Seeing You Again: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Eleven

Sebastian

These past few days I've spent in classes and on the Quidditch field. Poppy shares updates on Amara's progress. She's walking around and has healed remarkably well. Rylan should be relieved he only knocked the wind out of her. I don't know what I would have done if her ribs broke because of him.

It's been a week since the dueling incident, and while Amara has healed physically, Poppy tells me that she seems off. Amara isn't the type to talk your ear off, but she's also not the type to wallow in the depths of her mind. She's shy, but once you get to know her, her true personality shines.

I want to give her time. I hurt her feelings, and she hurt mine. I'm not concerned about my emotions, though. I know she didn't mean what she said to me. We're both hot-headed. Firing insults and words we'll regret later is what we do best.

Amara left, and I may not ever agree with her reasonings. But she's back now, and I would be a fool to push her away. I can't lose her again.

I drop my gear on the sidelines of the field and stretch my arms. My teammates are scattered. Some are flying, others are stretching, a few linger and chat as we wait for practice to start.

"Sallow," Imelda greets me.

"Yes?" I ask as I roll my eyes.

"How are you?" Her voice is smooth as she tries to flirt with me.

"Fine," I respond plainly.

"You look good." Her eyes rake over my body. Admiring my arms and how they bulge underneath my long-sleeve green jersey.

"Why don't you stretch before practice starts?" I ask while gesturing across the field, hoping she gets the hint.

"I like this view better."

I glare at her.

"How's Amara?" she asks with a smirk.

"She's fine," I bite out.

"Did you talk to her?"

"Why is that your concern?" I sigh.

"I'm only looking out for you." She shrugs, but I see past her act.

"Amara is fine. I'm fine. We're fine." I aim to walk past her, but she grabs my forearm and stops me.

"I know when you're lying, Sebastian. You seem tense. Why don't I help you with that?" she whispers seductively.

"Fuck off, Imelda." I free myself from her grasp and hop on my broom.

"It was just a joke!" she giggles before settling on her own broom.

I'm sick of Imelda's "jokes" and lame attempts at trying to get me back into her bed. There's only one girl on my mind right now, and the sooner practice is over, the sooner I can check on her.

As a beater on the team, my responsibility is to protect my teammates from bludgers and the other players. It requires strength and unwavering focus, the one thing I don't have right now.

"Watch out!" I call out as a bludger almost hits one of the new players. He swerves out of the way just in time, and I sigh in relief.

That would have been a nasty hit...

"Focus, Sallow!" Coach Kowaga shouts from further down the field.

Sweat drips from the brow. I wipe the perspiration and dirt from my eyes and scan my surroundings. Our new seeker is chasing the snitch. Two chasers are working together to score up ahead. Out of the corner of my eye, another bludger rockets toward me. Without looking, I use my bat and hit it toward an opposing player.