Give Me Love (Finn Harries)

Chapter 28

…

Olive’s POV:

With my headphones blasting angry, vengeful Florence + the Machine music, I chewed away at my nails, tapping my feet against the waxed floor of the train. Again, he’d watched me walk out without a word. Again, I was reminded of how much my life wasn’t a like a film. Again, a clawing numbness followed my fast descent into madness. He’s just a boy, I would constantly remind myself. Nothing more, nothing less. And boys can’t be trusted. Unfortunately, I learnt that the hard way, many, many times over. Finn seemed different, like I could really trust him. Then the thought hit me: what if it was Jack? They looked extremely similar, despite a few differences, obviously because they were identical twins. Suddenly, I felt guilty. More so than I had ever felt in my entire life. Finn would never do that, I scolded myself. He loves you. I pulled out my phone, dialling his number, which I, of course, had memorised.

I must’ve looked like a complete maniac, eyes red from crying so much, constantly biting my nails, feet jittering along the floor. An old lady gave me a sympathetic look as if she knew everything and I smiled weakly back. I felt a rush of motherly love, one that I hadn’t felt in nearly 6 months, and I waited as Finn’s phone rang out.

"Hey, this is Finn! Please leave a message after the beep and I’ll get right back to you."

That was it. He hated me. And who could blame him? I had jumped to ridiculous conclusions way too fast without any explanation on his part, because I was an idiot. A gullible, stupid idiot. “H-hi, Finny,” I mumbled quietly a few moments after the loud BEEP. “I know you probably hate me, and I’m so so so sorry. Call me and I’ll explain everything. I love you.”

"I don’t hate you." Finn appeared out of the blue, seated across from me with a kind smile on his face. I momentarily resisted the urge to leap into his arms, but I realised that I couldn’t give less of a shit. I would never see these people again in my life, so what was holding me back? I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him softly.

"I’m so sorry, baby," I gasped desperately, although I could see that he had already forgiven me. He simply shook his head, brushing a stray eyelash away from my cheek.

"I don’t want to live in Leeds anymore. Not without you," he murmured. "It’s the worst."

"But you need an education," I countered lamely, "And your parents will hate me if I’m the reason you don’t get one."

"I think pigs will fly before my parents hate you, Lil," he replied affectionately, smiling as if he was proud that he’d brought home a girl that his parents actually liked. As much as I wanted Finn to move back to London, I simply couldn’t let him ruin his potential career as a successful graphic designer. I knew he would regret wasting his precious years of youth on a girl he’d known for barely half a year.

"Finn, you can’t. Everyone will hate me."

“I won’t,” he murmured, pulling me onto his lap. We were getting very weird looks, but I didn’t really care. They could get stuffed, the lot of them.

"You might, later on in life," I stated matter-of-factly.

"I could never hate you, Olive."

I knew it was stupid to believe him, but as aforementioned, I was gullible as hell. I did really think that he was different, and he was, in many respects. Finn didn’t think with his reproductive system, like most men his age did. He was smart.

"So are you moving back to London? Is there anything I can do to stop you?" I asked, although I already knew the answer. Yes and no.

"Yes and no," he smirked, copying my exact thoughts. "But I’ll keep going until the Christmas holidays."

I nodded softly, brushing my hair back.”You’re so difficult, Finnegan,” I sighed exasperatedly. “But I do love you.”

"Let’s move in together, then. What’s stopping us?"

"You’re having another one of those ‘let’s get married’ moments again-"

"No, no, honestly. I want to live with you. I really do," he answered, not an ounce of dishonesty in his voice. "And besides, you were going to live with me in Leeds, so what’s the difference?"

He made a valid point, but still, I wanted to think it through, more thoroughly this time. It’s all well and good to throw yourself into a situation, but sometimes you need to carefully weigh up the options. I knew either way that I would be perfectly happy. “I’ll think about it,” I said cryptically.

"Well, you did yell at me for about 5 hours this morning,” he drawled.

"5 hours? That’s ridiculous, Finny," I said, grinning all the while. "And I said sorry, too."

"I simply don’t think sorry will cut it, Olive Pepper," he smirked, placing a lingering kiss on my lips.

"That will have to wait til we’re home, Finnegan. We’re in public," I whispered in his ear, climbing off of his lap, much to his dismay. "And it’ll have to be quick, you have classes tomorrow morning that you have to get to."

He sighed lightly. “Only 2 months to go,” he said, throwing an arm over my shoulder. The smell of his lingering body wash engulfed me at once, and I realised how oddly sexy it was.

"Only 2 months to go," I repeated resignedly, snuggling into his body more as my previous worries and emotions washed away like yesterday’s rain.