Hollow Creek /Finney Blake X Male Oc/

Chapter Eight: Strumming New Friendships

Chapter 8: Strumming New Friendships

Evening, August 14, 1978

After dinner, Ethan settled into the familiar embrace of his couch, with Rocky curled up beside him and Whiskers nestled against his legs. The soft glow of the lamp cast a warm light over the room as he flipped through his songbook, contemplating the melodies he'd been working on. Tonight, he felt particularly inspired, ready to weave the day's experiences into his music.

The comforting sounds of the house enveloped him, but as the clock ticked closer to bedtime, the weight of sleep began to pull at his eyelids. He stood, stretched, and headed upstairs, his pets trailing behind him. In his room, Ethan slipped under the covers, Rocky finding his spot at the foot of the bed and Whiskers settling beside his head, purring softly.

"Goodnight, you two," Ethan whispered, feeling content as he closed his eyes. The rhythmic sounds of their breathing soon lulled him into a peaceful slumber, dreams swirling with melodies and echoes of laughter.

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Morning, August 15, 1978

The next morning, Ethan woke to the soft nudging of Whiskers against his cheek. Groggy but determined to start the day, he sat up and yawned, stretching his arms overhead. After a quick shower and brushing his teeth, he dressed in a comfortable T-shirt and jeans, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

Downstairs, the smell of coffee and something sweet wafted through the air, signaling that his mom was already hard at work in the kitchen. He grabbed a quick breakfast, exchanging cheerful banter with Sarah as she plated fresh pancakes drizzled with syrup.

"Do you have any plans for today?" she asked, pouring a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, I was thinking about inviting Finney over after school," Ethan replied, excitement bubbling up inside him. "I want to practice for the festival. We could jam together!"

Sarah smiled, clearly pleased with her son's blossoming friendship. "That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure he'll love it. Just remember to clean up your room first!"

"Will do," Ethan said, grinning at her.

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Afternoon, Hollows Creek Middle School

Later at school, Ethan navigated the hallways with newfound confidence, his heart racing as he approached Finney at his locker.

"Hey, Finney!" he called out, waving his hand. Finney turned, a baseball glove tucked under his arm, and his face broke into a bright smile.

"Hey, Ethan! What's up?" he replied, leaning against the locker.

"Want to come over to my place after school?" Ethan asked, trying to keep his tone casual. "I've got some new songs I'm working on for the festival, and I thought it'd be fun to jam together."

"Sounds awesome!" Finney exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. "I'd love to! What time?"

"Maybe around four? My mom usually makes snacks, so you'll get to try her cooking," Ethan said, feeling the excitement build.

"Perfect! I'll see you then," Finney said, giving Ethan a thumbs-up before heading to his next class.

As the school day unfolded, Ethan found it hard to focus. The thought of Finney coming over fueled his creativity, and he eagerly anticipated sharing his music. He imagined the two of them sitting in his room, guitars in hand, laughter and melodies filling the air.

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Evening, Ethan's House

After the last bell rang, Ethan raced home, a skip in his step. He threw open the front door, greeted by the familiar scents wafting from the kitchen. His mom was preparing dinner, but he barely registered it.