s e r e n d i p i t y

Ch.3

"You're doing what?!" Gaten sputters, spilling his soda on the maroon carpet we’re sitting on.

"I'm going on a date with Millie!"

"Is that what she called it?" Caleb replies suspiciously.

Why is it so hard to believe me and Millie are going on a date? I sigh deeply and massage my temples.

"Yes, she suggested it."

Noah, the most positive person in my tiny group of friends, gives me a thumbs up.

"Good for you Finn! You deserve it," he says while elbowing Caleb and glaring at Gaten.

"Thanks,"

I fiddle with the tab on my Sprite can. Should I dress fancy? Casual? What do girls like? My friends aren't much help.

"So, Caleb," Gaten says while wiggling his eyebrows, causing Noah to laugh. "What's going on with you and Sadie?"

Caleb's eyes grow wide and he keeps his gaze down.

"Y..you know, not much,"

it's obvious he's lying, but he'll never admit it. Noah and Gaten nod in sync, obviously not impressed with the answer.

"Sure," Gaten mutters under his breath.

"Guys, I'm gonna head home. It’s late and I never win Call Of Duty anyway."

I say my goodbyes to the group and walk out of Noah's house, waving to his mom on the way to the door. Shivering as I step into the cold night, I scold myself for not bringing a jacket. That would've been a smart thing to do. I've passed four houses when I hear something that vaguely sounds like a girl singing. Stopping to listen, I look up at the window that the song’s coming from, my breath hitching in my throat. I didn't know Millie lives in this neighborhood. Creeping a little closer, I try to figure out which song she's singing.

"I find it hard to say bye bye,
even in the state of you and I," she croons softly as she brushes her silky chestnut hair.

I also didn't know Millie liked The 1975.

"And how can I refuse?
Yeah, you rid me of the blues
ever since you came into my life," she continues.

I should probably leave now, I don't want to get caught. I'm just heading back down her driveway when I trip on a crack in the cement, falling heavily on the gravel.

Millie gasps and drops her hairbrush. I consider running for cover but it's too late now.  She's already peered out the window and spotted me.

"Finn?!" She whispers harshly.

Even with her eyes ablaze she looks beautiful. I snap myself out of it and clear my throat as I stand up and brush myself off.

"Y..yes?" I squeek, rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet.

"What are you doing here?"

"I..I was walking home from my friends and I, uh, heard you singing." I pause, then add "you're really good.."

Millie blushes then shakes her head, her short bob bouncing around.

"Thanks, but you must be freezing. One sec,"

Once she disappears from my view, I feel my heart drop. She quickly comes back and tosses a sweatshirt at me. I awkwardly grab it and turn it around. It reads 'Hawkins High '83'.

"It's my dad's," she says just loudly enough for me to hear. "I expect it back at our date tomorrow. Bye Finn," She winks at me and blows a kiss my way as she closes her window.

My legs go limp. She must know her affect on me, right? After a moment, I continue my journey home.