All I Need

Part 11

As Finn walked with Seth to the parking lot that afternoon, he brainstormed ideas for how and when he was going to finally kiss his girl. He'd been sure when they talked yesterday evening that there was no way he would get through another day without accomplishing the feat, but he'd crashed and burned on the one opportunity he'd had where it had felt right, and he wanted to make sure that he planned better for tomorrow.

After awhile the silence must have gotten to Seth because he asked,

"What's up with you? You've been really quiet."

"Just thinking."

"About what?" He wasn't sure he wanted to admit to Seth that he still hadn't kissed Bayley, feeling almost like he'd failed, but he also knew it would hurt Seth (even if he wouldn't ever admit it) if he shut him out like that. They'd always been honest with each other, even when it was uncomfortable, so he said,

"Trying to figure out a plan."

"For what?"

"How I'm going to kiss Bayley."

"Dude, you gotta plan that?"

"Well I tried today, but the bell rang before I got a chance, and I want it to be...I don't know, memorable I guess."

"You mean you haven't kissed her at all yet?"

"No."

"Geez, how hard can it be?"

"She's special, this is special, I can't just grab her and go for it."

"And you guys wonder why I avoid girls who expect that sort of thing."

"Oh we don't wonder, we know. Besides, you didn't used to avoid them, you just didn't care what they expected."

"Hey, I was stupid okay? I wasn't purposefully trying to hurt anyone. I don't do that anymore."

"I know," he said not wanting to hound Seth about something he clearly recognized and regretted, "But you know it's different with Bayley. It's not about what she expects, it's about what I know she deserves."

"Still, you think maybe you're putting a little too much pressure on yourself?"

"Maybe, but I can't help it. This is too important to me."

Seth was quiet for a moment

"Isn't that a little scary? I mean you've only known her a few days."

"Of course it's scary, terrifying actually, I've never felt this way or done anything like this, but that all disappears the moment she walks in the room."

"So then what's so hard about kissing her?"

"Timing for one. It's not exactly easy to get moments alone at school, and I want it to feel right."

"So don't do it at school."

"You realize I've never actually seen her outside of school?"

"So you have a car, you can fix that. Don't make it so complicated."

"I didn't want to make a big production of it. If you think I'm putting too much pressure on myself now..."

"Well don't then, but maybe you should still see her outside of school, it might help with the pressure, and you don't have to plan it, but you never know what will happen, maybe the moment will feel right, but your only going to make it harder on yourself unless you loosen up."

He looked over at Seth for a moment, it was easy to forget sometimes that underneath the playboy front was a pretty smart guy. He was putting too much pressure on himself, and Bayley might have vetoed meeting up last night, but it had been late and he'd surprised her. She'd probably be a lot more open to it now, maybe she would be up for him picking her up and bringing her back to his home to watch NXT. The thought of not having to go until school tomorrow to see her again was very appealing.

When he got home he immediately called Bayley, too excited about his idea to wait. She'd seemed happy though surprised to hear from him so soon, but she'd shot down his idea. She said there was no way her parents would let her go over to his house until they'd met his parents. He was disappointed, but he knew it made sense, and he probably should have thought of that. At least now he knew he needed to make arrangements for that as soon as possible, and he was just as happy with her alternative suggestion that he come to her house.

She seemed nervous when she asked, and he understood why when she admitted that not only would he have to meet her parents, but that they would probably be heavily supervised while he was there, but he didn't mind. It was still better than waiting until tomorrow to see her.

It wasn't terrible. Her mom was nice, her dad was kind of hard to read, but both were welcoming to him. He was used to siblings being around and in his business so he tolerated the eyes following his every move, and was grateful that at least her parents made them give them a little bit of privacy. They were able to curl up on the couch and watch NXT on his phone mostly undisturbed.

He knew he wouldn't be able to kiss her with her family hovering, but Seth was right, spending time with her away from school did help. Even under the watchful eye of her curious family he felt like he could relax more, and it felt like she had too. Afterwards her parents let them go outside and sit on steps of her back porch alone. It was a clear night and the stars were bright in the sky overhead. He started talking, telling her about one of the constellations. He'd always been really fascinated with stars and constellations and space in general, and he was glad because it gave him something to talk about.

He found a particularly bright star and explained how it was a part of the milky way which was why it was so bright then he showed her how it had wings and a body extending outwards forming an eagle, and he didn't mean to but he got kind of excited to tell her about it and without realizing it he was rambling enthusiastically. Once he realized what he was doing he stopped cold and he could feel the warmth creeping up the back of his neck.

"That's so cool, is there more?" she asked surprising him and making him forget about his discomfort from a moment before.

"Yeah," he said then he found the northern cross and pointed it out to her then showed her how it formed part of the body of a swan and he talked about the Greek myths and he leaned in close as he spoke. She listened intently and with the quiet of the evening, the stars shining overhead, and the moonlight mirrored in her eyes and creating a soft glow reflecting off of her hair he knew that this was a good moment.

He placed his hand on her cheek, sliding against the smooth softness of her skin, and she tilted her face up to him, her eyes meeting his, then closing as he leaned forward. He was so close, but this time he was almost anticipating the interruption and unfortunately his prognosis came true. Before he could get any closer he heard the door opening, and her mom peaked her head out. They both jumped back a little bit, and she smiled softly at them, her expression almost like she felt bad for interrupting them and she let them know it a quarter to ten, and that meant he needed to leave to make it home on time.

She left them alone again, but he knew the moment was lost now, and he would just have to try again the next day.

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AN: So what do you think, are they going to ever get that kiss? What do you think Finn should do?