Kernington, Oregon.

=={Chapter 7}==

Above is a picture of Aleana

Aspen's P.O.V.

"Finn! Finley! Please stop!" I yelled after her as she ran towards her house, her long brown hair bouncing back and forth in the wind.

"What do you people want from me?!" She yelled, finally stopping and turning towards me. Tears flowed in a river down her cheeks, and she didn't even bother to wipe them away.

"I came here to get away from all the drama. I thought I could start over! But...." Finn trailed off, her face contorted in anger and fear.

"My mother is dead. Because of me. My father is in jail. Because of me. And my boyfriend of 3 years was making out with some other woman. Probably because of me!" She said, her voice growing louder and more powerful with each word.

"I didn't ask for any of this! I just want to live my life in peace! I just..." She said, only to break down crying again.

"Shhhhh. It's okay. It's all gonna be okay." I said. Finn sniffled in response.

"That's what everyone in North Carolina told me, too. But it never... It never was." She said, her voice cracking. I smiled.

"Yeah, but I wasn't there. I'll make sure no one ever hurts you again. Not even Quinn." I decided. Finley gasped and stepped back.

"What?" I asked. Finn frowned.

"Quinn and I kissed..." She said. I sighed.

"You don't need to rub it in." I mumbled under my breath

"No. No no no no no. I wasn't going to let people walk over me. I can't do that to Quinn, or you, or anyone. Thank you, Aspen. You're a really nice guy. But... I got to go." She said, smiling and turning and running off.

I stood there, stunned. Finn just rejected me. And I hadn't even made a legit move. Wow. Was I really that bad at flirting...?

I sighed, and watched her run off, her long brown hair again trailing behind her. God I wish....

"Why hello Aspen!" Aleana called from my right. I turned and a genuine smile appeared on my face.

"Aleana!" I said, and trotted over to her, giving her a huge hug.

"How have you been these days?" Aleana asked me. I shrugged.

"Bored." I told her. She smiled in return.

"Well, I have been trying to become friends with my new neighbor, but she just does not want to be my friend!" Aleana said, her flower dress and short black hair swaying with every move. I laughed

"Finn's actually really nice... once you get to know her. Here, I'll drag her over here for supper with you tonight." I proposed. Her jaw dropped, but she immediately closed it with a snap.

"Noooo. No way, Aspen Timothy Ryland. That is not going to happen." She said stubbornly, her eyebrows raising and forming a few wrinkles.

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun!" I said, clapping my hands like her. Aleana shot me a glare.

"Fine. On once condition." She said, serious. I joined her serious manner.

"And what would that be?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You have to join us."

--- 4 hours later ---

"Remind me again why I agreed to this?" Finn asked, her long brown hair in a twisted bun and her flowey maroon dress hugging her body.

"Because you need a friend." I replied, fixing my dress shirt as to not make eye contact. "Besides, it will be fun!"

"Yeah... Fun. Yaay." Finn said sarcastically, causing me to laugh. We finally arrived on Aleana's doorstep. I knocked three times, and the door swung open.

"Hello! My name's Aleana. I am so sorry Aspen dragged you here on such short notice." Aleana directed towards Finn. Finn laughed.

"No, it's fine. I'm Finn, short for Finley. And if anything, Aspen should be the one who's sorry." Finn said, crossing her arms and looking up at me. Aleana laughed and invited us in.

We all sat down around her table, Finn and Aleana at the heads and me on the right on the center.

"So..." Finn said as Aleana sat down after giving us our food.

"Finn, what do for work?" Aleana asked, probably to make sure she wasn't a hit man.

"I'm actually a therapist." Finn said with a smile. "But since I haven't seen a single office down here I might have to find somewhere else."

"Oh how interesting!" Aleana said.

---
Finn's P.O.V.
---

"No, Gomez and Bieber forever!" Aleana and I chanted.

"Okay, okay!" Aspen yelled, laughing and covering his ears.

"Ya know, Lena, I'm liking you more and more by the second." I said, tilting my wine glass with white wine towards her. She laughed.

"Well that's unfortunate." She said. I laughed again.

"Okay, I have to get going. Want me to walk you home Finn?" Aspen asked, looking at me.

"Actually. Fey, if you don't mind, do you want to spend the night?" Aleana asked. I grinned.

"Of course!" I said, squealing.

"Perfect! Aspen if you really want to you can walk Fey back to get her stuff, but otherwise, no boys! We need the night to gossip and chif chat!" Aleana said, grinning.

"Okay, will do. Finn?" Aspen said, getting up and sticking out an arm for me to take. I did, and we started to walk to the front door.

"See you in 5!" Aleana yelled to us. I waved back and me and Aspen stepped onto the street.

"Well that was something." Aspen started.

"That was great! I'm glad I'll actually have friends here. Maybe I can start to settle down and meet the town." I said, confident. Apsen smiled at me.

"I hope so." He responded.

"Goodnight Aspen Ryland." I said with a sad smile.

"Goodnight Finley James."

---
A/N: Awwhhh! How cute! The next chapter will be fun, too. I know Aspen is getting all the screen time right now, but don't worry! Quinn will get enough soon, lol.

In this chapter Aspen drags Finn to Aleana's house and then Aleana and Finn become friends! Maybe Aleana can help Finn figure out her guy problems. What do you think is going to happen next?

Ttylxoxo,
                   Mads