Side Effects |a Sebastian Sallow story|

Secrets and Truths*

*Mature Content and Alcohol Use Warning*

(If you aren't interested in reading the Mature content you can stop reading at the scene break where Seb escorts Kate away from their friends during the party game)

It would have been considered inappropriate, sneaking back into the common room at sunrise with a boy, but Kathryn wasn't bothered by the stares or teasing looks of her house mates. 

Isaac split from her to head back to his own dormitory as Kathryn made her own way back to her own, both of them needing a change of clothes and to gather their books for the day. 

Falling asleep in the clock tower window wasn't in the plans for the evening but after a bottle of wine and emotional conversation, the two were left feeling exhausted and accidentally dozed off, the chiming of the morning bell waking them from slumber. 

"Sallow was here last night looking for you." Poppy greeted her friend as she entered the dormitory. 

Kathryn halted in the doorway. "Whatever for? I told him I didn't want to speak to him." she huffed, continuing inside and opening the wardrobe containing her clothes. 

Poppy hummed in response, "Don't worry. He received a face full of vinegar. But I did have to go out and greet him since he wouldn't stop shouting your name outside and letting out a few choice words when the spray kept hitting him." 

"Good, I'm glad something of inconvenience ruined his evening as well." Kathryn spoke bitterly, still hurt over the scene with Nellie she walked in on. 

Tilting her head to the side, Poppy furrowed her brows. "Okay what is it? I thought you two were on the mend of your friendship. I mean I know it's been a rocky start but you seemed a bit happier now that he's back?" she questioned, taking a seat on the end of Kathryn's bed. 

Kathryn tossed her worn shirt over the top of the changing screen as she grabbed a clean one to put on. "So did I." she supplied, tossing her worn skirt over the top as well. "Then I found him tongue deep inside Nellie's mouth in the greenhouse last night." 

The words were coming out more harsh than intended, and Kathryn wasn't sure why it bothered her so much. Sebastian wasn't her boyfriend and they weren't in an exclusive arrangement. In fact she wasn't sure there was an arrangement at all. He could do as he pleases. 

Poppy gasped at the news. "Well, I suppose that makes sense. Sebastian and Nellie used to court during Third and Fourth year. Although I always assumed Nellie wasn't that interested in him since she would yell at him all the time or turn her nose up at gifts he got her." 

Kathryn stepped out from behind the changing screen, still buttoning her shirt with a perplexed look on her face. "Wait, really? Sebastian and Nellie?" she couldn't hide the shock in her voice. This was information she didn't know and Kathryn wasn't expecting her friend to say this. 

The other girl nodded. "You know I'm not one to indulge in gossip but sometimes their fights were so bad it was hard not to notice everyone talking about them. Apparently Nellie would start arguments because he couldn't shower her in expensive gifts and nice dinners. Often complaining that she was tired of flowers and random picnics in the highlands." Poppy spoke, her mouth turning into a frown as she relayed the story.