20. Our Secret

I didn't ever imagine having to sneak back home with Seb's hand in mine, looking left and right to make sure Lucien didn't spot us, but here we are. We stop in front of my bedroom door, awkward and still without talking to each other.

"You're going to have really bad bruises on your face for days." I finally tell him, just to break the ice. I reach up to touch his face, making sure not to press too much so I don't hurt him.

Seb leans into my touch but does not answer. And I have a good feeling why.

I really don't want to address it, but I ask anyway, "What's the matter?"

Seb scratches the back of his head awkwardly, "Earlier, when we were with our friends, I tried to take your hand, but you dropped mine."

The hurt in his voice rose above the question and I feel a twinge in my chest, too.

"Oh...that...I...uh.." I stammer. I think of a lie, but nothing comes. It will not work with Seb anyway, who knows me more than I know myself, so I tell him the truth, "I don't want our fri