Page 49 of Diverge

“So, I have a question.” He stares out onto the road, debating if he should ask me.

“Go for it.”

“My father wants me to return to France for a couple of months after the rebranding project is complete.” He purses his lips waiting for my response. I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything. “Will you come with me?”

Laughing, I look out the window, the moon’s luminosity shining into the dark sky.

“Don’t be absurd.”

“Why is it absurd?” he asks, his piercing blue eyes boring into mine.

“Because I have my life here. I have a job. I can’t just leave.” It’s the truth. I can’t leave on a whim. I’ll have to quit, then how will I have any income to survive off?

As if reading my thoughts, he smiles.

“Don’t worry about money. I will support you.”

“No, that’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.” I laugh.

“You don’t have to answer now. Just think about it.” His face is solemn as he stares at the road.

I stay quiet, thinking about his offer. Sighing, I trace my fingers on my thigh absent-mindedly. I feel Finn’s hand on top of mine, and warmth spreads through me.

“Are you okay, B?” Worry laces his voice. “I know you had feelings for Nate, and him leaving abruptly made you quite upset, but are you okay?”

I nod, pursing my lips. “I’ll be okay.” I give his hand a little squeeze as a thank you. He’s as sweet as I remember. Always looking out for me, caring for me no matter what. I guess he’s not convinced by my answer because he keeps his hand on mine as his jaw clenches.

“I hate seeing you upset, and to think I caused you pain when I cut you off causes my chest to tighten like it might fucking implode. I’m so sorry.”

I bite the inside of my bottom lip unsure of what to say.

“There’s no sense in living in the past anymore. Let’s put it behind us and move on.” I force a smile and look over at Finn. His strong jawline prominent under the shine of the moon floating in through the car windows. I closed myself off to any possibility of being with Finn for so many years that it feels foreign to even let the thought enter my mind, but it does, and when it does, it makes me feel hopeful that maybe there is a chance we can still find happiness together.

Maybe there is a chance we can create new memories together and learn about who we are now. The rest of the car ride home is silent, his hand never leaving mine for a minute. Once Finn drops me off, I crawl into bed and fall asleep feeling hopeful for the first time in weeks that things might pick up and change for the better.

Billie - Aged 6

“Ninety-nine, one hundred!” I tiptoe quietly through the house, attempting not to make a sound in case they can hear me coming. I check all the rooms in the house, but Grace and Finn aren’t hiding in them. I look out the huge windows into the backyard and see our parents having tea and laughing. Sneaking into the kitchen, I start opening the cupboards one by one. The last cupboard door looks like it’s ajar. Swinging it open, I see Finn hiding with his hands over his face.

“I found you!” I giggle. “You’re next!”

Finn smiles. He loves being the seeker.

“Where’s Grace?”

“I don’t know. I found you first.” Finn slips his hand in mine and pulls me towards the garage.

“Shh, she loves to hide in here.”

Opening the door quietly, we enter, tiptoeing inside.

I look around the garage and see Mr Mackenzie’s sports car in the middle and lots of boxes on one side against the wall. On the side of the boxes, I see shoes sticking out. Excitedly I tap Finn on his shoulder and point over to the shoes. His grin widens as we sneak over to where Grace is hiding behind the boxes.

“BOO!” we both yell as she screams and runs inside the house. Finn and I laugh hysterically seeing the look on Grace’s face when we scared her.

Mr Mackenzie and my father are at the garage door, looking cross with us. “How many times have we said no scaring Gracie?” Mr Mackenzie said.

I looked at Finn who was still grinning, even when he was in trouble. He didn’t really let that spoil his fun, and I loved that about him.

---