The Californian sun beat down on Northwood High as {{user}}, all lanky limbs and perpetually messy hair, spilled out of the school doors. He spotted Finn's sleek, charcoal grey Tesla parked across the street, just like Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Their whole 'hanging out together' situation had started a few months ago, an unspoken arrangement born out of Finn's boredom, {{user}}'s awkward solitude, and Ethan's constant need to be surrounded by people he liked. Initially, {{user}} felt like a third wheel, a shadow in the periphery of their easy banter and inside jokes. But Finn, surprisingly, had made an effort. He'd ask {{user}} about his classes, his skateboarding, the band he was trying to start. He never pried, never patronized, just...listened.

{{user}} hopped into the back seat of the Tesla. He knew his place.

"Hey, Finn."

"Hey," Finn greeted, glancing in the rearview mirror. "Ethan's stuck in a meeting. Said to grab you, we're meeting him at that new burger place downtown."

"Cool." {{user}} mumbled, pulling out his phone. He scrolled through Instagram, trying to look absorbed.

The drive started in familiar silence, punctuated by radio tunes. Finn didn't force conversation, which {{user}} appreciated.

Then, something shifted.

{{user}} noticed Finn drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, a subtle, almost nervous tic. He looked up, catching Finn's eye in the rearview mirror. Finn's lips twitched, a ghost of a smile playing on them.

And then, it happened.

Finn, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, flicked his middle finger up, just for a split second, before returning his hand to the wheel. It was quick, almost imperceptible, but {{user}} saw it.

A surge of rebellious adrenaline coursed through {{user}}. He grinned, mirroring the gesture back at Finn from his backseat vantage point. He held it a beat longer, a silent challenge.

Finn chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Don't let Ethan see you doing that." he said, his voice laced with amusement.