The weeks after Ciara’s downfall were quieter, almost unnervingly so. With her absence, the tension in the air seemed to dissipate, but for Hanna, the calm felt like the eye of a storm. Whispers about Ciara’s disappearance swirled through the hallways, but no one had concrete answers.
Hanna leaned against her locker after the final bell, waiting for Finn. When he appeared, his familiar grin instantly eased the knot of unease in her chest.
“Ready?” he asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“Yeah,” Hanna replied, falling into step beside him as they headed toward the parking lot.
The air outside was crisp, the late autumn chill biting at her cheeks. Finn’s car was parked at the edge of the lot, and as they approached, Hanna caught a glimpse of his thoughtful expression.
“You’re quiet today,” she said, nudging him gently.
Finn glanced at her, his eyes soft but clouded with thought. “Just thinking. About everything.”
“Ciara?” Hanna guessed.
“Yeah,” Finn admitted, unlocking the car. “It’s hard to believe she’s just… gone. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who fades into the background.”
Hanna sighed as she slid into the passenger seat. “I know. It feels too easy. Too unfinished.”
Finn started the engine, the low hum filling the silence between them. “You’re not wrong to feel that way. But we can’t live waiting for her to come back and mess things up again.”
As they pulled onto the road, the golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm glow. They didn’t speak for a while, the sound of tires on pavement and the soft melody from the radio filling the space.
“Do you ever think about what’s next?” Hanna asked suddenly, her voice quiet.
Finn glanced at her. “What do you mean?”
“After all of this,” she said, gesturing vaguely. “When it’s really over. What happens then?”
Finn’s hand drifted toward hers, his fingers brushing against hers before intertwining them. “Then we figure it out. Together.”
Hanna smiled faintly, the warmth of his touch grounding her. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Maybe it is,” Finn said, his voice steady. “As long as we stick together, I think we can handle whatever comes next.”
Later that evening, Hanna sat at her desk, staring at the homework she couldn’t seem to focus on. Her phone buzzed, and when she picked it up, her heart sank.
Unknown Number: Did you really think this was over?
Her chest tightened as she stared at the message, the familiar dread creeping back. She had no doubt it was from Ciara—or someone acting on her behalf.
Hanna’s first instinct was to call Finn, but before she could, her phone buzzed again.
Finn: Thinking about you. Call me if you need anything.
Her lips quirked into a small smile despite the unease, and without hesitation, she called him.
“Hey,” Finn answered, his voice warm. “What’s up?”
“Can we meet?” Hanna asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Of course. Where?”
“The park,” she said. “I’ll explain when I see you.”
The park was nearly empty by the time Hanna arrived, the cool air biting at her skin as she pulled her jacket tighter around her. Finn was already there, leaning against the swings with his hands shoved into his pockets.
“What’s going on?” he asked as she approached.
Hanna handed him her phone, the text message glaring up from the screen. Finn’s expression darkened as he read it, his jaw tightening.
“She’s still at it,” he muttered.
“I don’t know what to do,” Hanna admitted, her voice trembling. “Every time I think it’s over, she finds a way to pull me back in.”
Finn reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “We’ll figure this out,” he said. “She doesn’t get to have this power over you anymore.”
Hanna looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Finn. For always being here.”
Finn’s gaze softened, and he took a step closer. “I’ll always be here, Hanna. You don’t have to face any of this alone.”
The emotion in his voice made Hanna’s chest tighten, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his.
The kiss was slow and filled with unspoken promises, grounding her in the moment and chasing away the fear that had gripped her. When they finally pulled apart, Finn rested his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with hers in the cold night air.
“You’re stronger than you think,” he whispered. “Don’t forget that.”
Hanna smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. For now, with Finn by her side, she felt like she could face anything—even the storm that Ciara was surely brewing.