"GO AND tell her that you like her. Straight away," Freya said, flicking her fingers.
"That's the first thing you thought? Not flowers or chocolates?"
Freya crossed her legs. "Girls nowadays prefer honesty rather than flattery."
"Really? Last I remember, Nathan used to give you a flower every day."
Freya's lips curled up in a smile. "I never told everyone prefers honesty."
Finn shook his head at his sister, but her words were making their way in his mind.
Their senior year was coming to an end. Finn had a crush on Eilidh since the first time he saw her. It was not love at first sight. It was more like an instant attraction. He was curious about her. People said she had low-esteem, but one look at her face and you would know she has low esteem for everyone else.
That was Eilidh March.
Finn sat on the bed beside his sister. "I can't. When she stares at me, I forget my basic sense to talk."
Freya narrowed her eyes at him. "Aww, cute. Anyway. I don't get why you are afraid to speak with her. It's not like she is going to kill you. See, your year is coming to an end. There are future and college but hey I think you should enjoy. At least talk to her once." She further added, "And, I like her."
Finn sighed. He had enjoyed his high-school, had his fair share of relationships too, but he had an unexplainable need to know more Eilidh. And, now seemed the best chance.
"Okay. I will try."
Freya got up and squealed like a little girl, ruffling his hair and laughing. Finn had always been close to her. She was his spirit animal, who always helped him and saved him from the troubles. Finn had first admitted to her about Eilidh and since then, she hadn't stopped bugging him about Eilidh.
"Brilliant! I ship you both, a lot. So, please unravel your charms and win her, Finny boy. And, share every detail with me."
"Even if I don't tell, you will make me confess it. So, that doesn't give me much choice."
Freya winked at him. "Astute observation."
***
"I am going to tell Eilidh that I like her."
Max and Rebecca stopped eating and stared at him until Rebecca broke the silence.
"Are you sure? You need guts for that."
"You guys make her sound scary," Finn muttered.
Max blew a breath out of his mouth. "Oh, believe me, she is not scary. Eilidh is quite hot."
Rebecca put a hand over Max's mouth. "Stop it, will you? Don't about Eilidh like that."
"And, you," she pointed a finger at Finn. "If this is all about you thinking that Eilidh is a challenge and all that shit, I will kill you. Ask her once. Don't harass her like a crazy guy."
"I swear it's nothing like that. I would never hurt Eilidh's feelings."
It was the truth. Finn genuinely wanted to go out and spend some time with her. As simple as that.
Rebecca took a bite of her sandwich and glanced at Finn briefly. "I don't get why you are trying now. You guys will go to different colleges, and then the relationship will just blow."
"First of all, I don't love her. Let Eilidh, at least, give me a chance. Future is too far to think now," Finn replied.
"I agree with Finn. It's just a fling, right?" Max said, but Finn didn't answer. He never did flings. Relationships mattered to him.
Even if it lasted a week or a month, he liked the stability in a relationship. Loved knowing there was someone with whom he could share his feelings and talk his heart out. Many had told him that Finn got invested in his relationship, a little too much, and warned him about a broken heart.
Flawed thinking.
Rebecca snorted and got up. "You have lost your damn mind, Finn."
"Can't you drop your pessimist act for a minute?"
Rebecca walked away. She turned over her shoulder and shouted back. "No! Have to keep my mysterious image."
Finn got up, his food now forgotten." I am going, Max."
Max grinned and leaned forward. "Go my boy! I will be there to catch you when you faint."
***
The vibration of the phone in his pocket halted his steps. Freya had messaged him.
Freya - Did you say?
Finn - Nope. Not yet? Don't you have any work?
Freya - I do. Planning your wedding with Eilidh ;)
Finn - Jesus -_-
Freya - Shut up. Honesty is the best policy ;)
Finn placed the phone back in his pocket. The hallway wasn't full, and he was glad there wasn't any familiar face. The editorial cabin was on the left side. Eilidh was a member of it, courtesy of her brilliant drawing skills. Her simple pencil sketches and drawings brought life out of the paper.
When the door came in his view, he paused. It was ajar, and the various clippings on the wall were visible. He ran sweaty palms over his jeans and took a deep breath. Adrenaline spun through him, making his heart quicken.
Deep breaths.
With a foot inside over the small threshold, Finn peeked inside. He glanced around and was thankful that no one was there except Eilidh. She held her head down as the pencil between her fingers sketched along the paper. Her earphones tucked in her ears, and she was humming along. His gaze went to her desk. It was a mess with pens, pencils and papers scattered around.
A strong urge to either cry or laugh filled him.
Finn stepped inside the room and cleared his throat. When that didn't gather her attention, he banged on her desk softly.
Eilidh squinted her eyes, with her head still bent. When she tilted her head and looked up, Finn let out a nervous laugh. Not before checking her out. Her brown hair swept into an elegant pony, which swayed at every movement of her head.
The black-white plaid skirt paired up with a white shirt was the only thing in the room which didn't have a speck of color in them. Her lips were glossed over with the pink shade, and the gray irises of her eyes stood out with a thin layer of mascara underneath.
Finn wanted to kiss her.
But her steely stare pushed his thoughts aside.
Eilidh stared at him, and Finn found himself moving back a little. She tucked a hand under her chin with her gaze directed at him. Finn blinked two times, and when she didn't utter anything, he took it upon himself to start a conversation.
Finn put his hands in his pockets. "Hey, Eilidh."
"Hello, Finn. Why are you here?" she said with no hint of sarcasm. Her voice was serene and calm. It all but made him more nervous.
Finn took this as a positive sign, and blurted out,"I like you, Eilidh."
Eilidh removed her earphones and stood up. Her figure was easily over five inches four, and he couldn't help but glance at her legs. The black ballets on her feet were a stark contrast to her pale legs. She crossed her arms over her chest, and spoke with a poised voice,"What did you say?"
Finn gulped and thought of calling Max. He put his hands in his pockets and made eye-contact with her.
"I like you, Eilidh March."
For someone who just got to know that a guy had been harboring a crush on her since two years, Eilidh was calm.
Maybe honesty did the charm. Finn thought.
It soon got crushed. Eilidh fisted her hands and placed them on either side of her skirt. "Are you serious? Is this a pathetic dare or is someone going to record this and post it on YouTube?"
Finn frantically moved his hands in front of them and tried to explain her. "No, I swear it's nothing like that! I simply like you. No dare, no bets, nothing!" he exclaimed, with panic filling inside him.
Finn stared back at her, desperate for her to understand and not shout at him. Instead, Eilidh moved closer until they were eye level. "I cannot believe this, you liking me?" her voice was unsure.
Finn understood what she meant. Their high-school had specified them into stereotypes. Eilidh was eccentric, snotty girl, with high standards and Finn, the charismatic guy with everything within his reach.
Of course, this was all a big piece of crap.
"Eilidh, I know that-"
"Exactly!" she interrupted and waved her hands at herself. "I am very smart, sensitive and intelligent, and you are just..." she trailed off.
Finn didn't know to feel offended or rejoice that she was, at least, acknowledging him.
"So, can we try?"
Eilidh opened her mouth. "Are you serious?"
"I am." he said, with all the seriousness he could muster up.
"You can push me against a wall and forcefully kiss me, send me horrible pick up lines, waste your money on hopeless fluffy gifts, but, I won't even spare you a glance."
The aftermath of what she told left Finn with widened eyes and an open mouth. He had no clue what image Eilidh had in mind about him but, it didn't look very nice.
"I would never do something like that."
The sound of a door banging distracted them. Finn turned around and spotted Max with a phone in his hand. With the camera at Finn and Eilidh's direction, he had a bad feeling that Max was eavesdropping.
" Ah hey guys.." Max trailed off with a nervous smile and took a step backward.
" So this was a dare!" Eilidh shouted and looked at Max. Max, who couldn't control his laugh, ran off. "I am sorry, Finn!"
Finn raised his hands. "I have no idea what he is doing here. And this was not a dare. I swear!
"You should get out," Eilidh told Finn, staring at him.
Finn debated whether to go out of the room or continue to persuade her. When he glanced over at Eilidh, he knew if he stood one minute more in the room, she would slap him or do something.
" Okay, I am going now. But, I will come again," Finn told her over his shoulder. He walked two steps backward and poked his head inside. "I genuinely meant it. I do like you."
"I look forward to kicking you out. Again."
***
Max and Rebbeca's laugh filled Finn's ear, increasing his irritation with every passing minute. Apparently, Max had recorded the whole thing to blackmail Finn later. Finn sat in the cafe, with his heads in his hands and thought how the whole thing was a disaster. If Eilidh got to know that Max had recorded the whole thing, she would slit Finn's throat.
"I feel like a piece of shit," Finn announced to his friends.
"I have to admit, This is funny," Rebecca said between laughs and Max fist bummed Rebecca. "I know right? When Eilidh told that Finn was just," he mimicked her action," It was golden. You should have looked at his face!"
"You better not spread it, Max," Finn warned him.
"Gee, I am hurt that you think so low of me." He put a hand over his heart. When Rebecca played the video again, Finn groaned and put his head on the table. He took out his phone and messaged Freya.
Honestly is not the best policy.
°°°
A/N: thank you for the votes and, comments everyone! means a lot.
- aalaa