Bewildered (Finn Harries)

Chapter Nine

Gemma’s P.O.V

The light shone through my closed eyelids in result of me shying away into my duvet. “Come on Gemma. You can’t sleep all day.” Liz’s voice called out. My eyes forced a stretch as I unhurriedly sat up. As my mind stabled, last night’s incident flashed through my thoughts causing my eyes to pop as I hastily jumped out of bed.

“Liz! Finn!” She looked down at the ground. “What?” I was now so close, her body responded as though she was intimidated. Liz held me by both sides and leaned back a little. “Look Gemma” she replied sounding distressed. “I went in to his room; he wasn’t there.” “Where’s his room?” “On the other end.” Oh my lord! Finn was my note buddy?!

I sat back on to the bed, head in my cupped hands, replicating last night’s reaction. “Do you think he came back into his room or…” I mumbled into my palm. “I’m sure he’s just gone to get something?” she tried to reassure. “Get ready now Gem, we’ll grab some coffee then go looking for him yeah?” I just wanted to know if Finn was alright. I’ve ever been this active in the mornings as I grabbed any odd outfit and ran into the bathroom to get ready.

Finn’s P.O.V

“Finn, we have to meet you now! All this happened and you can’t just not tell me!” Allen bellowed down the phone. “Meet me in Starbucks in about five minutes!” I hang up without uttering a single word.

Every muscle in my body was aching and felt like a warm marshmallow getting ripped into two. I secured my wrist with a mundane bandage and applied a plaster to the cut on my forehead, using my front fringes to cover up as much as I could. Pulling a jumper on with delicacy, I left for the coffee shop in order to meet Allen.

A few looks caught on me as I walked past. Another rebel. I could read the looks on their faces but it didn’t bother me; they didn’t know the story behind this state.

The door chimed as I walked in seizing a few more strange looks. My phone flashed at the entry of a text message. ‘Get me a medium coffee; I’ll be there in two.’ Tucking the phone back into my back pocket, my glance fell upon the counter.

Gemma’s P.O.V

“Can we get two mocha coffees please?” I asked kindly over the counter. “Make that three and an extra medium coffee.” I spun around at the intrusive voice behind me. “Finn!” My eyes shot open as I clinged on around his neck. Tears immediately came flooding out, making the finely applied eyeliner disappear. “Thank God I found you!” I pushed myself back as I looked him up and down. “Oh my God!” My hand flew to my mouth. “What have they done to you?!” Tears were continuously pouring down as I softly brushed over the plaster on his head with a single finger. Finn laughed at my frantic actions. “Gemma I’m—” “No you’re not fine!” I commanded. Taking a second glance at his state, I flung into his arms and rest my head on his torso. His arms swiftly wrapped around my waist as he pressed his left check on to the top of my head. A sudden realisation struck me that I was either over reacting or making it really obvious that I liked him that slight bit. I pulled back once again and took a step back, wiping the tears from my cheek bones. His eyeballs ran around the room from the same reaction as he bit his bottom lip and raised his arm to ruffle his hair. “OH MY GOD! AND YOUR WRIST?!” I grabbed his hand and looked at the untidy bandage. “Gemma, you’re over reacting!” “Am I really?” My eyebrows shot up. “Come with me.” “Where are you taking me?” he asked between giggles. “Whoever bandaged this for you clearly did a really rubbish job at it.” I replied sternly. “Actually… that would be me.” A blush raised on his cheeks as he tried to hold in his laugh from embarrassment. I rolled my eyes then looked over at Liz. She slowly blinked telling me to go. I looked back over at Finn directing my head towards the front door. “I’m waiting for Allen though.” “Liz will let him know.” I turned back to her for approval. She waved both hands shooing us to leave as she cancelled two of the orders. I looked back over at Finn once again compelled, dragging him out of the shop.

Finn’s P.O.V

Gemma explored through her bag in search of her room key. Finally accomplishing such a task, she inserted the key into its hole and turned the nob. Directing me to sit on her bed, she flung her bag into a corner and rummaged through a small cabinet. “Gemma, you really don’t have—” A finger upheld in my direction silencing me. “Here we go.”

There was not one sound as she circled around my arm numerous times, firmly applying a fresh bandage.

“I’m sorry Finn. This is all because of me.” Her voice croaked a little as she spoke. “Gemma it–” “Was my fault.” “No it—” “Was!” “Will you let me finish?” Completing the last application, she pinned the bandage into place and placed her hands on her lap; her glance falling down. “Gemma, if I really cared about all of this then I wouldn’t have come to save you. It’s better that you still have your dignity rather than for me to get hurt. Wounds can heal but internal scars can never.” I raised her head up by the chin and looked into her eyes. “Okay?” “But—” Her head flopped from side to side, not agreeing with a single word I said. “But nothing. I saved you, hurt myself, I’ll get better, bish-bash-bosh Bob’s your uncle.” She let out a brief laugh as she fell back on to my chest. “Thanks Finn.” I stroked through her soft hair in assurance. There was no reason for Gemma to blame herself. “By the way Gemma, why did you get your number transferred?” The thought had randomly occurred to me and I had to ask before I forgot again. “Some stalker; don’t worry about it.” “But—” “Don’t…” she glanced up at me “…worry about it.” Not meaning to seem rude, I let her rest her head on me.

*

Liz and Gemma joined Allen and I in the student lounge that evening. I wrapped my arms around Gemma as we squeezed on to one sofa; her head lightly rested on my shoulder.

“Where was I?” Allen questioned in shock as he sat at the edge of his seat. “Drunk probably” murmured Liz. “I was not drunk that evening F.Y.I” He snapped his fingers in a Z shape before returning to his serious face. We all burst out into laughter.

A blonde girl was approaching my direction. She wore high heels at all times and short pants no matter what the weather was like. “Finn…” she said in a baby voice. “I thought you said you were single?” “I am Kate.” Her gaze fell upon Gemma as she squint her eyes and turned back around to walk away. Gemma sat up and on to the sofa arm. As she looked over at me I signalled her not to worry and patted the space besides me. She shook her head and got up to move next to where Liz sat. Great!