Michelle ran the entire way to Erin's house, completely out of breath as she got to the front door.
"Christ... but I gotta... cut back... on those fuckin' cigarettes!" Michelle exclaimed through her pantings.
Once she properly caught her breath, she rang the doorbell, being greeted by Mary.
"Greetin's Michelle," said Mary. "Didn't expect ye over tonight. Thought ye had work."
"Somethin' came up," replied Michelle, still a bit out of breath.
"Ye alright, love?" Mary asked. "Ye're breathin' awfully fierce."
"Aye, cracker... just a tad out of breath," Michelle answered. "Gotta talk to Erin and the others. They here?"
"Aye, they're all up in Erin's room like usual," answers Mary.
"Thanks a lot, Mary," said Michelle, still panting some.
"An' ye really should stop that smokin'," Mary said to her as she walked up the stairs.
Erin's door wasn't closed, so Michelle just walked right in. Everyone was definitely surprised to see her.
"Michelle? What're ye doin' here?" Erin asked. "Thought ye had work?"
"Bunked off," Michelle replied. "Some crazy shit happened, and I really need to talk to ye Girls!"
"Won't Dennis fire ye for that?" Clare asked.
"Fuck-a-doodle-do if he does," answered Michelle. "Then he's gotta find someone else to put up with his shit. Good fuckin' luck with that."
"Ok, so what crazy shit occurred?" James asked to move the discussion along.
"I confronted that Fidgety Ginger Fucker about talkin' with Orla yesterday," Michelle answered.
"At Dennis's Wee Shop?" James asked.
"Where the fuck else, Dicko?" Michelle retorted. "It's one places I know he'll be!"
"How was Fin Fin?" Orla asked with her usual enthusiasm.
"I wasn't askin' him how his day was, Orla!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Well that's just rude," Orla replied.
"So, what happened?" Erin asked, wanting to get to the point.
"I take him out of the shop to ask what his fuckin' deal was," Michelle explained. "He says some shit about bein' nervous 'round me, so then I ask what the fuck fer!? I says out with it already! Then he says it's because he finds me incredibly beautiful!"
There was a moment of silence as the rest of the Girls let that sink in.
"Cuz lookin' into my dazzlin' eyes makes it feel like his heart is gonna feckin' burst out his chest!" Michelle went on, basically quoting Fin verbatim, even acting fidgety herself as she paced the room, arms flailing about. "I got such... a fiery passion that it makes it hard fer him to even breathe!" Her face was almost beat red at this point. "Those conversations we have... however brief they may be... are the highlight of his days!" She even appeared to welling up a bit. "But... he knows a woman as stunnin' as m'self... would have zero interest in the likes of himself..."
Everyone remained silent for an indeterminate amount of time. You could hear a pin drop it was quiet, the only real noise being Michelle's panting.
"Well?" Michelle finally asked.
"Well, what exactly?" James asked.
"What the fuck was all that shite, Dicko!?" Michelle exclaimed.
"Sounds to me like a declaration of his affections," Erin chimed in.
"Aye, that seems rather obvious," agreed Clare.
"So seein' ye makes him feel like he's gonna have a heart attack?" Orla asked, making everyone sigh a bit. "If that doesn't sound like love, I don't know what does." She then just smiled her usual smile.
"What the fuck do I do 'bout this!?" Michelle asked with panic in her voice.
"What do ye want to do?" Erin asked.
"I don't fuckin' know!" Michelle exclaimed, her voice becoming slightly shaky. "A fella has never said anythin' like that to me! B'fore that, the most romantic shit a bloke ever said to me was that I had cracker tits! Which, ye know, I won't argue with that!" Orla nodded in agreement while the other three gave looks. "But... this was next fuckin' level! An' he thinks he doesn't have a chance with me!? Does he think I'm too good fer him!? His da's a lawyer or something, for fuck's sake!"
"I think it's more about looks," James chimed in. "He doesn't think he's attractive enough for you."
"That's fuckin' nonsense, it is!" Michelle continued to exclaim. "Fin isn't a bad lookin' fella! Ok, he's ginger, but it's a rather dark shade, so I think I can look past that."
"So, ye fancy him too?" Erin asked, even though she figured as much.
Michelle stood there for a moment to really consider that question. Did she fancy Finbar Finnegan (aka Fin Fin, aka Fidgety Fin, aka the Fidgety Ginger Fella or Fucker depending on who ye ask) of all people? She didn't know him too well, they barely spoke. But, he was always kind towards her. She never heard him say a bad word about others, when he managed to string some sentences together anyway. He was tall, looked to be in ok shape, fairly strong jawline, he had green eyes (his glasses pretty much enhanced that), and didn't appear to have many freckles despite being ginger.
"Fuck me," she said quietly. "I think I do have feelin's fer that Fidgety Ginger Fucker!" The others were surprised by her honesty. "An' I ran off like a fuckin' chicken after he confessed all that romantic shit to me! Did I fuck things up!?"
"No Michelle," James chimed in, walking over to give his cousin a hug. She was taken aback by it at first, but then hugged him back. "If this bloke really fancies you, and all the evidence would suggest he does, you running away isn't gonna suddenly change those feelings."
The cousins pulled away from their hug, Michelle was now a bit misty eyed. She rubbed away her tears and took a deep breath.
"Ok," Michelle sighed. "Anyone know Mrs. Finnegan's address?"
"Huh?" Erin asked.
"He's Mrs. Finnegan's wain, aye?" Michelle asked rhetorically with a shrug. "Gonna bet he's home by now."
"Ye want to go see him now?" Clare asked.
"Aye! No time like the fuckin' present!" Michelle exclaimed. "We'll see if Gerry'll let us borrow his car."
"Us?" James asked.
"Ye're the only one with a license, Dicko," Michelle pointed out. "B'sides, I'm not goin' alone! I need ye for moral support!"
Everyone got up from sitting to give Michelle a group hug.
"Fuck's sake! We don't have time fer this shit!" Michelle groaned, even though she was happy to have them by her side.
Thankfully, Gerry allowed them to use his car without any objections. James drove, Michelle sat in the passenger's seat, and the rest were in back. The Finnegan address was easy enough to look up, they lived around the same neighborhood as Jenny Joyce. Parking outside the Finnegan residence, the Girls looked in awe. It wasn't quite as big as Jenny's house, but it was still impressive.
"Fuck me, but his family is loaded!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Aye, Fin's Da, Flynn Finnegan, is a lawyer, said Clare.
"Jesus, do they all have F names?" Michelle asked.
"Must be a good sign then," James smirked. "Given your love of the F word."
"Fuck off, Dicko!" Michelle exclaimed, even though she actually found it funny. She definitely wouldn't admit to that. "Ok... here goes nothin."
Michelle approached the front door of Fin's house, looked back at the car, where everyone gave her a thumbs up. He took in a deep breath, let it out, and rang the doorbell. It was Mrs. Finnegan who answered the door. Michelle hoped it would be Fin answering, makes things a lot quicker.
Fidelma Finnegan was around Michelle's height, slender, blue eyes, straight jet black hair, with hints of gray coming in. She had cracker cheekbones, but you could only tell up close since she also wore rather thick rimmed glasses like her son.
"Michelle Mallon?" Fidelma asked, not expecting to see one of her students at her doorstep.
"Evenin', Mrs. Finnegan," Michelle greeted. "Lovely weather we're havin, in't?"
"Aye, I 'spose so," Fidelma replied. "There somethin' I can help ye with?"
"I'm... actually here to see Fidg... Fin," Michelle fumbled, almost saying one of his nicknames. "Is he home?"
"Ye know my Finbar?" Fidelma asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Aye, he frequents Dennis's Wee Shop where I work," Michelle explained. "Good friends, we are."
"Friends?" Fidelma was taken aback by this, as Fin never mentioned having friends, let alone Michelle Mallon of all people. She knew she could cause a wee bit of drama at school with her group of friends, but also saw they were fiercely loyal to one another. She thought Michelle wouldn't be a bad friend to have. "He's in his room, I'll go get 'em."
"Thank ye very much, Mrs. Fin!" Michelle exclaimed with a smile.
Fin was sat at his desk doing homework, although he found it very hard to concentrate after what happened almost an hour ago. He felt like such a feckin' eejit for admiring his feelings like that! He couldn't really tell what she was thinking by the way she looked at him after he said all that, but her running off didn't seem like a great sign. He let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of of his nose, when a knock came at his door.
"Finbar?" he heard his mother, always calling him by his given name.
"Aye, Ma?" he asked while staying in his chair.
"Ye got a friend out front to see ye," she answered.
Fin looked very confused by his Ma's statement. While mostly left alone at school, he didn't have anyone you'd call a friend. He got up to open his door and had looked at his Ma with a puzzled look.
"Ye sure 'bout that, Ma?" he asked incredulously.
"Aye, it's true," she replied with assurance. "It's one of my students even. Michelle Mallon."
Fin's eyes shot wide open at this remark.
Michelle heard the sound of footsteps rapidly running down the stairs, followed by a slight slam against the door. Fin opened the door, rubbing his head slightly, which gave her a mild chuckle.
"W-w-what... um... are ye doin' here?" he asked.
"I figur'd we needed a follow up chat after my... less than dignified exit earlier," she answered, blushing slightly.
"I didn't... um... think you'd wanna talk to me ever again," he said solemnly.
"Why? Because I ran away like a mad fucker after ye poured yer feelin's out fer me?" she attempted lighten the mood, but it only lead yo an awkward silence. "That was my attempt at a joke..."
Fin surprised her by bursting out into a bit of laughter, which Michelle joined in on. Once they refrained some composure, Fin noticed the car with four people in it, who all waved at him. Michelle picked up on this when he wave backed.
"I don't drive yet, so I needed a lift," she said. "My friends an' I are pack animals. We don't come separately."
"Right, that makes sense," he replied, knowing stories of their shenanigans. "Do ye... um... wanna come in?"
"I think it would be better if we talked more privately," she said. "An' yer Ma is inside so... is there somewhere else we can go?"
"I 'spose the back garden," he suggested. "If ye don't want to make yer friends wait... um... I can drive ye home after."
"Aye, that works," she said with a smile. "One sec."
Michelle ran over to the car, motioning James to rope down the window.
"Don't wanna make ye all wait here, so ye can all just head home," said Michelle. "Fin says he'll drive me home."
"Are you sure you're ok with that, Michelle?" James asked.
"Aye," Michelle answered. "I trust 'em not to try any funny shit."
"Oh aye, he's a really nice fella," Orla chimed in with a friendly smile. She could be clueless at times, but she was a good judge of character.
"Alright then," said James. "If I see Aunt Deirdre, I'll tell her you'll be home later."
"See ye Girls tomorrow," Michelle said before walking back up to Fin. "So let's talk."
Fin led them into the back garden, which had a lovely array of flowers in assorted colors. There was a seating area on the back porch with a table that they went to.
"Ok," Michelle began, letting out a sigh. "So, first I wanna say I'm really sorry for runnin' away like I did. It was all just... very surprisin' what ye said."
"Really?" he asked.
"Aye, it was," she answered. "I... I'd never heard a fella say such... romantic things to me before..."
She was moving nervously in her chair, rubbing her hands while looking down, waiting for Fin to say something.
"I don't get it," he finally replied.
"What don't ye get," she asked, looking up to see his eyes on her.
She wasn't sure she'd been this close to him before. Or maybe it's just that she wasn't as aware of him till now. He suddenly looked a lot more appealing to her, especially those emerald green eyes.
"No other bloke ever called ye beautiful?" he asked with genuine surprise.
"Not really, no," she answered. "Plenty have made crude remarks regardin' my figure or some such shit. At the time I took it as flattery, cuz it felt nice to get some kind of attention. I go to an all girls school, so I don't exactly get much interaction with fellas. When I did... it mostly just involved foolin' around. Just snoggin' mind ye! Hope that's not a problem..."
Michelle looked down again, feeling slightly embarrassed about
"Why would it be?" he asked, she looked up again. "Seems pretty normal fer boys and girls to kiss an' such. "I've heard plenty of lads at my school talk about it. I wouldn't know."
Michelle felt a bit more at ease, knowing he wasn't judging her. She wasn't ashamed of the fact that she fooled around. But Fin was the first fella from a higher social status to show interest in her.
"Why would ye think I'd not be interested in ye?" she decided to finally ask.
"Well... um... l-l-like I said at the shop," fumbled. "Ye're... beautiful. I... I'm not much to look at..."
"Says who?" she asked, which surprised him.
"Well... um... lots of people I 'spose," he replied quietly.
"Well those people can fuck off!" she exclaimed, making him jump in his seat slightly. "Ye're not a bad lookin' fella, Fin. Ye're just really fuckin' awkward. Christ, ye could probably give Clare a run fer her money in that department!" Fin smiled lightly. Michelle thought he had a nice smile. "If anyone doesn't feel good enough here... it's me..."
"How can ye think that?" he asked.
"Cuz we live in different fuckin' worlds," she answered. "I don't live in a fuckin' palace like this. My house has two floors. My dickhead cousin shares a room with my younger brother. I bet whatever sblin's ye have, ye all got yer own rooms." Fin had no counter to that. "See? It's weirder fer ye to be interested in me."
Michelle was the surprised by Fin lightly putting his hand on top of hers. It basically engulfed all of hers, and she felt a definite spark from this gesture.
"None of that matters to me, Michelle," he said in probably the most sincere voices she'd ever heard from a fella. "I like ye for who ye are, not because of some bullshit social status."
"How can ye know that?" she asked, eyes welling slightly. "This is the most we've ever spoken to each other."
"Cuz I've... seen ye around town," he answered, managing to keep his stutter in check. "Plus social functions... between our schools. Like that time ye and yer friends got doused in tomato sauce."
"Ach, Christ," she chuckled at that memory.
"B'fore that though, you looked so... gorgeous in yer dress," he smiled, gripping her hand a little tighter, which sent more shivers through both of them.
"Gorgeous, eh?" she smiled lightly. That was definitely the first time she'd been called that. She was getting very flustered.
"Aye, extremely gorgeous," he replied. "Ye're not afraid to tell people how ye're feelin' no matter who it is. I bet ye'd tell off the Pope if he spoke poorly of ye, and especially yer friends." That gave her a chuckle. "The closeness of ye and yer friends is amazin' too. I've never been that close to anyone I wasn't related to, an' even then I'm not exactly outgoin' with them. Yer fiery spirit inspires me. Earlier, when ye shouted at me outside Dennis's Wee Shop, asking why I got so nervous 'round ye, it inspired me to be honest with my feelin's. I could've never in a million years done that you pushin' me. Ye runnin' off immediately after wasn't ideal." They both chuckled. "But I don't regret bein' honest with ye. That an' ye showin' up to my house to talk to me about it, makes it ones of the best days of my feckin' life!"
Once again, Michelle was overcome with emotion by what Fin just said. That he said he admired her, and had said it so easily lit a fire in her heart. She wasn't running this time. She took the Fidgety Ginger Fella by surprise when she straddled his lap and put her arms on his shoulders.
"W-w-what are ye... um... doing!?" he had reverted back to his fumbling self.
"Just shut the fuck up," she said in a sultry tone. "An' kiss me!"
Not needing to be told a second time, Fin placed his hands on the sides of Michelle's face (no doubt seeing it in some movie), leaned forward and kissed her. It started off a bit awkward (she figured it might be his first kiss ever), but it didn't stop her from feeling the spark between them. It grew a bit more intense, as they both let out light moans. He adapted quickly, tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss. She started licking the entrance to his mouth, and he gladly let her tongue take a deep dive. She was now gripping his hair, his arms were rubbing her back as they slowly settled on her hips.
Finbar Finnegan couldn't believe that he was currently making out with Michelle Mallon, the most beautiful girl in Derry to him! Michelle Mallon couldn't believe she was making out with Finbar Finnegan (aka Fin Fin, aka Fidgety Fin, aka the Fidgety Ginger Fella or Fucker depending on who ye ask), a local oddball who'd never appeared on her radar up till recently. It was confusing, but exciting! It was without question the most passionate kiss she'd ever experienced at this point in her life.
They broke away from the kiss, both panting from the excitement of it all, flustered as could be.
"Wow!" Fin exclaimed. That was... fuckin' cracker!"
"That bump this up to the best day of yer life?" Michelle asked with a smirk.
"No contest," Fin replied.
The two then shared a long laugh as Michelle still straddled his lap. They suddenly heard a tapping noise. Looking over they saw it was Fin's Ma (and Michelle's math teacher!) standing in the frame of the sliding door leading outside. She didn't seem to be giving a disapproving look, but she definitely seemed to not want things to escalate. Michelle immediately jumped off Fin's lap, adjusting her clothes slightly.
"I think it's 'bout time ye take Michelle home, Finbar," she said to her son while adjusting her glasses.
"Yeah... um... sure thing, Ma," Fin replied.
"I'll see ye tomorrow, Miss Mallon," she said to her student with a slight smirk.
"Right, it's been grand, Mrs. Finnegan," Michelle chuckled.
Michelle directed Fin to her house, which wasn't a terribly long drive. Once parked in front of the Mallon residence, Michelle pulled out a pen and a couple pieces of paper.
"Write yer number down," she told him, which he happily obliged and handed it over. She then handed hers number over. "Ye best call me soon as ye get home. I wanna know my fella is safe n' sound."
"I'm yer fella now?" he asked with genuine surprise.
"Should be pretty fuckin' obvious," she chuckled. "Unless ye don't wanna be..."
"No, no!" he exclaimed, which she found adorable. "I just didn't think we'd make things official this quickly."
"I s'pose ye should take me on a date then," she winked.
"Ok," he replied, blushing brightly. "When... um... do ye wanna go out?"
"I imagine we can talk about that next time we see each other," she replied. "Which if ye keep up that track record, should be tomorrow." The two had a chuckle about that.
Michelle gave him a peck on the cheek and got out of the car. She was surprised to see Fin get out, then realized he was intending on walking her to her front door. She couldn't believe this fella was real. Even with it being a very short walk, the two held hands. She was staring to see why Erin and James did this so often; it felt really nice to always touch in some way. That wasn't gonna stop her from continuing to give them shit, it was far too much fun.
They stood at the front door for a moment, Michelle looking usually nervous as she looked up at Fin. He leaned down to give her a gentle kiss.
"Night, Michelle, he said with a smile.
"Night, Fin," she replied smiling back.