Shocking I know. He thinks he's so smooth with comments like that. I'm still looking through my page while I hear everyone else murmuring to each other. I'm too absorbed to notice fully. OMG?!  Sebastian has liked so many of my photos already. And is now following my page! Huh. Not sure if I should be weirded out by his borderline stalking or flattered. I quickly check out his photos. Artsy. Travel. Food. The obligatory selfies. Not much different from the stuff I post honestly, so I click the follow button as well.

Might as well bite the bullet. I'm programming his number in my phone since I know he's bound to find someway to contact me anyway when I finally hear Kurt speak up louder, so that I can hear too.

"You let that Criminal Chipmunk meet her??" Woah he REALLY doesn't like Sebastian.

"What was I supposed to do? He came over to the table when he saw us talking to Jeff and Nick. I didn't expect for him to hit on her."

"Wait. He hit on her?" That was Rachel. "I thought he was gay? And trying to get in your pants Blaine?"

I finally look up at that. Gay?!?!  "Well crap," I mumble softly. There goes my daydreams. I must have looked really disappointed. Blaine glanced over at me. "No. No, he's not gay, more like Bi. He's a little like Santana really, well and like you Rachel."

Rachel gasps. "I am NOTHING like HIM!!"

"Chill Rach, I just meant that you both are laser focused when you see what you want. And it looks like now that he wants you Shannon."

"What do I then? I don't know what to do?? Do I still try and talk to him? Why do I do this? Why do I always do this?!"  I'm hysterical now. I'm not Belle. There is no such thing as a real life Beast, a redeemable bad boy. At least not for me. It's just like every other guy I've been interested in. I put my head in my hands. Maybe moving here was a mistake.

"Shanny, we are so sorry. We didn't mean to upset you. Kurt was just worried about losing me. WHICH WON'T HAPPEN." He shoots Kurt a pointed look effectively shutting him up.

Rachel wraps her arms around me a rubs my head. "I get it Shann. I may have judged him too harshly. I mean none of us actually know Sebastian. And his message to you seemed sweet. Incredibly forward but sweet. We'll support you, no matter what. Won't we? Kurt? Blaine??"

Kurt nods and Blaine looks deep into my eyes. "I meant what I said in the car on the way here. I'll always have your back, no matter what. Now we should get home. Wouldn't want you to be too tired for your first day at McKinley now would we??"  I follow the three of them out of the restaurant. Rachel and Kurt pull me into a big hug. Blaine joins in as well. "Group hug!!  Smile again Shann, everything will be okay."

We bid our friends farewell and head back to Blaine's in his car. We drive home in silence. As much as I loved the memories of the Lima Bean earlier I just wanted to forget much of what happened at dinner. Blaine parks the car and we head into the house. Finally I addressed him. "Blainey, I'm just really tired. Do you mind if I just go to bed? I'll see you in the morning."

Reluctantly he nods, pulling me into a hug and gently kissing my forehead. "Of course Shanny-pie. I'm sorry if we upset you tonight. I'm okay if you want to be friends with Sebastian. I saw how he looked at you when we had coffee, he seemed to genuinely care. So I give my blessing. Do you want me to drive you to school tomorrow??"

I look up at him and nod slightly, giving him a small smile before I head up the stairs. "I'd like that. Goodnight Blainey-bear."

I head to my room, changing back into my pajamas. Plugging in my phone I take a shot and send of a quick message to the number I programmed in earlier before silencing my ringer.

Me: Sebastian, thank you for adding me on Instagram. It was a pleasure meeting you today. And you were right, I'd be in touch. Goodnight, Shannon

***the next morning***

I'm drifting through a fog. Lost. And all I can see are piercing green eyes, shining through the haze. It feels like a weight has been lifted and I smiled. 

Then I hear buzzing. I open my eyes, it was only just a dream. Sighing I get out of bed and head for the shower. From the sound of it Blaine isn't up yet, so I should have some more alone time.

Folding and putting away my pajamas, I turn to the shower. Trying to chase away the memories of last night I turn the water as hot as I can stomach and step in, pulling the door closed behind me. In no time I'm lost in the smell of my Coconut scented shampoo and body wash. Thankfully the heat and aroma works out some of my problems because by the time I wrap myself in my fluffy lemon colored towel I'm almost feeling normal.

I sit at the vanity in my new room while I blow dry my hair. I decided on a cute but simple style and get started. It looks complicated but really isn't.

Once my hair was done I did some light makeup. I still want to make a good first impression. Heading to my closet I settle on a pair a black leggings and a hot pink soft sweater with black ankle boots.  One last glance in the mirror confirms that I look cute and cheerful even if I don't totally feel it.

I gather up my messenger bag and purse. Reaching for my phone I noticed a few texts from last night.

CarBear: We'll miss you tomorrow.
Lars: Highlands won't be the same without you chica!

Aww, they're cute. I shoot off quick replies to my friends from home. Then I noticed a few more messages from this morning.

I❤️Jeff: Good luck today Precious.
Nick's my favorite: So you never answered my question. Are you single?

Omg?! I never should have let those boys program in their own numbers.  Are they even for real?  I send them off some replies

To Jeff: Silly boy, you sound like Gollum. But thanks for the sentiment
To Nick: That's for me to know. 😉 Are you? 😄

And finally I found a response from the one I sent off last night. I take a breathe and check what he sent. I was inspired by his Instagram name when I programmed his number in yesterday.

Bastian: No Pretty Girl, the pleasure was all mine. Show those public school kids what a princess you are. I'll be thinking of you today. 😘

Le sigh. What. A. Charmer.  I can't wrap my head around a response to that. But I begin to hear Blaine calling my name so I head down to meet him. McKinley here I come.

**time skip because school is boring**

I followed Blaine's advice and kept my head down today and managed to make it through with my outfit unscathed. Shoot some of the jocks were even nice to me. Twilight Zone, right?!

The day is at an end so Blaine grabs my hand and drags me into the choir room. We're the last ones there so everyone's attention is on us as we walk through the door.

"Hobbit 2 who is your new miniature friend? Did you recruit someone else from the Shire?" That must be Santana.

"Sanny, I don't think she's a Hobbit. She's all cute and girly like a water fairy. Hey, I wonder if she knows Tinkerbell!!" Glancing at Blaine I now understand what Rachel and Kurt were telling me last night. That was obviously Brittney.

"Guys this is my cousin Shannon. She just moved here and will be staying with me for a while. She said she was in show choir at her old school."

"We know, we know. My hot little Jew already showed us that video she took of her singing that Disney song the other day. Hot."  Noticing the mohawk I remember that they told me his name was Puck.

The teacher came in by then when the girl they called Mercedes addressed me. "Girl you can sing. No way we'd pass you up."

"Shannon, I'm Mr Schuester. We'd love to hear you sing. You're already accepted but would you like to give us a vocal introduction?"

"Okay I guess."  I approached the pianist and tell him my song choice. He just nods and starts to play. I start off softly, knowing I'll gain emotion as the song builds. Here it goes.

Stay (a/n originally by Lisa Loeb)

You say...
I only hear what I want to.
You say. I talk so all the time.
So...

And I thought what I felt was simple and I thought I don't belong.
And now that I am leaving
now I know that I did somethin wrong
cause I missed you
Yeah...
I missed you.

you say,
I only hear what I want to
I don't listen hard
Don't pay attention to the distance that that you're running to anyone
anywhere
I don't understand if you really care
I'm only hearing negatives
no
no
no...

So I,
I turn the radio on
I turn the radio up
and this woman was singing my song

Lovers in love and the others run away
Lover is cryin cause the other won't stay

Some of us hover when we're weaping for the other who was dying since the day they were born

well...
Well.
This is not that thing that I'm throwin but I'm thrown
And I thought I'd live forever
but now I'm not so sure
you try to tell me that I'm clever but that won't take me anyhow
or anywhere
with you

You said that I was naive and I thought that I was strong.
Oh. I thought hey I can leave
oh
now I know that I was wrong
cause I missed you.
yeahhhhh
I missed you

You said you caught me cause you want me and one day you'll let me go
you try to give away a keeper
or keep me cause you know youre just so scared to lose.

And you say...
Stay.

You say...
I only hear what I want to

I end my song softly again and all I hear is a collective "Wow."

Could things be looking up?