The table shook as a result from the constant tapping of Finn's leg. He was waiting for Charlene to grab her lunch so they could talk about the plan. His own lunch was being pushed around the plate. He had all day to think about the details of the plan he had already gotten but he wasn't sure if he was ready. Willa told him there was a 78% chance of fail, so that was incredibly uplifting. Finn just tried to keep focus on the 22% chance of the plan actually happening as it was thought out.
Charlene sat down across from him,"Alright. You've got four minutes until trial one, questions?"
"Yea… trial one is…" his plate was forgotten.
"Amanda is going to get up to throw her tray away and leave the cafeteria to her locker and that is when you need to move. For this trial you need to be subtle and just see if she will talk to you at all. Objective: understand why she walked away from you that night."
"Got it, but what happens if she refuses to talk?" The table started shaking again.
"Then trial two tomorrow at lunch, and we keep at it until she gives in. You need to be persistent. Plus me and Willa are going to try to talk to her or Jess after school," Charlene pushed his leg under the table, "She's gotten up, get moving." Finn was vaguely aware of stumbling over the leg of the table as he got up and headed towards where Amanda was going to be. He could feel his heart trying to drill its way out of his chest, and his mind scolding him about the necessity of oxygen. A glimpse of her brown hair flashed before his eyes and his vision tunneled. A smile formed on his face as his feet directed him toward Amanda.
Amanda shifted her backpack on her shoulders on the way to her locker. She glanced around her and caught notice of Finn. He could see her eyes widen slightly and her pace quickened. The sound of the bell ringing filling the hallway with other students. Finn tried to keep his eye on Amanda but he was shoved around by everyone else on their way to classes. He thought he saw her, but like a flash, she was gone. She had disappeared into the sea of teens. Finn stopped in the middle of the hallway disrupting the mass, but he didn't care. She was gone and once again he hadn't gotten to talk to her. Slowly he turned and headed to his own class. Like Charlene said, this was only trial one, he would get another chance tomorrow. As long as it took he was determined to get her to at least hear him out.
Trial 2.
He had gone to school twenty minutes early just to be sure he would be in the perfect spot when she finally came. In front of her first period class. The bell had rung for first period and he waited. The warning bell rang, he waited some more. The late bell rang, and she wasn't there. He sprinted to his class tardy, only to find out later from Charlene that Amanda had a dentist appointment and didn't come to school until 3rd period.
Fail.
Trial 3.
This time he waited until she was at her locker to put things away to approach her. Well, maybe he did stare for a while too long before he made his move, but did she really have to slam her locker in his face when he finally did? At least that time he got to be within 3 feet of her, and even almost got out a "Hi Amanda."
Making Progress…?
Trial 4.
Maybeck came with him this time. During lunch they headed into the cafeteria fifteen minutes late just to be sure Amanda was done buying lunch and would be sitting with Charlene. Maybeck did half drag Finn to the table, but he was sure his feet had somewhat moved on their own. Both Maybeck and Finn got in a "Hi" before Amanda mumbled a "bye" to Maybeck and Charlene, and proceeded to push past Finn. She touched his shoulder when she left though.
Progress, just for the physical contact.
Finn and Maybeck sat down at the table with Charlene. Maybeck nudged Finn in the shoulder at seeing him put his head down. Charlene sent a sad smile to Maybeck and poked Finn with her foot.
"This is getting hopeless!" Finn groaned.
"Dude relax. I mean yeah she got up and left, but she didn't glare at you or anything. That is good isn't it?" Maybeck said getting up and sitting next to Charlene. Charlene grabbed her boyfriend's hand smiling before answering Finn.
"You just have to keep trying. I mean the trials seem to be getting better and-"
"Charlie this was like the fourth time, she can't even stand to look at me. Willa told me to stand in front of her class, I did. Maybeck told me to go to her locker, I did. Everytime she just ignores me." Finn put his head back down on the table. He was ready to give up, and just accept the fact that Amanda hated him and was never going to talk to him again.
"Come on Whitman you can't give up on her."
Charlene nodded, "Jess told me that Amanda has been sad since the incident, which means she doesn't hate you. You just have to get her to talk to you. Do something to show you really care Finn." The bell rang and the three said their goodbyes heading to separate classes. Out of habit Finn walked towards Amanda's class before realizing he needed to go the opposite way. He turned around and his eyes met blue ones, he could feel his breathe stop. She stood in front of him staring. Neither of them moved and Finn wished that he his mouth would just work. The tardy bell rang and Amanda broke eye contact hurrying into her class. It took another moment for Finn to be able to head to his own class. The pain in his chest was still there as it had been all week but there was a little bit of a hop to his step that only she could give him. When he walked into class late again he didn't even care that he got reprimanded. All he could see was blue.
This chapter took me waaaaaaaaaaaay longer than expected. So sorry for the long stretch. Next chapter is the last one and should be finished and up in the next few days. Reviews are always appreciated!
-WD
