** Instagram Post**

hjclarington: Florida waves are great, water is too cold though. Can't wait to be in California soon with the beautiful @PghShann all to myself. 😍😇💋💋 #CalihereIcome #missingmygirl

PghShann: hope you're having fun at home! Can't wait to see you again!!! 😍 #CalihereIcome
Bastian17: 😒😒😒😒😒

**end Instagram post**

"Okay so if Nick is originally from Texas explain to me again why is his birthday party here in Ohio?"

Blaine laughs as we walk down the sidewalk from the car to the house down the street. The over abundance of guests caused us to park several houses down. "Jeff wanted to throw it for him.  Plus Nick and his parents are staying with his aunt and cousin until he leaves for Michigan.  They've been staying in Lima actually.  But the better question is why you didn't drive up with Bas."

I shrug, "Sebby thought this would make more sense.  Since he's in Westerville and that was closer to Columbus than we were."  Blaine nods in understanding and let's it go.

I can't though.  Because things with Sebastian have been odd since Hunter left.  You would think he would be more relaxed without the other man around but I guess not. Instead Sebastian has just been very agitated, wary. Overly careful. Like he is walking on eggshells and I'm already away from him in Los Angeles. And he is bracing himself for impact and heartbreak.

It's almost too much to bear.

But I have to shake myself from those thoughts as I follow Blaine up the drive of a normal looking albeit rather large house with a white picket fence around the front yard. How quaint and suburban it seems. Just the place I can imagine an all American boy like Jeff to have grown up.

That lovely, sweet, smiley blonde boy. Throwing a party for his best friend.

Before I realize it we are standing on the front porch, the sound of the doorbell echoing through the wooden door.

I'm looking down at the package in my hands, the shiny blue bow almost mocking me as the door is opened.

"Well, Miss Anderson, Mr Anderson. If you two aren't the sight for sore eyes."

I recognize that voice!!

My eyes fly up to look at Ms Rose, the nice cafeteria lady from McKinley, standing in the open doorway with a smile on her face.

"Ms Rose???"

Unfortunately I am unable to disguise the surprise in my voice at seeing her.  But it doesn't seem to faze her even one iota.  She just smiles that cheery smile of hers as she pulls us both into the house.

"Come in kids, come in. Nicky is out in the backyard with my Marley and his darling friends. How nice it was of the Sterlings to plan all of this for him."

Blaine smiles in return as he breezes into the house. A jolly thanks Ms Rose falling from his lips.

Me, I'm still standing on the front porch. Mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air while on land. So very, very confused.

'Millie Jo, what did you say to Blaine's darling cousin?'

I blink, clearing my mind as Ms Rose turns towards the inside of the room, murmuring out a soft I don't think I said anything too odd. And that is when I see Nick's mother, Gretchen breezing into the room with a smile on her face.

Speaking in her gentle southern Texas twang. "Come in my girl, Nicky is in the backyard with everyone else. And your lovely Mr Smythe has been holding court, charming my niece Marley. Those boys are all so sweet to her."

She grabs my arm and ushers me in but all I can murmur is a soft I'm so confused.

Nick's mother lets go of my arm, lifting the package out of my hands instead as she guides me through the house. Her accent flowing over me like butter over warm biscuits.

"Millie Jo, Ms Rose as you call her, is my baby sister. Letting us stay with her and Marley Sue while we get Nicky all situated.  He's out there now showing her around to all his friends."

By this time we've reached the back door.  Nick's mother hurries outside, setting my gift down on a table piled high with other brightly wrapped packages.  From my spot just outside the door I can see people absolutely everywhere.

My cousin is already mingling with Jeff and Rachel.

Sam has roped uptight Wes into dancing with him, Quinn and some other people I don't quite recognize.

Then I see Nick, with his back to me. Holding hands with someone who from my vantage point looks like Cara. He is talking to a brunette girl and Sebastian.

My Sebastian.

Who is palling around with this girl. Looking all cozy as he rests his head on her shoulder and she smiles in return.

What the hell is going on here?!

Slack jawed I approach the small group.  Sebastian's eyes find mine first as he raises his head from the girl's shoulder.  But he keeps an arm wound around her waist.

The other three notice me once I finally speak, just the tiniest hint of ice in my voice.

"Happy Birthday Nicky!!  Bastian, who's your new friend??"

Nick spins around to face me, large smile on his face, oblivious to the uneasy look on the faces of Cara and the mystery girl.  Sebastian looks completely unfazed, much to my dismay.

"I'm so happy to see you Shann!!!!  Thanks for coming.  Oh and have you met my cousin Marley yet??  Marls, this is Shannon.  The girl who Seb just won't shut up about."

I'm not sure what my expression looks like by this point because Sebastian just tilts his head to the side and gives me this look.

Like, 'did you really think I would cheat on you like you do with me?'

(A/N: this is trash.  I'm sorry. 💞 Shann)