Forever

Chapter 22: Exposed

July 17th, 2016 –

"Are you ready?" Anthony leaned against the door of your dressing room, watching you inspect your outfit for last minute flaws. You waved your hand, nodding as you adjusted the headband you were wearing.

"Yeah, just have to finish fussing over myself as usual. Where's Sebastian?"

"No clue. I stopped by his room just now, and he wasn't there. Might already be down in the hall. C'mon, let's go, Y/N!" Anthony clapped his hands, and you shot him a dirty look as you grabbed your jacket.

//

You were chatting up a storm with Paul Rudd, Elizabeth, and Tom when you heard your name. You turned around, instantly smiling when you saw Sebastian and Chris walking towards you. You met them halfway, practically leaping up into Sebastian's arms. He chuckled in your ear as he hugged you tightly, and you felt Chris' hand on your shoulder.

"Long time no see, kiddo."

"I am no kid, Evans." You pulled away from Sebastian to pull Chris into a hug, just as Sebastian called out to you.

"Y/N, I brought you something," You looked over your shoulder, watching Sebastian's PA hand him two coffee cups.

"Oh, thank God! You know me too well, Seba." You cupped his cheek as he handed you your cup, and you couldn't help but smile when he leaned into your touch.

-

August, 2016 –

"I can't believe it's your last day here for the next 4 months!"

"I know; how will you survive without me, Y/N?" Sebastian creased his eyebrows in fake concern, as you doubled over in laughter. You were in your kitchen, eating Indian takeout on the floor. You almost spat your food out everywhere, and Sebastian couldn't help but laugh with you.

"Ha, oh God, I missed these moments. So much." Sebastian met your gaze, and he flashed you a toothy grin before shoveling more food into his mouth.

-

September 18th, 2016 –

"Oh my god!! I can't believe you're actually here!!" You had your face buried in Sebastian's chest, feeling the vibrations from his laughter as you held on tighter, afraid to let go.

"Hey doll, I promise I'm not going anywhere." He whispered gently in your ear, just as he pulled away to admire you.

"What do you mean? You live in New York, silly."

"Not anymore, he doesn't." Anthony appeared at Sebastian's side, gripping his shoulder as he smiled at you.

"Happy anniversary – I'm moving back to L.A.!" You practically screamed as you hugged Sebastian again, and you could hear all your friends laughing and cheering as they watched you.

"How?! What about the lease in New York?"

"Mackie found me a nice little place out here, and the owners were moving to New York – what're the odds? I'm subletting the place to them 'til the lease ends, and then they'll officially move in, and I just finished signing the lease on their place yesterday!"

"This is the best surprise ever!! Oh, I'm so happy, Seba, you're back!" You hugged him again, inhaling his cologne as he nuzzled his nose in your hair – how I wish we could just stay like this forever...

-

October 21st, 2016/PD –

You snapped out of your reminiscing when you heard your door buzzer ringing. You scrambled out of the kitchen, nearly tripping over the hallway rug as you pressed the button to let your guest in. You pulled your hair back into a messy ponytail, just as a knock sounded against the door. Making sure you didn't look like a complete train wreck, you opened the door.

"This better be it, Y/N."

-

"So, let me get this straight. You've decided you're breaking up with Chad because you've finally realized you've always been in love with Sebastian?"

"Okay, no, I did not just realize that I've always been in love with him, I said that I finally acknowledge I have feelings for him, idiot."

"Ok, yeah, same thing??" You rolled your eyes as you punched Anthony in the arm, earning a loud yelp.

"No, not the same thing!! I also realized that if I could've just realized this all sooner, instead of living in an idealistic bubble, I could've prevented this entire mess from happening, and I ha-"

"Do not say you hate yourself, Y/N, or so help me God, I will punch you right back. None of what happened was your fault. Stop blaming yourself, woman!" Anthony rolled his eyes as you groaned, pulling out your ponytail. You walked over to the living room, throwing yourself onto the couch, all distressed, as Anthony headed for the kitchen. You sat up and watched as Mackie helped himself to the chips and soda Chad had brought the night before.

"So, what's the plan?" Anthony lets his question linger in the air as he continues rifling through your cabinets, his back to you. You sigh, lying back down as you tried to come up with something, anything.

"I don't know."

"Really? You finally make a decision, and now you don't know how to deliver the news?"

"Yeah, Mackie, I really don't know how. This is not something people tend to be prepared for, you know? Breaking up with their significant other for someone else..."

"Well, my advice is, don't tell Sebastian the way you told me, because that was a tragedy that no one else needs to hear or see." You shot him a dirty look, before reaching behind you, and throwing a couch cushion at his head.

"Hey! Not nice!"

"Don't be a dick, and help me!! We're having dinner tonight, and I-"

"Seriously?! You're gonna have dinner with the guy right after admitting you have feelings for him?! My god, woman, what has gotten in to you?"

"Mackie, listen! You're coming, too. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! You're going." Anthony groaned as he threw the cushion back at you, downing the last of his drink before heading to your wine rack.

"I cannot be sober for this dinner."

"Oh, shut up, it won't be bad."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because we're going to act like everything's normal."

"So, you're not telling Sebastian at dinner? Then what's the point of dinner?" Anthony scoffed as he opened a bottle, filling his glass to the top.

"Uh, food? We are going as friends, Anthony. You and I should work out how I break the news to Chad first. Did you forget about him?"

"Ah, shit. He's gonna kill me."

"What, why?" You raised an eyebrow as he took a long sip from his glass.

"He's been venting to me about all this stuff, and if he finds out I knew about this and didn't tell him,"

"No, no. This is our business. He has no right to be mad at you. Only me. All of this, is on me."

"Alright, Y/N. You ready to come up with something?"

-

"Why are you freaking out? He's your best friend first, relax!"

"Mackie, after you fall in love with your best friend and have yet to tell them, then you can tell me to relax. So, shut up!! Oh shit, he's here. Bye," You hung up before Anthony could reply, and you let Sebastian in via buzzer, while you fussed over your hair in the hallway mirror. You reapplied your lip gloss, internally freaking out, and you didn't know what to do with yourself. Who knew harboring a secret like this would make me want to run and hide? How did Sebastian do it all this time?

Three sharp knocks sounded behind you, and you gave yourself one last glance before walking up to the door. You unlocked it, practically swinging it open, revealing Sebastian. He was wearing a maroon button down, black jeans, his hair loose, tucked neatly behind his ears. He smiled at you, holding out a small bouquet of your favorite flowers – white roses. You met his eyes, and couldn't help but smile at the sparkle and adoration that filled them.

I can't believe this is finally real.