"Finn?"

Thalias puzzled eyes glance around the house, searching for the tall brunette. Upon coming across no sight of him, she checks her phone.

Finn

HEY
might be out a while!
but dw
i made lasagna before i left
check the microwave :)
see u tonight!!

She sighs, retrieving the lasagna from the microwave, resigned to survive on it while he's away.

In the two decades she's grazed this planet Earth, Thalia has never bothered to prepare a meal for herself. It's always been ordering in, dining out, or turning Juniper and Finn into her personal chefs.

Seated on the couch, she cues up Netflix on her flat-screen TV, absently watching Girl Interrupted, her go-to comfort movie despite its lack of comfort.

Yet, her mind is elsewhere - last night.

She makes an effort to remain in denial, avoiding the intruding thoughts and feelings, either pushing them away or attributing them to other causes.

However, evasion can only last so long.

How safe she felt in his hold, the gentle touch of his fingertips on her skin sending a chill down her spine. She could feel his heart racing in his chest, mirroring hers.

Finn makes her feel the closest she's ever felt to home. It's a warm, safe sensation.

Truth be told, Thalia has often wondered about an alternate reality where she never moved to Paris. It's not a novel sentiment.

He was her first friend, the one person she could never harbor resentment for, no matter what. While Thalia loves Juniper, they can still often get on her nerves.

Unlike Finn.

Running into Finn at the Louvre made Thalia feel, only for a moment, like she had never left Vancouver.

Time and distance play a significant role here. If Finn had permanently moved to Paris or if Thalia somehow returned to Vancouver, perhaps things would be different.

Perhaps he would feel the same way, allowing her foolish desires to be something more than what they are.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

Finn places the cash on the counter, walking back bearing two cones of ice cream.

"Here you go- mint chocolate chip." He states, crinkling his nose in overplayed disgust as he hands the cone over to the girl.

She giggles, signalling at the seat facing her. "You can't just decide you hate something without even trying it."

"I don't have to." He shrugs, sitting down on the plastic chair. Nibbling at his chocolate ice cream, he nods.

"You weren't kidding. This is the best ice cream I've ever had, Camille."

She nods proudly. "I can show you all around Paris- specifically, all the good places to get food here."

"Perfect." He smiles, watching the way she pushes her short raven hair to the side, revealing her defined collarbones.

Thalia turns her head, eyes lighting up as the distant sound of keys unlocking the door is audible.

"Finally." She rolls her eyes as Finn walks in through the corridors.

"Missed me?" He smiles, slumping down onto the couch beside her.

"No."

He chuckles. "I met someone today on my morning walk."

Thalia faces him, her interest suddenly pinged. "Oh... who?"

"Her names Camille. She's really cool, and funny... and pretty." He scratches the back of his head, eyes glued to the floor.

He's blissfully unaware how hard this words just stung the girl beside him.

Nonetheless, she chews on her bottom lip and decides to play it cool, brushing her ridiculous feelings to the side.

"Oooh, a vacation girl?" She sing-songs.

Finn chuckles, landing a playful punch on her shoulder. "Well, maybe. She gave me her number. I could... ask her out."

He phrases it almost as a question, eyes searching Thalias face for any sign of objection. Yet, all he finds is the facade of a smile.

"You should." She nods, trying her best to avoid the heavy weight on her chest.

"Yeah?" He smiles.

"Yeah!"

Silence blankets the room as the burden of unspoken words linger. Thalia does contemplate voicing her emotions for a second, but she restrains.

Revealing her odd feelings so out of the blue might burden him, and there's a daunting certainty that he doesn't feel the same way.

The mere notion seems absurd; after all, they're friends, destined to remain as such.

Plus, he's leaving within a few days. Why embark on a journey where there won't be any steady roads?

"Okay then, thanks Lia." He brings her into a hug before pulling away within a second.

He gets up, leaving the girl accompanied by her own thoughts in the hushed living room. Letting out a sigh, she reaches for her phone to text Juniper.

Juniper

Can you give me Arthurs number?

YES
thank god omg
##########

Thank you.

why the sudden change of heart tho
wasn't he like boring af
didn't you say he's
you but 10 times worse

Though*

😐
answer the question !!!

Goodbye.

wtf
THALIA

##########

Is this Arthur?

Yes, Who is this?

Oh wow.

Excuse me?

I'm sorry, it's just refreshing to find someone who understands the importance of maintaining proper grammar in texts.

Well, of-course.
I'm not an imbecile.

Exactly.
So, it's Thalia.
From the party.

Oh.
Hello.
I wasn't expecting this.

I get it if you don't
wanna hear from me.
I shouldn't have handled
it like that, it was stupid.
And also very immature.

It's perfectly understandable.
My business talk was boring you.

I feel bad.
Is there any way we can move past this?
Perhaps this weekend? I have no plans.

How about right now?

Oh...
Like now, now?

I'm in a limo.
What's your address?

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

A symphony of ambient light emanates from chandeliers, casting its glow on meticulously arranged tables. The scent of rare spices and aged woods intertwine, filling the air.

Thalia glances around with a smile plastered on her face. The ride here in the limousine was all she had ever sought for.

Across from her sits Arthur, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his stern expression revealing a demeanor almost too serious for such an elegant setting.

"I love this place." She smiles, leaning slightly back on her chair.

Arthur nods, his gaze fixed on the extensive menu. "I'm fond of it as well."

After a minute of pure silence, Thalia decides to break the ice. "You know, I read somewhere that laughter is the key to a great evening. Wanna give it a try?"

Arthur glances at her, his expression unyielding. "I find little amusement in trivialities, especially comedy."

She bites the inside of her cheek before speaking again. "Come on, try telling me a joke or something."

He sighs, clearly reluctant. "Fine. Why did the businesswoman bring a ladder to the bar?"

Thalia raises an eyebrow, waiting for the punchline.

"She was told drinks were on the house." He deadpans, keeping his gaze on her while awaiting a reaction.

A light chuckle escapes her lips. "Okay... see, that was good. Keep that up."

Throughout the date, Thalia continues her efforts to coax a more relaxed Arthur.

She even attempts something she rarely does- flirting. Yet, his responses remain measured and robotic.

Desperate to get rid of his reserved demeanour, she orders them a bottle of wine, hoping it might help loosen the atmosphere.

Eventually, a faint glimmer of ease appears in Arthurs eyes. Her persistence combined with the influence of the wine seems to work its magic.

He begins to share more insights into his personal life - bits of stories and memories.

Satisfied with how the date is going, Thalia rests her arms on the table with a beaming smile.

Yet, her expression gradually wanes as her eye catches a text notification on Arthurs phone.

The absurdly bright display allows her to easily read the message - from 'Kate' when are you coming home? Miss you.🩷

Thalias eyes narrow, her irritation bubbling to the surface. She leans back, disdain evident in the curl of her lip.

"So, you're out here pretending to be a gentleman while 'Kate' sends you heart emojis. Classy, Arthur."

He stammers, attempting to redeem himself. "Thalia, it's not what you think-"

She cuts him off with a scoff. "Oh, don't worry, Arthur. The only thing I'm thinking about is how someone so frustratingly uninteresting managed to find not only me, but some other unfortunate girl."

He attempts to speak, but she interrupts again. "Save your excuses for someone who cares, because it certainly isn't me. Enjoy your double life, Mr. Businessman."

Thalia rises, the echoes of her heels on the polished floor drowning out any further protestations from Arthur.

Upon exiting the restaurant, she hauls a cab, relishing in the satisfaction of reclaiming control.

"Finn!"

the dark-haired boy startles awake, cursing under his breath as Thalia laughs at his reaction.

He calms down, surveying the dark surroundings. His peaceful sleep in the guest room has been disrupted by someone literally screaming his name into his ear.

He sighs at the girl kneeling on the floor beside his bed. "Thanks for waking me up so gently."

"No problem!" She grins, seizing his hand in an attempt to drag him out of the comfortable sheets. "We need to go to the beach."

Finn glances at the clock. "Lia, it's past midnight."

She rolls her eyes, unfazed. "And? We can go stargazing. Come on."

With a groan, he manages to pull himself out of bed. Thalia quickly directs her gaze elsewhere upon noticing his lack of a shirt.

"I'll go wait for you. Hurry." She commands, striding out of the room without a backward glance.

Moonbeams cast a silvery glow on the restless sea, accentuating the gentle lapping of the waves that echo in the emptiness. The occasional call of a distant seagull is heard every now and then.

Dark silhouettes of rocks, resilient against the tides, stand sentinel along the shoreline.

Thalia and Finn sit silently beneath the stars, lit up cigarettes in her hold.

After a lengthy car ride, the sensation of the sand beneath them and the breeze against their flesh feels worthwhile.

"I've never been at the beach at night."

Thalia turns her head to glance at Finn, grinning in response. "You were missing out."

She takes a drag from her cigarette, inhaling the smoke and holding it briefly before exhaling.

Finn gazes at her with admiration before diverting his attention to the ocean.

"I always thought money and status were everything." Thalia sighs, eyes fixed on the waves.

"My parents, you know how they have this privileged life; rubbing shoulders with influential people, hosting fancy parties. I always wanted that, thinking it would make me happy, make everything perfect."

She pauses, her eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for answers in the vastness of the night. She stubs out her cigarette in the sand.

"Don't get me wrong, I love my life. Modelling has always been my dream. I wouldn't change this for the world, but... sometimes it just feels like I could do so much more, like maybe this isn't worth it. Am I making sense?"

Finn nods, listening quietly as she continues. "Seeing my face on billboards is unreal, but it's not so rewarding when I know that a lot of the jobs I've gotten were solely due to connection... aka my parents. It just feels like I haven't accomplished anything."

They sit in another round of silence, the rhythmic waves serving as a backdrop to their thoughts.

"Maybe Ariana Grande was wrong and money can't solve your problems." Finn states quietly, receiving a chuckle from her.

"Maybe."

Thalia tilts her head back, gazing up at the cosmic scene above with a faint smile playing at her lips.

"So pretty" she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper as her eyes mirror the shimmering stars.

"Yeah." Finn replies, taking a puff of his cigarette. However, his attention is drawn not on the stars, but on Thalia.

"You know" she begins, "maybe this whole existential crisis is what I deserve for going on a date with someone I had no interest in whatsoever."

He furrows his brows, thinking over his response. "You went on a date?"

"With a two-timing, annoyingly boring suit and tie." She nods. Finn can't help but be amused by her remark.

"That guy is two-timing?" He scoffs. "Well, at-least that's one interesting fact about him."

A chuckle slips past Thalias lips as she stirs her eyes away from the stars, diverting them to the sand below.

"I spent the whole date trying to morph him into someone else." She chuckles at the absurdity of it. "I'm hopeless."

Dousing his cigarette, Finn tilts his head to the side. "Why'd you go on the date then, if you loathe him so much?"

"If I told you..." She trails off, leaving her unfinished sentence lingering in the cold night air.

Finn opts not to dig any deeper, remaining silent. His nails etch patterns into the sand as he chews on his lower lip.

Thalia eventually turns to face him, prompting him to do the same.

'I missed you, Finn.'

Feeling a sudden shift in the atmosphere between them, Finn's heart begins to race. He doesn't know why, and frankly, he doesn't wish to find out.

"I missed you too, Lia."

AUTHORS NOTE
I hope you like slow burn.