Since Forever

Chapter 31

Zac's POV

Archie squeezes my hand under the table and I break from my conversation to smile at him. This has been the best week of my life, being with Archie. I mean, sure, I've physically been near Archie a lot before, but it's not the same thing. 

"...and I didn't do any of it. I don't think anyone else did either, but if no one's done anything, Ms Eberton will be so disappointed," Alice is saying. "I always used to do the homework for that class because she looked so sad when no one did it. And now I haven't done it!" She threw her head into her hands and Finn gently rubbed her back.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Archie says comfortingly. "You can just tell her you'll do it after the next lesson." He has been so much nicer to Alice since we started...spending more time together. I think he's making an effort because she's my friend. Although in my opinion Alice is very easy to get along with, so that might not be it.

Finn leans in gently to press a kiss to her forehead. "That sounds okay, doesn't it, Ali?"

She nods, giving him a watery smile. 

It's our last day of camp and we're eating breakfast together for the last time. Until next year, at least. Thomas, Bailey and Ethan are here for the last time though.

Having mostly recovered, Alice turns to Finn and pokes him in the arm. "Oh, I just remembered something. Mum said to ask if you wanted a ride home."

He frowns in confusion. "When did she say that?"

"Well, she said if any friends need a lift home, she's happy to drop them." She intertwines her fingers with Finn's. "What do you think?"

He glances at us and Archie and I quickly pretend not to be listening by stuffing our breakfast into our mouths. "Are you sure that would be okay?"

Alice nods enthusiastically. "It would be great. Then I wouldn't have to talk to my mum the whole time." She sighs. "She's great and I love her, but sometimes she can be a bit..."

We nod in understanding, dropping the pretence of not being a part of the conversation. 

"And are you sure you're ready for me to meet your mother?" Finn rubs gentle circles on Alice's hand with his thumb while she answers.

"Yes." She blushes. "In a way, she uh kind of knows you already anyway."

"What?"

"Yeah, I um might have told her about you once or twice last year."

A grin spreads across Finn's face and he nudges her teasingly. "You talked to your mum about me?"

Alice hides her face in his chest and mumbles, "Mm-hmm."

"What exactly did you—"

"Can we talk about something else please?" she interrupts.

He smiles and let's Fred change the subject to back to school shopping or last camp activities or something. Finn lifts Alice's chin and rests his forehead against hers. "I'd love to ride back from camp with you."

"Hey Ruby?" I ask, walking up to the camp counsellor.

She stops talking to Gabe and turns to me. "Yeah?"

"Any chance I can borrow your phone? Please," I add as an afterthought.

Ruby gives me a questioning look.

"See, Alice's mum drove her here on the way to camp and I drove up Fred and Finn and Zac so Archie had to drive up with his dad but now Alice is driving Finn which means Finn isn't driving with us which means—"