Chapter Twenty-Three
Lexi
Finn and I have to work on a history assignment together after school on Thursday. Once Finn makes sure the guys have other ways to get home, he and I get in his van and he drives us toward my house.
“Good thing we were able to choose our own partners,” he says as he fiddles with the music. “I hate when teachers treat us like little kids and force us to pair up with whoever they choose. Like, we’re almost seventeen. We don’t need to be treated like we’re in middle school.”
“You definitely have a point,” I say. “But think about the kids who don’t have friends, or who don’t have friends in that class. They would feel pretty crappy if no one wanted to partner up with them.”
He sends me a smile before focusing back on the road. “See, that’s what makes you so amazing, Lexi. You’re always thinking about how other people feel.”
“Thanks. I mean, yeah, we’re practically adults and don’t need anyone to hold our hands and help us find partners, but we are still in high school. And some people have a very hard time.”
“That’s true.”
“Wasn’t it funny when Brock tried to function without moving his left hand? It’s a good thing he’s a righty.”
“Yeah, it was pretty hilarious. Too bad I wasn’t there to see him wipe out. It was probably epic—er, minus the fear of death part.”
“Believe me, you would have crapped your pants if you were there.”
“Would not!”
“Would so! It was pretty scary.”
He’s quiet for a bit before nodding sheepishly. “You’re probably right. You’re much braver than me.”
I scoff. “Sure.”
“No seriously. You’re braver than all of us. That’s why we look up to you. Because you’re so comfortable with who you are and you aren’t scared of anything.”
“I’m scared of a lot of things.”
“Less than the average person. I mean, you always went bug hunting with us when all the other girls ran away.”
“Because I would have rather had them on my hands than in my hair,” I shoot at him.
He laughs and shakes his head. “We only did that like once. And I don’t think I participated in that.”
“Pretty sure you did.”
“Boys are stupid at that age.”
“Boys are always stupid.”
“True.”
We both chuckle at that.
We reach my house and go up to my room.
“Is that new?” Finn points to the whale shark plush sitting on my bed.
“Yep. I bought it at the museum gift shop.” I drag a second chair over to my desk and sit down.
He settles down on the first chair. “You and Brock aren’t sick of that place yet?”
“Well, Brock hadn’t been there in four years,” I remind him. “And I can never get sick of it. Ooh, do you think the guys would want to go to the Silverton Aquarium? The entrance fee is super expensive, but there are supposed to be awesome exhibits.”
Silverton is the super-rich town next to ours. They may be stuck up, but they have so many fun things to do there. My family went to the aquarium a few times once Mom started making more money. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
“I think Brock would be the only volunteer,” Finn says.
“He bought this really cool LED shark light,” I gush. “Did he send you a pic of it? It looks so amazing in his room.”
“No, I don’t think so. Should we start the assignment? I want to have enough time to read the comics.”
“Right. Sure.”
Thankfully, the assignment isn’t that hard. It’s super annoying, though.
“Break?” Finn asks.
“It’s only been like five minutes.”
He glances at the clock on my wall. “That clock is broken.”
“Unfortunately, it works just fine.”
Finn groans.
After another ten minutes pass, Finn asks, “Break?”
I drop my pen and stretch my arms. “Yes.”
He’s about to reach for his comic, but I slap his hand away. “No way. You won’t be able to stop once you start.”
“Seriously?”
“Do you want to finish the assignment or not?”
“Geez.”
“Brock actually wanted to watch the new teen superhero movie with me. He said he wanted to give another one a shot because the last one sucked so bad.”
Finn’s brows fly up. “That was a poor choice. Because that movie sucked, too.”
I playfully slap his arm. “You watched it without me and the guys?”
“I had to make sure it was good…”
“Such BS. Do you think we could get Brock into superhero comics? We just need to find one that he will connect with.”
Finn shrugs. “He’s fine with his novels. He doesn’t have to read comics.”
“I know, but I know he feels left out when we’re constantly discussing them.”
“You don’t always have to protect him, you know. Brock’s not that same twelve-year-old kid.”
My mouth snaps shut. Then I shake my head. “I know. I just don’t want him to feel isolated.”
We’re both quiet. The only sound is from the clock.
“Want to continue the assignment?” I ask.
He nods.
After forty-five minutes, we’re finally done. Finn hops onto my bed with his comic while I study for my psychology test. But before I start, I say, “I’m just going to send Brock a quick text to see how he’s doing. I told him that if his hand feels weird, has a weird color, or if he has a fever, he needs to go to the hospital ASAP.”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Finn says as he turns the page.
After I send off the text, I begin studying.
My phone buzzes with Brock’s response.
Brock: All good here, Nurse Lexi. Thanks for looking out for me.
I smile and tell Finn, “He’s good.”
“What?” Finn glances up from his comic.
“Brock’s feeling good.”
“Oh. Right.”
I focus on my test while he continues his comic. After about half an hour, I get sick of studying and join Finn on my bed with my own comic. I’ll have time to study after he leaves.
We read in silence. Then I find myself laughing.
“Is the comic funny?” Finn asks.
I shake my head. “I was just thinking about Brock’s expression when he bit into the burger at Mikey’s. You should have seen the light in his eyes. It’s like he died and went to heaven.”
He averts his gaze to his comic. “They do make the best burgers in Edenbury.”
“You kidding? They make the best burgers in the world.”
“You haven’t tasted every single burger in the world,” he points out.
“Haha.”
We continue reading. And when we’re done, we switch comics.
“Brock might like this one,” I say. “The character loves to read. He might relate to that.”
“Doubt it. He’s far too cocky.”
“True, but you never know. I’ll bring it to school tomorrow and see what he thinks.”
Finn lowers his comic and looks at me.
“What?” I ask.
“You and Brock…you guys are getting very close.”
“Um…” I play with my curls. “Yeah, I guess we are. I mean, yeah, we are. We’re definitely closer than when he first arrived. I think we all are.”
“He’s been spending most of his time with you.”
“I don’t think so.”
His chest heaves. “Do you like him?”
“Of course I like him. He wouldn’t be my friend if I didn’t.”
“Lexi, you know what I mean. Do you like Brock as more than a friend?”
My lips move, but no sound comes out. I avert my gaze to my comic. “Maybe.”
His chest heaves again. “I’ve been trying so hard to be patient, Lexi. But it’s like you’re pretending it doesn’t exist.”
My gaze shoots to his. “What are you talking about?”
“What I told you three weeks ago? I know you didn’t forget.”
I turn my head away and play with my hair again. “I didn’t mean to leave you hanging. I just…” I puff out my cheeks. “I just haven’t had the time to make sense of everything. Things have been turned upside down since Brock came back. Everything is…different.”
Finn is quiet for a long time. I have no idea what expression he’s wearing because I’m too scared to look at him. I wouldn’t be able to stand seeing the pain I’m causing him. I’m just so confused about the whole thing. Everything was easier when I saw Finn as just one of the guys. Not…a potential boyfriend.
“Lexi?”
I slowly move my eyes to him.
“If Brock hadn’t returned, would you consider me?”
Wow. Talk about a direct question. But I guess he deserves a direct answer. “Honestly? Maybe. You’re such a nice guy and have always been so cool to me. Plus, we’ve known each other forever. It would make sense.”
“Yeah, it would,” he says softly.
“But the thing is, Brock is back. And like I said, everything is different.”
Finn is quiet again.
I take his hand. “I’m so sorry, Finn. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m just being honest.”
“It’s okay.” He gives me a small smile. “I get it. Things might change. Your feelings might change.”
I bite my lip. “Yeah, maybe.”
He gives me another smile before putting his attention back on his comic.
I watch him for a few seconds before focusing back on mine, trying not to let the guilt consume me.