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Chapter 25: After-party

Finn's POV

Just like other nights, this magical night, unfortunately, had to end too. The time passed by like a blur and it was suddenly time to go home.

11:23 pm

I stood outside our house, my jacket wrapped tight around my body against the cold. I faced the blondie with a small smile as he slipped his hands into his pockets, leaning against his car coolly.

"Well. This has been one of the best nights of my entire life." I admitted with a slight chuckle.

"I feel the same way. Now, come here, I don't think I can leave you alone." He said before gently pulling me by the wrist.

I wrapped an arm around him, immediately feeling so much better but I knew I had to pull away sooner or later. So I did, but before I could do that, he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Okay. Text me when you get home." I reminded him before finally letting go of him.

"I will. I'll see you on Monday, Finn." He said with a wink before hopping into his car and turning on the engine.

I turned around and opened the door of the house and the first thing that I immediately noticed was that there were no lights on anywhere in the house which was odd since I remembered turning on the lights in the entryway and kitchen. As I let my bag fall to the floor, along with the thud that it made, I heard strange noises coming from the upstairs.

I rolled my eyes as I realized that it was most likely my parents, probably doing something that I'm not even interested in thinking about. 

I reached out to my left to turn the lights on and that's when I heard someone climbing down the stairs. I turned on the lights and my heart dropped to my stomach.

...It was just my dad.

"Finn. You're home early?" He asked in a sleepy voice as he ran a hand over his face.

I shrugged. "Well, we decided to end it early. Not much to do so we just went home."

"Okay well you better go to bed. Make sure to lock the doors. 'Night." He waved at me before walking up the stairs and back to their room. 

I sighed contentedly as my feet dragged me towards the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of water and sat down at the chair closest to the window. 

My thoughts ran a mile an hour, racing each other as the events of the night reran itself in my brain. 

Just the feeling of being in Oliver's arms while love songs played in the background was more than enough to give me butterflies. Him reassuring me every time I started to doubt myself and him making me cringe with his public display of affection for me. Those were moments that I'll treasure. The kind of moments that I wanted to experience everyday. Moments that make me feel excited for tomorrow.

I didn't even think that it was possible for me to fall in love even more but hell to it, I am.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the shuffling of something outside our window. I only realized just a couple seconds after. I squinted my eyes as I looked through the glass, trying to decipher what was moving in the dark across the street. Just when I could get a clear image of a man, I heard something behind me.

"Finn." I heard my name being called out.

I jumped in my seat, hurrying to look at the source of the sound and instantly sighing in relief as I realized it was just my mom.

"Mom. Oh my God, you scared me." I said, clutching my chest exaggeratedly.

She laughed. "Sorry. Your dad just told me you were home. I have to ask you how your night went?" She said, pulling a chair nearby and sitting beside me.

"Well. Prom is prom, nothing special happened. We had fun, we danced, we enjoyed it for sure." I summarized.

She raised a brow at me in amusement. "Is that it? I doubt that." 

I laughed. "Yes, mom, that's it. Time flew by like crazy, and we decided to end it early." 

"Alright. I'm proud of you, you know. Seeing you in a suit and seeing you and your friends and your date, that almost made me cry. I didn't realize that you've grown up." She said as she gave my back a pat.

"I mean, I can always stay here even after I turn eighteen, it's not like I'm gonna disappear forever." I reassured her but she shook her head.

"I know, Finn. But seeing you grow up is such a hard but also an exciting thing to watch. It's just, you're all grown up now, going to proms with a date. It doesn't seem so long ago when you were just a little kid." She said before giving me a motherly embrace.

I pat her back gently. "It's a fun thing for me too, mom. I mean, my life's so much better now that I have real friends and Oliver. But that doesn't mean I'll forget about you guys." 

She smiled, a proud gleam in her eyes. "I know you won't. Anyway, enough with the sappy stuff. Head to bed soon, okay?" 

"I will. Just soaking up the night." I replied.

She ruffled my hair before leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I leaned back in my seat, basking in the moonlight that flooded through our window. After a while of thinking, I thought about getting some air. 

I stepped out into the cold night air, immediately taking a much needed deep breath. I wrapped my jacket tight against the cold as I looked around our neighborhood. Houses seemed dead, no open lights to fill its insides, no people to fill it with conversations. I was so into my thoughts that I didn't notice the car speeding closer and I was left with a split second to react. 

The car was speeding towards me.

The impact of the car caused me to tumble to the side while it crashed into our porch, producing a loud sound that rung through the empty neighborhood.

My head crashed into something solid and hard which caused my vision to wobble. A loud grunt escaped me as I felt something soak my head, it took me great effort to lift my head up to look at the damage and just as I started to black out, I noticed a figure in a gray hoodie running away from the scene.

And then complete darkness.

. . .

Oliver's POV

I was driving down the road with a smile on my face like a madman. I was still reeling about the night that I had with Finn and our friends. I didn't think anything could ruin that night until I got a phone call that brought down the walls of happiness that built itself in my system.

As I got out of my car, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I looked at the screen and realized it was Finn. I subconsciously smiled before picking up.

"Hello-"

I was interrupted by loud shuffling noises from the other line.

"Uh, Finn? Are you okay-?"

"Oliver. Can you come to the hospital right now? I'll explain everything." I heard Finn's dad say which made my blood run cold.

"The hospital-? What happened? Is Finn okay?" I asked in panic as I got into my car again, immediately starting the engine.

"I'll explain it all in full detail when you get here." Finn's dad said.

"Okay, okay. I'll be there!" I said as goodbye before throwing my phone into the passenger seat.

The drive towards the hospital was one of the most painful things I had to experience through. I slowly died of worry and anxiousness every time I would turn or had to stop at a red light. I tried to get to the hospital as fast as I can without breaking any rules but damn, even at that moment, I didn't care. Just as long as I got there, I didn't care if I broke any rules, I didn't care if I was going over the speed limit. Finn needed me and I was determined to get to him as soon as I could.

I pulled over at the parking lot, instantly hopping out and into the cold night, still in my suit.

I looked for the room number Finn's dad sent me and the minute the said room came into view, I was met by the worried faces of Finn's parents and Heather.

"What happened?" I asked in panic.

Finn's dad who still had his usual cold façade stood up but despite that, I could tell he was sickly worried, and understandably so.

He approached me and clapped a hand on my shoulder, leading me away from Finn's door just a few distance.

"Um... I'm gonna try to explain this as brief as I can." He said as he rubbed his hands on his pants anxiously. "Someone... some mentally ill person, decided to crash his car into our porch and for some unfortunate luck, Finn was on the porch. The good thing is that Finn wasn't injured much but he does have a concussion, a broken arm and a few more injuries." He explained.

I let out a sigh as I took all the information in, still worrying for Finn. Rick sat back down at the bench near Finn's door and I followed him suit but keeping my respectful distance. As much as I wanted to claim that I was the most worried one out of all of us, that would simply be untrue. I couldn't even fathom being Finn's parents and best friend at that moment, how they felt when they heard the car crash into their house and finding their son and best friend injured.

I held my head in my hands as time passed by, minutes felt like hours as we waited for any type of update.

And then finally...

A doctor comes out the door with a chart in hand. The four of us stood up immediately as the doctor approached us.

"Good news is that your son's injuries aren't fatal nor serious. He needs to physically and mentally rest after that accident, limit his activities, but don't leave him all by himself. He has to rest right now, he's had enough events tonight. You all can see him in the morning."

All of us nodded solemnly to the news. I walked away, feeling empty while Finn's parents continued talking to the doctor.

Despite the good news, I still was not able to shake my worry about Finn. How he had to deal with this all by himself. I couldn't even imagine how scary it must be to be in that type of situation. It made me feel terrible even when I know I couldn't have done anything to save him.

I ran a hand through my face exasperatedly as I pulled out my phone to text Jason. It was two in the morning and I probably shouldn't have delivered that kind of news that early but I just couldn't keep it a secret. They were gonna find out either way, better to let them know myself.

After I've sent the texts, I got myself a cup of coffee since I knew I wasn't gonna get any sleep.

A few minutes later, Jason arrived with a worried look on his face.

"What happened? Is Finn doing okay?" He asked.

"The doctor said his situation's not critical or anything and I'm sure he's doing fine right now." I reassured him and partially myself but only if it worked, as I continued rubbing my hands anxiously.

We stayed in silence and I could tell Jason knew what was going through my mind, he clapped a hand on my shoulder. "I know you're worried, man. I am too but I'm sure he's alright. You know what I suggest? I suggest that you do something that makes you happy right now so you'll be in high spirits once we see him in the morning. It's two in the morning right now, get ice cream, go shopping, maybe buy Finn a present. If you want I can even come with you." He suggested.

"Yeah, I could also come with you guys if you want. I need to clear my mind and probably get something special for Finn." Heather chimed in.

"Okay but I apologize in advanced if I ruin the trip, I know I'm gonna be worrying about Finn until I see him." 

Jason shook his head. "Nah, we understand that, just think about how this is for Finn. He wouldn't want you to be sad and tired when he sees you in the morning."

I nodded. "Yeah... You're right."

. . .

Half an hour of driving later, we've made it to the city's busiest spot where there were everything you could imagine a city can have. Despite the fact that it was almost three in the morning, the streets were still active as ever.

"You guys hungry? I last ate before we even left school." Jason asked us.

"Yeah. Wow, I just remembered prom, I completely forgot about it from all the things that's happened today." Heather pointed out as we continued walking along the path.

I stayed silent as I watched people mill around and converse with each other. I slipped a hand inside my pocket, feeling the cold wind brush through my hair. After a while of walking around, we entered a bougie French bakery. We took our seats near one of the windows where the lighting was perfectly warm.

"Oliver, what do you want to get?" Jason asked me which pulled me out of my trance.

"Oh, uh, I'll just get the butter croissant, the religieuse and a cup of latte, thank you." 

"Alright-y, I'll pay for all of us so just worry about how long the food's gonna take, okay?" He said as he flashed us his usual smile before heading towards the counter.

I looked outside, watching the cars go by and the people who are walking around the street under the night sky.

"I never got to ask you, but how are you doing? I know how it feels getting that crappy phone call." Heather asked.

"Honestly, I'm functioning way better than I thought. Just as long as I see Finn alright, I'm gonna be fine myself." I explained in such a tired tone, even it caught me off guard.

She nodded. "Yeah, I get that. I thought I had lost him and just the thought of it... I couldn't take it. So I'm so glad to know he's fine right now."

"Yeah, I know Finn wouldn't be liking us being sad over him. So let's just focus on the fact that once it turns morning, we can visit him." 

She nodded just as Jason returned. 

"By the way, you two need to change." Jason pointed out.

I looked down at my outfit and I only seemed to have remembered I was still wearing the suit I wore to prom. 

"Yeah, sure, maybe we can wait it out here since no shops will be open at this hour." I said to which the both nodded.

As we were eating our food peacefully, I suddenly thought of a fun topic. 

"So, Heather, since Finn's not here... do you mind telling us embarrassing stories about him." I asked with a smirk.

That seemed to have brought the brightness back to her face. "Oh my God, I've been waiting for an opportunity to tell this story. Finn will just have to forgive me. Okay, so last year, Finn had to take sedation anesthesia for a teeth removal. While going home, we passed by a lady that was carrying a bundle of clothes in her arms and Finn thought it was a dog and asked to pet it. Needless to say, he doesn't like it when we bring it up to him and whenever he starts to think he's on top of the world, I humble him by reminding him that time." She told with a smile on her face as if she was directly in the memory.

"That's such a Finn thing to do. I can just imagine him blushing whenever he remembers that." I said with a slight chuckle.

"Please tell me you have a video of it." Jason said with sudden interest.

Heather shook her head. "I might have... but Finn will crucify if I ever show it to anyone, maybe we can ask if I can show it once we see him in the morning."

Time passed by like a blur as we talked about things that piqued our interest, casually dropping stories after one another. 

While Heather excused to go to the bathroom and Jason stepped outside for some air, I took the opportunity to let my mind rest for a little bit, looking out the window, I realized that the sun had started to rise. 

"We should probably go now since the bakery's getting busier, besides, I bet the good boutiques are open now." Jason suggested just as Heather came back.

"Yeah, I feel gross in this dress already." Heather joked.

I nodded. "Alright, maybe we can just go to the mall so we can pick up something for Finn along the way." I said to which they both nodded. After we finished preparing, we went on and proceeded towards our destination.

. . .

Finn's POV

8:18 AM

I read the time off of the clock on the wall as it ticked. I looked around the unfamiliar room, it was obviously a hospital room with all the complex machinery around me. I could also feel a slight throb in my head like a twink getting pounded at a certain speed, the bright white lights weren't helping either. I also noticed the arm sling on my right arm.

I grunted as I used my working elbow to support myself up into a sitting position. I grabbed my phone off of the night stand and I started checking my socials, after a while, I only noticed that I had about a million unread messages. 

I was just about to open them when I heard the door open. In comes a doctor with a chart in hand followed by my parents. The minute they noticed me, their faces lit up.

"Oh my God. Finn." My mom covered her mouth in surprise as she and my dad approached me with hurried steps. 

"Finn, you just woke up, why are you on your phone already." My dad scolded me but I could tell the worry on his voice. 

"I mean... I do this every morning." I said, confused, as I let my working hand fall into my lap.

They looked at each other before looking back at me. "Finn, do you not remember what happened last night?" My dad asked me as he furrowed his brows.

I sighed and let my head fall back into the pillow. "I remember I got completely obliterated by a crusty stupid car. I'm assuming that's the reason why I have a headache and this arm sling?" I asked.

"Yeah, how are you doing though?" My mom asked me.

I shrugged. "Well besides the headache, everything feels fine, actually. My body feels sore, but that's about it." 

"That's completely normal, a few more days of rest and you'll be healed. Try to rest both physically and mentally. And Mr. and Mrs. Vasco, keep Finn out of trouble and stress." The doctor reminded my parents to which they nodded. "I'll leave you to it, tell the nurses if you need anything." The doctor said before bidding his goodbye.

I faced my parents, my mom who is in the verge of crying, held my hand in hers. "I'm glad you're alright, Finn. What do you need? Water? Are you hungry? Tell us anything, we'll give it to you, I-"

"Mom." I interrupted her. "I'm alright. See, just a broken arm and a few bruises." 

"Finn, I don't know what I would have done if we- If that car had..." My mom trailed off as she closed her eyes. "I'll be right back." She said before leaving out the door in a hurry.

My dad simply watched her go before he turned to me. "Don't mind your mom, Finn. Worry about yourself. I'll follow her outside and also, your friends are gonna be here any minute, they're excited to see you." He informed me, he smiled and before I knew it, he had pulled me into a loose hug.

"Oof, what was that for?" I asked as he pulled away.

"I don't tell you this often, son, but I'm so proud of you for being the boy you've grown into and I love you so much. Nothing could ever replace you. I can't even imagine if that car had done more damage to you, or worse. Imagine if I wasn't able to hug you ever again." He said.

I frowned at him. "But I didn't, so it's best not to think about what could have happened differently. I'm here, alive, surviving, thriving and gayer than ever."

He laughed and gave my hair a ruffle. "Okay you're right, I'm gonna stop with the sappiness. Anyway, I love you always, bean." He said before leaving out the door. 

Just a few moments after the door closed, a series of knocks on it broke the silence of the room.

"Come in?" I yelled out.

The door opened and what greeted me were the faces of the people I've been looking for. The moment they realized I was awake, their faces lit up.

"Oh my God, Finn!" Heather was the first one to run up to me with a big basket of fruit but it was soon forgotten when she gave me an embrace, careful not to disturb my arm sling.

"Hey Finn!" Jason came next and gave me a one-armed hug.

Then came next Oliver, in his arms were a bunch of sweets, fruits, presents and everything that I've ever wanted. 

"Hey Finn, um, we brought you these, hope you love them." He said as he stood there awkwardly, arms full and unable to give me what I've actually been looking for.

"Okay now can somebody help this poor guy." I joked to which both Jason and Heather moved to help Oliver. 

After setting everything down, Oliver gave me a brief hug but instead of letting go after, he held my hand in his in what I could only tell was a longing grip. 

"How are you feeling?" He asked me.

"I'm okay, just this arm sling and this pesky headache, but I'm functioning alright." I reassured them.

"You don't even understand how happy I am you're okay." Heather said as she calmed herself down from what I could assume was sheer happiness.

"Aw, thanks, I'm sorry I gave you guys a scare, I mean, even I wasn't expecting that but I'm just so lucky that the car barely missed me." 

They stayed silent as we all seemingly started thinking about what different scenario could've happened.

I closed my eyes for a second and I immediately regretted it as the events of last night came flooding back to me again but with more unwanted clarity. I could remember how the blaring lights of the car neared me and I couldn't do anything but to stare. Thinking about those caused me to shudder subconsciously.

"Finn, are you okay?" Oliver whispered to me.

Before I could answer, Heather spoke. "Ah, sorry, I need to take this phone call. Be right back guys." She said before leaving the room. 

"I'll leave you two alone to talk, call us when you need anything, okay?" Jason said.

"Thanks, Jason." Oliver thanked him before he left the room with a nod.

Oliver turned to me again but I could tell he was more worried than ever.

"Yeah, I just... started remembering what happened last night, scary stuff." I said in a humorous manner.

Oliver gently rubbed my hand with his thumb as he seemed to be occupied with his thoughts. 

I was about to break the silence when he spoke. "I just want to say... how grateful I am that you're okay and we're able to talk right now. I'm so grateful that the car only grazed you because I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. You know, when I was driving towards here last night, I was just praying over and over again that you were alright and I'm not even religious. Forgive me for being blunt, but I started thinking about how it was without you and I just couldn't, I knew I couldn't. And while Heather, Jason and I were out of town, I couldn't help but think about the things I haven't said to you, things that I planned to do with you, and if I would ever have a chance to do those. It reminded me to cherish every moment with you and how important you are to me." 

I grabbed his hand in mine and it was my turn to comfort him. "I understand that, Oliver, I definitely would have done the same if I were you. But now that you've seen me alright and doing perfect, you can let those thoughts away. I'm not leaving your side any time sooner and I know you won't leave mine too. We're like Bonnie and Clyde, minus the thievery and murdering parts and make it gay." I joked.

He chuckled at that. "Jesus, only you would make a joke in this type of moment, please stay the same." 

I laughed along with him and as it faded, we stayed in silent, doing what we promised and that was to cherish the moments we had together, things that I'm thankful I could still do.

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