Page 29 of Finally Forever
And now we’re leaving it all. Never to return. My chin trembles.
We were supposed to stay in this house with this amazing view until I graduated college. Now I’m a temporary drop out.
So many promises gone with one bout of amnesia. At night, I cry into my pillow and pray for Sebastian’s memories to return so we can go back to the way things were.
It’s clear by his nonchalance about our leaving and his recent dedication to his phone that he doesn’t care.
He chuckles, deep and genuine.
I jerk my head to look at him, almost giving myself whiplash.
He smirks at his phone, leaving me to guess what he’s laughing about.
“Funny reel?” I ask.
We used to watch reels on Instagram for a good laugh. My favorites always have animals.
“What?” His gaze flicks to me, and his expression shifts, the humor gone.
“Are you watching funny reels?”
His brows scrunch, like he has no idea what I’m talking about.
I point to his phone. “Something made you laugh. I thought it was a funny video.”
“No. I’m texting Nathan.”
I give him my full attention. “You guys are talking?” I thought Xavier was setting things up and Sebastian was waiting to talk to them in person.
“Yeah.”
“And? Was he shocked? Happy? Confused? He thought you were dead for a year.”
“Yes to all. He’s over it, though.” Sebastian shrugs.
“Just like that?” I snap my fingers and shuffle closer to the couch where Sebastian sits.
I’ve always envied the way guys can let things go.
“Nathan knew the consequences of my life. He’s the most loyal friend I’ve ever had and was relieved when he learned I’m alive.”
A warm smile tugs at my lips. “I’m so happy for you to have your friendship with him again. He was a very loyal friend.”
It makes me miss Lowell, even more after seeing him. Like Nathan, he didn’t hold a grudge against me for disappearing. He accepted my return and wanted to rekindle our friendship as if no time had passed at all.
I texted him before he left town that an emergency had happened, and I couldn’t meet up. It was the truth. He sent me a sweet reply, saying he hoped everything was fine, and although he’s sad about not meeting up, he’s happy to have my number.
I hadn’t thought that through when I texted him. In my defense, I was—still am—dealing with a lot. My mind isn’t as sharp as a result.
I should text him that I’ll be MIA for a while again. I don’t want him to worry if he reaches out and I don’t reply.
I take care of that and pray this brief interaction between us doesn’t cause problems. For the first time since I ran into him, I’m concerned for his safety. For everyone’s. Before this amnesia, Sebastian never would have risked reuniting with his friends. We talked about it, and it was an idea for the future.
“Are you excited to see him and Riley?” Dumb question.
“According to my brain, I just saw them, so…” He shrugs again, his focus on his phone, where it’s been this whole time. Not once has he looked at me.
“Well, I bet they’re excited to reconnect. You guys were really close.”
