Muse. | Fionn Whitehead

9. See You Later

     The lunch with Fionn and Marcus was brief. It only consisted of Marcus breaking the silence every now and then. He was telling me stories of how Fionn and him would get in trouble for skipping school when they were teenagers.

"It was mostly my idea, Fionn just went a long with it," Marcus laughed and Fionn would just slightly smile and shake his head. They've known each other for a long time and even if Fionn thinks differently, I can see Marcus does seem to be his best friend. To stop Marcus from constantly talking about embarrassing stories of their past, Fionn would turn the conversation to me.

"Lola's a photographer," he mentioned, an amused smile creeping up to his lips.

"An aspiring-to-be," I corrected him with a nudge on the arm.

After, we say goodbye to Marcus at the restaurant's parking and I half-hoped to see Marcus again. He's a sweet, funny guy even if Fionn thinks otherwise.
In the car, Fionn forgets to set a song before we pull out from the parking lot. I noticed that habit of his from the last few times I rode with him: he'd play music before heading the road.

"There's this song I found, maybe you can add it to your playlist," I tell him as I scroll through my phone.

"Ah, so you've been on a search," he says teasingly. "I see my impact." I roll my eyes. I don't know why he assumes I have a bad taste in music, but sure, I have been on a search. I was just searching for music based on what he would like so I can make him listen to some new stuff too.

Fionn lets me connect my phone to his car's Bluetooth.  I search up 'Sunflower' by Rex Orange County and tap play.

I want to know... where I can go... when you're not around...

The first line of the music starts and I'm staring at Fionn, wondering what he thinks of it. He's squinting, absorbing it for a moment, then he nods in approval. I do have taste.

"What are you doing today?" I ask him.

He shrugged. "Dinner with my mum, perhaps. I don't know if I should see her though, not right now at least."

"Why not?"

"She's going to ask questions about this bruise on my lip and I don't need her worrying about me."

I nod in response.

"I don't think I mentioned this, but she's a lawyer. She's a tough woman, but only when it comes to her job. . . Other things, she's just fragile." I can hear the softness in his tone as he speaks of his mother.

I smile at him. "I love that you look after her."

"I have to," he sighs. "See — my parents separated when I was 16. My brother moved back to England with my dad, so it's just my mum and me."

And yet I learned something new about Fionn today. He never mentioned his parents were separated, he hardly ever spoke about them really. All I knew was him and his family moved here when he was 12 and that was that. He spoke mostly of his brother, Ethan.

"There's always that lonely parent after the divorce," I say. "I'm the same with my dad, it's been him and I for years."

"It sucks, doesn't it? No one seems to call anymore."

"Yeah, it does suck," I agree.

Mom hardly calls unless it's the holidays or my birthday. She doesn't call for Dad's birthday, but not that I expect her too anyway.
I'm happy I can relate to something like this with a friend because everyone else will just view you as ungrateful; they'll claim that you're complaining. It's not a complaint, believe me. My parents weren't for each other and I've seen that. I don't think I've ever pondered about a life where my parents were together, nor did I ever wish for it. I have siblings that I love dearly and I can't imagine not having them around.
I tend to accept things as they go.
Maybe because my father does it and I've learned from him. I'm not sad or anything, but I don't think I'm quite happy either.
I'm content, that is all.

We pull to my house and I thank Fionn for the hundredth time today. I wonder if there will be other, future moments like this. I sure hope there are. I like Fionn, well, not like that. I like his company and my curiosity of him is constantly growing.
I don't know, I just want to know him I guess.
More, Lola, you want to know him more.

"Stop thanking me," he says, detaching me from my thoughts. "It's nothing. Thanks for. . . letting me sleep over."

I smile, recalling last night's event.
"Please be careful, Fionn. You scared me last night." I step out of the car and crouch so I can still see him.

"I'll be careful," he nods. "Promise."

"Will I see you again?" I ask, curious.
"Can I see you again?" My consciousness asks in unison.

"You will, but not drunk that's for sure." We both laugh.

"I'll be looking for a more formal meeting," I joke. "Bye, Fionn."

"Bye, Lola. . . Actually, see you later." He smiles his cheeky smile.

"See you later," I say.

I watch his jet black car disappear from my street and I stand on my porch, thinking. Perhaps, maybe I am growing fond of this boy.

•

"Fionn's Playlist" is available on Spotify :)