7. Sebastian
Chapter 7
Sebastian
The cafeteria door swings open, and I lead the way inside with Brandon and Connor flanking me. The scent of grease and overcooked vegetables assaults my nostrils as we make our way to the serving line. It’s not where I’d choose to eat, but it’s the best place to spot her, besides the library.
She’s not here yet. That’s unusual.
For days now, the girl who punched me in my own room has occupied my thoughts, a constant presence in my mind. There’s something about her that draws me in, and not only because she’s an Edmunds. I’ve watched her from a distance, observed her movements and habits, trying to discern if she’s putting on an act. But every time I see her nestled in her favorite spot in the library, surrounded by books as if they were her armor, I can’t shake the feeling she’s genuine.
She looks at peace there .
A peace I would like a share of, but I didn’t want to interrupt hers, and since I missed my chance to talk to her at the training, I’m left with coming to this cafeteria junk. And because it would be weird for me to come here alone, I had to bribe Brandon and Connor to join me and promise them each a favor. What I wouldn’t do for my little princess.
Maybe she really doesn’t remember.
But it is her. My princess is back.
“Ugh, this food looks even worse than usual.” Brandon stares down at his tray, grimacing.
“You don’t even know the usual,” Connor says.
“Yes, exactly why we shouldn’t be here.”
“Stop complaining.” I keep my gaze fixed on the entrance, waiting for her arrival.
Why didn’t she come back to observe me at practice?
Every pass, every play, every touchdown, it was like I was putting on a show for her, and I’ve never felt the need to impress anyone before, but with her eyes glued to me, I wanted to be the best version of myself.
She wasn’t there for Jason because, if that were the case, she would have been at the practices before we met, and I definitely would have noticed her.
Jason.
Why him, of all people?
He’s always hovering around her like a fucking guard dog. What’s his deal anyway? He acts like he owns her, like she’s his property or something. It makes my blood boil thinking about it. I mean, sure, they’re friends, but that doesn’t give him the right to monopolize her time and attention.
And I’m sure he’d rather go to hell than let her talk to me. We don’t like each other, and we had some fights. He’s so predictable, so… slimy.
Instead of showing the coach he deserved to be on the first team, he tried to buy himself the spot. Maybe that’s what she wants, someone who won’t challenge her, someone who won’t push her out of her comfort zone. Someone who didn’t—Someone who isn’t me.
The way she punched me, damn. She’s not some timid little mouse hiding behind her books and friends. It will take time, given that she unliked the picture. My little princess was stalking me.
“Seriously, though,” Brandon says. “I’m a way better cook than whoever’s running this joint. I should just whip something up for us all later.”
“Sounds good.” I load my plate with a pile of limp lettuce and some mystery meat.
“Got your head in the clouds again? I bet you’re thinking about that girl from practice.” Brandon nudges me.
“Shut up,” I say.
“Look, man, don’t stress yourself out over her. She’s just a girl. If she’s worth your time, things will work out. And if not…” His gaze drifts to a nearby table where a group of girls sit, laughing. “There are plenty of other fish in the sea. ”
It’s not that simple. Lil isn’t just any girl. She’s the princess haunting me since childhood, even if she doesn’t remember. At first, I didn’t recognize her, but after observing a whole lot and Connor looking into her, I’m sure.
“Come on.” I walk to an empty table and set down my tray. “Let’s eat this crap.”
Brandon pokes at the mush on his plate. “This is ridiculous, Bash. I liked it better when you dragged us for ice cream the other day.”
“So, when are you going to make your move on Naomi?” I ask.
“Guess I hit a nerve earlier. You getting back at me, bestie?” he asks.
“Maybe.”
“Not everyone is as smooth as you, and Naomi is a hard nut to crack, I’m telling you. Right, Cuz?” Brandon turns to Connor for support, but our quiet friend is lost in his own world, methodically eating his meal without any expression.
My gaze darts up as the doors swing open again.
Finally.
Lil enters the cafeteria with Jason beside her. Her long black hair is gathered into a ponytail today, two strands curling around her face. As always, she’s wearing a plaid skirt highlighting her slim waist and a loose blouse. It looks similar to a school uniform. She stands in line, tucking one lose strand behind her ear, and her full lips curve into a smile at something Jason said.
Their closeness, their familiarity… it grates on my nerves .
Jason piles his tray high with pizza, fries, and a soda while Lil selects a salad and a bottle of water. As they turn to scan the room for a place to sit, Lil’s eyes meet mine from across the room. Her steps falter for a moment, cheeks flushing pink before Jason steers her toward an empty table on the fucking other side of the cafeteria.
I slouch down in my seat with a scowl.
“Didn’t think I would ever see the moment Jason cockblocks you.” Brandon munches on his cookie. Apparently the only eatable thing, considering he touched nothing else on his tray.
Ignoring his teasing, I retrieve my phone and open Jason’s social media profile because hers looks abandoned compared to his. It’s filled with pictures of the two of them—at the library, outside, eating ice cream. If he had turned the camera a bit to the right, I would be in that photo, too.
The thing is, in none of the photos do I glimpse the fear in her eyes that I saw at the party. She was devastated, and I understand why. She saw Mike, that fucker, kissing someone else. Still, it was like she was somewhere else when she whispered something about the pounding having to stop. It was strange since there was no pounding, except for the music.
Brandon hunches over to peer at my screen. “Seriously, man? How complicated can it be? Fuck her and get over it. I hate this food.”
I scowl at him again, shoving my phone into my pocket. “Shut up and eat. ”
“Impossible. How can someone even call this food?” He returns to pushing the food around on his plate like a little child pouting.
“You’re such a baby. It’s not that bad,” I say.
“I bet you’d eat cardboard if it meant seeing that girl.”
“I would because I don’t want to mess it up.”
Brandon snorts. “Please. You’re the king of smooth. Flash that megawatt smile, and she’ll be putty in your hands.”
“It’s not that simple.” I could have already made another move, but I’m not sure if I should. “You don’t get it.”
“So explain,” Connor says.
“Her family isn’t exactly friendly with mine.”
“Uuh, I see it already. Romeo and Juliet,” Brandon says.
Yeah. A twisted version of Romeo and Juliet, without the poetry and the fancy clothes. Just a whole lot of bullshit and bad blood.
My gaze drifts back to Lil. Jason wraps an arm around her shoulders, and she stiffens at the contact before slipping gracefully out of his hold. Good girl.
Brandon’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Who cares if your family doesn’t agree? Given how she eye-fucked you at practice, she’s head over heels for you.”
“That’s what’s weird. It seems like she doesn’t know.”
“I don’t see the problem.” Brandon shrugs. “You should get her before I do.”
I give him a dead stare. “I already told you. Keep your hands to Naomi. ”
Ju, Lil’s roommate, joins them. I could talk to her about Lil, but she has such a big mouth. Not an option, then.
“Connor, help me out here,” Brandon says.
“The food is awful,” Connor says.
I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the input.”
“Lil is not like the other girls you’ve dated, and she is not Blake.” Connor sets down his fork, wiping his mouth. “Getting involved with her won’t be simple or casual. Are you ready for that? Or will you get bored and move on to the next girl, like you always do?”
“Am I that bad?”
“You’re an amazing guy,” Brandon interjects. “But you have a reputation for being a playboy. She looks more like the girl next door. Someone who needs someone more… serious and committed.”
“Are you saying I’m not capable of serious?” I can do serious. I just haven’t found the one I want to do it with. Until now.
“Name one serious relationship you had,” Brandon says. “The on and off with Blake doesn’t count.”
Shit.
“Think about it.” Connor claps my shoulder and stands. “I need to go. See you later.”
They are right to doubt me. I’ve never been one to commit. But one thing I know for sure—Lil isn’t just another girl. She never has been .
My fingers curl into fists as I remember the softness of her lips, the little gasp she made, the soft curves of her body pressing against me… I couldn’t get enough.
I didn’t plan to kiss her. Didn’t plan for any of this. But the second I saw her in my room, big whiskey eyes staring up at me, I was hooked. One minute, we were talking, and the next, I was tasting her, fingers tangled in her hair.
And then she smiled. A real, genuine smile that lit up her entire face. In that moment, everything else faded away. The pounding headache from earlier replaced by a sense of calm and contentment. It’s like she has this power over me, this ability to make everything better by being there.
But now she’s gone, and the headache is back with a vengeance. I can’t focus on anything else. All I can think about is her. The way she looked that night, with her hair mussed, cheeks flushed, and lips swollen from my kiss… fuck. The way she felt in my arms, like she belonged there. I want that again. I need it.
There is just one hurdle.
Jason is practically beaming, leaning in close like he’s got some claim on her. But I know better. I saw the look in her eyes when I kissed her that night. Felt the way her body melted against mine. Jason wishes she’d look at him like that.
“You know, it’s getting kind of obvious at how you give Jason the death stare. Is he the Tybalt in this story?” Brandon asks.
“Please, he wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Save some of that energy for the field,” Brandon says .
“What’s my dear brother doing in the cafeteria?” Gemma, my sister, flashes her usual smile as she joins our table.
I guess it’s a Barron thing. We both got it from our mother, like the blonde hair and green eyes.
“True, since when do you guys come to the cafeteria?” Mary, her best friend, all bubbly and bouncy brown curls, slides into the seat next to her.
“Sebastian’s choice,” Brandon says. “I’m here for the lovely company.”
Gemma raises an eyebrow at me, but I shrug it off. It’s true that the cafeteria isn’t my usual hangout spot, but today it serves a purpose—one connected to a certain person who is too fucking close to Jason.
“Are you okay?” Gemma looks at me with concern, and I nod.
“So, how did you convince Brandon to eat this food?” Mary says.
“Since—”
I interrupt Brandon. “We didn’t have enough time, and it’s close to the field.”
“Is it? I thought…” Mary taps her chin.
“Yeah, it is,” Brandon says.
I’m saved from further questioning as he changes the subject. However, my attention wanders back to Lil, who is standing and gathering her things. I crane my neck to track her path out of the cafeteria .
“I gotta run. See you guys later.” I push back from the table and stand.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Gemma asks.
“Just got something to take care of.” I flash a grin. “Don’t wait up.”
Brandon smirks while Mary and Gemma exchange confused glances. I don’t give them a chance to question me further, already striding toward the exit.
I text Connor to get Lil’s schedule. He replies in seconds—perks of having a hacker for a best friend. One glance at the message, and I’m heading to her next class.
At least I gotta try.
I promised my princess.