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Dedication: AGirl292 for the amazing cover! Thank you! 💜💙

Recap:

"Thank you," I silently mouth to Finn, before taking a bite of my burger.

He gives me a smile in return.

I'm glad things have been sorted. I can't help but wonder if things will go back to how they used to be.

But the real question is, do I want it to?

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"How was your date?"

"It wasn't a date," Finn huffs, his face screwing up as he pushes against his weight, the veins in his arm protruding from his skin.

"Sure it wasn't."

"Why don't you believe me?"

"Because I know you," I point out, pulling the hand grip, feeling my muscles ache.

"What about you?" he suddenly asks and I let go out of the handle, causing the weight to hit the pole loudly, the sounding bouncing off the walls as I grimace.

He quirks an eyebrow at me as I scramble to pick it back up. I put the handle back in the holding spot and lean back in the uncomfortable, worn, leather seat.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how's your dating life going? What's going on with Bentley?"

"You mean after he grabbed me, told everyone I don't put out and then said he should have known better than to get involved with me? No, there is no me and Bentley." I reply sourly, getting to my feet, dragging the back of my hand across my sweaty forehead.

"I'm going to kick him so hard in the balls he won't be able to reproduce." Finn states matter-of-factly.

"Please don't, you already slashed his tires."

"That was fun." he smirks devilishly.

I laugh, rolling my eyes. "You don't need to do that stuff. I am a big girl, Finn."

"You're my sister. I will always look out for you."

I smile at him, choosing to change the subject. "I'm going to go back on the treadmill. You coming?"

"Nah, I'm going to do some more weights."

I nod, before making my way over to one of the eight treadmills lined up against the wall. After adjusting the settings, I set it at a power walk. I absently watch one of the T.Vs as I'm deep in thought.

If only Finn knew, what really is going on.

***

I walk into Society and Culture, taking a seat in the far right hand side of the room.

I withdraw my book and pencil case from my bag, neatly placing them on the table, I absently draw on the borders of my page as I wait for everyone else to settle in.

The chair beside me is pulled out as someone sits beside me. His scent washes over me and I close my eyes briefly, letting myself indulge in the smell of him.

"Good morning," Miles greets.

I turn to look at him. He's wearing his trademark jacket, like he does every day and his dark jeans. He's wearing a beanie, his unruly hair sticking out beneath it. His cheeks are red from the chilly temperature outside. I hate that he looks really cute.

The weather here is extremely unpredictable. It is warm and sunny one day, overcast and gloomy the next. You never know what the weather is going to be like, until the morning of. Even the weather broadcasters can't seem to predict it, some days.

"Miles," I say slowly. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting down, getting ready for class," he states obviously.

I roll my eyes. "Okay then."

Finn strolls in, next. This is one of the only classes I have with him. He only took this elective because there was nothing else on this line he wanted to be in. His eyes narrow as he takes in Miles position. I shrug, sending him a hopeless look, hoping he realises it wasn't my idea.

"I shouldn't push it, should I?" Miles asks, drawing me out of my silent conversation with Finn. "We only just made up."

"Probably not the smartest decision."

"Look, I love Finn, but he needs to learn that you're old enough to make your own choices."

"He's protective of me. After dad's death and mum going through a hard time, we relied on each other a lot. He has a right to be protective."

Miles flinches at the mention of my dad. "Right."

"That wasn't a dig at you, I'm trying to get you to see things from his perspective."

"Yeah."

I sigh, shaking my head.

He doesn't say anything else as he looks forward. I purposely look away from him, feeling frustrated.

As more people enter the classroom, I find it harder to ignore the stares of everyone. I know what they're thinking - why are Miles and Isobel sitting together?

Mrs Archer strolls in, her folder pressed to her chest as she does. She gives us a warm smile.

"Good morning, everyone."

A few people murmur a reply as she begins to set up the Smart Board.

"You going this weekend?" Miles asks me. "To the party."

"Yeah, I'll go."

"Would you go, with me?"

I turn my head to him and give him a confused look.

I open my mouth to reply, when Mrs Archer starts the lesson. I let myself focus on the cultural case study we're working on, trying hard to keep my eyes from wandering towards Miles, who seems to be shifting closer to me.

"So?" he presses sometime later.

"I don't think so," I whisper. "Sorry."

"Why not?"

"You know."

"Alec?"

I suck in a breath of surprise. He stares at me blankly, waiting for me to reply.

"What? No."

"So, you two aren't sneaking around behind Finn's back?" he asks calmly.

I dart my eyes to the left where Finn is watching us. I feel my cheeks turn hot as I whip my head to the front, feeling catastrophically uncomfortable and nervous, at the same time.

"He is my replacement, isn't he?" Miles continues. "He's the me for you and the me for Finn, too."

"No, it's not like that." I hiss.

"Seems like it."

"Nothing is going on and it isn't your business." I snap, my fingers tightening around the pen in my hand.

"It is my business because I want you."

"Stop it." I mutter, feeling my skin crawl as Finn continues to glare at me.

"Just admit it," he taunts, leaning closer to me. "You want me, but you can't have me after everything, so you're hooking up with Alec, acting as though he's me."

"Shut the fuck up!" I shout loudly, slamming my hand onto the desk, hating that what he is saying is exactly right.

Sudden silence fills the classroom. Miles smirks, leaning back in his chair, getting exactly what he wanted. My face is burning by this point. I meet Mrs Archer's eyes, who looks shocked. I'm not one to make much noise in class, or get in trouble.

"Isobel, do you need to be excused?" she asks quietly.

With tears burning at my eyes, I nod, scrambling to my feet. I collect my things, jamming them into my bag, glad she didn't get up me for my curse.

"Is," Miles says softly. "Don't go. I'm sorry."

I see Finn stand my peripheral vision.

"Is," Miles says again.

I storm out of the classroom, begging my eyes to keep it together. I will die of humiliation if everyone sees me cry.

"Finn, sit back down," I hear Mrs Archer say sternly.

"What did he say?" Finn asks and I want to laugh, despite also wanting to cry, at how he blatantly ignored Mrs Archer, to come check on me.

I wipe my eyes, once again, wishing I was stronger and didn't inherit these unwanted emotions.

"Just trying to get under my skin. It worked," I sniffle.

"Want to me bang his head on the table? I will."

I let out a laugh. "No."

"Come here."

He draws me into a hug. His warm, comforting embrace made my uptight muscles relax. Having Finn hug me only made me want to cry more, but I manage to keep myself together.

"Get back in there, I'll be fine. I just need some water and then I'll go back in."

"You sure?" he asks, concern evident in his eyes, his dark hair messy, his green eyes piercing into mine as he waits for my reply.

"I promise."

He nods, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze, before disappearing back into the classroom. Everyone's eyes swivel back to the front and I sigh. Even Mrs Archer was watching through the window.

I watch Finn take a detour to his desk, to slap Miles upside the head, before going back to his table. I let out a snort of laughter.

He honestly cannot help himself.

***

"Almost finished?" Dr Koh asks me as I carry the dirty tray towards the sterilising room.

"Yeah, you're right to go, I just need to clean up."

"Do you want some help?" she offers, peeling her latex gloves from her hands, before tossing them into the bin.

"There's not much to do, you head off." I assure her.

"Okay, have a good weekend," she smiles, hitching her handbag over her shoulder. I hear the distinct click-clack of her heels on the wooden floor, the sound slowly fading as she gets further away.

I begin sterilising the instruments and while I wait, I wipe down the benches, clean the suction lines and empty the bins. I go about my end-of-day chores, before tiredly removing my gloves and turning of all the lights and equipment.

We ran over time and it is now a bit after 9pm and I'm only just finishing work.

I tiredly walk to my car after locking the surgery door.

"Isobel."

I scream, dropping my keys as Miles walks to me, scaring me half to death.

"Wow, that's not dangerous at all," he rolls his eyes.

I quickly pick them up and scowl at him. "You shouldn't have snuck up on me."

He shrugs. "I want to apologise for today."

"I'm not interested." I unlock my car, tossing my school bag into the back seat, having come straight after school.

Miles fingers brush mine as I grip the door. I pull my hand away quickly.

"Isobel, I'm sorry. I wanted to see if you still had feelings for me."

"I don't," I snap.

"Yeah, you do."

"Nothing is going on between me and Alec. I don't want to hear you say anything more on it."

"Are you sleeping with him?" he obnoxiously asks.

"No," I snap, shoving him. "Don't ask me things like that, it is none of your concern."

He physically relaxes. "Good."

"Good?" I echo, folding my arms.

"I'm glad you're not sleeping with him." he says with a smile. "Have you... With anyone?"

"Miles!" I exclaim. "I'm not telling you that!"

"You haven't, have you?" he asks with a grin.

"Miles!" I repeat again, feeling mortified, cursing my cheeks as they flame. "Please stop probing about my sex life."

"Or lack thereof," he interjects with a smirk, making me want to reach out and strangle the smirk off his face.

"Excuse me!"

"Look, I'm not trying to insult you. I'm glad you haven't." he grins wildly, looking the happiest I've seen him, since he's been back.

Deciding on changing the subject, I lean back on my car, folding my arms across my chest.

"Do you sit out here and wait for me to finish work? Do you really not have anything better to do?"

"I like waiting for you." he shrugs.

I look to the ground, feeling mixed emotions. I so desperately want to feel nothing for him, but when he says things like that to me, I can't help feel my old feelings for him simmer inside me.

"Can I hug you?" he whispers.

"No."

"Please?" he begs and I almost laugh at the fact he asked to hug me.

"No!"

"Why not?" he asks, taking a step closer.

"Miles," I warn, however, making no effort to get away from him.

He tugs me effortlessly towards him. He wraps his strong, warm arms around me and I sigh as my body melts into him. I bury my head into his chest, inhaling his scent. He rests his chin on the top of my head.

"I miss this."

I don't reply as I let him hug me, hating how nice it feels.

I detangle myself from him abruptly, snapping back to reality.

"I have to go."

I take the opportunity to get into my car. I lock the doors and start the engine, glad he didn't do anything to affect it, this time. I pull away from him and drive with shaky hands, unable to stop my mind replaying his words over and over.

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What do you think about everything that happened? Who are you shipping and why?