live the same place?"

Scott wanted to dodge the question, he didn't want to hang out around the future Mikey that had more than a few bad company.

"I'm busy right now" Scott said, pointing to the book store that was just in sight.

Mikey gave him a wearily look, stomping out his cigar on the ground. "Guess I'll see you around"

Mikey gave Scott a quick pat on the back, walking away in that limping style of his.

Scott let out a breath he didn't realized he was holding. He didn't think the first person he would meet would be Mikey Downey.

Scott continued to the bookstore, it had been a fair walk so far. Nothing nerve racking happened, the mid morning air was fine and the sun kept him warm throughout his walk.

He spotted a few places he used to visit in his younger days, surprised they were still in the works.

When he had the chance or felt up to it he would want to visit the places he loved as a kid.

The bookstore was small, shelves upon shelves of different books to choose from.

A few people roamed about, looking for the most interesting books. Scott went directly to the children's isle.

Popular children's book laid neatly along the shelves. Scott picked up a few books only to place them down back.

Knowing his mom, she would be quite picky wondering why Scott choose whatever book he did and not another one.

As he scanned the shelves from top to bottom the familiar beeping slowly started to ring in his head.

The bookstore was too quiet, the screeching sound of tires just around the corner made him jolt.

It was happening again, he thought things were going well. The beeping was becoming louder and louder than ever.

The speed increasing rapidly almost ear deafening. Scott dropped the book onto the floor, his hands reaching for his ears.

He needed his headphones, he needed it to stop but the beeping only increased.

As if the hitting of a drum had come to an halt the beeping stopped when a voice reached his ears. "Are you okay?"

Scott looked up to see a dashing black haired guy with light blue eyes hiding behind a glasses.

His hands dropped to his side as he looked around the room. It was like nothing had happened, the murmurs of the customers could be heard, the silent world wasn't so silent at all.

"I-I'm fine" Scott took up the falling book, taking deep breaths as he tried to calm himself.

"Alice in Wonderland?" The man said, coming from behind the wooden bookshelf, pointing at the book in Scott's hand.

Looking down Scott was indeed holding Alice in Wonderland. "Ah yeah" Scott tried to hide his hint of sudden embarrassment, placing back the book amongst many.

"I think this is a better option" he said, pulling a book out and handing it to Scott.

"Cat in the Hat" Scott read the title, he knew the classic story.

"Classic" the man gave a toothy smile that warmed Scott's heart. "I personally enjoyed the emperors new clothes back when I was younger"

Scott didn't expect for the stranger to engage in casual conversation with him. "I-I think I know that one" he stuttered, its been awhile since he had a decent conversation with a stranger.

"Are you going with that one?" he pointed at the Cat in the Hat book that Scott forgot he was holding.

"Ah,Yes" Scott said, smiling lightly at the man. "Thank you" Scott saw the man holding a few books in his hands as well. "Poetry?"

He looked down at the books he held "A fan if I had to say" he looked up meeting Scott's brown eyes, making him avert his gaze. "These are for the poetry group meeting this afternoon"

Scott didn't know there were now poetry groups in this small town, he didn't know anything at all now.

"Poetry group?" Scott raised a brow, getting more comfortable with the conversation.

He took out a poster from the small bag he carried and handed it to Scott. It gave an overview of the poetry group held at the community center.

"You should stop by sometime" he said, smiling at Scott as he had been for the past few minutes. "New members are welcome"

Scott didn't know, he was taking things one step at a time. He wasn't good with poetry and the guy seemed genuinely welcome to have him. "I'll think about it"

"Great" he said. "I'm Elijah by the way"

"Scott"

As he took Elijah's hand, Scott felt a feeling of warmth. His first interaction with someone in town went way better than he had expected.