You could just leave, I told myself. I had been sitting in front of the house for a while, but the pounding in my head had yet to stop. It was just too loud.
I continued to try to convince myself that leaving was best. Finn wouldn’t notice. He was too busy with Delilah. Neither would Kim. She was having fun dancing.
Somebody tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and saw Finn.
“Hey, you okay?” He took a seat on the ground next to me.
I lifted my head from my knees and gulped before replying, “I’m okay.”
“Really?” I could hear the concern and disbelief laced in his voice.
I nodded. “I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache.”
Finn nodded, but didn’t move.
“Aren’t you going to go back to Delilah?” I wanted to leave. I couldn’t do that while he was sitting there. Unfortunately.
“Nah. I’m sure she’s having a nice chat with Kim right now. I wouldn’t want to interrupt that, would I?” Finn asked with a smirk. “Anyway, it’s getting a bit loud in there.”
A sudden stab of pain struck my head, and back it went to resting on my knees. I didn’t know how much longer I could stay there, with the source of the pain so close.
“D, you don’t look okay.”
I sat up with a grimace, “I’m okay. Don’t worry. So tell me, when are you gonna ask Delilah out on a date?”
“This doesn’t count?”
“Not if she doesn’t know about it. And not if it’s to a house party. I know you have more class than that.”
“Thanks for noticing.”
“I just gave you a compliment, didn’t I? I should be careful. Anymore and your ego’ll be so big I could pop it with a pin.”
“You’re cruel, y’know that?” Finn grinned.
I smiled, the joy momentarily overriding the pain, “It adds to my charm. So, when will you ask her?”
“Do you think she’ll say yes?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Finn simply looked at me, silently telling me to say it aloud. So it seemed more real, more possible.
“She’d say yes in a heartbeat. Ask her. Tonight.”
For a moment, Finn’s face lit up. Until he replied, “Like you’re the one to give romantic advice. You’ve known Kim for how long?”
I scowled, “You know I don’t like her like that. I’ve told you that a million times.”
“Denial.”
“It’s not denial! It’s the truth!”
“Uh-huh.” Finn stood up and stretched his arms. “Stay here. I’ll go get Kim and Delilah. You look like you need to go somewhere else.” And with that he disappeared into a crowd of people on his way to the house.
After a few moments, I figured that I should follow him. I stood up and swayed a little, unsteady on my feet. Taking a few steps, I stopped as a wave of pain flowed through my head. I wanted to just high tail it out of there. Retreat and never look back. Because I didn’t want to get even closer to the source of the music. It would just make everything worse.
I convinced myself to take a few more steps, but then I stopped again. My body revolted against me. I was going towards the source of my pain, something that was completely against instinct. I breathed in deeply, and was about to turn around and leave when I caught a momentary glimpse of Finn, Kim, and Delilah in the doorway. They were all standing, about to leave.
You can do this, I told myself. Those four words did the trick and I went quickly into the house to stand next to the three of them.
“So what’s the plan?” I yelled over the music.
Finn replied, “Go somewhere quieter. McDonald’s sound good?”
I shrugged while Kim answered, “Sure, let’s go.”
Finn and Delilah walked out the door, followed by Kim and I. As soon as we cleared the party, they fell back to join us. With them came the guarantee of conversation. Within seconds, the three of them were engaged in a lively conversation.
I spoke little, if at all. I didn’t listen either. I walked with my hands in my pockets and enjoyed the fact that my headache was slowly disappearing as we went further and further away from the noise.
“Dmitri!” A voice yelled close to my ear.
“Wha-What?” I jumped away from the source of the sound, turning my head to face them.
Kim grinned, “I was trying to ask you a question. You didn’t answer. Matter of fact, you were completely out of it. So I got your attention.”
“What’s your question?” I grumbled.
“How’s your headache?”
“Before or after you screamed in my ear?”
“Before.”
“Getting better.”
“That’s good,” Delilah commented.
I nodded in reply, ending the discussion. A moment of silence passed before Finn exclaimed, “And look at that! We’re here!”
Sure enough, there were those glowing yellow arches. We walked in and grabbed a table in the back.
Looking around, I saw that we were the only ones there. I suppose not many people want McDonald’s that late at night.
“I’ll go get a snack,” Finn offered before heading up to the front counter.
I sat back in my chair and stared off into the distance.
“So, Kim, you’re going to be a senior next year, right?”
Kim smiled, “Yep! I go to the same school as you and Finn.”
“And you, Dmitri?”
“No, he’s a year older than us. He’s going to the local university,” Kim answered for me.
Finn came up to the table, carrying a tray with a large serving of fries. “I’ve known him for years. He graduated from our school.”
“You both realize I have a voice, right?”
“But it’s so much more fun to talk about you as if you aren’t here!”
“Thanks, Kim.”
“You’re welcome!”
Chuckling, Finn set the food down on the table and then sat down himself. Taking a fry, he bit into it and said, “Dig in everybody.”
We devoured the fries. After the tray was empty, Kim leaned back in her chair. “That was good.”
“Do I owe you anything, Finn?” Delilah reached for something, I assume her wallet, in her shoe.
Finn put his hand on her arm, “No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
A pink tint rose in her face, “Uh…alright. Thanks.”
He quickly removed his hand, “You’re welcome.” To be honest, I wanted to laugh. Finn’s face was as red as Delilah’s.
“I’ll be right back.” Delilah’s chair screeched back and she almost ran to the bathroom.
Finn buried his face in his hands, “Ah, damn.”
“You’ll be fine.” Kim told him. She stood and picked up the tray. “Are you gonna ask her out?”
“Y’know Kim, subtlety isn’t your strong suit,” I said as she threw the trash away.
She shrugged, “Being direct is faster. So are you?” She sat back down and stared at Finn.
Finn held her gaze for only a moment before looking down at the table. “I-I don’t know, alright!”
“You should.”
“What if she has a boyfriend? One in her old town?”
“Don’t think so,” Kim retorted.
“But it’s a possibility. A very distinct possibility.”
“You’re just making excuses, Finn,” I sighed. It was getting late. I had work the next morning.
“No, I’m not. I’m merely taking into consideration – hey Delilah!” Finn jumped up as he saw Delilah walking back towards the table.
“Hey? Sorry I was gone so long. I got a call.”
“Oh, it’s no problem. Right guys? No problem at all.”
Kim smirked and gave me a knowing glance. I could see the mischief in her eyes. A moment later, Finn cried out and turned to glare at Kim. She only smiled back. Finn turned back to Delilah.
“So, Delilah, I was wondering…” He trailed off, leading to another swift kick from Kim. The next words blurred together so much that they were almost unrecognizable. “Will you go out with me?”
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