Meeting half way

Chapter eighteen: Cleaned up and wasted water

Finn

Should I shave? Is it really worth the extra effort.

My stubble isn't that bad, right?

As I stand in front of my wood framed mirror, I examine my stubble covered jaw and freshly washed face.

Running my finger tips over my ruff jaw "Screw it. Not shaving," I shrug at myself in the mirror.

"Clothes. Right," I say to myself as I glance down at my half naked body and Captain America printed boxers.

"Hey Finn. What time are you meeting Gwen and her friend for dinner?" My mom's muffled voice asks behind my closed bedroom door. "6:30." I say as I search for my cleanest and nicest shirt, "Wait, how did you know I was meeting Gwen?" I ask confused, slowly opening my door and meeting my moms hazel eyes. "I just got off the phone with Amy and she told me," She shrugs and I slip on a navy blue button up shirt. "Have fun and were green, it makes your eyes pop," she says before lightly cupping my jaw with her delicate hand and pacing a sweet kiss of my left cheek. "Hey and remember your curfew," she says with a stern look on her slowly aging face. "What curfew?" I ask with a worried chuckle. I wait for her response and a wide smile creeps onto her lips. "Kidding," she laughs.

I watch my mom disappear down the stairs and with a small smile on my face I close my door and stride towards my dresser. Finally I find my only green shirt and I sip it over my board shoulders and start to button it up. I slip on my dark jeans and run my hand through my freshly washed hair, before putting on my black chuck-Taylor's. Standing in front of my mirror once again, Clothes; Check, Hygiene; Check.

I climb down the stairs and find my mom curled up on the leather couch in the living room reading a book about dealing with grief and finding the light. I walk towards her and open up my arms before spinning around and giving her a complete view of my clean appearance.

"Well look at you." she says looking up from her book and fixing her reading glasses on the bridge of her nose. She looks me up and down before giving me a knowing smile. "So who are you dressing up for?" she asks with a smirk. I roll my eyes and scoff, "No one. Is it a crime if I want to look nice sometimes," I say defensively.

"Nope. I just happen to know a cute girl with long dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and a charming and funny personality, that's all." she shrugs and returns her attention to her book, her lips still forming a perfect smirk.

"Bye mom," I scoff, followed by a nervous laugh.

Uh oh, she's onto me.

~

Rain is pouring down on my trucks windshield and my window wipers are doing a terrible job of clearing the heavy drops of water. I'm heading towards the Mexican restaurant that Gwen, Gabe and I are dining at and I can feel my palms getting sweaty. I don't know Gabe very well, actually I really don't know him at all, but all I know is that Gwen obviously has some hidden feelings for him. And that weirdly pisses me off.

I glance down at the dash board clock and exhale when I realize I'm going to be a couple minutes late. I've only known Gwen for short period of time but one thing I do know about her is, she's almost always late. I really don't want to be stuck small chatting with Gabe until she arrives. Plus, I'm honestly not really looking forward to meeting sober Gabe Jackson. But Gwen is my friend and I told her I would try, so here I am driving to a dinner I'm sure I will regret.

Here goes nothing.

~

The restaurant is packed and I can't find Gwen or Gabe anywhere. Even though to be fair, I'm only looking for Gwen.

"Can I help you?" A small elderly waitress asks me, her voice fragile and soft.

"Yes, I'm looking for a stunning girl, she has dark blonde hair that shimmers in the sunlight and pure ocean blue eyes. Oh, I'm also looking for a tall scary looking ginger." I respond, chuckling at my comment about Gabe.

"Oh well, well. I saw a handsome young man with strawberry blonde hair. He reserved a table for three." she asks looking at a clip board with the restaurant name and logo on the back. "Are you Finnis Pierce?" the waitress asks looking up at me in awe. I wince at the sound of my full name and silently nod. She smiles and leads me towards the table booth.

I stop in my tracks when I see only one person sitting at the red leather covered booth bench.

Gabe Jackson.

~

"Hey Finn," Gabe waves me over and I hesitantly walk towards him. "Sorry man about the other night. It's great to finally met you," He laughs, as I slowly slid into the other side of the booth.

I'm already regretting this, "Yeah, I'm so glad Gwen invited me," I already dislike you.

"Yeah me too.Wow, Gwen is great, she's such a cool person and she is just so....so... radiant." He grins flashing his perfect teeth. Gabe is clean shaven and sharp looking, which automaticly makes me feel like my extra long shower was for nothing.

I swear, this guy is a living Ken doll.

A waitress places three glasses of water on the table and gives Gabe a wink, which he ignores and smiles instead.

"Yeah, Gwen is something else. You know one time Gwen and I went-"

"So I bet college girls are crazy. I heard some of them are serious party animals," I interupt, tring to change the subject from Gwen to something else.

"Yeah, I like a good party but during school I try to focus on my studies." He says before taking a sip of his water.

"I like to think that I have really changed alot since highschool. In highschool I dated tweleve girls and I wasn't happy with any of them." He frowns. "But fate has lead me back here for a reason and I think I know why. It's Gwen,"

The water in my mouth comes out and splatters the whole table. Gabe just laughs and quickly starts to wipe up my mess. This guy is too nice.

No! Living Ken doll can't be in love with my Gwenie. Not happening.

" Ha, Gwen believes in fate and true love too. You guys are perfect," My eyes widden in shock when I realize what I had just said.

No,no,no. This is bad very bad. Gabe and Gwen can not be a thing. Gwen can't have a boyfriend or be kissed by a human of the male gender. Not happening.

Call me selfless or an asshole. I don't care, all I care about in Gwen.

Gwen can not date Mr.Ken doll-with-tweleve-ex-girlfriends.

But in reality, I can't stop her, right?

A/N

Sorry this chapter took forever. I hope uou enjoyed it and thanks for reading.

question: Do you like Gabe?

Thanks for reading

-katiebabie109