Restless, p.9
Restless, page 9
I realize it's not prom itself that makes it important, but who you're with, and it doesn't matter if Finn isn't here.
I spent the entire day getting all dolled up. From spa treatments to the hair and nail salon, my day has been busy. However, my mind didn’t allow me to enjoy any of that stuff, as I haven't been able to stop thinking about how much I miss him and how much I hate how we left things. He mustn't be too messed up about it because all I've gotten from him was a phone call earlier. I couldn’t answer, though, because my hair was being styled. I thought about calling him back, but calling has never been something we do.
We always text, and Finn didn't follow it with a text. He probably just butt-dialed me.
I’m jealous of Ryleigh and Nyla. They have been taking advantage of the night, dancing, and having fun. They invited me to dance with them, but Willow, Sorcha, and I have been sulking. I have the sneaking suspicion that something happened with Sorcha and Rian, but I haven't had the chance to ask. I'm sure she wishes Rian was here, though.
Willow and Sorcha left a few minutes ago to get a drink. I’ve remained on my bench in my sullen state for ten minutes. I don't expect them to come back. They probably decided to dance, and I'm just not in the headspace.
I'm a major Debbie Downer right now. I’ll only bring them down; I'm not the right person to be hanging out with at prom.
I'm sinking deeper into this sadness, and then I feel the telltale prickle of tears pooling in my eyes. I feel the weight of hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at me. Pitying me. It’s plain as day that the guy everyone knows I'm with hasn't shown up, and he's not going to.
My anxiety has me swallowing the thick tension forming in my throat. Everyone is staring and laughing and mocking me, even if I don't see them.
That’s it. I can’t sit here any longer under their scrutiny. I jump to my feet and hurry out the double doors. They lead me onto the second-story balcony that overlooks the lush garden that stretches into the maze I used to get lost in as a small child. Long before I surrendered myself to Finn.
I offered up my grandparents’ home as a place to host the prom at the beginning of the year. School funds were low, and they discussed not having a prom for the senior class. My only stipulation was that the prom committee had to set it up and needed to make sure it was clean afterward.
I've always loved this place, but a part of me struggles with being here since my grandparents passed away.
Maybe that's another reason I'm so upset.
The mixture of missing Finn and struggling to handle the ghosts of my grandparents.
This whole thing is a fucking mistake. I shouldn't be here. I should be with Finn, smoking pot and talking about everything under the sun. Having sex and eating pizza.
I should be with him.
I'm contemplating calling an Uber since Ryleigh drove everyone here when a voice breaks through my dark thoughts.
"Babygirl."
My heart skips a beat as my body stiffens. I glance up, seeing my dark prince in a new light. He looks more dashing than any prince could. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt, the top few buttons undone. A navy-blue suit jacket over it and matching slacks complete the outfit. His look catches me off guard. Then there’s...
“Your hair?” I ask like an idiot. The long locks are gone, replaced with a clean-looking, slicked-back short style.
Am I hallucinating? He didn't want to come. What is he doing here?
Giving me a little smirk, he ignores my question. "Are you okay?" he asks as he bends so he’s at eye level with me.
I can’t get past my shock and stumble with my response. "You're here? What are you doing here?" I ask.
His smirk becomes a full-fledged smile as he banishes the tears from my face with a flick of his thumb. "I wanted to surprise you," he admits.
"I thought prom was just a stupid high school tradition," I pout as he cups my jaw in his hand.
"It is. Very stupid. Way too grandiose for my taste, but it's important to you. That's all that matters, baby. I was a real asshole about it, and... I'm sorry."
My heart vibrates with the love I feel for this man. I'm so lucky to have found him again and for him to care so much about me in return.
I wouldn't trade what we have for anything in the world. Finn is my rock, my support, my world. It's scary loving someone as much as I love him. It means he has the power to break me, but I have to trust him that he won’t.
"Thank you," I mutter emotionally before kissing him.
He pulls me into his body and wraps his strong arms around me without taking his lips away. The warmth of his arms brings me peace and makes me feel safe, like they always have—like they always will.
After many moments of enjoying his lips on mine, I pull away. I tear my eyes from his and move them up to his hair. I can’t help the goofy grin that claims my face. "You cut your hair," I assess.
"You're quite perceptive," he teases me.
His playful nature makes me laugh. "Why?"
"Seemed like a good idea at the time," he admits, suddenly seeming self-conscious.
I lift a hand to stroke along the short part just above his ear. "I liked your long hair, but I like this, too. You look quite dashing with the hair. You didn't have to wear a suit. I would've been fine with you coming in your normal clothes," I tell him.
He gently grabs my wrist, removing it from his head and placing it to his lips. He kisses my knuckles. "Yeah, I know, but I figured if I was coming here to apologize for acting like an ass, I should dress up for the occasion. I thought you might be more forgiving if I looked more... dashing, was it?" he asks.
My heart races as I stare into his icy blues, and I get lost for a moment, watching as they slowly darken.
"Sometimes an I'm sorry is good enough," I say as his eyes twinkle.
"Well, I'm sorry," he utters.
"You already said that."
"So I have." His voice turns to velvet as he pulls me tighter against him. Then his lips devour mine like he's seconds away from unzipping his pants and lifting my skirt. Like he’s going to fuck me right here, not caring who sees. He rips his mouth away, panting. "Do you wanna dance with me, Princess?" he drawls.
I blink back my shock. I'm stunned for a moment. "Since when do you dance?"
"Oh, I dance.” He squeezes my arms. “Do I dance well? That's debatable."
I laugh out loud as he leads me back inside to where all of my friends are together, laughing.
"You're here?!" Sorcha screeches when she sees her brother by my side.
"I'm surprised you didn't figure it out," Finn retorts as he throws his arms around me.
"I should've figured it out when you said you had a surprise for her," Sorcha quips.
My mouth hangs as I’m stunned. "Oh my god. You were the surprise?"
I had no clue at all.
"Did you like your surprise, babe?"
"Best surprise ever," I say, swooning.
He's been planning all day to come and be my date. He just wanted to surprise me. God, he's so amazing.
***
Finn was right. He is a horrible dancer and stepped on my feet about five times. He apologized relentlessly over it, but it doesn't matter if my toes turn black and blue. All that matters is Finn is here with me. As long as we are together, nothing matters.
"This is stupid," he groans as I pull him to the line where couples are patiently waiting to get their pictures taken.
"You think everything about this is stupid," I retort quickly.
He’s whining like a toddler. "Why do we need a picture of this?"
"Don't you want to remember seeing me in this pretty dress?" I ask, a slight giggle escaping my smiling lips.
He stops me dead in my tracks and pulls me aside. “You... tonight? Never. I could never forget you in this dress.” He closes his eyes and places his forehead against mine. This seems important to him, so I grant him the uninterrupted moment of serenity. I add a little pressure of my own to his forehead and follow suit by closing my own eyes. I breathe in the moment, breathe in his words, let them wrap around my heart and seep into my soul. Never to be forsaken. “I could never forget you. I could never forget anything about you. You are burned into my brain. There’s no erasing how you’ve changed me. What you’ve shown me." Then he pulls away, and I miss the intimacy immediately. I open my eyes to discover that cocky grin playing with his full lips. “But I can't wait to take this thing off you," he growls in my ear, completely trying to steer my attention away from what we just shared.
I return his smile. "I'd like to remember what you look like in this suit, my dark prince," I flirt as I run my fingers down the length of his chest.
"Fine," he grumbles, then grabs my ass roughly. "But, once this thing is over, your ass is mine, babygirl." Apparently, the no inappropriate touching rule doesn’t apply to Finnick O’Reilly.
How can he be dominating, sexy, and so swoon-worthy all at once?
Or maybe it's that I'm so madly in love with him that everything he does or says feels romantic and sexual.
Getting on my tiptoes, I quickly kiss the tip of his nose. "Whatever you say, Daddy."
The nearby couples part as we stroll over to the photographer. He directs us to stand by the wall decorated with gold streamers and black letters hanging that spell out Senior Prom.
"You can pose however you want," he informs us before his face disappears behind his camera. I don’t think he expected what happened next; otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have given us such liberties. Finn stands behind me, wraps his right hand around the front of my throat, and tilts my head back to look at him, his hand never leaving my neck. This must be the most scandalous of all the prom photos this guy takes because his mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. He just gawks at us.
I stare up into his heavenly eyes as he gazes back down at me, seriousness and lust in their depths.
I'm such a goner for this man. The way my heart and body react to him is indescribable. Undeniable.
Two months ago, I would've said this is stupid and reckless—and it is—but nothing, not even keeping my heart safe, is worth more than how Finn makes me feel.
I feel alive. I feel safer and more cared for in his arms than I have with anyone else. He's always had this effect on me, even when I was eight years old.
I turn into him and face him, his fingers loose around my throat before moving to the back of my neck.
The entire time, the sound of the clicking camera pierces through the music, but I'm completely lost in Finn. If he claims me with those lips, I'm scared of what will happen. Hell, if he unzips his pants, I’d get on my knees in my pretty white dress and wrap my lips around his cock. Right here, right now, right in front of everyone. I wonder if the cameraman would still keep clicking away.
Screw what other people will think.
"That should be good. Thank you," the photographer's voice shakes.
It takes everything not to laugh at the wide-eyed photographer as Finn pulls away and yanks me up.
"Really? You just can't help yourself, can you?" I say as I nudge his arm playfully.
"You wanted a picture so I’ll remember you in that dress tonight. I wanted that picture so you’ll remember that you were mine tonight."
The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and goosebumps trickle up my arms. I’m not sure what this physical reaction is from, but I plaster a smile on my face. Still, deep down in my gut, I know something isn’t right. Finn is never this agreeable, and it doesn’t sit right with me. “Yeah, this will be great to show my friends and my mom.” I chuckle softly, “Aren't you just the sweetest?" I tease. "I'm going to purchase some copies."
He nods. "I'm going to check on T," he informs me.
"T? He's here, too?"
"Yeah. He followed me here. I knocked some sense into him earlier. He's dealing with his own issues," he answers.
I'm shocked for a moment, unable to respond. "You mean, Willow? Willow is the issue?"
"Do you know of any other area of his life where he's being a complete fucking idiot? They got into it when she wanted him to take her to prom, and she threatened that if he didn't, she'd go with that Christian guy. It blew up really bad."
I hold back my laugh at his claim of being the voice of reason when it came to prom. But then my brain short circuits, and I stare at him. "Um, what? I could've sworn you just said she threatened to go to prom with Christian."
"Yeeesss,” he draws out, scrutinizing me, trying to figure out why I’m so surprised.
"Willow hates Christian. He annoys the hell out of her. She would never go on a date with him, much less the prom. Why would she say something like that? Wait, didn't they get into a fight the day you were arrested? T and Christian?"
His face says it all. There's something I don't know, which means Willow probably doesn't know it either.
I throw him a look of exasperation. "What?" I press, demanding an answer.
He lets out a long groan. "Look, it's not my place to say, but T beat the shit out of him. Tiernan overheard him saying some shit about her," he explains grudgingly. There’s worry creasing his brow.
"What shit? You have to tell me. This is one of my best friends, Finn," I push harder, knowing he'll break.
After a puff of air, he begins, "He was telling his friends that he and Willow were fucking. He went into great detail about it. It pissed off T; would’ve pissed me off, too. So, he beat the shit out of him. Bringing Christian’s name up was the last thing he needed. He completely lost it."
That immature asshole. Rage bubbles inside me, and I scan the room for Christian.
Finn tilts his head at me in warning. "Babe, don't start something."
"Why not? He's been spreading around lies about her. She would never sleep with him. He's the one who's been trying to get with her, not the other way around," I snap.
"Francine, I get it, but not tonight, okay?" He pulls me close and nuzzles me affectionately, effectively simmering my need to inflict retribution for my friend.
"Fine," I groan.
His eyes twinkle. "Good girl."
Why does he have to say that? Those two words ignite swoon mode in me.
“You get your pictures; I’ll get us something to drink,” he says before squeezing my arms and leaving. On a mission, I strut to the table where the photographer’s assistant is stationed with a printer. I order copies of the pictures for both me and Finn, but then I see a black marker lying there, and an idea comes to me. In large, swooping letters, I added a note just for him—a very special note.
Finn,
Thank you for the best night of my life.
I love you,
Francine
It's the best way I can think of to tell him how I feel, and I'm ready to do that. For him to know how I feel and let him know I'm completely dedicated to him.
We haven't been together long, but I know what we have is real. Especially after being with Duncan for six years, I know that time isn’t necessary to determine one’s feelings. It's something that can last if given a chance, and we're taking that chance.
I make my way back over to Finn, and his arms move around me, kissing my forehead sweetly.
"T left," he tells me.
"What?"
He nods toward the bench I was sitting at earlier, and in my place is a sad-looking Willow.
"What happened?" I ask.
"No clue, but I saw them talking."
This just sucks. He came to talk to her—to fix things—and it didn't look like she really gave him a chance. I know Tiernan didn’t want to go to prom, but throwing Christian in his face was just wrong. From what I’ve learned, Tiernan is a good guy.
The telltale screeching torture of a microphone being turned on has almost everyone covering their ears for reprieve. "Happy Senior Prom, everyone!" Principal Jordan booms through the mic by the DJ booth, drawing everyone’s pained expressions to him. The music shuts off as he steps onto the platform, and everyone turns toward him, the dancing coming to an end.
Anticipation has a bunch of people clapping, then hoots and hollers were thrown in for good measure. Throughout all the excitement, I stay in the strong cage of Finn’s arms, happy as can be.
I was so happy that Finn showed up; I kind of forgot about this. I don't give a damn about who is announced as prom king and prom queen. All that matters is spending this wonderful night with the man I love.
"It's time for the announcement of the king and queen of this year's promenade," he mutters as everyone cheers. "I've seen the results, and they are quite shocking, to say the least. I listen a bit in the halls, and I figured... someone else would be picked as king, but sometimes these things surprise you, so let's get on with it. First, to announce your king. He is a caring individual who stands up for others and has always been a wonderful joy to have at Grove Hill High."
"That nullifies you," I quip playfully.
Finn, in turn, smacks my ass, which makes me laugh.
"Please, join me in a round of applause for your king... Duncan Malloy."
"Seriously?" I huff as an awkward few claps ring through the room.
"If that doesn't say rigged election, I don't know what does," Finn mutters in my ear.
"I know, right? I bet you anything Gloria rigged it to make her queen so she could make him dance with her," I joke.
He chuckles.
We watch as Duncan walks up in his form-fitting tuxedo. I grudgingly acknowledge how handsome he is with his slicked-back blonde hair. He shakes the principal's hand, and then the crown is placed on his head.
"Now, for your queen. She's a girl who has gone through quite a few changes this year, but she’s always been a fair student with good grades and plenty of friends. This proves that. Give a hand to your queen... Francine Gray."
My mind blanks for a moment, thinking I must've heard him wrong.
There is no way. I'm not popular. I have a small group of friends, and Duncan is my ex-boyfriend.
I tilt my head to look back at Finn. He looks pissed, to say the least. This looks really bad. It was obviously rigged, but why was it rigged for me and Duncan to win?
Did Duncan have something to do with it? It makes no sense. Duncan said he didn't want us to be together, so it couldn’t be him. But then who? Even with everyone clapping, I know this is a setup.
