REMI
Okay, now I’m officially worried.
I haven’t heard a single word from Sebastian since yesterday afternoon. Not a message, not a call, nothing, ever since he told me he was going to lunch with his parents. And now he’s not even reading mine.
At first, I told myself to be patient. Give him space. Coming out to your parents is no small thing, especially after hiding your sexuality for four years. He needed time. He deserved that. But it’s been too long, and something feels off. Badly off.
I’ve tried to convince myself that there’s a rational explanation. But I know Seb. He’s thoughtful, emotionally intelligent. Even if things went horribly wrong, he’d find a moment to at least let me know he was okay. The silence is screaming at me.
I keep telling myself it’s not the same for me. That I’m not afraid of my own coming out. My mother and Maude will be fine. I know it. They’ve always put our happiness first, especially Mum. She’s made sacrifices I’m only just beginning to understand.
I cared about Maddie. Genuinely. And I’ll always be grateful for what we shared. But the love I feel for Sebastian is… different. Whole. Unshakable. He makes me feel like I’ve finally found the part of myself I didn’t know was missing.
The moment Mum meets him, I know she’ll fall for him, his warmth, his grace, that crooked little smile. She’ll probably be sad for Maddie’s sake, she always liked her, but she’ll understand. She always does.
I just need Seb to come back. I need to see that spark in his eyes, to feel his hand in mine, and hear his voice telling me everything’s okay.
But I can’t wait around anymore. I’ve reached my limit.
Something’s wrong in Stratford. I can feel it in my gut. He was worried about how his parents would react, and now he’s disappeared. If I’d followed my instincts, I would’ve gone with him. But our relationship still doesn’t have a name. I didn’t want to push.
Sebastian is strong. Fiercely self-aware. He’s survived storms that would’ve drowned others. But I’ve also seen the tenderness beneath his surface, the vulnerability that he guards so closely.
And it’s that vulnerability I can’t get out of my head right now.
I need to know he’s safe. That he hasn’t been crushed by whatever reaction he faced. And for that, I need a car. Fast.
I mentally run through my options. I could call Francis, or Anne, or Ian. But asking Fran or Anne would mean a long string of questions I’m not ready to answer. Ian, on the other hand… well, he has a car. And he knows where Seb lives.
He’s not my favourite person, but right now, he’s the best chance I’ve got.
I check Seb’s phone again, still off, then dial Ian. I brace myself for a hostile reception, but he answers after a few rings, sounding surprised more than anything.
“Remi? Everything okay? I’m kind of… busy right now.”
There’s a muffled voice in the background. Oh god. I’ve interrupted something. Whatever, I don’t have time to feel awkward.
“Sorry for the intrusion, but it’s urgent,” I say, more anxiously than I mean to. “It’s about Seb.”
That gets his attention. “Shit. Is he alright?”
“I honestly don’t know. He went to come out to his parents yesterday and hasn’t been heard from since. His phone’s off. I need to go to Stratford and find out what’s going on.”
“Christ,” Ian breathes. “Yeah. Yeah, we’ve got to go. Give me half an hour to get ready. ”
“Ian,” I cut in firmly, “I appreciate it, but I need to do this alone. I know Seb might be upset that I’m showing up uninvited, let alone with company.”
There’s a pause. “I mean, I want to help. He matters to me, Remi.”
“I know. But I think this is something I need to handle one-on-one. At least for now. And please, don’t tell Anne yet. There’s no need to worry her unless things are worse than I think.”
He exhales. “Okay. I get it. You’ll need his address. And the car?”
“If you’re willing, yes.”
He hesitates for a second longer, then relents. “Sure. I’m not using it this week anyway. But you’ll keep me updated, right?”
“Of course.” I pause. “Ian… thanks. I know we haven’t exactly been friendly. But this means a lot.”
“I’m not your biggest fan, Remi,” he says honestly, “but I do believe you care about him. And if Seb trusts you, then I’m willing to as well.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then Ian adds, almost shyly, “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
I don’t even hesitate. “Yeah. I am.”
“Thought so. The way you acted around me? Made sense, in hindsight. He’s got that effect, doesn’t he? Even on the straight ones.”
I laugh, surprised. “You’re not wrong. It took me by surprise, too. But it’s not just a crush, Ian. It’s real. And I won’t let him go.”
He’s quiet for a moment, then asks gently, “Does he know? About how you feel?”
“He does. We’ve… talked about it, a little. But we haven’t figured out how to tell our friends. Especially Maddie.”
Ian whistles low. “That’s going to be messy.”
“Tell me about it. I already broke up with her. She didn’t take it well, and she doesn’t know about Seb. Yet.”
He lets out a long sigh. “Good luck, mate. You’ll need it.”
“I know.”
“Still,” he adds with a wistful note, “I get it. Seb’s… one of a kind. I chased him for years, you know? But if anyone’s going to make him happy, I want it to be someone who sees him for who he really is. Don’t screw it up.”
“I won’t.”
He gives me the address in Stratford and tells me where to pick up the car in East London. As we hang up, his final words ring in my ears:
“Go get our boy, or I guess I should say your boy. And be careful. His parents won’t be thrilled to see you.”
I slip my phone into my pocket, grab my bag, and lock the flat behind me.
I’ve got a boy to bring home.