Finn was far past tipsy, and it showed as he clumsily lit the pathetically rolled rollie that dangled loosely between his lips. As he cradled it from the light breeze that wrapped around him, like a pair of arms, he finally lit it before chucking his match away and taking a long drag - an instant relaxtion overcame him. He'd been on edge from the moment he took a seat in the pub, constantly under Al's hawk-like stare - picking him apart piece by piece and all he was doing was staring. Finn decided to have a smoke outside, using the excuse of the nippy weather to sober him up so he could continue to drink the night away; when it was due to Al's invisible vibe of hostility made Finn feel more than uncomfortable that made him use the silly excuse as a form of escapism. All that, plus that daunting figure that had never left his mind since the night in the graveyard. It had been real, right? It couldn't have been a dream, could it? Maybe he was on a trip from his new meds, or maybe it was a dream that his brain had conquered up as he danced on the fine-line between sleep and consciousness; hence the sickening real feel to it. Finn had so much shit going on and all it seemed to be doing was constantly stirring... Around... And around... And around within that little messed up mind of his but something kept pushing it away so it couldn't reach the point of overflow that lead up to turmoil. But he couldn't figure out what.

Pride?

Medication?

But whatever it was, it better kept doing it's job as another mental breakdown was what he definitely didn't need at a shitty time like this. Maybe a breakdown would be good for him, as the way to get on top again; was to hit rock bottom first. Or maybe, he could keep on going some more - add more shit to the pot and fuel to the fire. No, he wasn't ready to break; he had some more fight left in him. He needed to keep on fighting, until there was nothing left. It all sounded dramatic, even in his head - he often found himself rolling his eyes at his inner monologue. Since when was he in some pre-teen drama on the telly? He needed man-the-fuck-up before he sounded like a sappy dickhead... Even if it was all inside his mind. His mind was a terrible place, never boring and always surprising... But terrible.

Bit like Voldemort.

Wait, no. Bad example.

Finn stopped the argument that was currently taking place within his mind and looked to his left as a familiar voice asked, "Got a light?"

"Fuck it, am becomin' a prostitute", Rae announced, slamming her theatre practioners textbook down with a huff. Her, Chloe, Izzy, Tasha and Brogan were sat in Izzy and Chop's kitchen and around the dinner table; Chloe and Rae were doing some last minute cramming - no information sinking in whatsoever. Although Chloe kept her head down in the never ending piles of books, Rae decided to give up on all things educational - the words overlapping one another and making her brain hurt. Rae took a swig of her tea before attempting the book once more, but becoming more frustrated than ever; who was this Stanislavski bloke and why were his methods so bloody important anyway? More importantly, why the hell did her and Chloe need to study? Both of their exams were oral and needed no further study than what they already knew, probably another form of torture thought by their drama tutor; Mrs. Brinestone - forget Stanislavski's 'Theatre of Cruelty' Just attend one of Brinestone's lessons; that'll be enough to drive you to tears.

It was just coming up to ten; meaning the girls had been studying a total of six hours - six ball-breaking hours. Rae chewed on the end of her pen and her brow furrowed, even simple words such as "Knowing" Or "Once" Were looking as if they were spelt wrong - meaning it was time for either a break or to just call it a night. Chloe then scratched her head before groaning, "Bollocks!" And then frantically turning pages before jotting something down, before she then threw her pen down and shook her head; bewilderment upon her face, in which Tasha quipped with a smirk, "Y' alright, Chlo?" Chloe then shook her head slowly, "Am goin' mad, I honestly think am goin' mad. This is just such bollocks, it's just..." She then looked down at the textbooks, eyes wide as she huffed, "I swear am gonna be dreamin' 'bout tha' Stani fella for the next six weeks", She then looked up, "Reckon I can get out of it by gettin' hit by a car?" The girls shared a laugh before Rae piped up, "This is just such bullshit! Like why don't the lads 'ave t' do all this fuckin' crap? Why do they get a night out and we don't?"

Finn gave a nervous nod and handed Al the matches with a slight shake to his hand, a shake he couldn't pin point to being due to the cold or his nerves. Even though he despised Al, he had to admit that he wanted to impress him; always wanting a, somewhat, acceptance from him. Al was the guy the boys of the group wanted to be like - but they could never see why. There was just something about him, the way he walked and displayed himself; his snake-like charm and cocky stance pulled you in - but you still hated him all the same.

Finn watched as Al swiftly lit the match in one stroke, cradled his cigarette with one hand and lit it with one go - something Finn envied as it had taken him a good ten minutes to light his. Finn watched Al as he took a drag, chucked his defused match and handed back over the box of matches back to Finn - such ease. Finn couldn't quite understand how someone could be so... Cool? Finn had to admit, he always felt like a fourteen year old hanging out with his bully of an older brother whenever he and Al were on an outing with the others.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say y' were starin', Finnegan", Quipped Al with a smirk, Finn had been staring again... Shit. Finn felt his stomach knot and his cheeks burn against the nippy winds. Finn began stuttering, unable to keep his cool. An amused grin broke out onto Al's face, he interrupted Finn's babblings with a laugh, "S'alright, mate, am only messin' wit' y'", Finn gave a weak laugh and took a drag of his cigarette, why was he such a tit?

Another silence overcame them both and Finn's nerves grew more as each moment passed and grew tense. Yet again, Al took the role of ice breaker and asked, "Never known y' t' be so quiet, y'alright?" If Finn didn't know Al as well as he did, he would've honestly thought the snake was being sincere - but Finn had more sincerity in his little left toe. Finn shook his head and bulked up the courage to send Al a sarcastic smile, "Nah, mate, just fucked", Al, to Finn's surprise, let out a laugh and jokingly quipped, "Think we all are."

And once again, silence. The only noise to be heard was the gentle whipping noise of the winds and the bass of the music against the bricks of the pub. If Finn's chest wasn't so bad; he would've smoked that rollie quicker than a chimney and scarpered - he just couldn't take the uncomfortable feeling that unsettled his stomach any longer. Any more tensing on Finn's behalf and he'd end up looking like his childhood hero Hulk Hogan. Small talk was then passed back and forth between the boys, mainly around how the other had been and whether they'd been up to much - which both gave the reply of 'ok' and 'nothing much'.

That is, until Al asked, "So, ain't seen y' round ours recently Rae's been missing y'. Y' two alright?" Finn quickly whipped his gaze onto Al, the surprise apparent under the looming glow of the moon. It was a surprise to Finn, a surprise that Rae had even gave him a second thought and the mere mention of her name spoken was enough for his breath to catch in the back of his throat and the idea of Rae missing him caused a glimmer of hope shimmer within his eyes. He couldn't tell under the dimly lit porch light of the pub the washed over Al's face whether Al was telling the truth but he went with the flow. He flicked away his cigarette and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets as he asked, "Really?" Al scoffed a laugh and nodded, "Yeh, mate, y' all she fuckin' bangs on about. Well, not surprised considerin' y' two 'ave been fuckin' each other the last three months", Finn could've sworn his blood turned cold within his veins. Al knew, the fucker knew. Finn felt embarassed, sick and everything between. Finn began to stutter an apology when Al stopped him with that wicked smile before quipping, "S'fine, Finnlay as it's over now. Nipped tha' fucker right in the bud for y'."

"Y'... Y' did wha'?" Finn stuttered, making sure he had heard right. Al scoffed another laugh and look at Finn, checking if the shock and horror in his voice was a sincere reaction... It was, "Y' seriously didn't think she ended it cause she wanted t'?" He flicked away his own cigarette as he continued, "Now even I didn't think you were tha' stupid, but then again y' just full of surprises ain't y', kid", Al pushed himself off the wall and smirked at Finn's gormless and mortified expression, "Oh c'mon, Finn! I did y' a favour, mate", Finn couldn't comprehend it, any of it - especially with how Al had broke the news to him. It was just so casually spoken, so laid-back and calm. Finn felt his fingers twitch and his anger slowly build. Al lightly tapped Finn's cheek and quipped, "Take y' face for a shit, Finn lad."

Al turned and went to swagger back inside when Finn lunged forward, grabbing Al by the back of the collar of his jacket and spinning him around before slamming him backwards harshly against the cold brick of the pub. Al winced slightly before cracking a smile, his eyes burning with venom. Finn held an arm to Al's throat, holding him against the wall. Finn then spat furiously in Al's face, "Y' fuckin' cunt, I swear y'-" Al cut him off, "Now, now, Finn careful who y' talkin' t'", Finn pressed harder on Al's throat, the anger strong and his fingers itching to form a pretty little bruise along Al's prominent cheekbones, "Don't give a shit who y' fuckin' are, how dare y' think tha'-" "Tha' wha', stop my girlfriend from sleepin' with one of my best mates? Why yes, how dare I", The last five words dripped in sarcasm and was enough to wash away Finn's anger and for it be replaced with the feeling of defeat and within the moment of weakness; Al saw his opportunity and smacked Finn's nose with his forehead. Finn stumbled backwards, clutching his nose. Al simply took a deep breath, shutting his eyes and moving his head about; making sure everything worked before then reopening his eyes and letting out a wicked laugh.

He eyed a defeated Finn, like a bird with prey. Al moved forward, a few feet away from Finn and just watched - almost as if entertained. Al then tucked a hand into his jeans pocket and simply quipped, "Y'know wha', Finn, gotta admit y've got some balls on y' but..." He then began circling Finn, who was currently bent over and still clutching his nose in absolute agony. He then stopped and tilted his head to the side before booting Finn in the ribs, knocking Finn backwards, "... Not enough, kid", Finn let out a groan and a cough. Al then loomed over him, looking down with a devious glint in his eye and a smirk upon his lips, Finn coughed out a 'Fuck you' In which Al quipped, "Nah, mate, got Rae t' do tha' for me".

As Al turned to go back inside, Finn winced as he slowly and shakily rose to his feet. He used the last of his energy to march over to Al, spin him round and smack a punch across his smug face; knocking him sidewards. Finn shook his hand, hissing at the contact between Al's boney nose and his knuckles. Chop had now appeared from inside, he took in Finn's bloodied face and simply asked, "Wha'... The fuck?" As Finn winced whilst approaching him. Finn mumbled a 'Leave it, mate' And went to head on inside when Chop shoved him out the way and lunged forward. As if time had suddenly been slowed down, he turned to see Chop with his back to him and Al with a hand between them and an arm around Chop; as if they were sharing some kind of greeting. That is, until Chop stumbled back and his head dropped towards his stomach. Immediate guilt shimmered in his Al's eyes as Chop's hands slid to his stomach, Finn frowned before realisation kicked in the moment Chop's legs twitched and threatened to give way.

And then, as if suddenly everything sped up, Al quickly turned and slauntered off into the darkness; Finn sprinted over to Chop - who buckled under Finn's hold the moment Finn wrapped his arms around the injured lad. Finn took one look at Chop's torso and all he could see was red. He lowered them both onto the floor, laying Chop onto his lap before Finn felt his instincts kick in and he whipped off his jacket and held it against Chop's gap wound which was only apparent when Chop would move slightly as the black material of the t-shirt disgused the thick scarlett that poured from his abdonmen.

So much blood. It was all over him, his fingers, t-shirt, chest... Everywhere.

Finn hadn't realised he'd been crying, until he shakily stuttered, "S'alright, mate, jus-just hold on, yeh? I promise y' gonna be alright", But where could Finn start? Get one of the lads and leave Chop? No, he couldn't - but then how would he get help? As if all his prayers had been answered, Archie and Barney, one of the lads, stumbled out of the pub before clocking Finn and Chop. As if the world was on mute, Archie appeared in front of Finn's face and was barking orders but yet Finn was completely tone-deaf. He was on the floor and clutching Chop to his chest; and then he was dragged away kicking and screaming by Barney as Archie and other punters of the pub attended to Chop. Finn could just about make out Chop's unruly mess of brown hair in the mass of people.

Through his tears, Finn choked out a 'I'm sorry' In which Barney consoled Finn with a 'it's alright' As the pair watched the on-going circus.

Finn needed to be with Chop, he needed to. He hated everyone there for pulling him away, for blocking Finn's view. None of them were Chop's best mate, so why the fuck were they allowed to take care of him and not Finn? They weren't the ones who got drunk with Chop when they were 12 on peach schnapps at Finn's mum's birthday all that time ago. They weren't the ones who Chop came to when he'd lost his V. They weren't the first of who Chop showed the first baby scan to and they most certainly weren't the ones who were going to be that exact same baby's Godfather.

It was Finn, all Finn.

So, Finn needed to be there; right there in the middle of it all. Chop had saved Finn's life and now, Finn needed to save Chop's.