Firsts

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

I feel all warm inside. I have a boyfriend! I should only be a nerd about this to myself, not to Sebastian seconds after he asks. I don't want him to change his mind. I still feel giddy and happy. The seal bracelet is never coming off of my wrist. It's been a whole week, and I still feel this way. We're going on another date today, this one at the diner. I quite like going to the diner. When I slide into the car, he gives me a kiss on the cheek. I smile and blurt out my thoughts.

"I love that you're my actual boyfriend now. It makes me feel all warm inside." I blush at my words. I was going to try and avoid saying all my cheesy thoughts. Oh well.

"It makes me feel all warm inside that you're my girlfriend. I feel so lucky."

I smile at this, giving him a kiss on the cheek. We pull up to the diner. We go inside and sit at our normal table, talking about normal things until our conversation takes a turn.

"Nia?"

"Yeah?"

"I know I only told you about everything pretty recently and you've only been my girlfriend for a week, but you're the only person that really knows about...everything..."

"Sebastian, let's just pretend we've been dating forever. You can always talk to me. I'm here for ya. Tell me what's on your mind." He sighs and rubs his hands over his face.

"I feel guilty about it all. I can't believe everything I did. I miss my family." There's a small pause. I need to think about this for a moment.
"Well Sebastian, I-well, when I feel guilty about something, I talk to a priest. I think that's what you should do. Er...you don't have to or anything, but he could probably help. I'm sure your family will be understanding. You should try to reconnect through a text or a phone call. You could even try to see them in person."

"You think?"

"Yup."

"I'll talk to a priest if you think it will help."

"I know it will."

"How do I, er, do that?"

"After Mass."

"When we go, we can begin to talk to him...?" He says this as more of a question.

"Yes. We can probably ask for a time that would be good to talk about it or something like that."

"Okay. Thanks, Nia." I smile.

"Everything will be alright for you."

"I hope so."

"So, er Sebastian?"

"Yes?"
"There is something that has been worrying me slightly."

"Tell me."

"I was kind of planning on going home all summer..." I say this seeming uncertain.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that."

"But I don't want to go...I want to stay with my boyfriend." He chuckles at this.

"Why don't you just shorten your time there and come back to spend half of your summer here with your boyfriend?"

"That's a great plan!" I pause for a moment. "Sebastian, did I ever tell you that I love being your girlfriend?" He smirks. We go on talking about random things until the end of our date.

On Sunday, Sebastian did just what he said he would. He talks to a priest. I'm by his side the whole time. Sebastian decides to actually schedule a time for Confession and such. I'm smiling beside him. The fact that he's doing this makes me so happy. He's coming back to the Church. We decide to have yet another brunch. We usually do after Mass, though sometimes we don't due to too much school. It's become a sort of tradition. As we eat, I look up at Sebastian.

"I'm really glad about you talking to a priest and everything."

"Me too. I think I agree with you. He can help me. I've always looked up to priests, and I think it's time I've come back to being a true Catholic. Ever since I've started going to Mass every Sunday with you, I've remembered things about the Church. I'm going to talk to a priest and come back entirely." I feel a little choked up.

"Sebastian, this is the best thing. This is the most beautiful thing that you've said. I'm so glad."

"Thank you Nia, for everything."

I stand up and sit down next to Sebastian to give him a hug. He hugs me back, and we stay like this for a while.