New Beginnings

Chapter 43 : Movie nights with Sebastian

Chapter 43

A few days later...

Alex POV

Jeff was on medication for his anxiety and depression now. His nightmares were better, and he was having less panic attacks. I was happy for him. But we weren't back together.

Things had actually been sort of awkward for us. Jeff still needed his nightly cuddles, but he barely spoke to me. Well, he barely spoke to anyone. But I could sense a bit of tension between us. 

Sebastian and Nick hadn't really said much about the break up. I knew they both liked me, but I think they were keeping their distance for now. It was way too soon to even think about dating anyone besides Jeff. And it was way too soon for Jeff to see me with someone else.

I still stick by my decision to break up with him though. He needs to get better. And I know he's more motivated to get better, knowing that's the reason I broke up with him in the first place. 

"So, did you finish the homework for history yet?" Sebastian asked, sitting down next to me in the cafeteria.

"Uh... Yeah, why?"

"Just wondering. What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing... Why?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out."

I gave him a somewhat questioning look.

"Look, I promise I'm not trying to do anything. I know you're stressed out, and I was just seeing if you wanted to have a little fun and relax. We can do whatever you want. We could watch a movie, do homework, talk-"

"Sure... Just... No talking about it, ok?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Sebastian."

"Yeah, no problem."

I finished up dinner, and then went up to Sebastian's room. 

"So... Movie night?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool. I made popcorn."

I sat down on his bed. He shut off the lights, and put a movie on his laptop.

Later...

Alex POV

Sebastian put his arm around me halfway through the movie. I didn't think much of it until he moved closer to me so our bodies were touching. 

And to be honest, part of me liked it. Part of me just wanted a normal life, where I didn't have to deal with Jeff's nonsense all the time.

The movie ended, and we were left in almost complete darkness, just sitting there silently.

"So... Good movie, right?" I asked.

"I was barely concentrating on that."

"Hm?"

He turned to me, and our eyes locked. 

"I said I was barely concentrating on the movie," he said, softly.

My heart started beating faster.

"W-what do you mean by that?" I asked.

"I mean-"

The door flew open, and Nick was standing there.

"Uh, sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation... Um... With Jeff. Could you guys come here?"

"Yeah," I said, jumping up.

I followed Nick to our room. Jeff was sitting on the bed, holding a towel to his wrist. 

"What happened?" I asked.

"He cut. I found him before he did too much damage. He only made 2 marks."

I sighed.

"What do you need help with? It looks like you've got the situation under control," I said.

"We're out of bandages. I didn't want to leave him alone while I went to go find some more. Sebastian, can you stay with Jeff? And Alex, can you come with me please?"

I nodded, and walked out the door with Nick.

"Ok, what the hell was going on in there?" Nick asked, once we were at the stairs.

"What do you mean?"

"You and Sebastian?"

"Nothing. He asked if I wanted to have a movie night. He wanted to take my mind off of all the stress."

"Yeah, well your mind definitely wasn't on Jeff."

"Nick, look. Nothing happened, and nothing was going to happen."

"But you wanted it to, didn't you?"

I stayed silent.

"You like Sebastian!"

"Shut up! I do not!"

"Alex, I saw you two-"

"It was dark, Nick. I'm sure you saw something different."

He sighed.

"Whatever. I'm just saying, don't get yourself into something you can't handle."

"Nick, I appreciate your concern, but I think I'm fine. Nothing happened, and nothing was going to happen. I don't know what you saw, but it was nothing. I swear. Now please stop talking about it."

"Fine. Whatever..."

We got to the nurse's office, and got some bandages.

"Why did he cut? Did you talk to him?" I asked.

"No."

"Nick, you need to. He needs to talk out whatever's bothering him."

"Ok, I'll talk to him when we get back! He was bleeding! I wanted to handle that first. Gosh. Stop telling me what to do. I think I know how to handle Jeff by now."

I glared at him as we walked back up. 

Sebastian left, and I stayed in my dorm. I didn't need Nick saying anything to Jeff about whatever he thinks he saw. I wanted to be there to defend myself if he did.

Nick took care of Jeff's cuts, and talked to him about what was bothering him. And it turns out that Jeff was just having trouble with math lately, and he felt embarrassed of his bad grades and didn't feel 'good enough'. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was better than what I was expecting. 

Nick helped him with his homework, and then we decided we should head to bed.

I got into bed. Jeff curled up next to me. 

I knew he still felt awkward around me, but he still needed his cuddles. And I want him to feel safe. He's still my best friend, and I want him to get better.