Priceless

Chapter 6

Sebastian and I had spent the majority of the day wandering around the mall. We watched movies, ate food, tried on clothes and even looked at dogs up for adoption.

"I like this one." I pointed to a black Labrador puppy with a pink bow. "Her name's Lily, just like your aunt."

Sebastian laughed and took out his phone to take a picture. I assumed he was texting it to Lily and I laughed. We walked away to look around the mall some more. We were back around Journey's again and I looked around for Ben. He was nowhere in sight but I didn't mind. I saw a store and grabbed Sebastian's hand to pull him into it.

"Have you smelled this? It smells soooo good." I grabbed a bubble bath off the shelf in Bath & Body Works. Sebastian smelled it and nodded his head.

"It does." He reached for a different one and we spent time smelling so many soaps they all ended up smelling the same. We left the store and began to walk to another. We were close enough to brush arms and it made me question him. Each moment caused his arm to touch mine, grazing his fingers over the back of my hand. I cleared my throat and crossed my arms.

"Let's go to Sephora." I suggested and didn't wait for him to follow. I dragged him through all the categories of makeup, filling him in on what I knew.

"There's so much you girls have to do, it's crazy." Sebastian stared in astonishment at the different amounts of makeup and moisturizers. I laughed at his reaction and we left. It was getting late so we finally decided to head back home.

It was horribly cold when we got outside so I walked as close to Sebastian as possible without it being awkward. Unfortunately, he snaked his arm over my shoulders and pulled me close. I was so cold, I didn't care. I wrapped my arms around his thin waist as we walked to the truck.

Sebastian opened the passenger door for me and I got inside to wait for him. When he finally got inside, we took off for the freeway to head home. The radio was off and it was just Sebastian's and my breathing. I thought I had known butterflies when I was around Ben but there was something about these that hurt.

Almost like I was afraid.

But afraid of what? Being close to him? Him getting close to me? Maybe I was afraid of getting hurt...

I shoved the thoughts out of my head and sighed.

"Something wrong?" Sebastian finally spoke to me since we left the mall.

"Just tired." I mumbled in return and tried to calm my nerves. "Did you have fun?" I asked to lighten the mood.

"Of course. Did you?" He glanced at me and I nodded. I took off my seatbelt and slid across the middle space to sit next to him. He look surprised but I was just as shocked as he was.

"What are you doing?" He questioned me. I shrugged my shoulders because honestly, I had no idea. "Go back to your side." Sebastian laughed and shoved me lightly. I stuck out my tongue and pointed towards the sky.

"Pull over, I wanna look at the sky." He did and I got out. He followed behind me closely.

"It's beautiful." I whispered. Sebastian hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my head. I let it happen for some time before turning around.

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" He asked.

"Touch me. Hug me."

He shrugged his shoulders. "You're my friend. I'm physical with friends." He choked out and I nodded, accepting his answer. We got back inside the truck and headed for home, with no more stops in between.