AGAPE

3.Reconciled

Serenity’s POV:

I got in bed a little after 2 that night and it was definitely showing on my face

As the kid I was babysitting ran around me giggling I could only give her a half smile

I wasn't going to be here for long though her uncle was supposed to be here at 9

it was already 30 minutes past and I was supposed to leave at 9:30 to get ready for my 10:30 shift at the bakery

I had left Julia at home with my mom they needed each other

And Julia was a much better help than I was

after Elijah died they got closer and somehow I was left out of the mix

I knew she would have rathered Julia be her daughter

Every time they have a conversation

Every time they laugh with each other

She had this look in her eyes

She is happy

She's content

And with me

I only remind her of the worst tragedy in her life

Losing her son

With a deep sigh, I left the living room and told Lisa I was going to make her and Sammy her little brother a bottle and be right back

I have been babysitting for this couple for about 6 months now

Lisa is 4 years old and her little brother is 2

Their last babysitter was fired for having s*x with the "uncle" on the job

That was the very first warning the couple gave to me "Don't go falling for Sebastian"

They didn't have to tell me twice there was zero chance of that happening

I poured warm water into the bottles and watched the formula dissolve

I closed the caps on the bottles and shook them a few times making sure nothing was settled at the bottom

I turned around to close all the cabinets when I heard the front door unlock

"Uncle Sebbbbby" I heard Lisa scream and a peal of deep laughter followed after

I turned around and walked into the living room ready to face a blading middle-aged man

But was shocked to see Sebastian Marino with a giggling Lisa on his back

Sebastian stared at me and I stared back

He stared and I stared harder

"Serenity," he said softly

"Sebastian" I replied nodding my head slightly

Sebastian and I weren't friends nor were we acquaintances

At least not now

Sebastian, Elijah, and I were childhood friends

But once they hit high school, Sebastian and Elijah became inseparable

But something happened and they drifted apart 2 years ago

But while Sebastian was excelling in sports and was gaining popularity

Elijah was falling apart

He was slowly but steadily falling apart

I never blamed Sebastian not once

He came to the funeral and cried like his life depended on it

Even though their relationship hadn't ended well I knew he genuinely cared for him

"Um, how are you?" he asked while setting Lisa down to receive her bottle

"I'm good Sebastian, you?"

"I'm doing okay" he replied shoving his hands in his pockets awkwardly

Sebastian looked different

This obviously wasn't the first time I'd seen him

But at school, I don't go into the cafeteria anymore I eat in the courtyard

we don't have the same classes

And I don't go to the school's football games

The last time I got a good look at him he had neck-length curly hair and braces

But now his long hair was cut short

He no longer has braces

His face was chiseled and his once pretty alive green eyes were dull and empty

"Look Serenity I know I haven't spoken to you since...."

"Since what happened," I said finishing off his sentence

"Yeah" he replied with a sigh "Since what happened"

"Look Sebastian it's okay-" I began but he cut me off

"No Serenity it's not you were hurting a mean far more than I was I didn't see how you were doing I didn't check up on you I didn't do anything and I'm sorry," he said his voice laced with sincerity and regret

I kept silent

"Look let me make it up to you," he said and I looked at him curiously

"How do you plan on doing that?" I asked while taking the empty bottle from Lisa

"Um let me take you to get ice cream I remembered you loved the ice cream parlor frosties down the road" he replied while looking nervously

And I smiled lightly

"Yeah I would like that"

I loved going to Frosties on weekends with Sebastian, Elijah, and Julie

But I haven't been there in a while

They served the most usual ice cream with the weirdest topping

But they taste amazing

Corn on the cob with real corn topping

Blueberry cornflakes

And my favorite

Bacon and olives

"So when are you free?" he asked as I walked around to pick up the scattered toys

"My shift at the bakery ends at 1 you could come by and we could go to Frosties" I replied

That sounds great he said his smile stretching

I should get going I stated while checking the time on my phone

"It was good seeing you Sebastian," I said as I grabbed my tote bag and my car keys

"You too Serenity"

I said bye to baby Sammy and Lisa and headed to my car for my shift at the bakery.

****

I was wiping down the counter and I heard the bell on the door ring

"Hey good afternoon what can I get you" I asked without lifting my head from the counter

"That ice cream date" a deep I knew all too well replied

"I didn't say it was a date you know," I said looking up with a small smile

"It is now"

"Give me a few minutes to fix up"

"Alright no problem"

I took off my apron and got my stuff around the back

I wasn't usually this excited to leave work

But maybe it's because this time I have something to look forward to

"We're all ready" I replied grabbing my coat off the rack

We stepped outside and the cool air hit me across the face

It took about 5 minutes to arrive at Frosties

For the 5 minutes, we walked in comfortable silence

He pushed the door to Frosties open and the bell rang above us

"Helllllooo welcome to Frosties what unusual flavor would you like today" the server over the counter said with a bright smile

Before I could speak Sebastian gave our order

"I would like the ribs flavor and she would like bacon and olive," he said

A small smile made its way onto my lips

He remembered my order from

He paid for the ice creams against my better wishes and guided us to an empty seat

I immediately delved into the ice cream

It tasted just as good as did it 2 years ago

I closed my eyes and allowed all the flavors to seep into my tongue

"I can see that you're enjoying this," he said with humor in his voice

"I forgot how good this tasted," I said a smile gracing my lips

"I'm glad I helped remind you" he replied and I stared into his eyes

We talked about how life has been for the past few years

We laughed

We told stories from when we were kids

Things I didn't even give a second thought to

It was nice feeling good and happy for once in my life

I felt calm with him

Free

Joyful

Just like when we were kids

I've always loved Sebastian

I thought I had pushed these feelings for him down

But looking at him now I could see

My love for him had never ended.