Disclaimer: I do not own Meagan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys or any of its characters.


"Broke his heart? I thought you said he was, you know, an outcast?" I speculated on this major detail that Aimee had let me in on. I was beginning to think that there was still a lot I had to learn about boys. Well, not so much boys per se, but more about what actually goes on in their lives.

"He is an outcast, but that didn't interfere with the fact that he was head over heels about..." She looked uncertain, as if she wasn't sure she should be telling this story.

"You can trust me not to tell anyone, you know that right?" You have no one to tell, you yourself is curious about Finn's love life. I mentally shut myself up.

"Okay but you have to swear you won't tell anyone this alright? I don't want Finn to think that I'm invading his privacy." Aimee found it really difficult to keep secrets from me, works out for me, but she never stops feeling guilty about it.

I nodded my head and drew an X over my heart and zipped my lips for effect. She rolled her eyes, but it was all the persuading she needed. I leaned in close as she started whispering.

"Well...he had this friend, Jessica. They were really close as in best-friends-since-childhood close. In third grade they promised each other that when the time came, they would go to junior prom together. She even bought them each one of those cheap plastic rings but the ring meant the world to Finn because he was totally in love with her."

I stared at Aimee, transfixed with the information that was now mine to know. It all seems so...unreal. Finn didn't look like that type of guy that would find so much meaning in a cheap plastic ring, even in third grade. Just another thing about him that makes him that much sweeter.

"So he kept his ring, stayed in love with Jessica and waited until junior prom came. It was years after their promise but Finn was convinced that Jessica would honor that promise. So many girls went to all kinds of lengths to get Finn to ask them to the prom but he gently refused, standing by with such conviction for Jessica and for their prom. Three weeks from prom, he asked her and she told him that she wasn't planning on going to prom that year. Seeing no point in going if she wasn't, he told her he had decided not to go either. He was heartbroken but decided to wait until senior prom in hope of going with Jessica. He was really hurt from the slight rejection but he figured that he waited so long, what's the harm in a little more waiting? Then his friends told him to go to prom anyway. He decided to go since he didn't really want to be cooped up at home while everyone was having fun. He asked his brother, Evan, if he could drive Finn to prom since he had no car, but Evan told him that he had a date and although he was still happy to drive Finn, Finn didn't want to spoil his brother's night. He ended up in a stretch limo with a bunch of their friends and their dates. When they arrived at prom, Finn couldn't help but feel guilty for leaving Jess to stay at home and miss the prom. He went outside to call her. Just as he was dialing her number, he overheard her talking to someone. He was so happy that she had decided to come, until he heard what she and her 'friend' was saying."

"Oh wow. I think I know where this is going," I whispered to myself. It's as if Finn's life was coming out of a book.

"Yeah it's not what you're thinking. It's much worse.

"Oh, right."

"Finn hid behind the corner of where he could hear Jessica, and it turns out Evan were sitting. He overheard Jessica say she was glad that Finn had fell for her 'I'm-not-going-to-prom-so-don't-go-either scheme. Her exact words were, 'Your brother is so gullible, and incredibly stupid. Does he honestly think that I would still go to junior prom with him after that promise we made years ago?'"

"Wow..." I was speechless. No words could express the feelings and the thoughts that were racing through me at that moment.

"Then he rounded the corner, deciding to confront Jessica. But when he did, he saw her...making out...with Evan."

"His own brother?"

"Yeah his own brother. And the sad thing is she made it seem like it was his fault that she chose Evan and not him. He waited years for her. They both dated other people, but Finn was told by Jessica that it was only to 'pass the time' to make the wait seem 'a bit more bearable' but we all know that was a load of crap. So ever since then, he has been trying to avoid that kind of situation again. He doesn't want to end up heartbroken."

"Wow..." I felt really dumb, just repeating the same word over and over, but there was really nothing I could say. This was all so much to take in.

"Yeah so don't break his heart." She winked but I secretly think she was serious. We started walking towards our next classroom when Jake came up behind me and slung his arm around my shoulders.

"Hey look Megan babe, I'm really sorry about how I've been acting lately. Lets just say we're even now yeah?" He gave me his "best" puppy dog look. I tried not to laugh, or feel guilty, about breaking up with him for the second time this week.

"Jake! Seriously, I've tried to tell you so many times but you won't listen to me! This is as nice as I can possibly say it..."

"Say what babe?"

"WE'RE OVER! GET THE POINT ALREADY!"

Every head within a 10-person radius turned to look at us. Oops.

Jake looked shocked. Damn, I didn't want him to have to suffer this much humiliation.

"Everyone just keep walking! Nothing to see here, just move. Thank you."

Soon the crowd started dispersing, just as the bell rang. "Jake, I'm sorry but this just isn't working out and I already told you before that ...I can't do this with you. You understand right?"

"Yeah, I..understand. Just promise me one thing?" He looked so vulnerable just then.

What's the harm in a little promise? "Sure."

"Can we stay friends?"

I gave him a small smile and nodded.

Satisfied he walked into the science lab and found his way to his bench. Aimee and I followed him in and we took our spots at our bench. Our teacher wasn't there yet so the whole room was in an uproar with papers flying and voices screaming everywhere.

From the corner of my eye I saw Finn get up. He walked by and dropped a folded piece of paper on my desk and made his way to the bin to "throw some rubbish."

I picked up the paper and turned around to see Finn walking back to his chair. I didn't know if it was for me or Aimee, but when I didn't pick it up, Aimee pushed it towards me.

Taking it as my cue to read it, I picked it up and tried my best not to smile goofily like a doofus.

I'll meet you at the Pizza Parlor at 5. Don't eat anything till tonight, you'll need all the stomach space you can get to beat me Megan Meade. See you tonight. Good luck, you'll need it. :)

"Aimee want to come over to mine after school?" I asked her gesturing to the note.

"Mm..that would be a good idea. I know about Finn's taste best," she said, winking at me. I turned back to look at Finn. He was staring at me. Being under his intense gaze affected me greatly, I could feel a deep blush coming on. He chuckled silently, a small private moment we both shared. The he gave me a genuine smile. I turned to the front and stared at the blackboard. I can't wait till tonight.


I fiddled with my skirt as Aimee was giving me a lecture on what I should do during my date with Finn.

"And remember if he stops talking and just looks at you, it's not an awkward silence. He's taking you in. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah I got it. Now concentrate on the road or else we'll both die," I said sticking my tongue out.

"Yeah well you love me for it."

I looked out my window, enjoying the feel of the cold breeze blowing in my face. The sun was still bright in the sky, slightly dipping towards the horizon. Probably about two hours until sunset.

I couldn't wait to go see Finn. I really hoped that I didn't bore him, or make him feel uncomfortable...

Since when did you have these sorts of pre-date nervousness? Guess you really like Finn huh?

I slapped my head in hope that my previous thoughts would be erased from my mind. I couldn't let anything stand in the way of getting rid of the "old Megan." Well at least in public. I could be real around my friends but...if anyone found out that I wasn't as natural a "playgirl" as everyone thought, well let's just say my life would revert back to me having to hide my face from everyone and crying myself to sleep every night. I felt that kind of rejection before and it's not pleasant.

Then why do you make others suffer what he made you suffer?

I, once again, mentally shut myself up as we were pulling up to the Pizza Parlor.

"Good luck Megs! With Finn and an eating contest, you'll need it," she yelled winking as she drove of leaving me standing in front of the Pizza Parlor as the sun was setting.

"Here goes nothing," I whispered to myself as I opened the door, walking right into a possible trap that could possibly cost me my reputation.

I walked into the Pizza Parlor and scanned the crowds, looking for Finn. Finally I spotted his familiar head of hair sitting in a booth in the corner. I made my way to his table. I stopped just a step away from him, took a deep breath, and then tapped him on the shoulder.

"Waiting for me?" I asked as flirtatiously as I could.

He gave his famous arrogant smirk and said, "Of course and building up my appetite."

"Oh you are so going down. I may look like a girly girl but inside-"

"You're not so much of a girl?" He said smiling.

I just smiled at him as waiters brought 2 ginormous pizzas to our table. Taking a closer look I noticed that each pizza had 2 slices of each of my favorite pizzas. I looked up at him.

"How did you-"

"I do my homework," he winked, "Aimee told me."

"Oh right." I forgot that he was related to my best friend.

"Okay so the deal is whoever can eat their pizzas the fastest wins, deal?" The mischievous glint in his eyes told me that he was confident he was going to win. A waiter came and placed two peach ice teas on the table.

"Ice tea?" I asked. He drinks ice tea. That is so cute.

"What? It's healthy," he said winking.

Our eyes locked. We both smiled. I picked up a slice of Hawaiian as he picked up a piece of Meat Lovers.

"Ready.." he said.

"Set..." I winked at him.

"GO!"

The whole thing was a blur. I just took bite after bite ignoring the fact that eating like a pig might turn him off. I didn't look at him, all I did was concentrate on not choking on strings of cheese and chunks of meat. I polished off my pizza and then gulped down my ice tea. I looked up to take a look at Finn, who was leaning back and watching me with an amused expression.

"You can't be serious! You're finished?" Okay I admit, I was shocked. Yeah he was a guy but no one ever beat me in an eating competition before.

"It's okay. You need my years of experience and my hugely capacitated stomach to be able to keep up with me." He winked at me. I was starting to think that was his "trademark" along with his gorgeous arrogant smirk.

"Okay you win. But I plan on scheduling a rematch." I told him.

"I'll hold you to that." he said as he paid for the check the waiter just placed on our table. I reached for my wallet but he shook his head.

"It's okay. Just the satisfaction of knowing that I won is enough payment for me," he chuckled.

"Okay okay Mr Huge Ego. Lets get going, its getting late and you need to take me home," I said winking. Was that flirt real of forced? Too scared to answer my own question, I took his hand and walked him out of the Pizza Parlor. He seemed really shocked at my forwardness... I was shocked at my forwardness. But I went along with my instinct and continued waking towards my house.

"How'd you get here?" he asked me.

"Aimee dropped me off." I replied.

"Oh I see. She wants to pick me up from your house so she told me to walk you home, if that's okay with you." A betrayal of a blush was creeping to his already rosy cheeks. So the Ice Prince does have a heart. I could feel my face turn red so I turned my head away from him and said, "Yeah it's all good."

Our hands were swinging with each step we took and I couldn't help but wonder why my hands never tingled like this when I held someone's hand. Why had my stomach never churned this way when I was standing this close to someone. What's happening to me?

We walked in silence for a while. His hand felt as soft as baby's skin.

"Megan I-"

I need to tell him. I can't hurt him, not after what he went through.

"I need to tell you something."

"Okay shoot." He let go of my hand to look at me.

"Okay so since you're new to our school and everything, you wouldn't know about...my reputation an-"

"I do know about your reputation. How you toy with boys and break their hearts." I looked up to him hoping to catch what his reaction to this revelation would be. He was staring straight ahead, his hands were now in his pockets. It went quiet, the only sound was the sound of our footsteps on the pavement.

"Say something please." I couldn't take the silence which was compressing my chest, leaving me breathless.

We were standing outside the gate of my house. He just looked into my eyes, not staring but not breaking the gaze.

"Walk me to my door?" He nodded. He opened the gate and gestured for me to go ahead of him.

I stepped inside and walked up the path towards my front door with Finn trailing behind me. His movements were uncertain. We stopped at the front door.

"Look Finn I-"

But I couldn't finish my sentence because all of a sudden my lips were extremely busy. I laced my arms around his neck and pulled him in closer. His arms snaked around my waist. It was then that I realised my lips were locked with Finn's. In front of my door.

I pulled away and smiled at him. He let go of my waist and looked at me.

I pecked him on the cheek and said, "Goodnight Finn."