Synonyms For Better

Chapter 14 - Pseudo-Apologies and Snow Owls

THAT EVENING, AN hour or so before dinner, Jolene was busy playing 8-ball pool in the gaming room on the main floor, so I had our room to myself. 

In my shoulders, I could still feel the residual tension from the argument Finn and I had earlier. After the whole burrito session with Renzo, we'd both stormed off to cool down separately, and I hadn't expected to see him again until much, much later. But now on my pillow rested a note, and I didn't even need to open it to see who it was from.

My heart seemed to skip a beat as I unfolded it. It was a little crumpled, and I could tell it had been scribbled in a hurry. 

Dear Cora (a.k.a. my little Almond),

I'm still a terrible gardener, but I swear I'm not a terrible friend. Meet me by the clearing beside the hotel. I'll be the one looking like a guilty puppy. (You can bring treats, if you want).

P.S. I promise no more 'accidentally drowning plants' sessions. Or...you know, at least not today. 

P.P.S. You don't have to bring actual treats. I'm sweet enough as it is, ahem (or at least that's what my mom says).

Yours, 

Finn (a.k.a. Not-Neel)

I couldn't help but smile, my earlier irritation melting away. Leave it to Finn to crack jokes in the middle of a pseudo-apology. I folded the note, tucked it into my pocket, and slipped on my running shoes. And then I set off to find my Not-Neel. 

The cool evening air greeted me as I made my way toward the clearing, my heart a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The path was quiet, and the sounds of the forest were muted as the sky slowly but surely turned into its routinely dark canvas. 

Finally, I reached the clearing, and I slowed down to scan the area for a tell-tale head of messy dark hair. The space was dimly lit by the remnants of daylight, and for a moment, it seemed like I was alone. And then I thought, for a moment, what if this was some plot by a serial killer to get me alone and then harvest my kidneys? Like, what if that note wasn't even from Finn at all?

This was the end. Roll the credits, please.

But then I realized that I needed to search up on Pinterest some concoctions that would help calm an overactive imagination, because just then a familiar figure stepped out from the shadows, and he was very much not a serial killer or organ-harvester. Just good ol' Finn with that sheepish grin on his face, the one that made me simultaneously want to hug him and shake him.

"There you are," I said instead, crossing my arms and trying to keep my tone completely neutral. 

"There you are," Finn echoed, his voice light, though there was a hint of something else in his eyes. Nervousness? "I wasn't sure if you'd come."

Oh. 

I raised an eyebrow, doing my best to appear unimpressed. "And miss out on the chance to see you grovel?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Not a chance."

Finn's dark eyes searched mine as amusement filled his gaze, and he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fair point, Miss A.B. I guess I deserve that."

I stepped closer, my arms still crossed, but I could feel my resolve softening. "So, what's all this about?" 

Finn took a breath before his eyes met mine with that sincerity that always managed to take me aback. "I wanted to apologize," he said. "For the plants...and for being an idiot earlier."

"Which part?" I teased lightly, smiling at him softly, and his eyes shined in relief.

"All of it," Finn admitted, slightly tilting his head as his grin turned a degree more playful. "I know I messed up, and I wanted to make it right. So I did some thinking, and..." I watched curiously as he then stepped aside, revealing a single, stunning flower standing proudly in the middle of the clearing.