16 Taking It All In.

Elise's mom drove her to the interview, and was so proud of her that she had decided, whether or not Elise got the job, they were going to get ice cream afterward. Elise sat staring out the window. She was excited about the interview, but she was really happy about being Finnegan's girlfriend. She wanted to tell Cheyanne. She didn't want to say anything to Kimber or Ashley until they were at school. While she was glad they were being so welcoming to her, she still didn't really know them that well. She thought about the spot on the back of her left hand where Finnegan had kissed her.

She felt like a character in one of her novels, being courted by a gentleman. She had to have chaperoned outings with her Gentleman, and he would kiss her hand every time he greeted her and said farewell. Of course, at least she didn't have to carry around a parasol and a fan with her everywhere. It was cumbersome enough having to tote her backpack along, but books were heavy, and she had too many of them to just carry in her arms everywhere.

Her mom noticed she was quiet on the way to the interview. "Are you nervous, 'Lise?"

Elise looked at her mom, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "Huh? Oh, Um I guess, maybe."

"Hey, all you need to remember is to speak clearly and be respectful. You know, 'Yes, sir' 'No, sir.' You'll be fine."

"Thanks, Mom." They pulled into the parking lot at Subway.

"I'll wait for you here, Honey. Good luck!"

Elise got out and went in.

The interview was professional and brief. It probably took 20 minutes. They must have already decided they were gonna hire her before they even called her back. They told her to start in a week since she didn't have her car yet. Elise shook the manager's hand, remembering that. when shaking hands with men, it was best to have a firm grip. Elise thanked him and turned around to walk back to her mom's car.

When she got in she tried to look stoic. Her mom looked at her with concern. Then, changing her expression completely, Elise told her she was hired. She smiled so hard her eyes squinted, and she held her hands in tight fists just under her chin.

"Honey! That's great. You had me worried," Elise's mom reached over and swatted Elise on the arm. Elise giggled. "Well, you know what that means?"

They both shared a look and simultaneously cheered, "ICE CREAM!" Laughing they went through the drive through, and Elise's mom excitedly talked about dinner with her friend, Norma, on Friday all the way home.

...

As soon as we got home, I laid on my bed. Everything was perfect. She was Finnegan's girlfriend! She got a job. She was getting a car and her license soon. Even though she wasn't talking to Cheyanne anymore, she still had Kimber and Ashley, and she was going to sleepover at Ashley's this weekend. She sat up and texted Finnegan.

"I got the job! I am now a Sandwich Builder at Subway."

He replied immediately. "Awesome! I knew you'd get it. Congrats!"

"Thank you," she sent back. "Well I'm going to work on some homework. I'll text you before I go to bed."

"Ok. I'm working on some stuff too. I finished my note to you, by the way. I can't wait to give it to you."

"I can't wait to read it." Elise set her phone down and got out the essay she started in class today. It didn't take her very long to finish it. It was definitely easier to work when she wasn't nervously sitting in front of Finnegan. And he made it hard to concentrate anyway because he was so handsome.

His hair was thick, but not messy. She wanted to run her hands through it. His eyebrows were thick too, and they created a perfect frame along his smooth brow and around his intelligent eyes. His eyes were a dark green and his face had a chiseled masculinity to it. His lips were full and flanked by the most charming dimples that only appeared when he was truly amused. His chin also had a slight depression in the center that made him look like a fairy tale prince. He wasn't super muscular. His body was slender, but he wore baggy shirts and hoodies all the time, so she couldn't really tell what his body looked like underneath. His hands were so big, compared to hers. When he held her hand, he had such gentle strength. And he was so kind and smart and sweet. Most boys wouldn't have thought to write her such a carefully composed letter. Most boys just texted a brief message along the lines of 'You're hot. Wanna go out?' Finnegan was so much better than all of that. He put a lot of thought into everything he did and said. That made it all the more sweeter that he asked her to be his girlfriend. He wouldn't have made so much effort if she wasn't anyone special.

She put away her notebooks and got ready for bed. She texted Finnegan again.

"I'm going to bed now. Good night, Finn." Elise snuggled under her covers and started at her phone screen.

"Good night, my sweet Elise. I hope you have sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow."

'My sweet Elise,' he called her. She was elated. "I am his Elise. And he is MY Finnegan at long last. My Finnegan." She giggled and hugged herself into a ball.

Everything was perfect. But just before she completely drifted into sleep, her subconscious reminded her of the prophecy his mom read in her tea. Elise dreamed Finnegan was holding her, but he was looking at her apologetically, like he had done something awful. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she was trying to comfort him.

The dream faded from her memory when she woke up and read his text again in the morning. This was the first full day they were boyfriend and girlfriend.