In a heartbeat

Chapter 12: The calm before the Storm

Carlos' pov
Miss Jenn had to drive Nini to the bus station and told us to work on our be our guest ideas until she gets back. Everything is kind of a mess between me and Gina. We have some creative differences. She pitches her idea and then I pitch mine. The lights flicker and then go out. Whoa- what?
"I missed an alert, Salt Lake just got half a foot of snow!" Seb exclaims.
"my dad says all the roads are closed," Ricky says.
Gina takes charge and sends us all to get supplies. Seb and I make it back first and sit in the bomb shelter, holding hands. I rub the back of his hand with my thumb.
"You okay love?" he asks.
"I'm really glad you're here with me, " I say.
"Aww, me too," he says.
Gina comes in and sits facing us.
"You guys okay?" She asks.
"Yeah, we're okay," Seb says.
"Listen Carlos. About the dance, maybe you should just choreograph it yourself," she says.
"Wait, what? No, I need you!"
"Huh?" She prompts.
"Um..." Seb gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm...really freaked out to be on stage this semester," I explain.
"Oh. Well, we can do the dance however makes you comfortable. I mean it, I've got your back, " she says.
"Thank you, " I say,  getting up to hug her.
I sit back down next to Seb and he wraps his arm around me. Gina smiles then Big Red and Ash come in with blankets. They hand us one and hand one to Gina before setting the rest down and sitting down. Everyone else files in and we talk while we wait out the storm. Howie arrives with pizza. Finally, the storm passes and the roads are clear. Seb and I head to my car to head home. I start the car and drive to his house. I park and wait for him to get out.
"Sebby?"
He unbuckles and leans over to kiss me. I kiss him back as he wraps his arms around me. I break the kiss.
"You should go in. Your parents are probably worried," I say.
"One more," he says, kissing me again.
I chuckle and shoo him out of the car. I wait until he makes it inside then drive away.
Seb's pov
I enter the house to see both my parents waiting for me. My mom rushes to hug me.
"Oh, Sebby. Thank goodness. We were so worried," she says.
My dad joins the hug.
"I'm okay. We just waited out the storm at school.  Mr. Mazzara was there," I say.
"Oh good," my dad says.
"How'd you get home?" my mom asks.
"Carlos."
"Who's Carlos?" my dad asks.
"uh- a friend," I say. "I'm tired, going to head to bed," I add.
We say goodnight and I head upstairs. I change into pajamas and my phone buzzes.
C: hey baby. Made it home safe
S: good,  thanks for telling me 😘
S: Love you
C: Love you too,  night baby 😘
S: night ❤️
Someone knocks on my door.
"Seb? Can I come in?" my mom asks.
"yeah," I say.
She enters the room and sits down next to me on the bed.
"you know you can tell your dad about Carlos right? He'd support you," she says.
"I hope so. But I'm not ready yet," I say.
"It's okay Sebby. Get some rest okay? I love you," she says.
"Love you too, " I say.
She turns off the light and closes the door.