The sun is fully down before we wander back inside the building. "So Sebastian, as captain of the Warblers what are you guys thinking for your sectionals set list?" He just laughs at me as we walk down the hallway. "You sure you're too sweet to be a Smythe? You know I can't tell you that Princess. We're direct competition in a little less than a month. But you know I'm singing so we'll be sure to give your pathetic excuse of a public school a run for their money."

I pull my hand out of his grasp and fold my arms over my chest pouting at him. "Sebby, you're no fun. And before you ask I haven't really been paying attention in class lately so I have no clue what they are planning. I hope I get a special feature though...." He turns to stop me in the hallway just outside of the Warbler room, "Shannon, they'd be stupid if they didn't feature you. I know they all think Broadway is their greatest asset but you Love, you're truly something special. All of Rachel's talent but with a vulnerability, a fragile honesty to your voice. Like whenever you sing your entire soul is laid bare for everyone to see. It is utterly breathtaking to witness."

I'm blushing as we start up the stairs, "Seb, you are just saying that so I will sleep with you again."  He chuckles, "Princess, I say it because it is true.  When I first saw you I was instantly intrigued but the moment I heard you sing.... I was a goner.  And I don't need to flatter you to get you to sleep with me.  My looks accomplish that one their own."  I gasp, he's so conceited sometimes.

"Enough about competition. Halloween is next week and the guys were throwing a costume bash here. I'd be honored if you would come. Bring your friends.  It'll be a Saturday, you could stay.... Even if you'd have to leave me early the next morning to go dance with Hunter." He makes a displeased face when he mentions Hunter, it is going to take some time to get past this. "Seb, I told you this already. I can tell Hunter no, that I'll find my own partner for classes." He shakes his head, "No. No canceling. I can get past this. I can. It's just dancing. I have your heart."

He sounds like he desperately trying to convince himself, that is for sure.

By this time we have made it back to his dorm room and he is unlocking his door to let us back in.  "Sebastian, Hunter may be dancing with me.  But you have my heart. And my body."  With that I push him into his room shutting and locking his door behind us.  I peel off his thermal and my leggings in an instant leaving me in just my bra and panties.  I'm stepping out of my shoes when he realizes what is happening.  "I like the way you think Shann.  Come here..."  Sebastian pulls me towards him and we turn off the lights...

Morning comes much sooner than I would like as the sun filters through his window blinds and his alarm clock softly starts to go off. Sebastian looks also adorable when I open my eyes and all I want to do is burrow further into his arms and stay there for as long as I can.  I sigh when I realize that I can't, I still need to drive almost an hour and a half just to get back for school.  "Love, do you really have to go."  Sebastian sounds so adorable half asleep.

Reluctantly I try to detach myself from his grasp. "Sebby, I really should. I still need to drive all that way to Lima." His arms loosen their grip on me ever so slightly and he is struggling to keep his eyes open. "Okay Pretty Girl, I can get up with you if you want."  He is just too precious laying there, struggling to wake up so I just shake my head and gently kiss him on his nose.  "Sebastian, you don't need to.  You really don't need to be up for a few more hours.  It is early enough that no one should bother me as I leave.  So sleep, please."  He nods sleepily, arms squeezing me tight and then relaxing to allow me to rise from the bed.

Quickly I gather up my toiletry bag and a spare towel from his dresser and go to have a fast shower.  I know it would be more fun with Sebastian accompanying me but I can't be selfish. And he just looks so adorable right now, not that he doesn't always look adorable but...  I wasn't lying when I told my friends that night we went out to karaoke that my favorite thing was how he looks like a peaceful, little boy when he sleeps.  Like I get a glimpse of his real self, who he was before life got in the way, the side of him that he only lets me see.

I head back into his room wrapped in just the bath towel and start to try and locate all of my clothing.  It's amazing how far he threw my dress last night, I find it near the back of his closet. I slip my leggings back on and take the top I packed out of my bag. But now that it is in my hands I realize that I really don't want wear it. Instead I pull back on Sebastian's thermal, wearing it makes me feel all cuddly and happy. That if I have to leave him today I can at least wear something of his.  Quickly I pack up the rest of my things and place them back in my bag, my phone is on his desk so I slip it back into my purse as well and finally pull back on my shoes.

I stop back at the bed before I leave. Sebastian just looks so precious, I swear...   My spot next to him on the bed is still empty so I carefully sit down trying not to wake him.  I reach out and gently push his hair back off his forehead and bend down to kiss him softly there.  His beautiful green eyes flutter open and he looks up at me with a sleep filled smile. "Shanny, don't leave. Come back to bed. Sebby needs you.... Please don't leave me, I'll be so lonely without you."

This just makes my heart hurt so much. He is pouting up at me, holding his arms up and open, trying to beckon me back into his bed.  "Come on Princess..... You know you would much rather be here in bed with me."  I sigh softly, placing a small kiss to his lips before I rise back to my feet.  "Honestly you're right.  But Sebastian you would have to eventually leave me to go to class."  He pouts again.  "Being 17 is difficult.  Even boarding school can't help me keep you here.  We're definitely talking to your parents on Saturday.  And the second I turn 18 we're planning our wedding."  I nod in agreement, "Of course Bas.  Now go back to sleep okay.  I can text you when I make it to McKinley."  He nods and reaches out to grab one of my hands, pressing a small kiss to it before letting me go and closing his eyes again.

I look back down at him and blow his sleeping figure a kiss then turn towards the door, grabbing my bag and purse on the way out.  I unlock the door opening it to leave, with one more glance back at him I sigh and then relock the door and shut it behind me.  The hallways at Dalton are pleasantly empty at this hour in the morning.  I am immensely happy about that, I was worried about running into people without Sebastian at my side, making it look like I was on some sort of walk of shame or something.  I know his classmates already know that we are involved but I don't want them to think I'm some sort of dirty skank just hooking up with him all the time in his dorm room.

I'm not sure why I am so worried about appearances now like this.  Maybe I really am just insecure and worried about what others think.  I know I have said otherwise, but Sebastian and I have this complicated relationship and then coupled with Hunter...  I sigh and start down the stairs deep in thought.  But I must be highly distracted because as I near the bottom of the stairs my heel slips and I start to fall.  I reach out to catch myself as I near the bottom but the railing is just out of my reach.  I close my eyes and begin to pray, knowing I'm probably going to hurt myself.  And then I feel a strong set of hands wrap around my waist setting me back on my feet again at the base of the stairs.  I open my eyes surprised at who I see...

I gasp out a soft Hunter...  He chuckles as his arms tighten around my waist.  "Morning Shann.  I knew I'd have you falling for me I just didn't know that you would try and take it so literally."  I push him away slightly with a huff.  He just laughs and takes my overnight bag off my shoulder, tossing it over his own.  And he grabs my hand in his free one, interlacing our fingers.  This should feel wrong but honestly it doesn't.  "Clarington, what are you doing?"

He turns to me with a smile as we begin to walk down the hallway towards the front entrance of the school.  "Manners Anderson.  Don't I get a thank you?  I just helped you avoid a sprained ankle or some other injury.  I'm trying to be a gentleman and help you to your car since your 'boyfriend' is noticeably absent this morning."  I blush at that, softly replying, "Sebby's sleeping....  I didn't want him to wake up just on my account.  And why are you up so early anyway Hunter?  You still have hours until school starts."

By this point we are outside of the building, standing just inside the gates.  I can see my car parked just outside in the lot.  He stops me and turns my way, letting go of my hand.  He reaches out to push a strand of my hair behind my ear, then trails surprisingly gentle fingers down the side of my face, tilting my chin so that I can look up at him.  He gives me a sweet, shy smile, "Honestly?  I was hoping I would get to see you, Shannon..."  I blush at not only his honesty but at the softness of his touch.  I feel like my skin is buzzing where he touched it.  "Well here I am Hunt."  He smirks at my response, "I like the nickname, and I love it when you blush like that."  I start out the gates with him trailing behind me to my car.  When I unlock my door he is kind enough to open my door and place my bag in the back, on the floor in front of Bastian Warbler.

He raises an eyebrow at me as I turn back to face him, "So are we still on for lessons or do I have to find a new partner?"  I give him a small smile, "We're still on, although I told Sebastian.  Everything..."  Hunter visibly pales at that.  "Everything?"  I bite my lip and respond, "Well almost everything.  I told him we had dinner and that we were going to dance together.  At no moment did I mention what you told me or that I honestly enjoyed spending time with you."  He steps closer to me with a glimmer in his eye, "You enjoyed spending time with me?"  I giggle softly, "I told you that Tuesday night.  You're kind of a great guy when you're not trying to 'take over the world'."  He smiles down at me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me towards him.  "And you're kind of a sweet girl who really needs to decide what you want with your life.  What we are doing.  Who you want..."

I sigh, "I told you before...."  He nods sadly, lowering his voice although there is no one around to hear us, "I know, I know, Smythe.  You're with Smythe."  His grip on my waist loosens as he lets me go.  I turn back towards my car as he whispers I guess I'm just too late.  My open door is in my hand but I turn around before I even have time to think about it.

His eyes go wide.  And before either of us know what happened I'm fleeing back to my car and pulling out of the parking lot.

So are we really just friends?