She wasn't upset, no; she promised herself she was not going to be one of those teenage girls who sat around and cried about a boy who didn't deserve her tears. But alas here she was, sitting on the bleachers looking over at the empty field wondering what to do next. The school halls and surrounding grounds were all vacant due to the fact most students were in class, where she should be, honestly, but her feet had apparently disobeyed her mind and she found herself over at the lacrosse field.

She had no idea why she came here of all places, maybe it was the solitude, other than games and practices the field and bleachers remained rather empty. Probably had something to do with freezing weather and wind that isn't exactly pleasant to sit in, she didn't mind though, it gave her a distraction. Focus on the cold, of the chattering of her teeth rather than her tear streaked face and Rudolf red nose.

Bash was just exiting the men's room when he caught a glance across the courtyard and out towards the bleachers, there was long raven hair blowing in the wind. Even though he could only see her from the back he recognized her immediately. Mary.

He hadn't seen her in school all morning, it had been a couple days since the encounter between Francis and her and so far he knew they hadn't worked anything out yet. He felt for her, she was genuinely sweet, but she also had a wild and mysterious gleam in her eyes. She seemed curious about a lot and it was that curiosity that intrigued him most. Most girls in his school cared about their hair and makeup being perfect and what they were going to where tomorrow, but not Mary. It is not to say that she didn't care about those things, they just didn't lead her life, and she viewed the world differently... She saw possibilities and chances, adventures and life.

To see that light that normally shined in her eyes gone as he approached her was truly gut wrenching, he hadn't even realized he had been walking over to her unconsciously , to wrapped up in his revere to notice until he stood at the bottom of the bleachers looking up at her.

She turned her face to him as she heard him approach, the second he saw her tears stained face he knew one thing, he had to make her smile before the day was done. He felt guilty, which was crazy because he hadn't pushed Francis and Olivia together, he hadn't hurt her but yet that gnawing feeling remained in the pit of his stomach. Maybe because he had not told Mary where Francis really was when she showed up on Friday, maybe because he had lied to her.

All he knew was that it honestly was not his place to get in between his brother and his girlfriend, telling her was not his responsibility or his right. So why did he feel so bad?

She sat in silence as he approached not really sure how to broach a conversation with him, they had left on reasonable terms but she was sure he had heard Francis on Friday, or at least heard her slam the door on her way out. She was so embarrassed, wiping her face trying to create some notion of normality. If he noticed her tears he didn't comment on it, simply smiled and gave a polite bow of his head.

"Mary." It was his voice, that damn voice. So silky and smooth yet strong and husky, she wondered how it was possible for a man to be able to make one word sound so sensual. Maybe it was his lips, those perfectly curved lips he possessed, and her mind began to wonder about how they'd feel pressed to hers, how he would taste, The hell was that Mary, come on, wipe the drool from your face before he notices. Before she could pick her mind out of the gutter, he seemed to have caught her lingering stare and his smile turned into a full on smirk. It was so Bash-like.

Not the one she knew the one she heard people talk about, the one who was flirty and cheeky. She wondered which side was the real him. Or maybe they both were him, just different versions; it gave her the overwhelming need to learn them all. She brushed that thought away as soon as it appeared it was a ridiculous notion.

She hadn't said a word since his greeting too caught up in her inner musings to remember her manners apparently, she was about to say something when he bent down and grabbed something on the grass just beside the bleachers. It was a flower, a poppy to be precise; he wordlessly approached her and gave an easy smile.

When she looked at him questioningly he merely shrugged said casually "A pretty flower, for a pretty girl." And with a wink he sat down beside her.

Pushing the compliment aside she tried to joke "I bet you say that to all the ladies." He smiled but then it a surprise face and he turned into a mock hurt voice "What, Mary! You know you are the only one for me." He said with a playful grin.

She gave a light laugh and all of a sudden her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Francis, why couldn't she be all he needed. Why was she never good enough? She decided just this once she wasn't going to make everything about him. Her heart gave a stutter at the smile he gave her after she laughed, he was so close and his wind ruffled hair fell perfectly over his forehead.

She momentarily wondered how to brothers looked so different, yes they were half-brothers but still. Where Francis was shorter and had blond hair, a very surfer boy look, young and youthful, Sebastian was tall and had lovely dark locks of hair that occasionally fluttered into his eyelashes, he looked older, like a man. He was the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. Well maybe minus the dark.

"I am sorry; you don't have to worry about me. You should be in class... I am not your responsibility!" She said in a rush.

Responsibility.

There was that word again, she was right, it wasn't. Yet he somehow felt like it was, like somehow her being sad made him sad, it made no sense if he were being honest with himself. Who was this Mary girl, and why has her happiness begun to mean so much to him?

Francis. Yes, that had to be it, she is his brothers girlfriend, or was rather. That is why he cared; he was being friendly because of Francis. He knew it was a pitiful excuse that his mind was not buying but for now it just had to do. He couldn't actually have feeling for Mary; she was taken, by his brother no less...

But that didn't mean Mary and him couldn't be friends, yes, friends. It was settled right then, but at the mere thought of her laugh when he teased her he realized that being just friends was going to be a hell of a lot harder than it sounds. But it would have to do, for now at least.

"I don't mind, Mary. I enjoy being with you, you're presence brings light, your grace." He ended the sentence with a joking bow in his seat and emphases on the words "your grace".

She gave him a full tooth, dimple showing, heart melting smile at his words and his childishly adorable bow. When an idea popped into her mind and her smile turned mischievous. Just today she would take a moment to be selfish, and hopefully Sebastian would join her in her moment.

"Come with me somewhere!"

He looked at her seemingly trying to figure out if she was joking or not...

Turns out not.

"Just trust me." She said, almost flirtatiously and with that she got up a jumped down the bleacher steps two by two and sprinted off in the opposite direction. He was left sitting there for a moment before taking off after her curiously.