6. SIX
SIX
I definitely dressed up a little too nicely for a fast food joint hangout. Hangout. It’s not even a date, and wow am I ever getting ahead of myself. It’s been so long since I put effort into my appearance. In a way it was almost therapeutic, albeit probably not in a healthy manner.
Gazing at myself in the mirror, you'd almost mistake me for cute in my sunlight yellow sweater with sleeves so long they come down to my knuckles. The tight black jeans that perfectly showcase every curve of my body may have been an intentional choice, but it’s nice to feel nice.
Pristine white sneakers thud against the concrete of the parking space near my apartment. For once the sun is out, and for the first time in a hot minute I’m actually excited about how the day will go.
Finn’s car is an older one, with tinted windows and a dull blue paint job that could probably use a run through a car wash. I take one step forward as he pulls into the spot, but to my surprise the driver door flies open and he races out to hug me.
I only freeze for a moment, before my arms naturally wrap around him. Something about this gesture feels so much safer than I ever could’ve imagined. It’s warm, and fuzzy, and I never want to let it go.
Standing on his tippy toes, Finn gives me a good squeeze before stepping back with a wide smile and adjusting his glasses. “H-Hi, Duncan. You look… v-very nice.”
“Thank you, Finn. You look…” Scanning over his outfit, I can’t help but giggle. Not a mean one, just… an understanding one. When he’s not bathed in the grays and blues of his work uniform, Finn seems a lot happier.
His t-shirt is bright red, with a bunch of superheroes I don’t recognize plastered on the front. Underneath it he’s layered a long black tee, and to complete the fit he’s got on some baggy jeans.
It’s not ugly. It’s cute in a nerdy sort of way, but I imagine anyone who sees us together would have a hard time placing us together as anything. Friends. Co-workers. Partners.
Again, way ahead of yourself, Duncan.
“Nice,” I finally finish, “you look nice.”
Another happy noise escapes Finn. “Thank you! I hope… I-I hope this is okay. I guess I don’t really look like much compared to… you.”
“Sure you do!” My hand moves to pat his shoulder. “It’s sorta early for burgers. Would you mind stopping at the pet store instead?”
“The… pet store? Uh, yeah! That’s good! You have a dog…?”
“Nah, cat.”
“Aw!” Finn beams before turning to his car and racing to the passenger side, pulling open the door for me. “What’s its name?”
He really is so endearing without trying. “Chalupa,” I answer while climbing into the car, “thank you.”
“Like the thing you get at Taco Bell?” Finn asks when he enters the vehicle, which reeks of fast food and has energy drinks littered all over the backseat. “Sorry about the… mess. Damn it… I-I knew I should’ve cleaned up.”
“My car is way worse than this.” A lie, but it doesn’t matter. He eases up almost immediately which means it worked perfectly. “Thanks for inviting me out. I’m… excited.”
“Of course.” The engine roars to life and then we’re off. “I haven’t really hung out with anyone in a while. You… you gave me a chance, and that’s… it’s really special. T-Thanks.”
Like a dying candle, my heart melts. Our situations really are similar, if anyone could understand even a fraction of how my days are lately it would be him. I hope it’ll be him.
“I get it.” Getting the words out is harder than usual, like my throat is lined with barbed wire. “I honestly… things have been hard, lately.”
That confession alone has my heart pumping. The only other person who knows anything about what I’ve been dealing with is Haley, and now I’m telling some guy I don’t even know all that well.
“But I felt happy to help. I just… ugh. It’s weird. I don’t know. I’m glad I did.”
Although his eyes are focused on the road, Finn is smiling from ear to ear. “I’m… I-I’m really glad you did, too. I’m sorry things have been hard. I know… we… Just… I’m always here if you wanna talk.”
“Maybe.” I might be dumb but I’m not dumb enough to vent out the worst thing to ever happen to me to an acquaintance. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make things miserable. This is fun! We’re hanging out.”
“Y-Yeah!” Finn perks up again, bobbing happily in his seat. “Um… Pet store, pet store… Does it matter which one?”
“Nope,” I shake my head as we pull up to a red light. “Is there anywhere you wanted to go?”
Finn thinks for a second, shrugging hesitantly. “Um… I don’t think so.”
Awkward energy fills the car, but Finn acts fast and pushes a button on his steering wheel. Jumpy synth and slightly dissonant melodies replace the silence, and to my own pleasant surprise this is actually one of my favorite songs.
“You know this song?” I ask with wide eyes. “I’ve never met anyone who actually knows it.”
Finn nods eagerly. “I started, um, listening to it recently. It’s really nice.”
Despite my best efforts, I can’t hide how giddy that makes me feel. Don’t things almost seem a little too perfect? Because what do you mean Finn also happens to listen to my most-streamed artist who only has a little under ten-thousand monthly listeners?
I never really believed in fate, but this almost feels like it. I don’t know where things are gonna go between us, but I hope that we can at least be friends. But would it be the worst thing ever if we were more than friends…?