Listen

20

20

With Finn by my side, I made my way outside for some privacy. Neither of us had spoken since we started walking. The street itself was perfectly empty with the only other presence being the weak streetlights overhead.

The still silence was broken by Finn suggesting that we sit. We settled ourselves on a curb. My chest felt shallow as my hands shook. Clasping them together, I kept my gaze ahead of me.

After a moment, he asked softly, "So, why did you wanna talk?"

I paused. Asking blatantly, I said, "Are you annoyed with me?"

"Honestly? I was a little."

Even though I knew that that answer was coming, it still hurt. Of course he is annoyed. Why shouldn't he be? But then he nudged me, making me look at him. He was illuminated by the orange light shining on him. On his face, he wore a gentle look.

"But that's just because I missed you."

For one of the first times in my life, I wanted to be completely truthful.

"I missed you too, Finn," I let out like the words were a breath of air trapped inside. Once my mouth opened, I couldn't close it.

"You were one of my first actual friends. I know I have Sam and Emily as well but you're the one that I feel totally comfortable confiding in. I'm sorry for making you feel put out or-"

He stopped me midsentence with his hand resting itself on my upper leg.

"It's okay," he told me.

Despite the chilling cold around us, his touch sent out waves of heat through me. My breathing hitched in my throat at this foreign feeling.

Confused, I cleared my throat.

"Oh sorry. I keep forgetting you don't..." he uttered, more to himself, as he started to remove it. Taking a breath to calm myself, I placed my own on top of his. His eyes reached up to mine and we just watched each other.

Our stillness came to a halt when Finn broke into a chuckle. Giving him a quizzical look, my grin joined his.

"I feel like I'm getting flashbacks to the day we hung out in my room," he said in between his laughs. I remembered that. Him leaning in towards me, then me panicking and jumping away.

"It was a little embarrassing, I'll admit," he added, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was wrong to try something like that."

"I wouldn't say you were wrong to try," I said before I could stop it. Reddening, I stuttered out, "I mean I shouldn't have been so jumpy."

His eyes widened. "Oh."

He shifted closer to me. His voice sounded shaky as he said, "I could, eh, try again? If you want."

My chest began to rise and fall rapidly while I nodded. My palms clammed up as Finn's head leaned towards mine. Breathe, Sine, breathe.

As our lips touched, everything seemed to slow down. His scent hit me all at once. It was a mixture of soap and warmth. I felt his hand trail up from my leg to cup my head. His fingers tangled themselves in my hair, pressing against my scalp. This was nothing like Tate and Beth. Instead of it feeling disgusting, I couldn't bear to pull away. My own hands found their way to his waist and took  hold of the fabric there.

A cold wave of air passed by my face as Finn pulled away. I didn't realise I was out of breath until I began to pant. Finn did the same, gasping in front of me.