They were never really friends because Seb was lying to her the entire time they’d known each other. But that didn’t mean she had to hide from him. As Emma had eloquently pointed out, he was a nice dude. A dude who had helped her best friend feel safe when she didn’t. And kept her secret even at an age when boys were wired to be mean and stupid.
Emily at least owed him human-like behavior for that.
Shelly jumped into Seb’s arms as soon as he came into the vicinity of their group. Emily had plenty of time to hide if she wanted to. But she was being an adult today, so she pushed the thought away.
Their eyes met over Shelly’s shoulder, and Seb’s expression completely transformed. His smile vanished, and his brows went up in surprise.
“Hi,” Emily waved awkwardly when Shelly finally let him go, just to plaster herself to his side.
“Hi,” he breathed out. His eyebrows relaxed a little, but now he just looked stoic.
And everyone else was looking at them with confusion.
“Oh, wow! You’ve slept with Emily, too?” Vanessa asked.
Emily almost dropped her beer. “Oh, god no!” she clarified quickly. “We were friends in high school.”
“Oh, were we?” Seb asked, tilting his head to one side.
“I don’t know anymore,” she admitted to him. “I mean, it was complicated,” she looked around and said with a smile.
“Oooh, this is juicier than Shelly’s hookup,” Emma said.
“Heyyy, I know you,” Seb said to Emma.
“Of course you do, stud,” Emma said, winking at him.
Seb’s smile was back.
Shelly slowly detangled herself from Seb. “You know what, you guys might have been right,” she said, taking a dramatic step away.
Emily laughed with everyone at Seb’s confused face.
Before she could plan her exit, Jason stumbled to their little group and almost fell into her. “Where did you go off to?” he asked Emily accusingly.
“Oh, yay, it’s Jason,” Vanessa said, sarcastically.
Emily was feeling the same, honestly, and she kinda hated herself for thinking that. “I’m guessing the punch was good?” she asked him.
“So good. You want to try some?” he asked earnestly.
Emily laughed. “That would be a no. Do you want to leave?”
“Yeah, I guess,” he said, sinking further into Emily, dragging her down.
“I’ll help you,” Seb said and grabbed Jason from the other side.
Emily wanted to say no, but he had taken almost all the weight off of her, and she really didn’t want to carry too-drunk-to-walk-Jason all the way to his dorm alone. She could have, but she appreciated the help.
So, they walked away together to the sounds of goodbyes.
“Hey, I think I know you,” Jason said, tilting his head almost upside down and looking suspiciously at Seb.
“No, you don’t,” Emily said quickly.
“Oh, you’re that guy in the pictures in Emily’s room," he said. “I hate you,” he added, making no attempt to act on the hatred.
Wait. “Why?” Emily asked.
