Page 81 of The Nicest Thing
"Don't know, but he looks too old to go here," Hazel said.
"Too hot you mean," Lola added."And that's because he doesn't."
"He is pretty," Scotlyn murmured.
Ana scoffed."Eyes off, girls.He's taken."
"Of course, he is," Freya sighed.
When I finally looked up, I froze.
"Hey, Rose."
The voice curled around me, and a pleasant shiver shot down my spine.But it wasn't just the sound that held me captive.Finn was leaning against the wall outside the library, hands shoved into his pockets, feet crossed at the ankle.As I watched, he ran a hand through his hair, and I could've sworn the girls around me sighed.That was completely understandable.And yet, I felt the need to step in.
"Finn," I said, trying to sound stronger than I felt."I didn't expect to see you here."
"I bet," he said."You've been avoiding me."
The girls ooh'd and looked between the two of us.
"I haven't—"
Finn silenced me with a look.
"I told you I have to finish my book," I tried again.
"I want that for you.But I also hate not seeing you."
Finn's piercing eyes met mine.
"I miss your face."
My heart tried to escape my chest, pushed right up against my ribs in an attempt to get to him.I was pretty sure I'd melted and was just a puddle at his feet.By the collective sigh surrounding us, I didn't think I was the only one.
"Oh!" Lola suddenly exclaimed."Finn O'Brien is your Finn."
"Yep," I said, forcing a laugh."I forgot you two know each other."
Lola's eyes softened in understanding, and I knew, without her saying it, that she wouldn't betray my secret.Maisie's sister was cool, and again, I was glad Ana had such good friends.
Shifting his eyes to her, Finn smiled."Hey, Lola.You doing alright?"
"Eh, it's high school," she said."How about you?"
"I've been better."
"I didn't know Rose is your best friend."
"She is," he said, "and I miss her."
"I miss you too, Finn," I said finally remembering we were in a high school and giving these teens all the drama."But maybe we should take this somewhere else?"
He nodded and pushed off the wall.
As the bell rang, Ana and the others walked away, but before she turned the corner, my cousin lifted her brows and mouthedHe misses your face.
We got a few more odd looks, but in minutes, the halls had cleared.
