Finn Scott and Gwen Fintoc
July 01, 2018 11:41 AM
Problem solved! by Finn Scott and Gwen Fintoc
As Christmas faded into the distance, the ball loomed ever closer. Finn hadn’t decided if this was good or bad. On the one hand, his increased attendance at society balls over the holidays (the most recent Christmas holidays notwithstanding, for obvious reasons) had led to a realisation that he quite liked such events. However, at Sonora, a ball meant having to find a date. Not finding a date was unthinkable (he had to represent the Scotts) and, to be honest, he didn’t think he’d have much trouble finding one. At the risk of sounding conceited, the problem didn’t lie there.Finn’s last Sonora ball had been in his first year, and he’d gone with Juniper. Over the last few years, Juniper had remained one of his close friends, if not a little more than that if he allowed himself to examine his feelings. However, he knew Juniper wasn’t a fan of social occasions. As much as going to the ball with Juniper would be (very) nice, he didn’t want to put her in an awkward situation, where she wouldn’t enjoy herself.
He was returning to his common room one afternoon, pondering this dilemma, when he came across Gwen.
Gwen had initially been rather excited by the prospect of the midsummer ball. She had hoped Victor might ask her as they had become closer over the year, and was rather disappointed to hear that he had asked Emerald instead. The idea of going to the ball alone was not so appealing.
Seeing Gwen was, for Finn, a bit like suddenly being presented with an unexpected possible answer. He got well with Gwen. After that CoMC class all those years ago, where they’d worked together for the first time, they’d become good friends. The two had a lot in common, such as a love of animals and also a sense of responsibility for their families and their family names.
“Hey Gwen,” Finn called out, frowning slightly upon getting no response. “Gwen?”
Gwen blinked, hearing her name. She turned to see Finn looking at her. “Oh sorry, I was in my own world there.”
He smiled, understanding the feeling, having just been doing the same thing himself. “What were you thinking about?” he asked.
“Nothing important,” Gwen shrugged the question off. She was too embarrassed to admit that she had been picturing a rather lonely ball. “How’s your day been?”
Finn’s mind went back to the problem he had been struggling with, throwing in the new possibility of Gwen. The more he thought about it, the more perfect the idea was. He and Gwen would have a fun time at the ball together, and he wouldn’t be burdening Gwen by asking her and therefore forcing her to attend a social function that she wouldn’t enjoy.
“It’s been ok, thanks,” he replied, trying to summon up the courage to ask her the vital question. It was strange, really, that in many ways he was so much more confident than he had been in first year, and yet here he was, still struggling to ask something very simple.
“Gwen, would you like to go to the ball with me?”
Gwen was surprised by the question, although pleasantly so. It seemed as though Finn had read her mind and solved her problem. She didn’t have to think twice about her response - who wouldn’t want to go to the ball with him?
“I’d love to,” Gwen smiled at her friend, hoping she didn’t sound too eager. She liked Finn a lot and now she was able to go back to looking forward to the ball. She couldn’t wait - it was going to be so much fun.
Finn smiled back at Gwen, glad that she was so enthusiastic about going to the ball. He was looking forward to spending the evening with her. He hoped that Juniper wouldn’t be offended that he hadn’t asked her but, knowing her dislike of social situations, he was sure she’d be happy that she hadn’t been forced into attending yet another ball.
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Finn Scott and Gwen Fintoc
Problem solved!
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Finn Scott and Gwen Fintoc
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