Kernington, Oregon.

=={Chapter 5}==

--- Last Chapter ---

"What?" I asked. Aspen swallowed.

"She's dead."

--- Present---

Finn's P.O.V.

"What?!" I asked, my jaw dropping.

"Mrs. Applebother is dead." Aspen said, his brown eyes swimming with tears.

"Oh my god. I'll... I'll go get someone." I said, wanting to help in some way. But Aspen shook his head.

"No, you're n-new, I don't want to put that on y-you. I'm f-fine. I'll do it." Aspen said, stuttering with fear and sadness. I slowly nodded my head, accepting that he wasn't going to let me go.

"Are you sure?" I asked. Aspen nodded.

"Go to your house. You didn't see anything." Aspen said, struggling to put on a sad smile. I nodded my head. But before turning and leaving, I quickly reached up and (on my tiptoes) gave Aspen a kiss on the cheek.

"Be strong." I said, squeezing his hand before letting go and walking back to my cabin.

---
Aspen's P.O.V.
---

I stood in the opening for a few seconds, still surprised that Finley had kissed me. But, things needed to be done. I couldn't hesitate over her soft lips and long brown hair. I had to go, and I had to be quick. I ran onto the road and knocked on the nearest door, knowing who lives there. Quinn, my best friend, answered.

"Hey buddy-" He started, only to be cut off.

"Mrs. Applebother is dead. I need you to drive me to the sherrifs." I said. Quinn's eyes filled with panic.

"O-oh, yeah, if course." He said. We jumped into his truck and, after a few try's, he started it up and we drove off.

"So, what were you doing over there anyways?" He asked. I closed my eyes, really not wanting to remember.

"Can we just, not talk about it?" I asked. Quinn nodded.

"Yeah, sorry."

We drove in silence for a few more minutes.

"I heard there's a new girl in town. Have you met her yet?" Quinn pondered. I successfully restrained a smile.

"Yeah. She's nothing too special." I said, lying through my teeth. Quinn smiled.

"Then I just might have to bake her some brownies, if ya know what I mean." Quinn said, winking. I forced a laugh.

Suddenly, he pulled into the sheriff's driveway. I jumped out and practically sprinted in, running straight into Mr. Lewins chest.

"Woah, there, Aspen!" Mr. Lewins said. I stopped.

"Sorry." I answered.

"Now, what do you need?" The sheriff asked after a few seeconds. I took a deep breath.

"Mrs. Applebother is dead." I answered, Mr. Lewins face fell.

"Where did you find her?" He asked, now completely serious.

"In her house. I was dropping off her groceries." I responded. The sherriff nodded his head.

"You go home and get some rest. We'll figure this out. If we need anything, we know where to find you." The sheriff said, and walked out, speaking into his microphone. A few seconds later I heard the sirens from hus car and I listened as they slowly diminished.

--- 10 minutes later ---

I knew I probably shouldn't be by the house again, but I had to check on Finley.

"Bro, what are we doing?" Quinn asked. He had invited himself to come with me. I shushed him and walked up to the door, knocking hard. We waited a few seconds. Nothing. I knocked again, only to get nothing.

"Finley?" I called out. Quinn kept trying to whisper things go me but I
I kept shushing him.

"Finley, I'm coming in." I said, not knowing if she could hear me. I opened the door and looked around, only to see her brown hair sticking oit from under the covers in her bedroom. I was about to go snd leave  her in peace when Quinn pushed past me and jumped onto the bed.

At first I heard squeals, and I was about to go stop him when the squeals turned to laughter, and I realized Quinn was tickling her.

"I don't know.... Who... You are- haha haha! But... Haha! This isn't funn- haha!!" Finley said between gasps and laughs. Quinn finally chuckled and stopped tickling her. She poked her head out and looked at us, and I heard Quinn lightly gasp.

"Hey Aspen." Finley said, her nose and eyes red, as she had been crying. I gave her a sad smile.

"Sorry for Quinn." I said, apologising on his behalf. Quinn just flashed her a grin and bowed.

"Quinn Farrington, at your surface." He replied in an old English accent. Finley laughed.

"I'm pretty sure it's service, not surface." Finley said, the smile staying on her face.

"Oh, yeah. Right." Quinn said, faking it. He has used that line way to many times.

"Well, we were just checking on you, but we should go. I don't want to miss the sheriff if he has to question me." I explained. Finley nodded her head.

"Why don't you go, and I can stay here and keep Mrs. Finley company?" Quinn said, turning to me and hiding a smirk.

Me and Quinn were friends but I really just wanted to punch him sometimes. Now was one of those times. But Finley's face lit up nonetheless.

"Yeah! I mean.... Sure. I guess I could use the company." She replied. I forced a smile.

"Okay... If you insist..." I said, slightly concerned. Quinn nodded his head, and started to push me out.

"We'll be fine! See you later, Aspen!" Quinn said cheerfully. I sighed and stepped out, grabbing Quinn's shirt before he could close the door.

"Don't you dare hurt her." I growled in his ear. Quinn laughed.

"I would never! "He replied, and winked before shutting the door.

I don't know what was going to happen in there, and if I'm honest, I don't want to know.

---

A/N: Thanks for reading chapter 5! I'm now doing shoutouts, so the first person to vote this chapter gets a shoutout in the beginning of the next chapter!

In this part, Aspen reports the death of Mrs. Applebother and then goes to check on Finley only to end up with Quinn staying with her... Alone. What will happen? Will Finley fall for Quinn? Or will he use her, like Aspen said? Idk guess you'll have to wait and see!

Btw I felt like this moved really quickly, so the next chapter is just gonna move kind of slow because we can't always have drama, right? Lol.

Ttylxoxo,
                  Mads