Will he say yes?

After the stress of finals week, the atmosphere in Exeter finally relaxed. The day after exams, winter graced the academy with snowfall marking the beginning of the long-awaited winter break. I already made plans with my family: I was going to ride the train and spend Christmas back home.

I was in the dorm getting ready for the trip. The train was leaving the station at 5 AM and for the most part, I still needed to pack. I should have anticipated delays. Finny stormed into our room with slumped shoulders and a defeated look.

"Finn, what's wrong?" I inquired.

"Nah, it's nothing. Just tired from these exams," he plays off my concern and fakes a smile in my direction. His body relaxes and he playfully disheveled my hair. "Gene, you worry too much, you know that?"

I shrug his hand away. "Finn, can't you see I'm trying to pack? You know I have to be up early tomorrow. Speaking of which, what are you plans for the break?"

Finny threw himself on the bed, his hands tucking themselves to support his head, "Nothing much. I'll just be here having a grand time by myself, so don't worry about me." He chuckles almost icily.

"What about Christmas? How about your family?" I was treading on shaky ground. Our friendship was mostly concrete, but there were areas where we haven't even unearthed and Finny's family was one of these areas.

He realizes this also, but being the non-confrontational person that he is, he is cool in his response. "They're busy people. They might not even be at home right now. I'm better off here at Exeter."

"Come with me!" The words tumbled out of my lips. It was as if the world slowed down to a glacial pace and I could see the words actually slip out letter by letter. I wanted to catch them before they fell on his ears, but time sped up and my invitation was out in the open.

He sat upright and shifted his gaze so that his orbs were directly looking at mine. I wasn't sure what would happen next. Part of me wanted him to reject my offer, but a larger part screamed otherwise. There was something about being around Finny that made my body radiate happiness. Maybe it was because he was my complete opposite: while I carried myself in a a more reserved fashion, Finny was bold. It was this fearlessness that drew me to him. In the heat of the moment, I started rambling. "It'll be fun. My parents won't make a huge fuss of it. You could stay in my room. I mean, I only have one bed, but I'm sure my mum will make arrangements for you. I have some money, if you need. I could buy you your ticket, I mean if only you want." To say that I was blushing would be an understatement. I was out of breath and from the feel of it; I could feel an intense heat radiating from my cheeks.

Finny flashes me his signature smirk. "Gene Forrester. I'd love to spend winter break with you."

"Sounds like a plan," I replied. I was taken aback. He actually took me up on my offer.

He jumped up and closed the distance between us. Placing an arm around me, I could feel his body emanate his usual, jubilant Phineas energy. "I can't wait," he said gleefully. It was a good thing he was using my body as a crutch because my face heated up to several degrees warmer.