Never let me go

[Captainsassypants]

After watching his best friend enter a distructive a relationship, a boy decided he can't just stand back and watch the girl he loves be mistreated for any longer. With his mind made up he goes on a mission to make the girl see how much he cares for her and how he could be better for her than the boy she is with.​

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth woke up bright and early that morning, and looked out the window in his bedroom. It was a bright and early day, and he was going to get a head start. Silently slipping out of his bed, not bothering to re-do the sheets, he got changed, and then crept over to the stairs. He hoped his foster father wouldn't notice him, and he wouldn't have to sit around listening to him rant about work for an hour and a half.


Once he was downstairs, he looked left and then right. His foster father, David, was in the kitchen, reading a newspaper, and already dressed for work. There was a clear escape to the door. So, Seth left the house, and sighed with relief, before he noticed he had basicly given up breakfast.


Franticly digging through his pockets, he was disappointed to find out he had no money with him. He had made it past David, but forgot food and money.


"Of course." He muttered to himself, as his stomach growled. But, glancing at the house next to his, he smiled. "Maybe Cee can treat me to breakfast."


Feeling himself blush a little, he giggled. "Then, it would be kind of like a date." He said, before remembering Celia's boyfriend, and frowning. "I'll just go back inside and get my wallet. There has to be something in there."


So, that's what he did. He crept back upstairs, back into his bedroom, and dug through several jacket and pants pockets, until he found it. His wallet.


Opening the wallet, he saw he only had a bit of money left. "Hmm. . ." He said, counting it. "This should at least get two slices of cake."


With that, he stuffed it into his pocket, and began to creep back outside.


As he approached the door, he heard David start to talk, but quietly ignored him, like he didn't hear anything.


Once he was outside again, he headed to Celia's house, and knocked on the door.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Waking up a few minutes late, Celia could already tell her day was going to be a struggle. She had to fight her sister just to be able take a shower and when they both yelled for their parents to settle the argument they were only waved off with an annoyed hand. Loosing the battle Celia was forced to wait another ten minutes she didn't have time for just to be able to brush her teeth and get a shower.


By the time she got out she had less than half an hour to finish getting ready and eat before she would have to go. Running around like a chicken without a head she rushed to get dress throwing on a shirt and skirt. She was still working on tucking her shirt in when she heard the knock on the door knowing it would be Seth.


"Come in, I'll be ready in a minute I'm just running a little late" She said apologetically as she swung the door open and stepped back allowing him to come in. One of her hands ran through her damp hair as she took a deep breath in. "Are you hungry? Have you eaten? I think someone made muffins if you want one" She offered knowing that he was almost always hungry never seeming to turn down an opportunity to eat especially if sweet were involved.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth entered the house, and closed the door behind himself. Then, he turned to face Celia, and smiled. He was about to say good morning, when she told him about the muffins.


His eyes lit up, and his grin grew wider. "Muffins?" He asked, before going to find them. He wasn't about to miss out on muffins.


Upon finding the muffins on a plate in the kitchen, he picked up the entire plate, and began to eat one, as he returned to Celia.


"I haven't eaten breakfast yet." He said, as he kept eating. "I just wanted to get out of the house before I was stuck there for two extra hours."

 

[Captainsassypants]

Celia giggled at the way his eyes lit up at the mention of food "Yup they're in the kitchen" She said an amused look on her face as she watched him wander off going in search of the muffins. "I'm going upstairs to finish getting ready" She told him before she walked back up the stairs going to her room.


When Seth returned Celia was bent over her dresser making faces in the mirror as she applied mascara to her eyelashes. "Oh that would not have been fun" She commented knowing how his father could be. Even she had been forced to listen to his story and complaints about work more times than she would have liked.


Finishing up, she put everything back in it's proper place. Turning on her heels she stepped closer to him reaching out to take one of the muffins. "Ready?" She asked as she pulled a peice off and ate it.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth glanced down at the plate, as Celia took a peice of a muffin. "Yeah." He replied. "But, I think I'll be taking a few of these to go. They're really good."


Walking back down to the kitchen, he set the plate back down where it was, but took a few muffins off of it. He attempted to stuff them into his pockets, to no prevail.


And, so he just held them, nibbling on one at a time.


He waited for Celia by the door, as he kept eating the muffins. As he waited, he thought about Celia's boyfriend and how he was going to get her to break up with the jerk.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Celia laughed "Alright go ahead, just leave a few for the rest of my family" She said shaking her head as she nibbled on another peice of muffin. He was right though the muffins were really good.


While he went to go put the plate back she went to slip on her shoes and throw a bag over her shoulder. "You're getting crumbs all over yourself" She commented with an amused look as she glanced up at him watching as he attempted to shove the muffins into his pockets. He could be so childish sometimes and it never failed to amuse her.


"Alright, lets go" She said tugging her skirt down a little before stepping past him and out the door. Once she was standing on the front steps she turned waiting for him to follow her out.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Completely lost in thought, Seth almost didn't notice Ceia speaking. But, he caught it, and it snapped him back to attention.


He chuckled, following Celia outside. "Don't I always have crumbs on myself?" He asked, knowing he was not the tidiest of people. He could also be rather forgetful.


But, he brushed off the crumbs on his pants anyways. "There, now let's get going." He said. He waited for her to start walking again, before following and walking by her side.


Watching her as they walked, he had to wonder how someone could be mean to her. Sure, it wouldn't be hard, if you had no heart not unlike her boyfriend. But, he couldn't help but wonder how anyone could have it in them to do that.


He had figured he was worrying to much in the beginning. But, his jealousy and angry towards the guy just grew, and he now knew that he needed to stop him from hurting Celia. He just didn't know how quite yet. But, he was sure he'd be able to think of something.

 

[Captainsassypants]

"True" Celia agreed with smile. She wasn't sure why she had even bothered saying anything about the crumbs. It wasn't out of the ordinary for him to be covered in them. "I swear you're like a little kid, all you eat is sweets and then you get them everywhere" She teased.


Once he had come out after her she started off down the path making sure to keep a slow pace so he could catch up and walk next to her. "If you're not doing anything later we should go to the park. It's so nice out!" She suggested as she looked over at him. She couldn't help but smile as she felt the sun warm her skin she loved the warm weather.


All they needed to do was make it through a day of school and then they could spend the rest of the day at the park enjoying the nice weather and hanging out. At least that way they could both avoid going home. Besides it had been too long since she had been able to hang out with him after school, Leon kept dragging her to stupid parties or band practices and then ignoring her.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth chuckled, "The park sounds good." He said. "I don't have anything important to do after school anyways." He then remembered the wallet in his pocket. He had been going to ask Celia if she wanted to go get some cake.


"And, afterwards we can get cake." He said. That worked. That way they could go to the park and get some sweet sweet cake. "What do you say?"


He took another bite of one of the muffins he was holding.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Celia laughed " Sure, after the park we'll go get cake" She said looking ahead again. Not long after that they were rounding the corner and the school came into view. There were groups of students stading together just outside the doors as others hurried inside. Surprisingly enough Celia wasn't as late as she had expected to be and they actually had some time to spare before class started.


As they approached the front entrance she spotted Leon standing in a crowd of people. Noticing her he waved her over. Celia responded by glacing at Seth apologetically feeling bad for leaving him as she walked over to greet her boyfriend. She knew Seth didn't really like hanging around Leon but it wasn't like she could just ignore her boyfriend.


Once she was close enough Leon threw his arm over her shoulder possessively as she shot Seth a dirty look. " Hey Cee. I was going to pick you up but Andrew and Emily wanted a ride, and you live close enogh to walk soo..." He said trailing off with a shrug. "It's fine I don't mind walking" She said with a forced smile but by that time he had already gone back to talking to the other people in the group around them not paying her any mind. Every once in a while she would try to say something and he would only wave her off.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth growled quietly, as Leon's look made him lose his appetite. That guy really got on his nerves, and watching him standing there, with his arm on the girl Seth liked, made him want to throw the remaining muffin at him.


But instead, he just kept holding it, waiting for himself to be hungry again. He wasn't about to waste perfectly good food on that jerk or in general, but especially not on that jerk.


"I'll, uh, see you after school then, Cee." He said, walking away, and sitting down, as he waited for classes to start.


"She's always with him." He mumbled to himself. "Why can't she see he doesn't actually care about her? If only I could show her how much I do."


Then, it hit him.


"That's it!" He said, a bit louder than he meant to. "I'll just show her that he's a jerk."


Taking a bite of the last muffin, he closed his eyes, with a satisfied smile. "It's the perfect plan. . ."

 

[Captainsassypants]

Celia had to fight a frown as Seth got ready to leave "Oh, okay see you later!" She said with a wave as she watched him walk off. After he had disappeared she tunred back to the group only half listening as they talked about some stupid movie they were going to see. Honestly she didn't understand why she hung around Leon's friends she didn't have anything in common with them she only talked to them because he was friends with him.


When school finally ended Celia was sitting on on a bench in front of the school watching to door for Seth so they could walk over to the park. After a few minutes of waiting Leon came out looking annoyed. "Come on Cee, lets go. I've been looking all over for you. Why didn't you come to my locker?" He said exasperatedly. In resopnse Celia just looked at him a bit surprised "Go where? I didn't know I was supposed to wait for you" She said confused. "Besides I can't go anywhere, Seth and I are going to the park." She told him glancing towards the door hoping Seth would show up soon


"What are you like five?" Leon asked making a face when he heard she was blowing him off to go to the park with some looser. " You know we have band pratice tonight so lets go, you're making me look like a asshole" he complained. Celia frowned at the way he was acting "Leon I can't, I already promised Seth I'd hang out with him today. It's not like you need me there anyway" She said feeling conflicted she didn't like making him angry but she wasn't going to just abandon her best friend.


"Fine whatever, you're being a bitch. I'll just find someone else to come" Leon said sharply as he stormed off. Celia didn't say anything she was so taken aback by how mean he was being. He never used to say things like that to her, but lately it was getting worse and worse. Looking down at her lap she breathed heavily trying to force herself not to get upset.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

((I apologize for disappearing. I had company over.))


Seth hurried towards the doors of the school, he was thinking about the plan he had come up with before schooland that's when he stopped. He heard Leon's voice and Celia's too. He just stood there, unable to move for a while, listening as Leon said awful things, and when he mustered up what it took to get himself to move, he didn't see Leon, just Celia.


"Hey, Cee." He said, walking closer to her. "I'm ready to head to the park." He grinned, as if he hadn't heard anything earlier, but in the back of his mind, he was still planning his perfect scheme to get Celia to break up with Leon. It was the least he could do for his best friend and neighbor. And, there was a little in it for himself too.


"Uh, you're feeling okay, right?" He asked. "You want to talk on the way?"

 

[Captainsassypants]

((It's okay I've been gone recently too))


Hearing Seth's cheerful voice Celia's head shot up watching the boy approach her. Putting on a smile, she waved and stood up adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine. Lets go!" She said excitedly shoving away the hurt feeling she had just been feeling. She was glad that Seth hadn't seemed to have heard the conversation between her and Leon that just went on.


Skipping ahead toward the park she turned to look over her shoulder "What is there to talk about?" She asked slowing down a bit so he could catch up. She was trying to pretend like the whole thing with Leon hadn't happened, it was easier that way. She didn't want to tell Seth because she knew it would only upset him and thinking about it would upset her too.


"Are you okay? Is there something you need to talk to me about?" She asked drawing the attention away from herself by putting it on him.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth blinked a few times, now was his chance to put his plan into action, but how was he going to do it without sounding weird? "Me?" He asked. "Well, yeah. There actually is something I'd like to say." He thought about how to start his plan as he talked. "Something important." Tapping his chin, he thought even more, until he was pretty sure he had come up with something acceptable.


"I don't think you should let Leon push you around." He said, it was time to see if Celia would consider being his girl friend instead of Leon's. "What I mean to say is. . ."


'Darn it, what do I need to say?' He thought.


"I have a feeling he's only using you for one reason or another." He kept talking, awkwardly. "So, um, I was thinking. . .if I could prove that I'd be a better choice, you might dump him, and start going out with m-me instead?" He dug in his pocket for something to eat, he ate when he was nervous. But, sadly, he only found his wallet.


'I don't think eating money would be a good idea.' He thought, with a sigh, before coming back to attention.

 

[Captainsassypants]

When he admitted there actually was something he wanted to talk about Celia looked a little concerned. She didn't really expect him to have something to tell her. Was he okay? Did something happen? "What is it?" She asked falling into step beside him her head turn towards him and her eyes searching his face as she listened to what he had to say.


When he mentioned Leon she frowned and looked down at her feet "He only does that sometimes...." She said halfheartedly trying to defend him even though she knew it was true. She didn't know why she let Leon treat her the way he did she just didn't know how to tell him to stop, it was easier to leave things the way they were.


"Seth please.." She said letting out a deep breath. She didn't like the way the conversation was going, and she didn't want to think about the fact that she might be getting used.


"So, um, I was thinking. . .if I could prove that I'd be a better choice, you might dump him, and start going out with m-me instead?" The suggestion caught her completely off guard, their conversation taking a turn in a direction she never expected. Stopping dead in her tracks she only looked at him speechless for a few moments. Was he being serious?


"I- What are you talking about? You're joking right?" She asked seeming confused. He was her best friend, he didn't really like her that way did he? And if he did why had she never noticed. Besides she couldn't just break up with Leon. What if he got upset. She was sure Seth had to be joking and any minute now he would break out laughing pointing and saying 'I got you!. That had to be what was happening right?

 

[Angelfoodcake]

As Celia stopped and asked if Seth was joking, he stopped too. "I'm afraid not." He answered, rubbing his arm. "It's not that weird, is it?" He really kind of wished he had been joking, he wasn't used to being so embarrassed, in front of Celia no less. Oh, how he needed some chocolate right then. Something small and sweet, to make him less nervous.


"We've been best friends for a while now, right?" He continued. "I just think we could be a good match. I mean, I have. . .some feelings. . .for you."


Seth sighed, this conversation wasn't getting anywhere. "So, what do you think?" He asked. "I hope this doesn't make things awkward between us."


What was he talking about? It was already awkward. Worse than awkward actually. Maybe if Celia said it was too weird, they could forget the whole thing. He could pretend he had kept his feelings secret, and Celia could keep going out with Leon.


That was worse than it being awkward. So, he just had to hope this worked. Hopefully, Celia had feelings for him too, and it would all work out. He crossed his fingers, seeing if that would work.


'C'mon, please just say, I like you too.' He thought, as he closed his eyes, and awaited an answer.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Hearing that Seth wasn't joking Celia didn't know what to think. In only a matter of a few minutes her whole world had been turned on it's side. She had never though of Seth as anything more than her best friend, maybe because she had always been in a relationship, now she was beginning to see him in a completely different way.


"Really?" She asked in almost disbelief when he admitted her had feelings for her. How had she never noticed it before, making it such a big shock to her now.


"I-I don't know what I think" She said looking down at her feet brow furrowed as she tried to work things out in her head. "I can't just break up with Leon... he'd get angry" She said with a sigh.


Eventually she started walking again keeping silent as she headed towards the park. Did she have feelings fr Seth? Maybe she did, she just wasn't ready to admit them it would only complicate things more. However she could tell how nervous he was having confessed something like that to her. She felt awful for leaving him hanging.


"Maybe..I like you too." She almost mumbled not daring to look at him. "I just don't know what to do. What if this ruins our friendship?" She asked suddenly concerned.

 

[Angelfoodcake]

Seth felt a tinge of pain in his stomach, as he listened silently to what Celia was saying. He hurried to catch up with her, and found himself thinking. About the park, cake, Celia. . . The list went on and on. But, he rubbed his head, snapping back to attention just in time to hear something important.


"What if this ruins our friendship?"





He swallowed, he hadn't thought about that before. Just now, was he realizing he might have just ruined the best friendship he had ever had. He had thought he had, had a perfect plan. Maybe he rushed it, and put it into action to soon. Maybe it wouldn't have ever worked.


So, he decided to smile and laugh it off.


Chuckling, he attempted to erase the awkwardness and worry.


"Well, in that case. . ." He said. "Forget it ever happened. At least, until you think you're interested in me. But, until then, let's just be friends. Best friends."


He gave his best smile, "That didn't do anything to effect your appetite, did it?" He asked, trying to bring the subject onto something a little more casual and comfortable. "You still up for the park and then some cake?"


Dropping it for now, Seth was still going to do his best to outshine Leon. He wasn't going to just stand by while Celia got pushed around by her own boyfriend any longer. And, he was going to get her instead.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Celia didn't say anything when he told her to forget everything he had just said. She only glanced at him and nodded. "Yeah, best friends." She said in agreement a few seconds later.


When he asked if she still wanted to go get cake and go to the park she offered him a smile "Yeah of course! Why would I change my mind over that?" She asked assuring him that everything was okay between them.


"Come on I'll race you" She said looking at him with a grin before she took off running down the sidewalk towards the park. As soon as it came into view Celia ran over to sit on the swings. Trying to catch her breath she held her sides laughing softly while she waited for Seth to catch up to her.


Despite how hard she was trying not to make things seem normal she couldn't help but feel a bit strange about what had just happened between them. How was she supposed to just forget what he had told her? Her best friend had just confessed he had feelings for her she couldn't just pretend like she didn't know that now.