𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒⸼ 𝗈𝖼

06. moving in

FINN'S — POV

I lie on my bed, thoughts swirling in my head about what happened at the pool. I kissed Millie Bobby Brown! My rival! It shouldn't be a big deal, but for some reason, it is. She's my rival, damn it. Why do I care so much?

"Stop overthinking," I scold myself.

A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts. "Finn?" My sister Mackenzie calls out.

"Yeah?" I sit up as she enters and sits on the edge of my bed.

"Why are you guys leaving?" she asks, pouting.

"It's time for us to live in our own house, Kenz," I explain, patting the bed for her to come closer.

"So, no protective brothers in the house anymore?" she wiggles her eyebrows.

I snort and give her a side hug. "That's where you're wrong, Kenz," I kiss her forehead, amused by her pouting.

I catch sight of the Browns passing by my room, and one girl catches my eye. She giggles, her laughter infectious. I smile at her as she turns, and we share a moment before she continues on her way.

"She's cute," Kenz comments.

"Indeed she is," I agree, feeling her smirk at me. But I don't mind, because she truly is cute.

At 3:53 A.M., I wake to a sudden noise. Everyone else is asleep, so I quietly slip out of bed and tiptoe downstairs, following the sound.

In the kitchen, I find someone rummaging in the refrigerator. Instinct kicks in, and I launch into attack mode.

1...

2...

3...

"Finn?"

"Hey, um, Millie."

We lock eyes, a moment of shyness passing between us.

"What are you doing up at three in the morning?" Millie asks.

"I'm hungry," I shrug.

"Want some?"

We end up sharing the food meant for me, and I don't mind at all. It's nice, just the two of us, laughing and eating together. Though I do worry when Millie laughs so loudly that she might wake someone up.

AS the teens arrived at the new house, a blend of excitement and tension hung thick in the air, each pair carrying their own unique energy.

Sadie and Caleb approached the front door side by side, Caleb offering a hand to help Sadie with her bag. Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. "Thanks, Caleb," Sadie murmured, breaking the quiet.

Caleb nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Always, Sadie," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of warmth as they entered the house together.

Meanwhile, Finn and Millie exchanged fleeting glances as they carried their belongings inside, the memory of their poolside encounter lingering in the air like an unspoken secret. "Need a hand?" Finn offered, his voice breaking the silence.