"So you're telling us that you and Clarington..."

A Warbler voice I don't recognize squeaks out the rest of the question from somewhere behind me.  "So you guys already knew each other and like kissed and stuff before either of you showed up here?  Like years ago??"  His voice get progressively more shrill and pitchy as his thoughts progress.

I cringe.

It hurts my ears.

And I swear I can practically hear the thoughts churning in everyone's heads.  Hunter has his head in his hands again, elbows resting on his knees, gaze on the floor at his feet. It looks like he is hoping it will just open up and swallow him whole.  This is not how either of us wanted things to come out.

Not at all.

David puts a hand up calling for silence.  "Okay we got this Jeremy.  You can lower your pitch now."

Sebastian mutters in my ear stupid freshman.

I sigh.

Bastian....

I'm still turned so that I am facing him.  His eyes meet mine as my fingers trace his cheekbones, the planes of his face.  My voice is soft as I place a small kiss to his nose.  "Sebby, be nice to them."  He huffs. Fingertips tracing down the side of my face until he pushes some of my hair behind my ear.  His eyes, those beautiful green eyes are glossy, hurt.  He looks like he is just trying to control his pain.

Fine.  But only for you, Love.

His gaze shifts from me to the rest of the group, eyes flitting over each and every person present. Commanding 'Warbler Captain' voice in full force. "Okay guys. I think that is enough practicing for this evening. You are all dismissed. Please think of and work on the song selections we discussed." The boys start to glance at each other, hesitant to leave.

Sebastian runs his free hand through his hair and repeats himself, voice more forceful this time.  "Well what are you losers still standing around for? I said 'Dismissed'! So go.  Leave.  Scat."  I can see some of them pale as they hurry towards the door.

He calls after them once more though, fingers pointing to Nicky, Jeff, that Jeremy kid and some other young boy I don't know.  "Niff, take those two and work up the choreography ideas for the DNCE song I discussed with you.  Freshman A, Freshman B, listen to them.  I'm trusting your dance skills for some reason.  Don't make me regret it."

Sebby, you guys are doing 'Cake By The Ocean'? I can hear Sebastian's murmur of confirmation in my ear.

I'm impressed by his leadership skills as Nick, Jeff and nameless boy nod eagerly.  The other kid though, he decides to mumble something in return.

Jeremy.  My name is Jeremy, you entitled douche.

I can feel Sebastian's arms tighten around me as Nick and Jeff give this kid death glares.  The other boy just comes forward and grabs his elbow, dragging him towards the door.  "Cavanaugh, shut up.  How many times have I talked with you about this??  Captain Smythe, I'm sorry about him.  I'll make sure to do my best sir, make you proud.  And it's Skylar.  We'll leave you to your girl, sir. Have a good evening."

Jeff and Nick give us mock salutes as they usher the two boys out the door. I can vaguely hear them arguing with each other as they go.

Cavanaugh, what the hell was that?

Do you seriously want him to skin you alive, because the mood he is in now, I'm pretty sure he'd do it.

Oh shove it Sterling. I don't need to hear it. Why are you guys so far up his ass? He's unbearable sometimes. And Jackson, you're supposed to be my roommate. My friend, but you're being a flipping lapdog.

Hush Jer. I want to be captain when we're upperclassmen. Can't have everyone against me. I could learn from him....

I'm listening curiously until they are out of ear shot. Sebastian sighs, eyes raising from my face to notice Hunter almost out the door as well. Seb eases me off his lap and calls out, crooking his finger at him. "Not so fast Clarington. You can't leave yet." He motions back to the couch and Hunter scurries back, dropping into the seat beside me avoiding our gazes. Sebastian crosses the room, pokes his head out the door and then comes back inside, shutting the door to the Warbler room behind him.

A cold chill runs down my spine as I hear the lock click into place.

Hunter's hand instantly reaches for mine, our fingers intertwining.

This is it. He's going to murder me. And make you watch.

Honestly I'm not even sure, that could be what is about to happen.  And I know that I shouldn't be holding hands with Hunter at this point but the circles his thumb is making subconsciously on the back of my hand are oddly comforting.  I sneak a small glance at him.  His moss green eyes raise from our hands to look into mine, fear flickering through them but dying out as he searches my brown eyes in return.  A shy smile sneaks across his features.  I can't help returning one his way either.

And then a voice shakes me out of it all.

"So how long have either of you known all of this?  Were you planning on keeping it from me?  Clarington is this the whole reason you started pursuing her in the first place?  To show that she was yours first all along.  And I'm hearing all of these things online, about your move to California.  A shared apartment?  I'm you fiancé, shouldn't I know about these things??"

I'm stunned into silence as Sebastian sits on the table in front of us.  Hunter is just sitting beside me slack jawed, the movements of his thumb completely stopping, grip tightening on my hand.  Sebastian just arches an eyebrow at me as he takes the photo album off my lap, setting it on the table next to him.

"Well Princess?  Are you going to answer me??"

I yank my hand away from Hunter and reach both of mine out to Sebastian, grabbing his hands tightly with my own.  Slowly I slide off the couch, leaving Hunter pouting and staring at me as I sink to my knees in front of the table.  Sebastian stares down at me, perplexed.  I'm biting my lip, willing the tears threatening to spill to stop, to disappear.  I meet his gaze as I feel the first ones slide down my cheeks.  "Sebby, please don't leave me....  I meant to tell you.  I meant to tell you everything."

His composure breaks as he swallows heavily, freeing one of his hands from my desperate grasp to gently wipe away my tears.  He blinks, once, twice, and I can see his sea green eyes taking on a new shine.  Sebastian's eyes leave mine and momentarily glance over my shoulder, I know he's looking at Hunter.  And then his gaze is back on me as a tear starts to slide down his cheek as well.  "Shannon Lynn Anderson, my sweet future Mrs Smythe, I don't want to leave you.  But I  don't know what to believe anymore.  Things have just been getting so complicated......"

I'm openly sobbing now, kneeling on the floor.  A hand starts rubbing gentle circles on my back, I look over my shoulder to see Hunter on the floor behind me.  His face is full of concern as he tries to calm me down.  Voice soft, almost unnoticeable.  "Shay-Baby, its okay.  I know you love him.  He loves you too, I can see it.  Really.  I just want you to be happy, all I ever want is for you to be happy.  I promise."

My hands are still gripping Sebastian's tightly as Hunter scoots closer and pulls me back to rest against his chest.  One arm loops around my waist, holding me tightly against him while his other hand runs soothingly through my hair.  I look up at him just in time to see him square his shoulders and level his gaze at Sebastian.

"Dude, I swear, when I first got here, first saw her I had no clue that she was that girl.  My girl from way back then.  The last we saw each other, I was newly 14, right before my parents shipped me off to military school to correct my 'bad behavior and unsavory reputation'.  We hadn't even exchanged any contact information back then, I didn't even really know her last name.  Just knew she was Shannon Lynn, who I saw for years at competitions.  Conveniently had my first kiss with, such a pretty little thing.  And I took for granted that we would see each other all the time.  We never really dated, not properly, because she was in Pittsburgh and I was in Colorado Springs.  But we buried those memories, at least I know I did.  So to answer your question, neither of us knew until Sunday, when Gabe sprung all of it on us at the diner."

I'm speechless after Hunter stops his rambling explanation.  Sebastian seems to be as well.  He blinks a few times and then I can see the beginnings of a smile cross his features.  Small sigh, he finally starts to hold my hand back instead of just me clutching desperately to him.  "I suppose that is a sufficient explanation.  But what about the whole apartment predicament?  I mean if he is living there as well that may cramp my style some when I drive out with you.  I wasn't planning on wearing much clothing..."

My voice is soft, small.  "Bastian, he'll be the only one I know in LA after you leave me.  I'm supposed to have a lovely, rather large two bedroom bungalow.  Is it so wrong if he stays there too??"

Seb sighs again, smiling gently at me and then leveling a rather lethal glare at Hunter, who still has his arm around my waist.  "Clarington, I may have to install cameras in that apartment.  Just to make sure you don't violate my fiancée.  I may be sharing her with you now, but rest assured she is mine.  You may have kissed her first, but I'll be damned if I won't be the one who kisses her last."