Episode 6: Finn and Mia's Reactions
1534 Words
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the small town of Willow Creek. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant sound of children playing. On Maple Street, the Johnsons’ house stood proudly, its white picket fence and vibrant garden a testament to the love and care that Tom and Sarah Johnson poured into their home. Inside, Ethan was buzzing with excitement, still riding the high of his recent confession to Lily.
Meanwhile, just a few houses down, Mia was busy helping her family at their bakery. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted through the air, drawing in customers from all over town. Finn, her best friend and neighbor, was sitting at the counter, munching on a chocolate chip cookie while scrolling through his phone.
“Did you hear about Ethan and Lily?” Finn asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
Mia looked up from the dough she was kneading, her brow furrowing in curiosity. “What about them?”
“They’re officially a couple now. Ethan asked her to be his girlfriend at the picnic last week, and she said yes!” Finn exclaimed, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.
Mia paused, her hands stilling as she processed the news. “Wow, I can’t believe it! They were always so close, but I didn’t think they’d actually start dating.”
Finn nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Yeah, it’s kind of weird, right? I mean, they were just friends, and now they’re… a couple. It feels different.”
Mia wiped her hands on her apron and leaned against the counter, her mind racing. “I guess it’s just a part of growing up. But I wonder how it’ll change things between us. We’ve always hung out together, the four of us.”
Finn shrugged, his eyes still glued to his phone. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like they’re going to forget about us, right? But it might be a little awkward at first.”
Mia sighed, her heart heavy with uncertainty. “I hope it doesn’t change everything. I really like hanging out with them, and I don’t want to feel like the third wheel.”
Finn looked up, his expression softening. “Hey, we’ll figure it out. We’ve been friends for too long to let something like this come between us. Plus, we can always make fun of them for being all lovey-dovey.”
Mia chuckled, the tension easing slightly. “Yeah, that might help. But still, I can’t help but feel a little left out. I mean, what if they start doing couple things and we’re just… there?”
Finn nodded, understanding her concern. “Let’s just give it some time. We can talk to them about it. If it gets weird, we’ll let them know.”
As the day wore on, the bakery bustled with customers, and Mia and Finn found themselves distracted by the rhythm of their work. But in the back of their minds, the thought of Ethan and Lily’s new relationship lingered, casting a shadow over their usual carefree banter.
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Mia and Finn decided to take a walk around Maple Street. They strolled past the Johnsons’ house, where they could see Ethan and Lily sitting on the porch, laughing and sharing stories. The sight tugged at Mia’s heartstrings, a mix of happiness for her friends and a pang of jealousy creeping in.
“Look at them,” Finn said, his voice barely above a whisper. “They look so happy.”
Mia nodded, her heart sinking. “Yeah, they do. I just hope they don’t forget about us.”
Finn glanced at her, his expression serious. “They won’t. They’re our friends. But maybe we should invite them to hang out more, just the four of us. That way, we can keep things normal.”
Mia smiled at the idea, feeling a flicker of hope. “That could work! We can plan a game night or something. It’ll be fun!”
As they continued their walk, they brainstormed ideas for their upcoming get-together. They decided to invite Ethan and Lily over for a game night at Mia’s house, where they could all play their favorite board games and enjoy some of her family’s delicious baked goods.
The next day, Mia and Finn approached Ethan and Lily at school, their hearts racing with anticipation. They found the couple sitting together at lunch, sharing a plate of cookies and giggling at an inside joke.
“Hey, you two lovebirds!” Finn called out, trying to keep his tone light. “We were thinking of having a game night at Mia’s house this weekend. You in?”
Ethan’s face lit up with excitement. “That sounds awesome! We’d love to come!”
Lily smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Yeah, that sounds like so much fun! What games are we playing?”
Mia felt a wave of relief wash over her. “We can play all our favorites! Maybe some board games and card games. And my mom will bake some treats for us.”
“Count us in!” Ethan said, his enthusiasm infectious.
As they chatted about the details, Mia felt a sense of normalcy returning. It was comforting to know that their friendship could withstand this new change. They spent the rest of lunch laughing and joking, the tension from the previous days melting away.
The weekend arrived, and Mia’s house was filled with laughter and the sweet aroma of baked goods. The table was set with an array of games, from Monopoly to Uno, and Mia’s parents had prepared a feast of cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
As the four friends settled down to play, the atmosphere was light and playful. They took turns picking games, and the competitive spirit quickly took over. Ethan and Lily teamed up against Finn and Mia, and the playful banter flowed freely.
“Prepare to lose!” Ethan declared, grinning as he rolled the dice in Monopoly.
“Not if we have anything to say about it!” Finn shot back, his eyes narrowing in mock determination.
Mia couldn’t help but smile as she watched her friends interact. The initial awkwardness of Ethan and Lily’s relationship seemed to fade away, replaced by the familiar camaraderie they had always shared. They laughed, teased each other, and even engaged in a few friendly arguments over the rules of the games.
As the night wore on, they took a break to enjoy some of Mia’s family’s treats. They gathered around the kitchen table, plates piled high with cookies and cupcakes, and shared stories about their favorite memories together.
“Remember that time we got lost on our way to the park?” Mia laughed, recalling the adventure they had during a summer outing.
“Oh, how could I forget?” Lily chimed in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “We ended up at that weird old lady’s house!”
Finn chuckled, shaking his head. “And she thought we were trying to steal her garden gnomes!”
The laughter echoed through the kitchen, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed. They were still the same group of friends, navigating the ups and downs of childhood together.
As the night came to a close, Mia felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She realized that while Ethan and Lily’s relationship was new and exciting, it didn’t have to change the bond they all shared. They were still friends, and they could still create memories together.
As they said their goodbyes, Ethan and Lily lingered for a moment, exchanging shy glances and smiles. Finn and Mia watched, a mix of amusement and affection in their eyes.
“See you guys at school on Monday!” Ethan called out, his voice filled with excitement.
“Can’t wait!” Lily added, waving enthusiastically.
As they walked back inside, Finn turned to Mia, a grin spreading across his face. “I think we did it. We survived the first game night with the couple!”
Mia laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days. “Yeah, and it was actually really fun! I’m glad we did this.”
Finn nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I think we just need to keep communicating. As long as we’re honest with each other, we’ll be okay.”
Mia smiled, feeling grateful for her friendship with Finn. “You’re right. We’ll make sure to keep things balanced. I don’t want to lose what we have.”
As they settled down for the night, Mia felt a renewed sense of hope. Ethan and Lily’s relationship was just another chapter in their lives, and together, they would navigate the changes that came their way. Willow Creek was still their home, and Maple Street would always be a place filled with laughter, friendship, and love.
And as the stars twinkled above, Mia knew that no matter what, they would always find their way back to each other.
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- Writer
