SEBASTIAN
I’m really glad I said yes to Remi’s invitation.
Seeing Anne again hit me harder than I expected, so much so that, for a moment, I felt completely overwhelmed.
But the second we hugged, it was as if no time had passed at all.
The tension just... melted away.
That familiar hint of lavender, the warmth of her arms around me, the way she held me with such quiet, unwavering affection: I didn’t need words to know our friendship still had a future.
What we had wasn’t lost.
It had just been waiting.
Sure, on the surface, Anne seems more grown up now, more composed, more confident, but the moment she started talking, there she was: the same whirlwind I’ve always known.
Part fierce pragmatist, part unfiltered joy.
Long black hair, that mischievous fringe, and those deep brown eyes that always seemed to read me too well,
I glance at her now, sitting beside me, and for a moment, I’m struck by how beautiful she is.
Even more than I remembered
“You look amazing, Anne. Honestly, your boyfriend’s a lucky guy,” I say with a smile.
She waves it off like it’s nothing, then places a hand on my shoulder and looks me straight in the eye.
“Look who’s talking! Seb, you’ve always been handsome, but now, damn, you’re actually sexy.”
Yep.
Definitely the same Anne.
No filter whatsoever.
She keeps going, totally unfazed by the unimpressed glare from her boyfriend: “This new look really suits you! What is it, French fashion influence? Or is there some lucky girl helping you with your wardrobe?”
She watches me with that affectionate, slightly cheeky smile, resting her chin in her hand. And for a split second, I want to tell her the truth. That there is no girl. That I’m gay.
That this, the part of me I couldn’t explain, that I was too afraid to say out loud, is the real reason I left Maddie without warning.
But I can’t.
Not yet.
Not tonight.
I don’t want to ruin this moment, this reunion that feels so fragile and precious.
And even though everyone’s been lovely, I’m still the newcomer at this table. Strangers, for now.
But I’ll be in London all summer. There’ll be time.
Time for honesty.
Time for Anne and me to find a quiet moment, just the two of us.
And when it comes, I’ll tell her everything.
So for now, I just smile awkwardly, shake my head, and say nothing.
Right then, Noah, seated on my other side, nudges me gently with his elbow and asks if I’m enjoying myself.
I’m quietly grateful for the distraction and turn the conversation his way, asking about his job.
He and Jamie, his boyfriend, are clearly head over heels for each other.
They keep leaning in, exchanging quiet words and small, affectionate touches, those soft looks that say everything without needing to speak.
Watching them makes my chest ache in the best possible way.
They were warm and welcoming from the moment I arrived, and the way they love each other, freely, without hesitation, fills me with admiration. And maybe a little hope.
Maybe one day I’ll find that, too.
Someone who sees me. Supports me.
Someone who isn’t afraid to show the world that I’m theirs.
Someone who looks at me like I’m the most precious thing they’ve ever held.
Anne and Francis are lovely together as well, even though he keeps throwing me these slightly possessive glances.
I think he’s a bit jealous. Which honestly makes me laugh.
If only he knew... Anne was never in any danger with me.
Not even for a second.
Remi, though… that’s a different story.
Strangely enough, he never seems to stop watching me.
Even when he’s chatting with Jamie and Francis, I can feel his eyes drifting my way from time to time, like I’m caught in some quiet orbit he hasn’t quite escaped. I have a feeling he’s following Maddie’s instructions to the letter.
I’m not sure if it’s genuine curiosity or just a sense of duty, but either way, there’s something unexpectedly sweet about it.
There’s something about Remi... Maybe it’s the way he carries himself, so deliberate, so measured.
Like he’s always trying to keep the world in order.
He doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys surprises.
More like someone who craves control, who finds comfort in plans and routines.
Which makes me wonder, how would he cope with real chaos?
I can’t help but be curious.
It might be interesting to find out.
For now, though, there’s no chaos.
Just the warm hum of laughter, teasing, and conversation drifting around the table. The knot of anxiety I was carrying earlier has completely eased. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I might actually belong.
Everyone seems genuinely curious about my life as a pianist.
None of them are musicians, though Jamie, being a dancer, has a real ear for classical music and absolutely loves it, so I get bombarded with questions about solo performances, the Paris orchestra, touring life… And it’s rare, but also really nice, to feel so seen without having to prove myself.
They’re not just interesting, Remi’s friends. They’re kind. Funny.
And, maybe best of all, effortlessly easy to be around.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this welcome.
I lean back in my chair, smiling as I listen to them swap stories about work, full of madness, humor, and heart. Through Maddie, I already knew about Remi’s PhD in quantum physics, and I’d heard that Anne worked in PR for a major fashion house.
But I didn’t know Francis was finishing his medical internship.
Or that Noah had just started teaching art in a primary school. And Jamie, besides being a dancer, is also a contemporary dance teacher.
They’re all brilliant in their own ways. Driven. Creative. Just like Maddie.
But what strikes me more than anything is how at ease they are in themselves. They’re open. Warm. Unpretentious. And it makes me realize just how rare that is. How much I’ve missed being around people who make room for you exactly as you are.
I’m just beginning to settle, truly relax into my chair, when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I flinch at the unexpected touch, and as I turn around, my whole body goes cold.
Ian?
Oh no.
Oh God. No.