Sucker Punch

Chapter Ten

Ivy

I still feel the warmth of his arms around as I try to fall asleep and that feeling scares me, keeping me up half the night.

I don't know what Finn expects from me. Maybe it was just a one time thing, born from the heat of the moment. Entranced by the music and the energy of the audience, his chest against my back felt electric. And I swear, it was like his hands belonged on my hips.

Maybe we'll wake up tomorrow to find the heat has disappeared. 

But if it doesn't? For all I know, Finn wants nothing more than a casual hookup, no strings attached. I hold no judgement against those kind of relationships, but I don't think I can keep my heart from growing strings.

Half the night I think of these implications and the fact that I've never had a boyfriend, so even if something more grows between us, I wouldn't know what I'm doing.

Eventually my alarm wakes me. Though I'm still groggy and I could sleep in, I force myself out of bed. I check my phone for messages. None from Finn, but it's still early. 

Three messages from Nadia.

Nadia: Having Abue and Abuelito here has seriously been so perf

Nadia: Dad's not really happy about, but who cares. As long as he doesn't drink around them, I'm happy

Nadia: Maybe they can move in? It'd make the house less lonely too

I'm glad asking my grandparents to stay with dad worked out, though I'm nervous my dad will go on a bender as soon as they're gone. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to ask my grandparents to move in. Though my dad would definitely fight them on it.

I'm walking to Argo's, and despite being girl's day at the gym, I'm nervous I'll run into Finn if he's in the private studios. I also don't know what to tell Shelby because she's sure to ask questions about last night.

I don't have much time to think up a decent response because she darts to me as soon as I walk in.

"So...you and Finn," she smirks.  "You guys looked pretty cozy last night."

"Umm..." I'm afraid she'll tell Mitch what I say, who'll then tell Finn.

She wraps her pale pink hair in a bun as we walk to our usual spot.

"Ahh, he left you speechless, did he?" She teases then I shoot a glove at her. She catches and busts out in laughter.

"I'm just messing with you. You don't have to give me the dirty details," she winks.

"But, do you like him? As in like him, like him?"

I sit on the mat to stretch, though really I just want to hide my beat-red face from her.

"I don't know. I'm afraid to admit that I do, because what if he doesn't like me back, you know?"

She sits opposite me and copies my position. "Ah, c'mon girl. I'm sure he's into you. And if he's not, well, it's not the end of the world."

I nod. "I'm not the type of girl whose esteem completely hinges on whether a guy likes her or not, but when you've never even been on a date, you start to wonder what's wrong with you."

She reaches across from me, takes my hands in hers, then looks me straight in the eye. "Ivy. There is nothing wrong with you. I promise."

"It's not just that. I - We talked about things that I've never really told anyone before. I'd feel stupid if it turns out I opened up to someone for no reason."