Just Twin Fire Signs, Four Blue Eyes

Chapter Two

"Who is Sebastian's mystery coffee date?"

I stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity. The hard lump in the back of my throat made it hard to swallow. All I could think about was how Sebastian must be feeling right now. All he wanted was a simple cup of coffee on a random Wednesday afternoon and now there's photos everywhere online of him on a "date" with some random nobody. What if he has a girlfriend and she see's those pictures of us?

Oh God, what if I'm the reason they get into a fight or break up?

I slam my phone down on the pillow next to me and turn my body so I'm facing away from it. I lay there contemplating my life choices, and I briefly wonder how much it would cost me to break the lease before my first official rent payment was due. Something like this would never happen in a random town in Missouri, that's for sure.

I spend hours in a restless sleep, never fully reaching a R.E.M. cycle. By the time the sun started shining through the slats in my bedroom blinds, I've pretty much given up on sleep for the night. I sit myself up on the bed, leaning down on my elbows and rubbing the sleep from my weary eyes; knowing it's going to be a very long day. Thankfully I still have one day left before my first day at Weller and Tolls. I made a mental note to make sure I unpack my work attire box before bed.

By 6pm that night, I was utterly exhausted. I contemplated just going to bed early and praying I'd be able to get a good nights sleep before work tomorrow, until I realized just how hungry I was. I guess in my effort to get the apartment unpacked, I had forgotten to eat. I grabbed my phone and ordered some food to be delivered. As I waited, I scrolled through social media. Curiosity was starting to get the better of me and I thought of checking Sebastian's socials to see if he had responded to the rumors about us. Though there was still a part of me that was worried I'd find this long post about how I ruined his relationship, caused a fight for him, and that he hated me.

The more rational side of my brain told me that was highly improbable and I was making things up; but I knew I had to check for myself. I opened Instagram and searched for his name. I scroll down to check out a few of his recent pictures. I clicked on one of his selfies from a few weeks back. I could feel butterflies in my stomach as his blue eyes pierced through the screen. That sweet smile stretched across those soft, light red lips I had been so close to just yesterday. For a brief moment I let my mind wander, thinking about how those lips would taste; how they'd feel against mine.

I snap out of my daydream and check his story. I clicked through a few slides of selfies and promotions of his new movie before coming to the last slide. It was the picture of the two of us in the coffee shop yesterday. He had reposted the news article and added his own caption.

"Hi everyone! I know most of you saw this post last night. I bumped into this lovely lady at Cappa's yesterday. If anyone knows who she is, please tell her to message me. Thanks!"

I felt frozen in place, rooted to the spot on my worn black couch. Is this some kind of joke? There's just no way this is happening, I'm being Punk'd.

A loud knock on my door pulls me out of the trance I'm in. I place my phone down gingerly on my coffee table. I greeted the delivery driver and took my food, though now I had lost my appetite all together. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Clearly he wants to talk to me, but about what? And do I seem too desperate if I actually message him? I paced around my small apartment just overthinking and playing through hundreds of scenarios in my head.

I finally decided to leave it be for the time being. I really needed to focus on getting myself and my things ready for tomorrow. I had already unpacked and picked out an outfit, so I had that laid out. I made sure everything was packed and ready for in the morning and crawled into my cold bed. I fell asleep shortly after my head hit the pillow, the mental exhaustion of the day had finally taken over me.

I swung open the door to my apartment and locked it swiftly behind me. My first day at work had been nearly uneventful. I did get lost on my way in, but thankfully had given myself a little extra extra time to get there, so I didn't end up being late. The day mostly consisted of paperwork and getting introduced around the office. I'd be working in a cubicle for most of my day, but I would have some interactions with my coworkers during meetings and lunches.

I began putting away the groceries I had picked up on the way home. Just a few things for dinner and some stuff to make my lunches for work. I heard my phone chime in my purse and I pull it out to see a text from one of my hometown friends.

"Are you aware that a picture of you in on Sebastian Stan's Instagram??"

Damn. I guess I had that one coming. It was stupid of me to think no one would see his story. It takes me a while to come up with a response to her; not wanting to incite a long conversation about it.

"Yes, I've seen it."

"Have you messaged him yet?"

"Not yet."

I turned my phone on silent and tossed it on the couch. Not yet? Why would I say that? I haven't decided to message him at all, why didn't I just say no? The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was probably acting crazy. I don't even know what he wants to talk about, but here I am again getting worked up about something before there's ever even an issue.

I grab my phone and open Instagram. I search for his name again and click on the button to message him.

"Hey! It's Eliana, from Cappa's yesterday."

I wondered if I should say anything else, but thought it would be better to keep things simple for the time being. Almost immediately he opened and read the message.

"Hey Eliana..."