I don’t know how long I stayed there. The night had gotten colder, and the tears had dried, but the ache in my chest hadn’t lessened. How could Finn do this to me? Was I really just a kid to him? Was it always Ciara? How could I have been so blind?
“Hanna!” I heard someone call my name. I quickly wiped my face and looked up to see Jacob and Finn running toward me.
“Hanna, what are you doing out here?” Jacob asked, his voice full of concern.
I shrugged, trying to hide the fact that I had been crying for what felt like hours. “Just... needed some air.”
Finn stood there awkwardly, his hands shoved in his pockets, looking like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how. “You okay?”
I nodded, even though I was anything but okay. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Jacob didn’t look convinced, but he just sighed and wrapped his arm around me. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
As we walked back, I could feel Finn’s eyes on me the entire time. I didn’t dare look back at him. He had already said enough.
The minute we got home, I bolted for my room, slamming the door behind me. Jacob called out, but I didn’t answer. How could I? Everything was a mess. I threw myself onto the bed, and the tears I’d been holding back all night came flooding out.
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Finn didn’t want me. He thought I was just a silly little kid. I curled up in a ball, hugging my knees to my chest, sobs shaking my entire body. The party—the one I’d spent so much time getting excited for—had turned into a nightmare.
A soft knock on my door made me freeze. “Hanna?” Jacob’s voice was quiet, almost like he was afraid I might shatter if he spoke too loud.
I wiped my face, trying to sound normal. “I’m fine, Jake. Just tired.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, but I could feel him standing on the other side of the door, unsure of what to do. “Okay... if you want to talk, you know I’m here.”
I didn’t respond. After a few seconds, I heard him walk away.
The second he was gone, I buried my face in my pillow. How did things get so messed up? I thought this night would be special, but it was the exact opposite.
I didn’t want to get out of bed the next morning. The thought of facing the world, of seeing Hanna, was too much. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, replaying his words over and over again. She’s too young. It just doesn’t feel right.
I should have known. I should’ve seen it coming. But I didn’t.
Downstairs, I heard voices—Jacob and... Finn? My stomach twisted, and before I knew what I was doing, I crept to the top of the stairs, listening.
“She’s just a kid, Jake. I mean... I can’t date your sister.”