"I'm sorry.  I was rambling.  But as I was saying.  Constance Clarington, this is Madeleine Smythe, Sebastian's mother.  Maddie, Constance is Hunter's mother."

Constance nods as she extends her hand in greeting.  "Pleasure."

"Enchanté Madame Clarington."

This is awkward.

This is really, really awkward.

The two women shake hands in greeting.

"And how do you know notre chère Shannon, Mrs Clarington?"

The taller blonde girl, Hunter's cousin Lina, hovers cautiously nearby as her aunt formulates a response to Madeleine Smythe's inquiry.

Frankly I'm just terrified as to what she will say.

Her face lights up in a smile as she responds. "Please call me Connie. My husband and I, we were formally introduced to her yesterday after the graduation ceremony. You see, Miss Anderson and my son Hunter are...."

"Ballroom partners. Hunter and I are ballroom dance partners."

I hurriedly interrupt the blonde woman.  Lina is trying desperately not to laugh as her aunt looks at me slightly confused.

"C'est merveilleux.  I didn't know you danced, ma cherie."

Before I can respond properly another voice chimes in.

Female but younger.

Lina.

Taunting.

Dripping with saccharine sweetness.

"I remember you being an amazing dancer Shannon.  Granted I haven't seen you do so in what, 4 years now? But Hunter has all these wonderful things to say about you and your technique lately.  I am still amazed that you've managed to reconnect with each other after all these years.  Shannon and her former partner Gabriel used to compete against Hunter and I when we were younger.  It's honestly quite adorable. I have pictures somewhere. Starting when you were what, ten?  Right Shannon??"

I nod narrowing my eyes at her, completely floored that she is calling me out like this in front of everyone.  All I can do is murmur back softly, "I met him when I was 10....."

That's just adorable.

I finally tear my eyes away from the two blonde women in front of me, turning around to glance back at the cocktail table where my friends and Sebastian, Nick and Jeff's mothers are gathered around.  Nick's mother Gretchen is nudging Jeff's mother Penelope, who is standing at her side.  She repeats her previous statement once she notices that she's been caught.

"I was just saying that it is adorable that your childhood friend ended up going to school with our boys.  And that you moved here as well, dear sweet child."

I can't fathom doing much more than nodding in response, I'm pretty sure any words or tone of voice I would have at this very moment would betray me.  Rachel looks at me with pity in her eyes as Puck places a drink in my hands and Kurt pushes a small plate of cookies across the table to me.  I send a questioning look to Blaine, I have no clue what is in this cup Puck gave me.  He mouths over Sprite and I take a small sip.

I set the cup back on the table and pick up what appears to be a pecan tassie.  Blaine must have been highly instrumental in choosing these treats for us, only he would know that these were my favorites that Nana would make when we were little.  I send him a small smile across the table which he is quick to return.  Just then I hear Jeff's mother piping up.

"Clarington.......  Your son is the boy who sang the lead on the last song, right?"

Hunter's mother opens her mouth to speak as I catch Lina's eye over her shoulder.  I silently plead with those icy blue eyes to rescue me in some way.  No clue if it will work, this girl doesn't know me.

Thankfully she gives a curt nod and interjects before her aunt can.

"Yes ma'am.  We sure are proud of my little cousin, he got a scholarship to come here to sing and everything.  But Aunt Connie, shouldn't we be going?  We haven't gotten any of those delightful looking treats and the intermission is almost over with."

With her olive green eyes taking on a sort of understanding, Hunter's mother gives a solemn nod. "I'm so sorry about that Karolina. I didn't mean to get so carried away." She turns from her niece to look at me. I give a small curtsy, speaking softly in farewell. "It was nice seeing you once again Mrs. Clarington. You as well Lina."

The taller blonde gives a small smirk whilst her aunt pulls me in for a hug. Murmuring her goodbyes.

"You are a lovely girl Miss Anderson. Thank you for being there for my son. Please come see us before we leave again."

She releases me and steps back with a smile, turning to walk away yet calling once more over her shoulder before she is out of sight. "Please tell Hunter if you would like us to pick anything up for your place in LA." I nod, watching her walk through the crowd. Lina mumbles to me before she scatters as well.

You owe me Anderson. And I'm telling Gabe ALL about this debacle of yours.

And then they are gone, vanished back into the crowd.

I turn back to the cocktail table with a sigh. Taking another small sip from my glass of soda when I begin to hear conversations circling around me again.

Well they sure were an odd family.

Southern Texas twang. Nick's mother Gretchen.

Slowly I look up from my half empty glass, placing it down on the table again. Suddenly I'm just not feeling all that well. As if trying to gather courage up, I run my fingers surreptitiously over the letters on the bracelet secured to my wrist.

Sebastian.

How did I get myself into this situation again??

My voice is soft but steady as I speak, looking down at my hands.

"They're a military family. A little severe but they have been much nicer to me than they should be, considering everything.... but I don't think she realizes what all the boys really think of Hunter. Its sad, honestly."

My words peter out as I finally look up from the table, all eyes are on me.

Our boys?

I'm blushing. So very embarrassed, I shouldn't have said anything. Hastily I start backing up. "I'm sorry for that. Really I am.  It was nice seeing you ladies again. But honestly I should probably head off to the restroom before they start flickering the lights and ushering us back into the auditorium."

Nick and Jeff's mothers bid me a farewell and Sebastian's mom hugs me tight before I am able to escape the table. Rachel's voice pipes up before I am too far away, "I'll come with you." I just shrug as she follows me through the hallways.

I don't actually need to use the bathroom, I just needed to get away. Once we are inside the room, she carefully checks to make sure we are alone while I stand in front of the mirror. Blankly inspecting my own reflection. Thankfully I don't look as rattled on the outside as I feel on the inside.

"Shann, are you okay?"

I sigh, wanting to but resisting the urge to rub my hands over my eyes.

I'm tired.

So very tired.

Tired of hiding.

Tired of my double life.

Instead I root through my purse, pulling out and sweeping on a fresh coat of lipgloss. "No Rach, I'm not okay. I'm honestly not okay at all. I was so very close to those women finding out everything out there. Christ, I just introduced Sebastian and Hunter's mothers to each other!!!"

Spinning around to face her, she has her hands clasped solemnly in front of her. "Yes. That was quite unfortunate."

I roll my eyes.

Understatement of the Year Award goes to Miss Rachel Barbara Berry.

She hooks our elbows together as we leave the restroom and head back into the auditorium. Almost everyone is already in their seats when we walk through the doors, making our way back to our front row seats. Blaine gives me a sympathetic smile as I sit down.

"Belle, are you okay?"

All I can do is shake my head as the lights in the room flicker and then dim. The curtain on the stage rises again. And a very tall, very handsome, all too familiar Warbler struts down to center stage to greet everyone in the audience.

Once again.

Sebastian.

"So here we are again. Just you guys and me."

I can hear a smattering of giggles fluttering around the room as he shoots a wink at us, beautiful sea green eyes flashing.

I barely notice that other members of the group are joining him on the stage because I am just so mesmerized by those eyes.

Those damn green eyes.

"...so I thought I would start us off again. Enjoy the second half of the concert everyone. Princess, this one is for you. Hit it Beats."

One Call Away
(Originally by Charlie Puth)

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away

Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna give you love
Come on, come on, come on
Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away

Come along with me and don't be scared
I just wanna set you free
Come on, come on, come on
You and me can make it anywhere
For now, we can stay here for a while, at
'Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile

No matter where you go
You know you're not alone

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away

And when you're weak I'll be strong
I'm gonna keep holding on
Now don't you worry, it won't be long, Darling
And when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me

I'm only one, I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away

I'm only one call away

The song ends and all I can do is focus on Sebastian. He forms a small, discrete heart with his hands. Mouthing out the words that send shivers down my spine.

I love you.

He does, I know he does. And I do to. I know I do.

But is that enough?

Where is Superman when you need him??  Someone save me.....