CHAPTER EIGHT
holy shit
Gwen O'Brien needs to make a decision.
She'd always considered herself indecisive, but this was the first time she had to choose between two boys.
Gwen knocks on the door, and Elliot instantly gives her an irritated look.
"What do you want?" Elliot hisses.
"To apologize," Gwen says, "Because I'm a dick."
"At least you're self-aware."
"Elliot."
He sighs, locking eyes with her, "Alright, come in. It's fucking freezing out."
•••
"...And you don't have to forgive me, you don't have to do anything but you're my best friend and," Gwen sighs, "I like you, Elliot. I really do. I'm just not sure how I like you yet. And I shouldn't have kissed you."
Elliot looks at her again, "Is it because of Finn?"
She chuckles, shaking her head, "I like both of you in different ways, El. I just need to find out how. Does that make sense?"
He nods, "Yeah. It does."
"Do you get the difference between loving and being in love now?"
"I do."
•••
"A week ago, I had a small group of friends, and no romantic experience," Gwen says, lying down on the roof of the pharmacy, staring up at the sky, "Now, two boys like me. Fucking wild."
Finn lies next to her, chewing on the Air Head in his hand, "Yeah, I mean, I'm surprised nobody's liked you before."
Gwen scoffs, "How?"
"You're pretty, you're funny, you're smart-- well, still not smarter than me--"
"Alright, fuck off, Cassidy."
"--But you're smart," Finn continues, "How don't you get anyone's attention?"
"Because I lay low," Gwen replies, "It's the best way to be."
"Maybe your problem is laying low." Finn responds, "Why don't you just... be?"
Gwen glances over at him, "Real motivational, Cassidy."
Finn smiles softly, "I know."
"I gotta go," Gwen stands up.
"Shit," Finn says, "Alright. I'll see you around?"
Gwen shrugs, "Maybe."
•••
"She's very determined," Brooke whispers to Ansley, "I think she made a decision."
"How many pros and cons could she have possibly found from meeting up with them just today?" Ansley furrows her eyebrows.
"Damn," Brooke widens her eyes, "She's writing a lot."
Gwen hands the list to Brooke, as she begins to read it aloud.
"Elliot. Good music taste. Finn, good listener. Elliot, great artist." Brooke reads, "Finn, rides a bike. Elliot, loyal. Finn, smart. Elliot, good reader. Finn, funny. Holy shit."
"Holy shit? Why 'holy shit'?" Ansley furrows her eyebrows.
"You picked?" Brooke asks, looking up at Gwen.
Gwen smiles eventually.
"Is it the one I wanted?" Kate grabs the list and gasps audibly, "Holy shit!"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Ansley says, snatching the list, words failing her.
"You got something to say, Ans?"
"Holy shit."
A/N: sorry for the cliffhanger 😍 (i'm not)
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PROS & CONS
Teen Fictionin which: gwen o'brien doesn't know what to do after finally receiving attention from her two biggest crushes-- so her friends propose a pros & cons list
