New Girl In Town (1) ✔️

Cocoa Break

The longer we sit there, the more I let my friends words weigh on my mind.  I'm starting to feel slightly unsettled. Do our friends have a point? Sebastian and I have only been together for less than two months. Can we handle the pressure of competing against each other? I'm biting my lip as I slip off Sebastian's lap, grabbing my empty wine glass off the end table.

He stops in the middle of the conversation he was having with Thad, Nick and Quinn, what about I'm not sure, and looks up at me. Instantly his hand shoots out as he grabs my wrist before I can leave him. "Pretty Girl are you okay??" He is looking at me, green eyes full of so much concern.  I just bite my lip and shake my head ever so slightly.  He sighs and rises to his feet.

Quickly he addresses our friends, "Guys, we're going to make that hot chocolate for everyone now.  You all want some?"  As far as I can see everyone nods, well except for Jeff who raises his hands in the air.  Rachel looks over from the DVD rack somewhat concerned. "Do you guys need help?"  Sebastian just shakes his head and ushers me into the kitchen taking the wine glass from my hand.

Once we are in the other room I lean against the center island and place my head in my hands.  Sebastian comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "Shannon, are you going to tell me what's wrong? I love you so much, you know I can't stand to see you upset."

I raise my face from my hands as Sebastian gently turns me around so that I can look up at him.  Still I keep my eyes downcast until he places a finger under my chin to lift it slightly.  "Princess, please tell me what is wrong..."  I sigh and finally look into his eyes, they are full of so many emotions, love, worry, questioning.  Softly I breathe out "Sebastian..."

He just pulls me close so I can rest my head on his chest.  I let his heartbeat relax me some as he runs his hand over my hair.  "Love, what has you so worried? Is it the competition talk?"  I nod.  He just sighs and gently kisses my head.  "Shannon, you don't have to worry.  Nothing can change our love, how we feel about each other.  One hand, one heart remember?"

I pull away slightly so I can finally look up at him. "Maybe we really are star-crossed lovers. I mean, meeting and falling hopelessly for each other. Despite the odds. From rival teams." He leans down and softly strokes my cheek with his finger. "We're not Tony and Maria, Love. We are Sebastian and Shannon. Both stronger and more stubborn than we look. I know that we will fight to stay together. We're bigger than the competition, bigger than high school. Princess you make me whole and a better person..." I smile and rise slightly on my toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

We savor that kiss for a few minutes before he pulls away, placing a smaller kiss on my forehead.  Gently he grabs my hand in his.  "Feeling better?"  I give him a small smile, "Why must it be so difficult to be 17?" He just shrugs and laughs softly, "Which is precisely why I've been pulling for us to run away, a nice little elopement and begin our lives together now."

I move slowly out of his grasp to fill up the kettle, setting it on the stove top and then grabbing the hot chocolate mix from the pantry.  Sebastian busies himself grabbing various mugs and finally the whipped cream from the refrigerator.   I lean against the counter and just look at him across from me.  "You know Sebby, I'm starting to like that option more and more.  It's not like I want to rush growing up, I just really want to be with you."

He nods to me as the kettle begins to whistle. The noise draws Rachel in from the other room and silently she begins to help us.  Kettle in hand she finally looks to me, "Shann are you okay?"  Sebastian comes over and wraps his arms gently around me.  "I think I am now."  She nods at me as he lets me go so he can finish up the drinks and taking the first batch in to everyone.

Once Sebastian is out of the room Rachel takes the opportunity to talk to me. "Shannon, please don't worry about the competition.  I know I got on you in the beginning because of the whole 'dating the enemy' thing, but Sebastian is so much different than what we thought he was. It's weird, but you mellow him out so much and he brings out your playful nature. Honestly it's like you're two halves of the same whole. Like you were made for each other. I really can't wait for your wedding."

Her comments may just have been what I needed to hear, approval from Broadway Berry herself.  I have a giant smile on my face as I launch myself at her. Wrapping my arms around her neck and squeezing tightly, thankfully she and I are about the same height. She awkwardly pats my back and then I hear her barely getting out breathe....

I pull back, loosening my grip some. "What was that Rach?"  She sputters out again, a little louder this time. "Breathe.  I can't breathe...."  Instantly I fly back towards the counter, releasing my grip on her.  I lower my eyes to the floor and murmur a soft sorry.

I hear soft laughter and I look up again to see Sebastian standing beside Rachel. "I thought you guys were friends Princess. It looks like you tried to kill her." She just chuckles and grabs more of the mugs, throwing a wink at me before she leaves the kitchen.

Only two cups are left, mine and Sebastian's. He begins working on our drinks. "Sebastian..." He raises his eyes from the counter, whipped cream can in hand. "Yes Love?" I come and stand by his side, taking the can out of his hand. "She approves...."

He blinks a few times, trying to comprehend. "She approves?" I just nod my head. "She thinks we were made for each other. 'Two halves of the same whole.' And she's looking forward to our wedding..."

Sebastian turns to me in complete disbelief.  "Holy crap?!