FINN THOMPSON
PAST-30TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Today is a bad brain day.
The nightmare I had last night has stayed with me all day, and I cannot seem to shake it. The blood. Ivy’s bruised face. The sound of her distressed crying when she finally woke up.
My fingers knot their way through my hair as I try to concentrate on planning a presentation for one of my classes, but it’s proving more than difficult. I itch to grab the nearest bottle of anything and down it. To push away these haunting memories and forget.
Forgeteverything.
And it pains me knowing I haven’t seen my sister in nine months. She moved away from Willows Bay because the pain of her past was too agonising, and I get it.
Home isn’t home without Ivy, and now I’m starting to think our relationship will never be the same again. Not because of what happened, but because I did something that is unforgivable, and I’ve still not found the courage to tell her, and that makes me a fucking coward.
A knock at my bedroom door thankfully stirs me away from my unpredictable thoughts. I glance up at Silas, who leans on the doorframe effortlessly, arms folded over his chest. “What?”
“Come on.” He beckons with his head. “It’s the final night of freshers, and we should be going out, not studying.”
I exhale through my nose.I thought he’d never ask.I’m up and out of my seat faster than I can blink, itching for that first pint.
The four of us head to the SU bar for a few early beers, which I sink far too easily, and when the alcohol starts to hit my system, I finally relax and let my earlier thoughts empty. Never have I known instant relief like the taste of a beer as it meets my lips.
“Shall we head into town?” Ronan suggests.
JJ downs the last of his beer. “Yeah, let’s get off campus.”
Ronan glances at me, and I shrug. “I’m happy to do whatever.”
Wherever there’s alcohol, I’m there.
When we arrive in town twenty minutes later, we go to our favourite spot,Lizzie’s.The boys grab a table, and I head to the bar for the first round of drinks. I lean on the counter and twist my head to find my eyes landing on familiar black hair.
I still for a moment when I recognise Maya as she stares up at a guy whose back is towards me. Her brows are pinched, and she sways. From the intensity of her bloodshot eyes, it’s obvious that she’s drunk.
I’ve seen Maya around campus, but I’ve only really nodded in her direction when we crossed paths. I told myself to stay away, and I’ve stuck to my word.
The guy she’s talking to grabs onto her waist, and she tries to pull away, her face twisting into a look of disgust. I move from the bar without hesitation and stroll towards them as her brown eyes flick to mine, and I recognise immediate relief.
“Hey,” I call out as he glances at me, clearly irritated that I’ve interrupted them. “You good, Maya?”
“Finn,” she whispers.
“Hey,” the guy says as he turns towards me, finally dropping Maya’s waist. “We’re talking here.”
I scowl and give him a look up and down. “Why are you putting your hands on her?”
“And who are you?”
“A friend.” I keep my eyes on him. “Who are you?”
“Afriend,” he repeats, but I can hear the suggestive tone behind it.
The girl is intoxicated, and I don’t want him thinking he can take advantage of her.Asshole.
My brow quirks, and I look back at Maya, but she’s shaking her head. I clench my jaw and flick my eyes towards him. “I think you should walk away.”
He scoffs. “And why the hell should I listen to you?”
