Love and Life

Revelations and Rejections

Chapter 9

Finn's POV

I stared back at Liv in equal shock.

I wasn't sure about her but that was the best hug I'd ever had in my life.

We hadn't even kissed or actually touched. Just her presence seemed enough to make my heart stop and my head spin.

When I had caught her, I hadn't even known it was Liv. I just heard a loud gasp as I turned the corner and saw a whirling mass of black hair fall out of its bun, obscuring the girl's face.

I rushed up and had managed to catch her, only to realise that she was clinging onto me with dear life. I had fully intended to let her go, let her thank me and walk away, but something in my arms wouldn't budge.

It was as if my body knew it was Liv before my mind did and refused to let her go.

Every nerve in my body had told me that we had felt right together. When she had wrapped her slender arms around my waist, I thought I would've died right there and then out of pure sensation.

All my nerves seemed electrified yet accustomed to her touch, unlike any other girls.

Had I kissed girls? Sure. Had I touched girls? Yeah. Had I slept with girls? Duh.

But nothing compared to what Liv and I had just shared. It was indescribable; the way her body curved into mine and how her sweet cool breath blew against my skin; her beating heart pumping against my chest and her ivory skin so soft under my calloused hands.

I was lost in the delightful passion of the moment; feeling her, being one with her, wanting it to last forever.

But alas, nothing ever does.

Aaron's voice sliced through our moment, effectively ending whatever we had just shared.

Liv had looked confused at the sound of his voice, like she had been in another world and he had just unexpectedly brought her back.

I bit back a scowl and plastered a blank look on my face, refusing to let Aaron see how vulnerable I was, and Liv how much I was smitten with her.

As soon as I think of my feelings for Liv, I think of the words, "I love you."

I had sworn to myself ever since I knew the significance of the three words that I'd only ever say them to the woman (or man, you never know what your future self will be in to) I was going to marry; the person I'd be with for the long run.

And by the long run, I mean until death. Just like the words in marriage: 'till death do us part.

Most people would not expect a "player" like me to have such commitment-related wishes.

But I wasn't just a player who tossed girls left and right, breaking hearts as he went.

I only did it to stop myself from getting hurt.

One of my biggest secrets is that I'm deathly afraid of heartbreak. That's why I'm nervous and terrified for Liv and I or whatever might happen between us.

But I was also thrilled and excited and... And... I just felt happy with her. Something I haven't felt genuinely in a long time.

Her defiance and snarky attitude was something I had never experienced with a girl my age before and it kept me on my toes. Yet behind that abrasive hard shell was a beautiful soul who cared and loved, had dreams and hopes, and weaknesses and fears.

Something I wanted to believe about myself.

***

Liv's POV

I wasn't sure what to think.

Finn was everything wrong in a person; a player and pervert, conceited and arrogant, and used his popularity and wealth for no higher purposes.

But how could what we had just shared felt so right?

Every single cell in my body was telling me to go to him. Yet my mind was screaming to do the opposite.

I was literally at war with myself over Finn Crawford.

A suffocating silence had settled over the three of us as we stared at each other with wide eyes.

None of us could believe what we had just all witnessed.

Aaron looked like he wanted to throw up. His face was distorted with pain and hurt, and his skin was a worryingly green shade.

Finn, however, looked the opposite. His posture was relaxed and his hands were limp on either side. His mouth was a hard straight line and his face was utterly blank; showing no emotion whatsoever.

My heart ached knowing that our moment hadn't affected him as much as it had to me.

I didn't even need a mirror to know what I looked like. Flaming cheeks, bright shining eyes and a messy bun that was falling apart. I could feel my chest heaving up and down and my whole body tingling. I felt as if I might as well have been naked. I had let so much of my shy self go when I had been in Finn's arms.

Aaron, surprisingly, was the first one to speak.

"Olivia Penelope Sanders," he hissed in a voice that made my skin crawl.

"Aaron, you have to understand..." I whimpered in a desperate attempt to get him to listen to me.

"Shut the fuck up Liv!" Aaron snarled, losing all control.

"Hey dude! That's no way to talk to her," Finn interrupted, his calm eyes now blazing.

Aaron glowered at Finn before giving me a look that was worse than anger itself. Disappointment.

"You are no longer welcome to my apartment. I no longer want to ever be acquainted with you."

With a final glare in Finn's direction, Aaron stalked off and disappeared around a corner.

I felt as if a part of me had just died.

In reality, a part of me really had.

I had just lost my only ever friend.