Celebrity Status (currently being revised to 1st person) Walk of Fame-- Book 1

Chapter Fourteen

 "Your screams they fade, they fall away, silence in the air,

Your tears run dry, sweet lullaby, you're hollow everywhere,

Watch your tongue and keep in check, just stay away from me,

You can't pretend it matters now, my beautiful catastrophe."

- Bach's Revenge debut album, track 1

In a matter of seconds, Sebastian's problem was ejected from the number one spot, quickly replaced by Lane's.

The look on his face must've been something because Lane stood. "Forget it, I shouldn't have said anything."

Sebastian bolted upright and grabbed onto Lane's wrist. "No man, no, stay. I'm sorry if my reaction wasn't what you wanted. It's just, I just, I mean, I had no idea."

"You think I'm messed up, don't you?" Lane accused.

Sebastian shook his head almost violently. "No. No, I don't think that at all. Honestly. It's just a little shocking."

Lane flopped back down on his chair. "Yeah, it was shocking to me too."

Sebastian racked his brain for something remotely intelligent to say. "For how long?" That wasn't it. Damn it. He chewed on his lip. "I don't mean, I mean, I know you're born that way. I meant to ask how long have you known?"

"Without question, since I was fourteen or so," Lane answered.

"So right around the time--"

"I met Sawyer," Lane finished for him.

"Wow," Sebastian said. "That's some serious stuff to keep to yourself. Does anyone else know?"

"My parents," Lane said. "They're cool with it. Especially my mom, she's awesome. My dad took a while to warm up to idea but he's come around."

"That's good," Sebastian said. "I'm glad you haven't being carrying this completely alone. Does Robbie know?"

Lane's eyes went wide. "No. You can't say anything to him, or Sawyer."

"I won't," Sebastian said. "I swear. But if my opinion matters at all, I think you should tell them."

"You know Sawyer would kick my ass," Lane said.

Sebastian shrugged. "Sawyer talks big, but that's about it. We are the only family he's got. He wouldn't kick your ass."

Lane looked at him incredulously. "He's a close minded redneck."

Sebastian smiled mostly because Lane had a very valid point. "True, maybe you should fall in love with me, might be easier."

"Sorry. You're too...pretty."

He looked at his friend and laughed. Lane was a constant. Always reliable, forever likable, Lane. "I'm glad you told me," he said. "And for the record, I'm not pretty I just look this way."

Lane rolled his eyes as he poured another shot.

Charlie examined herself in the mirror. Thanks to her mother's trip to the supermarket and her purchase of fresh cucumber, her eyes weren't swollen anymore. But all the cucumbers in the world couldn't take the redness from them, for that, she'd gotten eye drops. She needed to look her best if she was going to follow through with her plan. She needed to tell Mitch, to admit to him she'd made a terrible judgment call and beg for his forgiveness. She loved Mitch, she truly did. The idea of being with Sebastian was nothing more than temporary insanity. That had to be it. There was no other logical explanation.