You might be wondering—where's Scott? And what's he doing?
Take a wild guess.
No?
Alright, I'll tell you.
He's currently sitting at a dinner table, halfway through his meal… surrounded by the Argents.
"So, Scott," Chris said, folding his hands calmly on the table. "What are your plans for the future?"
"Oh, well… I really like playing lacrosse," Scott said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But after high school, I think I'd like to be a vet. I actually work at a clinic right now—I've been learning a lot."
"Oh?" Victoria chimed in, her sharp eyes narrowing as they studied him. Her short hair framed a face that hadn't trusted him from the start.
"So, the medical field, huh? Just like my sweet, innocent Olivia," Victoria said with a teasing smile, glancing at her daughter.
Olivia groaned quietly, sinking into her chair as her face turned bright red. She looked like she wanted to disappear.
"Actually," Allison cut in, clearly trying to change the topic away from Scott. "Olivia has a crush on a boy at school, don't you?"
Olivia went pale. Slowly, she turned her head toward her sister, pure betrayal in her eyes.
"Oh, really?" Victoria said sweetly as she stabbed a knife into the roast chicken with a little too much enthusiasm. "Tell me, Allison… who might this boy be? I'm very curious to know who's caught my youngest daughter's attention." She sliced through the chicken thigh with surgical precision, her eyes dark with motherly menace.
Chris raised an eyebrow, clearly curious too—but unlike Victoria, his expression was unreadable. Still, considering what had happened with that boy and Olivia not long ago, he already had a good idea who she was talking about.
And in the back of his mind? He was calmly calculating at least five different ways to make a teenage boy disappear… without ever leaving a trace.
Olivia stared down at her lap, hands trembling beneath the table. They're all so overprotective… she thought bitterly.
Still, she forced on a brave face and drew in a breath, ready to speak her mind.
Just as she opened her mouth, the words barely came out—a whisper at best.
"If she's allowed to have… a boyfriend, then why can't I—"
But before she could finish, a new voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Sorry I'm late," came the casual drawl.
Kate Argent stepped into the home, all smug confidence in her leather jacket, fresh from one of her little "walks" in the woods.
"Aunt Kate!" Allison shouted, running toward her with excitement and throwing her arms around her.
Kate returned the hug warmly. "Hey there, how've you been? Look at you—you've only gotten more beautiful since the last time I saw you."
"Oh, stop it, Aunt Kate," Allison giggled. "Wait—come on, I want you to meet someone!"
Kate grinned, intrigued. "Ooh, I'm curious. And where's my other favorite niece?" she asked as she followed Allison toward the kitchen.
As they entered the dining room, Kate's eyes scanned the table, but Olivia's chair was empty.
"Where'd she go?" Chris asked, frowning as he noticed Olivia's chair was empty.
"Auntie Kate," a voice called from behind.
Kate turned around to see Olivia standing there. A warm smile spread across her face as she pulled the girl into a hug.
"Oh my, you've grown into such a beautiful young lady," Kate said, gently patting Olivia's head. "Still as shy as ever, huh?"
Olivia gave a small nod, the sound of agreement barely a hum in her chest.
Then Kate turned—and spotted Scott sitting at the table. Her expression shifted into a teasing grin.
"Well, well… and who's this hottie?"
Scott nearly choked on the sip of water he had just taken, eyes going wide in shock.
"Aunt Kate!" Allison exclaimed, mortified. "That's my boyfriend!"
As they all took their seats, Kate continued with a smirk, "Well, you sure know how to pick the best of the bunch from a school full of boys."
"Kate," Chris said, turning to his sister and subtly shifting the conversation. "How was your little trip down memory lane?" He gave her a pointed look, clearly hinting at his displeasure with her actions from the past.
"Oh, it was wonderful, I must say," Kate replied breezily. "And nice to see you too, Victoria."
The two women exchanged a firm nod, their greeting formal but laced with unspoken tension.
(Scott pov)
Scott's heart was pounding like crazy as he sat at the dinner table with the Argents, trying to survive their barrage of questions. It was overwhelming—but one thing stuck in his mind: my plans.
He glanced at Allison.
Maybe he was crazy, but the way she looked at him, the way she smiled, the way she laughed—it did something to him. Was this love?
Because if it was… then he'd already found the one.
Even if they'd only just met, even if their relationship had just begun, something deep in his heart told him: she's it.
Scott reached his hand out, and Allison did the same. Their fingers intertwined, and he gently rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb. She smiled—soft, warm—and he smiled back.
The entire dinner table went silent, watching the quiet display of affection between the two. No one said a word, but it was clear: Scott McCall wasn't going anywhere. He was going to be around a lot more.
After a long pause, Chris let out a slow sigh. "It's getting late," he said, turning to Allison. "Why don't you give Scott a ride home?"
He tossed her the car keys without waiting for a response.
Allison opened her mouth, trying to speak, but no words came out. Still, her expression said enough.
Thank you, she mouthed silently.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him along, both of them giggling as they hurried out the door. They climbed into her dad's old Chevrolet truck and drove off into the night, the warmth of young love filling the quiet evening air.
Neither of them knew what the future held—but for now, it was just them, the road, and the stars above.