Sleep is fitful and dreamless.

Thankfully the weather is starting to feel more like fickle spring, colder than it was the rest of the week.

Completely fitting of my mood.

Britney is still asleep when I get up.  Pretty sure the girls are leaving later on this afternoon.  But the boys from Westerville, at least the ones that I rode with, wanted to get an early start.

Well not all of them.

Pretty sure if given a choice that Hunter would sleep as long as possible.  I can only imagine what he must feel like this morning.

Sighing I drag myself in the dark to the bathroom. A quick shower then I pack up everything.

My outfit is simple yet comfortable. Black leggings, flip flops and my new Cedar Point zip up hooded fleece over a basic white tank top.

I leave a note for Brittney explaining that I'll see her on Monday and head out the door. Sebastian is already waiting for me in the lobby, starting to head my way with a coffee in each of his hands. Attire is much like my own, well worn jeans and a Los Angeles Clippers hoodie.  Funny, I never knew Sebastian was into professional basketball.  His voice is still soft, somewhat sleep filled. "Shann, I was just getting ready to come and wake you."

I give him a small smile as I accept the to go coffee cup he is holding out for me.  He presses a sweet kiss to my cheek and takes my bag off my shoulder, swinging it over his own.  "Thank you Bastian.  I just wanted to get out of the room before she woke up.  I got questioned last night about why my clothes were so wet."  He nods, I follow him out of the building as he pulls his own bag behind him.  "Completely understandable, I was so cold by the time we got back. Although I had fun with you in the lake Love.   But you cannot believe how awkward it was to share a room with Thad last night.  He kept trying to apologize and also pepper me with questions.  Frankly none of this is his business."

I reach out and place my hand on his bicep, stopping his forward momentum. He turns to look at me, slight confusion in those sea green eyes. "Yes Shann?" I take a deep breath to steady my nerves, compose my thoughts. "Sebby, I'm sorry if I ruined your friendship with Thad. I mean, you guys were planning on rooming together next year." He just shakes his head, small smile. "Pretty Girl its fine. He's just too nosey for his own good. I wasn't planning on rooming with him, despite what he thinks. I mean Dude snores and talks in his sleep, I can't handle that.  And after all I'm still holding out for you to join me..."

He starts walking again but I need to address the college issue.

"Bas..."

"Yes My Love?"

"My decision between schools isn't choosing between you and him, you know that right? I'm weighing the programs, my offers from both schools. It's just confusing because so many complicated feelings are wrapped up in it too."

He sighs as we reach the car, Jeff, Nick and Thad are loading their bags in bleary eyed. His voice is soft as he whispers in my ear, "Princess I know. But a guy can still hope." I nod slightly as I catch sight of Hunter standing underneath the portico of the hotel. Blaine is in front of him, hands motioning fast as he speaks.

God what is this now?

"Sebastian....."

His eyes find mine after he gets our bags in the back of the car, following my gaze as I turn back towards the hotel.

Well crap....

I grab his hand and pull him back towards the building, dragging him back to Hunter's side. He looks a wreck, deep purple bruises underneath his eyes, sunglasses on his head, hair rumpled still some from what had to be a restless sleep.

"...can I just please just explain myself.  Apologize or something."

"Anderson, you gave us no chance to do that before you punched me in the face so why should I let you.  Look!  Look what you did...."

Hunter motions to his face and Blaine cringes.  I'm close enough now that I let go of Sebastian's hand and reach out to touch Hunter's arm.  He turns to see me, a shy smile appears on his face as he breathes out a soft greeting, such an extreme contrast to his tone with my cousin.

Hi Angel....

I can't help the pout on my face as I remove my hand from his arm and instead reach up to ghost my fingers across the bruises underneath each of his eyes. He hisses slightly in pain before catching my hand and pressing small kisses to each of my fingertips.  My voice is soft, "Hunt, I'm so sorry this happened to you."  He laces his fingers with mine, small smile in his face, same soft quality to his voice. "It's okay Shann.  I'm tough though, all that military school training, remember.  Plus I'd go through anything for you."

I know I'm blushing as I lower my eyes to my feet.

I know...

I can hear Blaine's confused murmuring as I feel Sebastian place his hand on the small of my back.  I turn back to face him, he brushes some hair off my face, trailing his fingertips down to my chin before dropping his hand again.  "Princess, I think we need to tell him now."  I nod and turn back slightly to face my cousin and Hunter again.  Sebastian's comforting hand on my waist, Hunter's fingers still interlaced with my own.

Deep breath.

"Blaine, I'm not sure you were ever properly introduced to each other, you know before you acted so 'impulsively' yesterday.  So Blaine Devon Anderson, my cousin dear, this is Hunter James Clarington, my boyfriend."

Hunter's grin is so large that I wonder how he is not in immense pain because of his bruises. Blaine just seems dumbfounded. "But Bas..."

Sebastian's hand tightens around my waist as he drops a kiss in my hair.  "Well Sebastian Smythe, who's middle name I totally know but he swore me to secrecy on, is still my completely and utterly talented, devastatingly handsome and insanely understanding fiancé."  Blaine shakes his head, completely confused.  "I.... I don't understand."

I gently pull my hand out of Hunter's grasp and inch out of Sebastian's hold, eliciting whines to fall out of both of their mouths so that I can move in front of my cousin.  I may be shorter but he still flinches under my gaze.  "My dear Mr Aladdin-sir, that is the beauty of it.  You don't need to understand.  It isn't the most ideal of situations I know but they both make me so endlessly happy.  And you want me to be happy right?"

Blaine nods at me, the words more than anything falling softly from his lips. I nod in return. "Good. So I guess I'll see you sometime tomorrow after dance then." I spin on my heel, Sebastian grabbing my hand as he and Hunter follow me back to the car.

Nick and Jeff are joking around with each other while Thad looks forlornly in the distance. Hunter's sunglasses are over his eyes as he loads his bag into the back, shutting the hatch afterwards.

"Clarington, give me your keys."

Sebastian detaches himself from my grasp and holds his hand out towards Hunter, who tilts his head to the side like he is unsure if he heard him right. "Um, why would I give you my keys Smythe?"

Sebastian huffs in displeasure, still with his hand extended, "Don't be a jackass.  No way you're going to be able to focus on the road for that long.  As oldest here, I demand your keys.  I'm driving."

Hunter shakes his head quickly, but winces at the motion.  He fishes his keys out of his pocket and heads towards the drivers side, Sebastian hot on his heels.  I'm as curious about this interaction as the three other boys by the car are.  "Like I'd trust you with my car."  Seb's voice is low but I still catch what he says clear as a bell.  "I trust you with something much more important than a car, so just give me your damn keys."

Hunter instantly extends his hand and drops the car keys in Sebastian's outstretched hand.  Seb's smirk is firmly affixed to his beautiful face when he turns to face the rest of us.  "Thad, passenger seat.  Princess can you sit in the back, make sure Clarington gets the ibuprofen if he needs it?" I nod as Hunter holds open my door allowing me to slide into the car. Nick sits on my right with Jeff directly behind the passenger seat. Hunter climbs in to the seat directly behind Sebastian, pulling me towards him as he closes the door.

Jeff is pouting even though he finally has a window seat. "How come Nicky gets to sit by her? And why does Hunter get coddled?? Guy can't even throw a basketball properly!" Nick elbows him in the stomach with a laugh, "You were too interested in sitting by the window. Plus Shann knows I won't try and molest her like you would."

Sebastian starts the car and turns back to look at them, "Any of you touch her inappropriately and I will remove the limb you touched her with."  Both Jeff and Nick raise their hands in defeat but Hunter just whispers in my ear as he throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to his chest, "I'd like to see him try.  Angel, I preferred it when it was just you and me in the back seat.  No interruptions..."

I'm blushing something fierce. Sebastian takes notice of it and shakes his head at us before he turns back around and puts the car into drive. Jeff however can't stop his complaining. "It still isn't fair!! She was my friend first. And for all his bravado he isn't even good at sports. Why can't I sit by her....."

Hunter extends his arm away from me across the back of the seat and reaches over to jostle Jeff's shoulder. "Sorry I'm not as used to balls coming near my face as you are Sterling." I can't help my giggle as Jeff starts to pout.

Hunt.... that wasn't very nice....

Hunter huffs and pulls his arm back, wrapping it around my shoulder again. "Fine.... I didn't really mean it Jeff."

Nick is giggling at my side, "Don't know how you did that Shann but it was cool!!" I smile at him, I'm magic Nicky.

Sure you are...

Thad seems irritated at the whole situation by now, "Why don't we listen to music or something?" Jeff perks up immediately, "Oooohhh!!! We can give her a Regionals preview!!" Nick is practically bouncing beside me, hissing in my ear. "They gave me a solo!!" I squeeze his hand quickly and then release it when Sebastian raises his eyebrow at me through the review mirror. "Congrats Nicky!! I have one too...."

Thad whips around in his seat and glares at the two giddy boys beside me. "We can't do that. She's competition, remember." Jeff rolls his eyes. Hunter murmurs softly at my side, "Harwood, stop being pissy. Just because she stole Smythe's attention from you doesn't mean you need to be a dick about it."

"Watch it Clarington. Or else we can discuss what you've stolen from Smythe..."

I pale slightly when Sebastian finally jumps in. "Okay, that's enough you two. But Sterling has a point. I'm captain. I say we sing, not our Regionals song but we can at least choose from the same band. Agreed??"

None of the boys can dare disagree when Sebastian puts on his captain voice. Jeff queues up a song that I recognize instantly.

Story of My Life
(Originally by One Direction)

(Jeff)
Written in these walls are the stories that I can't explain,
I leave my heart open but it stays right here empty for days.

(Sebastian)
She told me in the morning she don't feel the same about us in her bones,
It seems to me that when I die these words will be written on my stone.

(Hunter)
And I'll be gone gone tonight
The ground beneath my feet is open wide
The way that I been holdin' on too tight
With nothing in between

(Sebastian)
The story of my life I take her home
I drive all night to keep her warm and time...
Is frozen (the story of, the story of)

(All)
The story of my life I give her hope
I spend her love until she's broke inside
The story of my life (the story of, the story of)

(Thad)
Written on these walls are the colours that I can't change
Leave my heart open but it stays right here in its cage

(Nick)
I know that in the morning now, I'll see us in the light upon a hill
Although I am broken my heart is untamed still

(Jeff)
And I'll be gone gone tonight
The fire beneath my feet is burning bright
The way that I been holdin' on so tight
With nothing in between

(Sebastian)
The story of my life I take her home
I drive all night to keep her warm and time...
Is frozen (the story of, the story of)

(All)
The story of my life I give her hope
I spend her love until she's broke inside
The story of my life (the story of, the story of)

(Hunter)
And I been waiting for this time to come around
But baby running after you is like chasing the clouds

(Nick)
The story of my life I take her home
I drive all night to keep her warm and time...
Is frozen

(All)
The story of my life I give her hope (give her hope)
I spend her love until she's broke inside (until she's broke inside)
The story of my life (the story of, the story of)
The story of my life
The story of my life (the story of, the story of)

(Sebastian)
The story of my life

I smile to myself as the boys finish the song. For the most part all of these boys are wonderful. Although Thad is still acting very dodgy. He makes me very uncomfortable.

But after the horrible nights sleep I had last night I find myself curling up in Hunter's arms as he runs his fingers through my hair and fall asleep.

I wish things were easier.

That everyone would accept this, all of this.

But I don't think they will.

And time is ticking.... With Regionals, prom, graduation and maybe Nationals rapidly approaching I need to make some sort of decision.

Hopefully it will be the right one.