𝙰𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 ~ 𝙴𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗

Fifteen

A few weeks had gone past, and the only person Sebastian had told about the run in with that strange man was Amanda. In an instant, she asked whether or not Sebastian had spoken up about it to his parents, for they deserved to know so that he could be safe. Lying was something Sebastian hated doing, it never got anyone anywhere, but he could not stop himself from telling Amanda that yes he had. He was embarrassed. But most of all, he was scared of what would come with the idea of telling people.

At first, Chris was resilient in his texts and calls asking Sebastian if he was okay. They came almost everyday, at the exact same time, yet now, Chris hardly ever brought the topic up. Sebastian was glad, but he was also worried that Chris was growing tired of him being so goddamn secretive. Deep down, Sebastian knew as to why Chris hadn't been able to talk much. With every game, his skills grew bigger and stronger, he was the player people couldn't stop talking about. But of course that never stopped Sebastian's mind from spiralling.

Going to work was becoming more terrifying by the day. No matter what Sebastian was doing, he felt as though someone was watching him. He knew he was just being paranoid, but he couldn't help but think that maybe that man was planning his next ambush, and this time, Sebastian wouldn't go home bruise free.

Walking through the door, Sebastian kicks off his shoes and drops his bag from his shoulder. "I'm home." He calls out, nails tapping against the tiles surrounding the air, before Indy is in front of him, whining happily. "Hey, love."

Bending down, Sebastian lifts the puppy into his arms, burying his face into her fur. "You been good for mum, hey?" Indy only wriggles in the boy's grip, eager to kiss his face senseless. Sebastian laughs.

"Hi, my boy." Georgeta says upon Sebastian entering the kitchen, kissing his temple. "How was your day?"

"It was good." Lies Sebastian, smiling. "That's a lot of mail."

His eyes land on the large pile of letters on the table, before his heart is sinking to the bottom of his stomach, churning painfully. The breath catches in his throat as he picks up letter after letter, reading the handwriting on top of the envelopes with tear filled eyes.

"What doesn't he understand about not wanting to see him?" Asks Sebastian, willing himself not to cry. Clearing his throat, he throws the letters down, backing away and holding Indy closer. "I don't have to, do I?"

Shaking her head, Georgeta cups Sebastian's cheeks, resting their foreheads together. "No, you don't, baby." She says, bringing him in for a hug, one that Sebastian eases into with a shaky sigh. "You don't ever have to go see that disgusting man."

Nodding, Sebastian breaks away. "Do you want any help with dinner?"

"I was thinking you could go have dinner with Lisa? She mentioned something on the phone today that she hadn't seen you in a while."

Painting a smile onto his lips, Sebastian nods. "Okay. I'll head over once I've gotten changed."

Placing Indy back on her feet, Sebastian races upstairs to get dressed into something that wasn't covered in paint. Indy follows after him, leaping onto his bed. "What should I go with, girl?" Sebastian inquires, tilting his head. "Black or blue jeans?"

Eyeing them both in the mirror, Sebastian decides on the black jeans, laughing when Indy barks, tail wagging. "Exactly what I was thinking, sweet pea."

Tugging them on, he pairs the jeans with a plain t-shirt and sweater to go over top, stuffing his phone into his back pocket. "I'll see you later, pup." He says, kissing Indy's head.

Lisa seems both surprised and overjoyed at seeing Sebastian at the door, grinning. "Hello, love. How are you?" Closing the door behind them, she wraps her arms around Sebastian, kissing his cheek. "I haven't seen you in so long, how's school going?"