THE L WORD

chapter seven

CHAPTER SEVEN
lovable person

"No," Elliot paces, "No, no, no, no, no... couldn't get Gwen, can't get Brooke... what the fuck am I doing wrong?"

"Elliot, I can hear you," Brooke says, "Open the door."

"Nobody's home."

"This isn't your home, first of all, it's your cabin," Brooke sighs, knocking louder, "And I know you want to talk to me. You've been ranting about it for the past ten minutes."

Elliot opens the door, "Brooke, if you're here to reject me again, you don't need to, I got it when you first said 'no.'"

"Ellie," Brooke says, "Shut the fuck up."

She stands up a bit taller, pressing her lips against his, putting her hands on the back of his neck.

Once the kiss ends, Elliot furrows his eyebrows.

"Brooke, you do know you said no, right?"

She chuckles softly, "I think you're the first boy I've ever really liked. You know? Like, I've had boyfriends, but I've never really liked them. They've all kind of been assholes. And you're the first boy who isn't an asshole, and I was scared of... actually feeling shit, so I said no. Which was stupid. And I deeply regret it."

Elliot lets out a breath of relief, "Thank god. I thought I was doing something wrong. You said no because I was doing something right."

"Exactly."

•••

"I don't want to talk to you right now," Is the first thing Gwen says when she sees Finn in front of her.

"Will you please just hear me out?" Finn pleads, "Please, Gwen. I'm literally fucking begging you."

Gwen pauses, and then sighs, "Alright, come in."

•••

"She kissed me," Finn explains, "And for the record, you are a much better kisser."

"Finn, what are you doing?" Gwen sighs, "Kate was there. She saw it all. There's nothing you can do or say that will change--"

"I love you."

Her expression falters, "What?"

Finn shuts his eyes, taking a deep breath, "I didn't plan to say this so early. But I love you. I really do, Gwen. I love you, and I've never loved anyone the way I fucking love you. It's terrifying that I don't know what do, and it's excruciating to know that you think I would ever willingly kiss anyone other than you-- or that I ever will again... because you're you. You're Gwen. I love Gwen."

Silence.

"You don't love me," Gwen shakes her head.

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't," Gwen denies, "I'm not a lovable person, Finn. You can't love me."

"Bullshit!" Finn says, "I do love you, I've loved you since day one of seventh fucking grade. Of course I love you."

"Finn," Gwen stops him.

He looks at her, waiting for her to continue.

"If you loved me, you wouldn't have kissed Scout."

a/n: one chapter left and then the epilogue-- sorry if you guys don't like the miscommunication trope! 🤭