Actions Speak Louder Than Fortune Cookies

8 - Laguna Beach and TRL

Midnight..

Sebastian did it. He texted her. He felt a rush of heat run through his body thinking about it. He always blushed so damn easy and he knew Chris would normally lay into him about it, teasing him, but to his surprise he didn't. Chris clapped him on the shoulder, held up his Samuel Adams to cheers him, and went on listening to Anthony ramble about something Daniel Bruhl said last week. Sebastian appreciated the gesture. He doesn't normally fall quickly for women he's barely ever met before, but this felt so different. Chris must've been able to tell too.

He had to remind himself that he probably wouldn't get a response tonight, seeing as she didn't even respond to her best friend yet, according to Chris' text log. And Anthony was right, she was probably working til all hours of the morning. He wouldn't blame her for just leaving work and going straight to bed. Don't start thinking about her bed...
He put his phone in his pocket and joined Chris in listening to Anthony talk about Daniel, finishing his drink.

Sebastian drove Anthony and Chris back to their hotel around 1:00am. They were all still impressed and surprised that the hotel entrance was vacant of fans or waiting eyes. As all the men said their goodbyes for the evening, Sebastian quickly checked his phone. No new messages.

"She's still at work," Chris told him in a hush, reading his mind yet again. "Give her time."
Sebastian gave a small curt nod in return. Chris smiled and turned to follow Anthony through the revolving doors inside. Sebastian put the car in drive and began his short drive home catching basically every red light on the way, Rylee the only thing on his mind.

After arriving home, he was greeted by his buildings doorman, Shawn. He always called him Mr. Stan, even though Sebastian insisted that he not. They said their good nights and he walked the few paces it took to get to the elevator before ascending to the 7th floor to his apartment. Once inside, he decided to immediately crash onto his couch, laying on his back, crossing his legs up on the arm of the fixture. He scrolled through his instagram, though he didn't make it there very long. About ten minutes after laying down, he gave way to sleep.

--------------------------

Sebastian always has an alarm set for 6 so he can get in his morning work out to start his day, but today he woke up around 5:00 am, unsure why, and honestly unsure of where he was for a moment. He forgot he had fallen asleep on the couch when he got back last night. His back was definitely making sure he didn't forget, as it ached and cracked as he sat himself up, leaning on his elbow, he grabbed his phone. Through squinted eyes, staring at the far too bright screen, his heart skipped a beat. Maybe even two.
THREE NEW MESSAGES.
He immediately tapped open his messages and began to read.

Rylee
Hi there! It's nice to hear from you. ☺️
It's definitely okay. Just not sure I understand how exactly my number got thrown around lol
But yes. Definitely okay.

He noticed that the messages had just come through two minutes ago. He responded.

Sebastian
I'm glad. 🙂 Long story short, Alexa may have got a bit drunk at that wedding..

Sebastian was surprised to see the ellipses bubble pop up on her end.

Rylee
Oh I definitely know! Say no more! 😂
I'm surprised you're awake..unless I woke you, then I'm sorry.

Sebastian
No worries. The real question is why are YOU up?

Rylee
I just got off work ten minutes ago. Currently standing in the subway.
There's a man selling puka shell necklaces down here.

Sebastian
Well, you obviously need one. Those are collectors items.
Didn't you ever watch Laguna Beach?

- Incoming call -
Rylee
(Decline) (Accept)

Sebastian was taken by surprise at the sudden phone call, but without missing a beat he hit accept.

"Yes. I have indeed watched Laguna Beach. I also watched Carson Daly on TRL thank you very much," the girl immediately laughed on the other side of the phone."

"Huh. I took you as more of a Damien Fahey gen sorta girl," Sebastian smirked into the phone.

"I don't know if I should be offended or appreciative. How old do you think I am, Seb?"

There was that heat running through him again. All she did was call him Seb, but he loved hearing it come out of her mouth. He wished she'd say it again and again. "I'm not that stupid. No guy should ever make guesses on a girl's age. You can't trick me."

"Touché, Seb. Touché." She giggled. "Sorry if calling you was weird by the way. That puka shell guy was kinda creeping me out, so I decided to take the 'I'm on the phone' route to avoid him. So..thanks."

"Not weird at all, I'm glad you called..and I'm glad to help. Now when do I get my necklace..."

" I knew I should've called someone else," she laughed pretending to feel insulted. He could hear her train pulling up to the platform in the background, he could tell she then got in one of the cars as the echo of the call changed drastically.

"Alright alright sorry. So anyway. Hi." Sebastian said quickly.

"Hi." He could hear her smiling through the phone. "Did I actually wake you up by the way?"

"Maybe. But its no big deal. My alarm was set for six anyway." He said, laying back onto the couch.

"I'm sorry. I shou-"

"I'm not." Sebastian interrupted. They sat in a momentarily comfortable silence together, both smiling into their own phones. "So how are you...how was work?"

They continued their conversation for her entire twenty minute ride, the short walk from the subway exit to her apartment's lobby doors, and the whole way into her living room, where she now laid back on her couch, still talking to him about a plethora of subjects. They talked about their work, friends, family, hobbies, favorite things. It was so easy for them to talk to each other, it was as if they had known one another forever.

She finally got the guts to admit to him that she didn't ever really watch any of his Marvel movies. She also doubled down to tell him that she didn't even know he really existed before Alexa had said something their first night at Ruby's and even then she didn't know if he was Sebastian or Anthony.

Sebastian was honestly relieved. He appreciated that she was getting to know him for just him. He felt like that didn't happen much in his life anymore and he told her so. She soaked in his honesty and genuine tone, she really liked that about him.

They continued chatting for a few more minutes and Sebastian noticed that Rylee's responses were coming back much slower and more brief.

"You tired?" He asked gently.

"Mmm. No, mmgood." She responded, slowly falling asleep in her spot on her couch.

"Righttt. Well, I'm gonna let you go catch some sleep, okay?"

"Mmhm."

He smiled to himself at her obvious sleepy response. "I'll talk to you later Rylee, sleep well."

"K,night." She responded, at that point basically asleep.

He hit the end button and sighed staring at his phone.  He looked at the time and saw it was 6:45. He sent one last message to Rylee before he decided what he would do with his day.

Sebastian
😊