Page 60 of When Dawn Breaks

“Won’t be long now. Can you believe we have less than two weeks of school left?”

“Seems unreal,” I agree.

“I can’t fucking wait. The sooner I get out of this place, the sooner I don’t have to see Tess look at me the way she’s looking at me right now.” His gaze is once again focused across the room where the three girls sit.

“Dude, stop torturing yourself.”

“Yeah, easier said than done,” he grumbles, quickly standing.

I mirror his actions, following him across the cafeteria to dispose of our lunch trays before exiting the near empty room.

“Chin up, dude. Shit will get better.” I do a crap job at reassuring Sebastian, but if I’m being honest, all this shit makes me super uncomfortable.

I’m not much of a feelings dude. I mean, I have them, of course. I’ve just always been someone who keeps that kind of shit locked in deep. I’m not a cold-hearted asshole or anything. But I don’t do well in emotional situations. And Sebastian is all kinds of emotional right now which makes him pretty unbearable to be around.

“I hear you.” He gives me a quick nod before veering right toward his locker while I continue on straight to mine.

I no more than get my locker open before I hear Bree’s voice behind me.

“What the hell is wrong with your boy?” I turn to find her standing directly to my right, her arms crossed over her chest, resting on her very large pregnant belly.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” I shake my head, pulling out my Science and History books before shutting my locker and turning fully to face Bree.

“He’s an idiot if he lets her go.” She stretches out an arm, pointing down the hallway to no one in particular.

“I agree, but he’s stubborn as shit and there’s nothing I can do. I’ve tried talking to him. It doesn’t do me any good.”

“Well, try harder. Those two are meant to be. Everyone can see it.”

“I can’t try any harder. Sebastian’s made up his mind that it’s better to end things now before he leaves for LSU.” To this, she rolls her eyes.

“Bullshit.”

“Trust me, I agree. But he’s convinced he’s doing what’s best for her. Honestly, I think he’s fucking scared.”

“What would he be scared of? Those two have been head over heels for months? Why get cold feet now?”

“Because now it’s getting real. He’s leaving, and she’s staying.”

“I hate this.” She pouts out her bottom lip. “I hate seeing Tess like this. I’ve never seen her so down before. I can’t handle it.”

“I don’t like seeing Sebastian like this either. Especially when all he has to do is suck it up and just talk to her.”

“Seriously, she would take him back without a second thought.”

“I know. But as much as we would like to, we can’t control what they do. Either they will work it out or they won’t.”

“I can’t even entertain the possibility that they won’t work it out. Sebastian and Tess are forever.”

“A lot of things change, though. You don’t always know.”

“Stop being so pessimistic and let me have this.” She huffs.

“Yes, ma’am.” I chuckle when she throws me a sideways glare.

“And what about you?” she asks, walking next to me as I turn and head down the hallway.

“What about me?” I try my best to keep my eyes forward and not look at her. Weird shit happens to me when I look into those damn golden eyes.

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