A Spirit Between Us (bxb)

Chapter 37 - Equilibrium.

Finn's life was the best it had ever been.

The sun beamed down on the football field, golden rays reflecting off the freshly mown spring grass as laughter and cheers echoed in the air. The day was bright and alive–perfect for a rematch that had been months in the making. On the bleachers, Archie and Lyla sat side by side, bundled in light jackets as a slight breeze nipped at them. Archie's usual scowl was softened into something closer to a smile, while Lyla, perched beside him with her usual energy, was practically bouncing with excitement.

The game was a rematch of that game. The one Finn didn't like to talk about. The storm, the collapse, everything that had gone horribly wrong. It hadn't been fair to judge anyone's skills based on a game where one of the star players ended up possessed by an ancient evil. So, naturally, they called back the college scouts and set up a clean slate, a do-over.

The months since the incident had flown by like a whirlwind. Finals had come and gone, though Principal Katherine, being the hero she always was, had pulled some strings. Archie, Finn, Lyla, and even Jake were allowed to use notes during exams on the premise of "additional needs," compensating for, as Katherine so delicately put it, the absolute hell they had been through. Even Jake, who, much to Archie's irritation, had been blissfully unaware of most of it until the very end. Archie still didn't like the guy. He didn't know why; he just didn't. Finn suspected it was because Archie only had room in his heart for three people: his mom, Lyla (though he'd die before admitting it), and Finn himself.

Lyla, meanwhile, had shocked everyone when she and Jake started dating only two months after the Mimic ordeal. She moved on from her years-long crush on Finn at a record pace, though Finn preferred it that way. It saved him the awkwardness of her lingering feelings, and truthfully, it was kind of funny watching her boss Jake around.

On the field, the players were giving it their all, but no one more than Finn. He was back to being the star athlete, the golden boy of the team, but this time, he actually felt like himself. His smile wasn't forced, and every move he made felt lighter, freer, like he wasn't carrying the weight of the world anymore.

Finn had his work cut out for him when he finally regained control. There were countless apologies to be made, to anyone and everyone the Mimic had hurt, upset, or unnerved while parading around in his skin. Some accepted his apologies with understanding, others with lingering suspicion, but Finn didn't blame them. It wasn't easy to forget.

Surprisingly, he was still popular, maybe even more so. People admired his honesty now, the way he faced everything head-on without hiding behind a façade. The golden boy who'd once been so consumed by perfection had shed the mask entirely. After coming so close to losing everything, Finn realized just how terrifying it was to live a life that wasn't truly his.

So he stopped pretending.

He laughed louder, smiled brighter, and showed every messy, imperfect part of himself without apology. He didn't waste energy worrying about who approved of him anymore. And most importantly, he made no effort–none–to hide his relationship with Archie.

If someone asked, Finn would grin and confirm it proudly. If someone whispered or stared, he'd throw his arm around Archie's shoulders with a smug look that said, Yeah, that's my boyfriend. He didn't care what anyone thought anymore. Why should he? He'd spent enough of his life hiding, and now he was free.

Archie, of course, pretended to hate all the attention. He'd groan dramatically whenever Finn kissed him on the cheek in public or tugged him closer in the halls. "You're such a show-off," he'd mumble, but Finn could always see the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Finn's near-death experience hadn't just given him a second chance at life. It had taught him how to live.

Archie watched Finn intently, green eyes narrowed, though it was obvious to anyone paying attention that he wasn't watching the game so much as he was watching Finn. "He's showing off." Archie muttered, feigning annoyance.