𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 ᶠⁱⁿⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

𝟎𝟏𝟐: 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐
𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞

Finn sat staring at the betting book blankly and leaned against his fist. "Oi." John kicked his chair, causing him to sit up quickly. "The fuck you doin' eh? You're supposed to be working." He said.

Finn cleared his throat and blinked hard. "Sorry— I.. yeah." He stuttered, looking at the page properly and taking his pencil from the table.

John looked at him funny and crossed his arms, leaning against the table. "Who's upset you?" John asked, half joking. Finn shook his head. "No one." He lied. John stifled a laugh. "I've known you all of your life— I can tell when you're lying, mate." He said.

The younger Shelby boy ran a hand over his mouth and shook his head again. "Nah— I'm not telling you. I'm fucking embarrassed."

John raised a brow. "What girl did you fuck?"

"No girl!" Finn snapped, lowering his voice quickly and looking around to see if anyone had heard. "There was no girl. That's the point." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

John hummed. "Go on then. What is it that's bothering you so much that you can't work?"

"Aurora.." Finn whispered.

"What? I didn't quite hear ya." John leaned forward. Finn muttered a few things to himself angrily. "Aurora." He repeated. John's eyes filled with realisation and he leaned back. "Why? What's she done?"

"I tried to kiss her— well, kind of." Finn winced. "I was drunk and she just looked so.." he paused, "beautiful."

John bit back his laughter and grabbed Finn's shoulder, shaking him lightly. "Oh, Finn boy. You'll get over it. How about we get you a whore for after work?"

"No." He refused quickly. "I don't want a whore, John."

"Alright." John put his hands up in defence. "I was only messing. But seriously, it'll be fine. Aurora won't mention it, i'm sure. Well— that's if she even remembers it."

Finn sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so fucking stupid."

"Not really." John shrugged. "Youse both want to fuck each other— I see it in your eyes." He teased. "It's unbearable to watch, actually. Seeing you both look at each other the way you do. Just get with her at this point, mate."

"It isn't that easy."

"Why not? Just ask her." John urged. "That's easy for you to say!" Finn snapped. "You have girls on their knees just for a moment of your time. No one ever looks my way. And— and it's not like I want them to, really. I just want Rory to look at me."

"And she does." John whispered. "I see it. We all see it."

Finn shrunk in his seat.

"Right— after work, you can come with me and Arthur to the Garrison. I'll get you a drink or two, yeah? Lighten up, soldier." John squeezed his shoulder.

-

Aurora had stayed in bed most of the day until Tommy appeared at her door with his arms crossed. She faced the wall. "You plan on getting up any time soon?" He asked.