Broken Together (Shane X Reader)

Chapter Eight

You find yourself standing in front of the entrance to the Stardrop Saloon, unable to take the final step forward. Why are you this nervous? Whatever. It doesn't matter. You've come too far to turn around and head back home. You take a deep breath and reach for the door handle.

Suddenly, the door swings open towards you, almost knocking you in the face. A tall, thin, man with long black hair stands before you. His pale skin reflecting in the moonlight.

" 'Scuse me." He says, walking right past you, almost knocking you to your feet again. The man reaches into his hoodie's pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. You watch as he takes the cigarette between his lips and lights it in a single fluid motion. "Can I help you?" He asks, staring back at you with a raised eyebrow.

Shit. You didn't even realize you were staring.

"Ah, sorry. You startled me is all. I'll leave you be." You reply, quickly reaching for the Saloon door, avoiding eye contact with the dark man.

"Wait." His voice stops you dead in your tracks. "You're the new girl Shane invited right?" You feel your face heat up again at the mention of his name.

"Uh... yes. I'm [Y/N]. I've been in town for about a week now. Are you a friend of his?" You let go of the door once again and walk back over to the strange man. Maybe he could tell you more about Shane?

The man blew out a large puff of smoke before he began to speak. "I'm Sebastian, and I wouldn't exactly call Shane my friend. I barely know the guy. The only reason I ask is 'cause my buddy Sam invited him. He's the one who set this whole thing up tonight." You watch as Sebastian pulls another cigarette out of the carton and gestures for you to take it. You place it in between your soft lips as the man lights the end of it. You take a long drag and feel your lungs inhale the smoke. You immediately start coughing.

"S- Sorry," You say choking on the air in between words. "It's been a while."

He tries to hide a smirk by quickly turning his head away from you. "Just don't die or anything" He snorts, failing to hide his laughter.

You finally begin to catch your breath. "So who all am I about to meet tonight?" You ask, taking another drag. "And why are you out here avoiding them?"

Sebastian looks at the ground before he speaks, almost as if he's searching for the answer in the grass below him.

"Well, here tonight is Sam, Alex, Abigail, Shane, Emily, and her sister Haley. Sam and Abigail are my buddies, so I'm not out here 'cause of them. It's the others here that stress me out. Alex and Haley are much too outgoing and superficial, whereas Emily is just all-out crazy. And Shane, well... he's just too antisocial. And that's coming from me."

You're a little surprised by his answer. Who knew he was so observant of everybody in town even though he barely speaks to anyone besides Sam and Abigail.

"And what do you think of me so far?" You ask jokingly.

He eyes you up and down. "You seem okay. You haven't given me any reason to think you're a bitch yet so that's a plus. The only thing I know for certain about you is that you have a serious thing for Shane."

You immediately begin to choke once more. Partly from the cigarette, and partly from shock. "What the hell gave you that idea?" You respond after catching your breath. What does this kid think he's talking about? Are you really that obvious?

He chuckles again. "Well for one, the fact that you choked the moment I mentioned his name, and two, I have a natural talent for reading people."

You feel more blood rush to your cheeks as you take a final drag of your cigarette. Whether or not this guy had a natural talent or not you knew it was obvious what your feelings towards Shane were. How could they not be? You had never been very good at hiding your intentions, no matter how hard you wish you could. You flick the cigarette butt onto the pavement and squash it with the heel of your shoe.