Chapter 3: An Unlikely Friendship

Ariah walked down the sidewalk, her wedge heels clicking on the pavement as she made her way to her friend Gwen's house. She had met Gwen in art class, and they had quickly bonded over their shared love of music and fashion. Ariah was excited to spend the afternoon hanging out with Gwen and getting to know her better. As she approached the house, Ariah noticed a boy sitting on the porch, staring out at the street with a look of intense concentration. It was Finney, Gwen's older brother. Ariah had seen him around school, but they had never really talked. Gwen answered the door, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hey, Ariah! Come on in!" she said, stepping aside to let Ariah enter. Ariah walked into the house, taking in the cozy atmosphere. The living room was decorated with vintage furniture and colorful artwork, giving it a warm and welcoming feel. Finney looked up as she entered, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment before he looked away. Gwen led Ariah into the kitchen, where they spent the next hour chatting and laughing as they made sandwiches and drank iced tea. Finney was in and out of the kitchen, grabbing a snack or refilling his drink, but he didn't really participate in the conversation. Ariah was a bit surprised by Finney's reserved nature, but she was determined to get to know him better. She asked Gwen questions about her family and her interests, and Finney seemed to relax a bit as the afternoon wore on. As they sat in the living room, Gwen pulled out her guitar and started playing a few chords. Ariah was impressed by her musical talent, and Finney even cracked a smile as he listened. "Hey, Finney, why don't you play something for us?" Ariah suggested, trying to draw him out of his shell. Finney looked hesitant at first, but then he picked up a nearby ukulele and started strumming a few chords. Ariah was surprised by his musical talent, and Gwen cheered him on as he played a few songs. As the afternoon wore on, Ariah found herself feeling more and more at ease in Finney's presence. She was starting to see a different side of him, one that was more confident and outgoing. As they said their goodbyes, Ariah thanked Gwen for the invite and promised to come back soon. Finney walked her to the door, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment as he said goodbye. "Thanks for coming over," he said, his voice a bit softer than before. Ariah smiled, feeling a spark of connection with Finney. "No problem," she said. "I'll see you around school." As she walked back to her own house, Ariah couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had a feeling that she was going to get to know Finney a lot better in the coming weeks, and she was looking forward to it. Meanwhile, Finney watched Ariah walk away, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. She had been a breath of fresh air, and he was glad that Gwen had introduced them. As he turned back into the house, Finney couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't even imagine. He had a sense that Ariah was going to be a big part of his future, and he was both excited and nervous about what that might mean. The sun was setting over the neighborhood, casting a warm orange glow over the houses. Finney felt a sense of peace wash over him, and he smiled to himself as he walked back into the house. Little did he know, their lives were about to become intertwined in ways he never could have imagined.