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October 3rd, 1980, that was the date that was written on the board in Finney’s classroom. The last class of the day always seemed to drag along, the lessons being taught at the slowest pace humanly possible, according to the students of Northwest High. If you asked the newly 15-year-old boy what was currently being taught in that class, he wouldn’t be able to tell you.
Doodling nonsense in his notebook, Finney is broken out of his trance by the feeling of something hitting the back of his head. Turning around in his seat, Finney sees a piece of paper folded up right next to his chair. Following the direction where the paper originated from, the dark eyed boy made eye contact with eyes he could never forget, the usually rough looking expression shown in them, now showing hesitance and deep in thought. His best friend, Robin, used his eyes to tell Finney to pick up the piece of paper. Taking a quick glance to the front, the younger of the two quickly swooped down and picked up the paper between his index and middle finger. Opening up the paper, it read:
‘Hey, wanna watch a horror movie?’
Turning back around to look at Robin, he couldn’t even process the note when the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, trying to pack his notebook and pencil into his backpack quick enough so he could catch up with his best friend, who was already walking out the door. By the time he was out the door, he couldn’t see Robin anywhere. The first time something like this happened, Finney panicked, but now, he allowed his body to move him to their meeting spot, underneath the large tree right next to the baseball field.
Seeing his darker skinned friend, Finney picked up the pace so he wouldn’t leave him waiting any longer. Finally being right next to Robin, said boy lifted himself off of the tree, brushing off the loose bark that got onto his denim vest. Without saying a word, Finney showed the note to the author of it.
Robin picked up the paper from Finney’s hand, a slight spark and warmth by the contact, and Robin raised his eyebrow. “Why are you showing me this?”
“I just… Why did you ask me over a note? We meet by this tree everyday, you could have asked me now.” Finney asked his shorter friend. At the observation, Robin seemed to clam up, wiping his palms on his jeans.
Clearing his throat, Robin replied, “Well, uh, I wanted to ask you before I forgot to. Not my fault the only time I could safely hand you the note was close to the bell.” Almost immediately, Robin started to walk away, not looking back to see if Finney followed him or not. Quickly catching up to the shorter, Finney followed where his friend was going, completely trusting him, while having a grip onto Robin’s vest.
The thing about Finney– he has experienced things no kid should experience. Back when he was in 7th grade, he was kidnapped. It was for a week, but the week changed his life forever. He can’t eat scrambled eggs anymore without getting physically sick, as that was the only meal he was given. The day he walked out of the house of his torture, he felt disgusting. While he was disgusting in the sense he hadn’t had a shower for a week, but disgusted by the things he felt, saw, and heard. He would never wish the experience on his worst enemy. It was a day later from returning home when Robin came by. They, as friends, never really showed physical affection. The two of them met because Robin needed a tutor and Finney was the first to agree. That night though, changed everything, as the second Finney opened the door he was enveloped into a hug. It was a hug Finney never experienced, sure his younger sister hugged him, but this hug held some different emotion, something Gwen could never show him. That was also the first time he saw Robin cry.
Back to the present, Finney didn’t know what his emotions towards his best friends were. Sure, he trusted him and felt safe around him, there was also unknown feelings, butterflies creeping in his stomach whenever Robin laughs at a stupid joke he told, or his face getting hot whenever he looks at his friend staring intensely at his homework. Trying to shake the thoughts, Finney decided to continue the conversation. “Well, what horror movie would we watch?”
Robin smiled at him, replying with a simple, “Halloween.”
Later that night, Finney found himself in front of Robin’s TV instead of his own. Usually on a Friday night, he would be looking after his father as his sister was at her friend’s house every Friday, but today, Finney felt as if he could have one night spent at his friend’s house. Robin was in the middle of setting up his brand new VHS player his family just got, the first movie he had recorded using the blank tapes he had was Halloween, the movie the two were gonna watch. His friend’s parents weren’t in town while his sister was out for the night, leaving the house to the two boys. Robin’s house was similar enough to Finney’s house, a bit smaller and a little cleaner being the main differences.
“Finn. Hello? Are you there?” Robin waved his hand in front of the shaggy haired boy, snapping him out of his thoughts. Slowly nodding his head, Robin got up from the floor to turn the lights off, minus the reflection of the TV and two candles he lit. Robin quickly pressed play using his toe and sat down on the couch right next to Finney. Trying to get comfortable, the taller of the two relaxed onto the couch that smelt of cigarette smoke, bumping his arm against his friend’s arm. Shrugging off the spark he felt, Finney paid attention to the movie. Shortly after Finn decided to get comfortable, he suddenly felt dread fill his body, as he watched the first kills happen on the screen. While Robin got excited, Finney felt sick to his stomach, quickly grabbing onto Robin’s hand without any thoughts.
Robin looked down at their now entwined hands when Finney realized what he did. Suddenly feeling embarrassed he started apologizing, when the younger quickly assured him.
“No, don’t apologize, it’s ok, it’s… nice.” A soft smile graced Robin’s lips and Finney felt safe. The butterflies that appear a lot around Robin seemed to return at that moment. Forgetting for a second what kind of movie he was watching with the other, Finney sunk back into the couch still holding onto his friend’s hand, until the next jumpscare happened. Being thrown off guard, Finney ended up getting closer to Robin and his body heat, with his leg being thrown over the shorter’s lap and the hand holding onto Robin’s hand being brought over Robin’s chest.
Giggling to himself, Robin looks at the scared boy and teases him, “What, are you scared Finn?” The older one didn't respond, instead clutched harder onto him. Realizing Finn won’t respond, Robin, in his mind, said ‘Fuck it’ and wrapped his free arm around his friend’s trembling body, bringing his head closer to his chest. While not looking like it, Robin had some meat to his muscles. He had to, considering he could easily beat up guys half his size.
Finney, in that moment, felt a warmth his blankets could never replicate. With his ear right next to his friend’s heart, the beating being able to lull him to sleep, if it weren’t for the fact the butterflies going crazy in his stomach. He felt his face turn hot, blood rushing to his face in this position. Looking up to his friend, he found himself locking eyes with him. Biting his lip softly, Robin’s eyes were filled with an indescribable emotion, something Finney believed were reflected into his own eyes. Eye traveling down from his friend’s eyes to his lips, Robin seemed to realize where Finney’s eyes were located. Lifting his free hand to move hair out of Finney’s hair, he slowly cupped his cheek, slowly bringing him closer to his face.
“Is this ok?” Robin croaked out, and while not fully saying it, Finney knew what he was referencing, and a soft ‘yes’ left his lips. Almost as soon as the singular word left his lips, Robin’s lips quickly yet softly collided with his lips, which he didn’t know were lonely until they met Robin’s. Time seemed to slow down during their kiss, fireworks went off in both of their heads. What they both swear was eternity but was really 6 seconds, the two of them departed from each other, slightly out of breath. At this point, Finney knew he was as red as a strawberry, the butterflies having combusted by the action.
Robin’s hand was still on Finney’s cheek, his thumb slowly rubbing the soft area. The two couldn’t break their eye contact, looking at each other in what could later be described as first love. The horror movie having been long forgotten, Robin gave Finney a quick peck on his lips before he uttered, “I always wanted to do that.”
In that moment, Finney knew he felt the exact same way.