Octavius

viii

FINLEY

        unknown: I'm here.

        I glanced at my phone screen unable to keep the squealing that escaped my lips, excitement due from the unknown number that had sent me a text. Octavius. Last time I had forced him to accept my phone number, even though I was sure he would delete it with any chance he got. He didn't! Oh my sugars, he texted me!

f: who is this... do I know you :/

unknown: Topolina. Come outside.

f: shsnndcjcbb okay :)

        "Fin! You need to eat breakfast before school," Charley yelled out as I rushed to grab my white socks illustrated with little panda designs on them. I attempted to shove my legs into my grey sweatpants, jumping slightly to fit into them and matched it with an oversized grey tank top that covered my impressive washboard abs.

Without hesitation, I grabbed my backpack and hurried to find my large, rimmed glasses only to discover that I was already wearing them.

Oh sugars.

        Where's my sweater? Panic began to fill inside me, and complete terror gripped my chest, like a suffocating hug that was slowly sucking the life out of me from the inside.

I glanced down at my hands, feeling the moisture of sweat dancing across my skin. My sweater was my only comfort, if I couldn't find it... What would happen? With my clammy hands, I gripped a fistful of my shirt as I attempted to calm down my rapid heartbeat, slow enough for me to catch my futile breath.

        Breathe, Finley. Breathe.

        "Fin! Breakfast!" Charley's sweet, feminine voice repeated. This time though, I could hear her hurried steps dashing through the stairs and they only seemed to only get louder with each pounding step.

        "No thank you! I'm... umm, you don't have to give me a ride to school today. I'm sorry I didn't tell you in time but is it okay if I go with a friend? If it's not okay with you, then it's fine. I can just let my friend know."

        "A friend?" She asked incredulously. I let out a quiet grumble under my breath when I finally spotted my grey sweater under my pillows. "Are you kidding! Oh my god, Fin. You could have fucking told me that. I bet you did this on purpose."

        My heart fell to my stomach with pure disappointment at the tone of her voice. My eyes filled with tears, thinking about how angry she sounded, and how it was simply my fault. Charley was right. I am selfish. I only care about myself.

        "Charley... no, I didn't-"

        "Forget it."

        "No... umm, no. Your feelings are valid as well. We can leave together, if that's what you want." I rambled taking hurried strides to reach the door. When I opened the doorway to let her in so I could explain everything, Charley was already gone.

        I'll text her so I can apologize. I have to apologize. It's my fault. I shouldn't been so selfish. I hope she's not angry.