Recollections

The Time We Faced Seth

The Time We Faced Seth
(song of the chapter: Heart Like Yours // Willamette Stone)

"I have nothing to apologize for."

My blood is boiling beneath the shelter of my skin. Typically when Austin takes this tone with me, I'd be cowering in defeat. It's so rare that he's angry, and tonight is one of those rarities. Except I'm not in the wrong this time, so I'm standing my ground.

"Austin, I swear to god, Austin." My empty threat fumbles off of my lips as I realize I have nothing to follow up that statement with. "Go back in there and apologize. Now." My words fly out like darts.

His tense back is facing towards me and my bravery wavers slightly as he turns around to face me. His cheek is swollen and I almost go to him immediately, but I resist.

How did I let this happen? Why did I think that coming to a party with both my boyfriend and ex-boyfriend would be a good idea when I know how they both feel about each other, about me.

"Fuck, Erin!" He belts out, fisting his hair viciously. With two long strides he's right in front of me and it takes all of my self control not to back away from him. "Seth is an asshole. I'm an asshole, but Seth--he's a whole new breed of asshole."

My fingernails are digging into the palm of my other hand. His blue eyes are ablaze and I can't hold his fierce stare so I turn my face away from him. "Can you please explain to me what the hell you are talking about? Because what I saw in there was absurd. One minute we're all having a great time during Elena's party then the next you have Seth on his back."

Austin begins to pace. "For the last time, Erin, he's using her."

I step in front of him to stop his pacing. My hands tangle in the material of his dark t-shirt and I stare up at him to study his face. "Who?" I calmly ask.

He noticeably relaxes beneath my touch. "Seth. He's using Elena." A strong sigh pushes out of his mouth and he shakes his head for a second before looking back down at me. "All night I've watched him curled up beside my sister, wondering how--if he was as in love with you as he claimed--was he able to move on from you so quickly and with your best friend--my sister--of all people. Then I start to gradually notice the way he looks at you after every time he kisses her." He doesn't have to tell me that her is Elena.

I listen as he continues. "All night he's been with her, trying to get a rise out of you. Then finally he did it again and I snapped, Erin." Austin's breathing heavy and I'm rubbing his cheek, where Elena slapped him, soothingly.

"Seth would never do that." I assure him. "We're all past that. Elena and I are past that, and she's forgiven me. It's all in your head baby."

He squeezes his eyes closed. "Erin, it's not. Seth is using my sister to try and piss me off and make you jealous."

His eyes remain closed and I take the opportunity to examine his face. The red splotch on his cheek is starting to dissolve and my eyes linger on his lips. Their slightly swollen from Austin biting on them in his fit of rage. I'm tempted to lean in and kiss them, but I know now isn't the most appropriate time.

"Baby," I whisper. "Let's go in, apologize to Seth and Elena. Not for punching him, but for disturbing her party. Nobody else knows why you abruptly punched the shit out of Elena's boyfriend. Swallow your pride and do it for me. And Elena."

I can feel his resolve start to subside so I take his hand in mine and start to lead him back into the building. Loud, thumping music rattles my bones and I scan the crowd for Elena and Seth. Bodies seem to part for me and Austin as they realize that he's the one who was just in a fight.