A Fresh Start

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

When I woke up on Monday morning I was almost as nervous as on the first day of school. After all, I had fled the dance in tears like some sort of deranged cinderella, I didn't blame my peers for thinking I was a little crazy. Thankfully I managed to catch Lee after the dance to explain my rejection. I was surprised when he ended up being pretty understanding about the whole thing, he said he understood being hung up on someone better than most. 

Lee's forgiveness gave me one less daemon to face down this morning, however I wasn't looking forward to the strange looks I'd get at school or Janie's Spanish inquisition that I was sure to receive. Taking a deep breath I walked down the stairs and into the bright morning light.

Ben greeted me cheerfully as always, but when I looked around for his brother I ended up disappointed. "Where's Sebastion?" I asked, guilt knawing on my mind, I didn't want to be the reason Sebastion had to go to school early. "Oh, you know him, always up and about. He headed in early to get some stuff done." I nodded my head at Ben, pasting a smile on my face as guilt overtook me. 

Ben was his cheerful self, but he shot down every inquiry about Sebastion with a flimsy excuse. I figured Ben had told him some excuse that was serious enough to be believable but also stopped him from discussing it with me. Before I knew it I was sitting in first period next to the subject of my worries. Ben and I had arrived just as the bells were ringing allowing me a temporary escape from socializing with Janie, I loved her, but she was a bit of a gossip.  

"Where were you this morning?" I hissed at Sebastion as Mr. Cobalt started going over the homework, "I was here, I just came in a little early." I felt heart sink from the weight of the guilt weighing heavily on me. "I hope you're not doing that just to avoid me, that's not what I meant when I said we should have some space. I don't want you to inconvenience yourself-" Before I could keep rambling on Sebastion cut me off: "Look, Marie, not everything is about you okay." I drew away from him, hurt by his sudden annoyance. Before I could snap back at him he apologized. "I'm sorry Marie, I didn't mean it like that, I-I've just got a lot of stuff going on right now." As he turned towards me to apologize I could see the purple bags under his eyes, but more concerning was the sadness the lurked inside of them. I wanted so badly to find out what was weighing on him so heavily, but before I could inquire further Mr.Cobalt started his lesson.

The day passed in a blur of essays and equations and by the time it was over I was ready to go home but knew soccer practice awaited me. Just as I started making my way towards the field a bright voice chirped "Marie wait up, you need to tell me what happened at the dance!" I closed my eyes and prepared for a flood of questions. For the next fifteen minutes, I answered Janie's questions, leaving Sebastion's name out of it of course. She wasn't happy about the concealment of what she deemed my "mystery man" but after coach blew her whistle even Janie was too out of breath to pepper me with questions.

After practice, I started walking up the hill towards home before hearing a voice. "Hey beautiful, need a ride?" Noooo all I wanted to do was go home and get in bed, the last thing I wanted to do was deal with this egotistical dick. "No Sam, we've been over this I do not need a ride from you. Not today, not tomorrow not ever." I smiled slightly at my comeback, knowing that I delivered the hint in neon yellow letters. "Come on babe, a pretty girl like you shouldn't be walking alone." Damn it, Sam was so persistent. "She won't be, we're walking together, right Marie." I looked at Sebastion sending Sam a death glare that strangely reminded me of Gloria. "Yup, that's right," I replied quickly, catching on to Sebastion's plan. "That means you can go now Sam, I don't really think Marie wants or needs your protection." I stifled a laugh at Sam's red face and murderous expression. "Alright Thomas, you want to go there?" I flinched at the idea of these two fighting, though Sebastion had a couple of inches on Sam, I could tell that it wouldn't be pretty. While I was worrying Sam's words seem to have no effect on Sebastion. "You know Sam, I've noticed you slacking off in practice. I'd really hate to ask coach to bench ya, but you know as the captain you've got to do what you gotta do." I looked over to a slack-jawed Sam, his face was still red with rage, but now with worry quickly taking over his features. "Fine, see you later Marie" he mumbled as he stalked off. "I hope not," I mumbled, and Sebastion laughed, apparently having heard me.