No Way Out

Chapter 8 - Boyfriend Or Not?

Hey everyone! Important-ish A/N at the end. Ok so here you go!

Chapter 8

"NOOO!!!" I shrieked as Sebb started flicking hot cheese at me.

The pair eventually settled for cheese fondue, for those that don't know - that is when you dip bread and other stuff in a pot of melted cheese while its heated by a mini fire underneath. So like a bonfire... On your table.

After getting out of the subway station and strolling for about half an hour, going by brightly lit neon signs, large wooden restaurant signs, we settled for the small corner restaurant that was newly established recently. I had yet to try it, been a bit busy hailing cabs and going to the cave and well... You know what happens from there.

He simple chuckled at my hopeless attempt to get away from the cheese-dipped bread that was he was teasingly bringing closer to my face. My squirming had a few perplexed gazes come my way from the waiters and other customers. I glared at Sebb who was obviously enjoying my discomfort, give off a slight smug smirk which let his one dimple show.

"Stop it, it's not funny," I huffed and him, blowing my fringe up to show my frustration towards him.

He smiled cheekily at me, "Nah, I like making you squirm."

I stuck my tongue out at him while he rolled his eyes at me, "Ooh, the ice princess has humor in her."

A small chuckle left my lips but soon it dropped an I faced Sebb who was now focusing on dipping his bread in the cheese to perfection.

"The what?"

He looked up as he shoved the piece of bread is his mouth and muffled a response with a confused expression to match.

"Whf Whf? [What, what?]" Sebb asked, eyebrows slightly raised and scrunched.

"The 'Ice Princess'," I said while making air quotation marks with my fingers, "What do you mean by that?"

All confusion washed off of his face before being covered with realization and understanding.

"Wait, you mean you don- uh never mind," he stopped himself as if he was about to say too much.

"continue, don't stop. What were you about to say?" I said, tugging his sleeve, ever so lightly without even my own brain processing what was happening.

I pulled back, and looked away but not before sneaking a small glance at Sebb who was confused and as if having an internal battle with himself, unsure of what to do.

He probably doesn't want to hurt me, I think to myself. He thinks I'm weak, that Id give into the ruthless rumors that I'm conveniently immune to... Half of the time. Don't get me wrong, they get to me. I get upset, but I sometimes cry but that's hardly ever.

A gentle warmth creeps into my eyes as I look down and softly say, "You know, you can tell me, hey? I.. I don't really mind what people say about me, we all have opinions. I'm, apparently so, the 'Ice Princess' to them and they, to me, are heartless, judgmental students. I'm better than taking them to heart. "

He smiles slightly, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"and know that you don't have to be strong all the time either. It's ok to let go a little once in while."

I, not quite understanding what he's trying to say, nod anyways.

"So what's this 'Ice Princess' about?" I say, forcing a smile to lighten the slight tension and serious mood.

Sebb scratches the back of his neck, not quite sure what to say.

"Well ever since a few years back, rumors came up about... Your past." Sebb shifts a bit, uncomfortable with the topic.