Different Times: Sebastian Sallow x Reader

6 - Fireside

In the middle of replaying everything that almost happened, I completely forget about the gorgeous boy currently covered in sand on my porch.

When I walk outside to watch the sunset, I immediately notice that his entire outfit is coated in sand from when he tackled me.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I say quickly. "I'll show you where the shower is and find you some clean clothes."

I rush him through the door before he can protest.

Sebastian just chuckles while following me, his eyes briefly scanning over me in a way that makes my cheeks heat up again.

Once I get him into the bathroom, I hurry to my room and start rummaging through my trunks for anything that might fit him.

Eventually I find an old band tee and a pair of gray sweats that might work.

It's the best I can do.

I knock lightly on the bathroom door.

"Sebastian?"

The shower is already running.

I quietly open the door just enough to place the clothes on the counter before shutting it again.

When I return to the living room, Anne is sitting comfortably in front of the fireplace.

"You two looked like you had fun," she says, wiggling her eyebrows at me. "Although his face looked very serious when you came back."

"I don't understand him," I groan, dropping onto the couch. "He was furious this morning, then he was the same person I talked to last night, and now he's back to being angry again."

Anne nods thoughtfully.

"Sebastian has trouble opening up," she explains gently. "After everything that happened at school, he's built a lot of walls."

She smiles slightly.

"But he's opening up to you very quickly. I think that scares him."

Heat creeps up my face.

"You're giving me way too much credit," I laugh nervously. "I think the medicine just makes him loopy."

Even as I say it, the thought lingers in the back of my mind.

Getting close to this boy could either be the best thing that ever happens to me... or the worst heartbreak.

"I found some pajamas for you tonight," I say quickly, changing the subject. "If you want to shower."

Anne's face immediately lights up.

"Thank you," she says gratefully. "Sleeping in this outfit again would have been awful."

I hand her a soft T-shirt and a pair of flannel pajama pants.

Right then, I hear footsteps behind me.

"What are you two talking about?"

Sebastian's voice makes me turn around—

—and immediately regret it.

His hair is still damp, droplets of water trailing down his bare chest. He's only wearing the gray sweats.

I have to physically bite my tongue to keep my brain from malfunctioning.

"None of your business," Anne says smugly as she grabs the pajamas and disappears into the bathroom.

I laugh softly at her tone while Sebastian walks over and sits beside me on the couch.

I try to keep my eyes focused on the fire.

But the faint smell of vanilla and old books drifts from him, pulling my attention back.