HOME

Sixteen

"Don't leave me." Sebastian says frantically as he struggles to stand up. I roll a little farther away and turn around to watch him struggle.

He looks like a baby deer that is standing for the first time.

"I thought you were a great skater?" I tease him. He swore he would get right up and skate away from me. Then, when he actually put his skates on, his story changed a little.

" I am once I get going." He huffs, reaching out with one hand for me to help him.

"Oh, no. The last time I tried to help you, you pulled me down with you." I laugh, keeping plenty of distance between us.

A young girl, probably twelve, skates between us and Sebastian watches her with irritation.

"See? Even the kids skate better than you." I say, taunting him even further.

"Why are you so mean to me?" Sebastian asks, pretending I've hurt his feelings.

"Oh, suck it up. Do I need to call Tom and ask him to come teach you how to skate?" I ask, crossing my arms. Tom Holland is a great skater and I like to remind Sebastian of it every once in a while just to get under his skin.

"That's it, I'm taking them off." Sebastian huffs and begins to reach for his laces.

"Wait, no! Fine, I'll help you. Don't get your panties in a wad." I say as I gently roll forward and reach for his hands.

Sebastian wobbles a bit as he stands up, but I do my best to hold him steady and allow him to get his balance before I let go.

"Good?" I ask, slowly backing away and letting go of his hands. I now realize how ridiculous we look. Sebastian is still in his suit and "fruity" shirt and I'm in a black, knee length dress, and skates.

"Yeah, I think so." He says with a look of concentration that I've never seen. I do my best not to laugh as he tries to skate out onto the ring. There are thankfully only about ten other people skating at the moment, so I don't have to worry about Seb getting run over.

The last thing I need is him complaining that a twelve year old knocked him over.

After a few minutes, he seems to get the hang of it and is able to let go of the wall. I do my best to skate slowly enough that he doesn't get off balance. I hold his hand, not just to keep him upright, but because holding his hand is one of my favorite things.

Every time we make a full circle in the ring, I see the door that Sebastian had stormed out of so long ago. After Alexia had showed up to Aurelia's birthday party ready to pick a fight. I remember the pit in my stomach as I watched Sebastian walk over to confront her. Such a fun day had turned sour so quickly.

I remember how the wind had whipped around Sebastian and I after I had gone outside to find him. The way he looked leaning against the building made me feel even worse for him and Aurelia. I knew they were both going through a lot, but at that point my feelings for Sebastian had begun to spiral out of my control.

His lips felt like velvet against mine when we had kissed. The way he had made my head spin with that kiss was addictive. I knew I was screwed. I knew I would never be the same.

I'm so happy I still get to kiss him everyday.

"Hello? Earth to Madelaine." Sebastian laughs, waving a hand in front of me.

"What?" I ask.

"You zoned out." Sebastian laughs.

"Sorry. I was thinking." I smile.

"About what?"

"Our first kiss."

"Oh?"

"Yeah."