When You & I Were Forever Wild

'Honey, you look like you just spent a weekend at the beach!' my dad exclaimed as I came running down the stairs to greet him.

'At the pool!' I corrected him. Lying was becoming easier. At least lying to my parents. My brother could still figure me out. It took one to know one.

'Had fun?' he asked, putting down his briefcase and I nodded.

'Mom's making lasagna.' I smiled, changing the topic so he couldn't ask any more questions about my weekend.

Everything had worked out. Mrs Rush, Gerard's grandmother, had also kept to her story and had already given his parents a summary of their weekend together. What an awesome old lady she was! Gerard had told me that his grandparents had met when they were only 14 and had been together since. So they knew everything about sneaking out to spend time with each other, that's why she was so willing to help us. Of course under the condition that we wouldn't get ourselves into trouble.

We met that condition. More or less.

Now Josh was looking at me curiously while stuffing his face with lasagna and all I could do was shake my head at him. I could tell he was relieved even though I had made it clear that I wouldn't do anything I didn't 100% want. Although after this weekend I was sure I wanted it. And he had said if I was planning to do it with any other guy, he'd lock me into my room. He liked Gerard and thankfully he knew he was a decent guy and not someone he had to protect his little sister from. Like Cameron Barnes.

I couldn't help thinking about Cameron showing up. Was he seriously so butthurt still? And Izzy! How could she! She used to be one of my bestest friends and for her to not only betray me like that but the fact that she obviously failed to realize that she was doing something so wrong, putting Gerard and me in danger, I didn't understand her. What was with her? Was she really that deluded or did Cameron have some weird power over her, making her believe the lies he was feeding her, manipulating her like that. If she really still had a crush on Gerard, why would she lead Cameron to him so he could beat him up? Oh I was so glad it didn't come to that. Even though I was still somewhat angry with Gerard for pulling that stunt with the fake gun, it had been clever. I just hoped it didn't have any serious consequences. Cameron was angry and unpredictable.

Being back in my own bed, without Gerard, was weird. It had been such an intense experience, being so intimate with him, having his strong arms wrapped around me when I fell asleep and woke up, able to kiss him, able to touch him whenever I liked. For the first time I really had time to think about everything that had happened. It had felt so good. He had been so gentle, so loving, making sure I was okay with every little thing he did. And it had been so simple with him. So simple, yet so enthralling, so special.

I grabbed the phone from my nightstand and dialed the Way's number. Luckily, Gerard picked up himself.

'Miss me already?' he asked and I could hear the smile in his voice.

'Miss you always.' I replied, sighing.

*

We had six days of freedom left. Well, actually four because our parents would be home on the weekend meaning we probably wouldn't be able to spend that much time together, at least not without being supervised. My parents weren't as strict as Finn's, even letting us go up to my room, if we left the door open. Ha! If they only knew! They would never let me near her again.

'You can go but you're gonna take your brother!' my mom said and I groaned in disapproval. Ugh.

'YAY!' Mikey cheered and jumped up to run to his room.

'Ma! I wanted to go with Finn! We both start our jobs next week.' I complained but she gave me a stern look.

'No back talk, Gerard. I know you want to spend time with your girlfriend but you've been neglecting Mikey, he feels left out. Doing something nice for him won't kill you and I'm sure Finn won't mind either.'

She had a point, sure. After all we were going to Six Flags, not a romantic candlelight dinner. I should shut up and be grateful for the fact that she agreed to let me go at all and Mikey had been loyal, keeping his mouth shut about my secret excursions to see Finn. I owed him big time.

Wait, should I take Finn to a romantic candlelight dinner? Would she like that?

She was surprised when she got in the car and I gave her an apologetic look.

'Don't worry, I won't be a pain in the ass, I promise.' Mikey assured us as he noticed but Finn just laughed.

'It's okay, Mikey. I know how you feel. In my family, I'm the younger sibling. Don't be a victim.'

'Don't be a victim?' I snorted and rolled my eyes at her. 'You wanna sit in the back with him? I can drop you off and pick you up?'

I was joking, of course but it still made me sound jealous and bitter. Wow. How lame. Finn leaned over to kiss my cheek, her hand resting on my thigh for a brief moment. Her way of saying that if I was a good sport, I'd get a reward from her later. Mmhmm, I wonder what that reward would be. Relaxing, I gave her a weak smile. Could I be any more in love with her?

The day was surprisingly fun. Mikey was on his best behavior and after a while he even decided to wander off alone, giving Finn and me some space. I was impressed with my little brother, he could actually be really cool.

'You should give him more credit, you know? He looks up to you. In his world, the sun shines out of your ass.' Finn said as we queued for Houdini's Great Escape.

'What do you mean? I thought the sun DOES shine out of my ass.' I stretched, pretending to look down on my butt and she slapped my arm playfully.

'I'm serious! He's your little brother. You have more influence on him than anyone else, especially at this age. I mean, Josh and I are really close. I learned a lot from him. He's my person.'

'Your condom person.' again she slapped me, a bit harder this time.

I liked teasing her and I knew I was the only one who could wind her up like that. It was the only thing I could do to keep myself from grabbing her, dragging her away from the crowd and kiss her, even though all this silly bickering made me want her even more.

*

'Do you want to stay for dinner, Finn?' Mrs Way asked me.

We had just returned from Jackson and Mikey was showing off his souvenirs while we were drinking lemonade in the Way's kitchen.

'I'm gonna have to ask my mom.' I replied, smiling politely. Mrs Way nodded and handed me the phone.

She was a really nice woman. Warm, accommodating, welcoming and most importantly, she didn't hover over Gerard and me whenever I was over at their house. Not that my mother had ever been the opposite of these things to Gerard but she still never let her guard down and I knew that he didn't exactly feel comfortable, with the need to be overly respectful and polite which often seemed forced, even fake sometimes. Gerard and Mikey's relationship with their parents was completely different than the one I was used to at home. So casual and relaxed. Compared to Mr and Mrs Way, my mom and dad seemed almost cold.

My mother didn't have a problem with me having dinner at the Way's though and I felt relieved, having successfully avoided an inquisition about my day with Gerard which usually made me feel like I had done something forbidden even though I hadn't. Well, not today anyway.

I helped Mrs Way with dinner while Gerard and Mikey set the table.

'So, Finn, what exactly will you be doing at the Times?' Mrs Way asked me, handing me another tomato to chop for the salad.

'Mostly boring office stuff. But I'm hoping they'll maybe let me take photos at local events.' I answered.

'Oh that's right, Gerard told me you want to become a photographer. Do you have your own camera yet?'

I turned around, meeting Gerard's observant gaze. Did he really talk to his mom about me?

'Umm, not yet. My dad lets me use his.' I replied.

'Well you'll need your own once you start art school.' she smiled at me in a weird way. Was she actually thinking about getting me a camera? Oh no. I felt awkward immediately.

'Dad's home!' Gerard saved me from more embarrassment, joining me at the kitchen counter as his mother rushed to the door to greet Mr Way.

'Sorry.' he muttered, leaning in for a quick kiss. I blushed, looking over my shoulder at Mikey who was grinning like a little idiot. 'She just really likes you, you know? I think it's because she really wanted a daughter...and then Mikey was born.' he turned around to his brother who was giving him the finger.

'Ew gross, imagine if Finn was your sister. Ew gross.' Mikey made a face and I copied him. What a disturbing thought.

'Ugh. Shut up now.' Gerard growled and his brother obeyed, as their parents returned to the kitchen.

'Oh hello Finn!' Mr Way greeted me and I smiled, shrugging Gerard's hand off the small of my back. He looked at me mouthing a 'What?' but I ignored him, grabbing the salad bowl and placing it on the table.

We ate while chatting about our trip again after Mr Way had asked about it. He listened just as keenly as his wife and I felt oddly jealous, wishing my parents were as interested in my life. Maybe it was an unusual wish for a teenager, since we got so easily annoyed when our parents asked too much. But this seemed so natural, so uncomplicated, and I felt like part of the family.

*

I could get used to the sight of Finn lying next to me on my bed. Although I'd preferred her naked. With me on top of her. Jeez. My mind was going there, AGAIN. But hey, it was allowed to. She was my girlfriend and we had done stuff. Sexy stuff. Too bad we had to leave the door open.

'I wish I could draw.' she mumbled, flicking through one of my sketchbooks. 'I have no talents whatsoever.'

'Are you kidding?' I frowned at her in disapproval. 'You do! Don't be silly.'

She sighed and sat up, leaning against my bent legs. 'I like this one. The Séance. Can he like, contact the dead?'

'Yeah. He takes on their powers. I think he's gonna be a character in my comic. I'm still working on the others but it's definitely gonna be a superhero comic.' I explained, feeling excited over sharing it with her.

'You're gonna be super famous. People are gonna get tattoos of your art one day. Hell, I would get one of this right now if I could. It's amazing.'

As always when she complimented me, I blushed, feeling undeserving. I didn't dare to disagree with her though, knowing she would fight me for it. So instead of arguing, I kissed her quickly.

'I love you.' I whispered, stroking her glowing cheeks.

'Finn!' we jumped at the sound of my mom's voice coming from downstairs. 'Your mother called. She wants you to come home.'

'Ugh.' Finn rolled her eyes.

'I'll walk you.' I said, placing another kiss on her lips before getting up.

We took our time walking back to her house, stopping occasionally to make out. It was torture letting her go, every time. But nothing compared to the agony I had felt as recently as two months ago, before she asked me to be her boyfriend. The yearning in my chest when I used to walk past her house, hoping but at the same time dreading to catch a glimpse of her. How many times had I dreamed about being with her? And how many times had I woken up, heartbroken that it hadn't been real. Now it was real. I tightened my arm around her shoulders and she slipped her hand into the back pocket of my jeans, making me jump a little. I was so proud to be with her, so proud that she had chosen me.

'What do you wanna do tomorrow?' she asked as we arrived at her house.

'We could go to the beach.' so I can see you in your bikini again, I added in my mind but she raised her eyebrows, totally aware of my intentions.

'Okay...you wanna invite Ray and Suki?'

'Sure. I'll pick you up at 10?' she nodded and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt to pull me down for one last kiss. 'I love you too, by the way.'

I smiled from ear to ear, watching her as she disappeared inside.

Notes

yeah this chapter was kind of boring, I apologize

it will get interesting again soon though, promise!