American Cliché - Finneas story

Until Next time

Chapter Seven: Until Next Time

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The evening air was cool as Finneas and Y/N walked out of the café, their steps slowing as they reached the spot where they’d part ways. They lingered, as if neither of them wanted to let the night end just yet.

“So…” Finneas murmured, his eyes warm as they met hers. “I had the best time tonight.”

“Me too,” Y/N replied, smiling softly. She didn’t want to leave, but she knew they’d have another night like this soon. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“Of course,” he said, his fingers brushing lightly over hers one last time. He stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her with a mixture of warmth and reluctance. “Take care, alright?”

“I will. And you, too.” She looked up at him, and before either of them could overthink it, she leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. He felt his heart skip, a smile spreading across his face.

They shared a final, lingering glance, and then Finneas walked off into the night, glancing back every few steps just to catch one last look at her before she disappeared from view.

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When Finneas arrived home, he barely had time to take off his jacket before Billie bounded up to him, eyes wide and full of curiosity.

“So!” she said, barely containing her excitement. “Tell me everything. How was the date? What did you talk about? Is she as cool as you made her sound?”

Finneas laughed, hanging up his jacket and running a hand through his hair. “Slow down, Bill! One question at a time.”

Billie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms with a grin. “I’m your sister; I get to ask as many questions as I want. Now spill!”

Finneas sighed, but the fond smile on his face gave him away. “Alright, alright. It was… amazing, honestly. We talked about everything, from exes to dreams and just… real stuff. She’s genuine, Billie. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone like her.”

Billie’s expression softened, a hint of a proud smile on her lips. “So you’re saying she’s not one of those ‘fame-chasers’ you were worried about?”

“Not at all. She couldn’t care less about all of that,” he said, a warmth in his eyes that Billie hadn’t seen in a while. “She’s just… interested in me. And she’s so kind and thoughtful, you know? Like, it doesn’t feel like there’s any pretense.”

Billie leaned back, arms crossed, nodding approvingly. “Well, she sounds perfect. I’m glad you finally found someone who gets you.”

He smiled, thinking back to Y/N’s smile, her laugh, and the way she’d listened to him like he was the only person in the world. “Yeah… I think I did.”

Billie patted him on the back, looking proud of her brother. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. I can’t wait to meet her.”

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Meanwhile, Y/N let herself into her apartment, flicking on the light to reveal an empty space. She set down her purse, the silence of her home settling around her. It was quiet—too quiet, after the laughter and warmth of the evening with Finneas.

But as she sat on her couch, her phone buzzed with a new message.

“Made it home. Wish you were here, though.”

A smile tugged at her lips as she typed back.

“Me too. But this just means we’ll have to meet again soon.”

Sinking into her couch, Y/N felt a warmth that filled up the empty spaces. The night might be over, and her home might be quiet, but knowing that she had someone like Finneas waiting on the other side made everything feel just a little bit brighter.