Sometimes when you look back on the story of your life you can notice those little things that helped to guide you along. Stumbling blocks and distractions along the way. Honestly if I could go back, would I do things differently? Correct mistakes. Make new choices, like the who and why of things. Probably not.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me go back. Refresh your memory a little....

Greetings to those new here, I'm Shannon Anderson, cousin to the famed ex-Warbler Blaine Anderson. Originally from that city at the confluence of three rivers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But due to my parents getting opportunities to teach in Europe of all things I had to relocate to my aunt's place in Lima for my senior year of high school.

No teenager wants to just pack up their lives and move right before the last year of high school. I know it wasn't MY first choice. But Lima did provide some much needed life changes. A respite from things in a way.  The ability to be in situations I never would have anticipated. Meet people who are now quite dear to me.

But as Spider-Man said, with great power comes great responsibility. And trust me when I say this, I may have far too much power right now over some people that are more fragile than they appear on the surface.

I left Pittsburgh a shy wary person, fresh off a year long heartbreak. My boyfriend was cheating on me with a girl I THOUGHT was my friend. It was horrid then, but trust me I'm long over that now. My current romantic situation is an issue of my own making.

My current situation....   it's a mess I swear.

Not even a full day in town and I met the man of my dreams.  Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome.  A complete paragon of a man, Sebastian Smythe.  One look in those sea green eyes and I was a goner.

We met on a Sunday.  Tuesday we kissed, twice in front of people but more than that in private by the end of the evening.  On Wednesday I officially became his girlfriend.  Then Saturday night, after a party at Dalton I gave him something I can never get back, my virginity.

I know it all sounds so very rushed, my relationship with Sebastian.  Especially when you take into consideration that he asked me to marry him, many times, the first being not even a month after we started dating.  Completely out of the blue, his heart speaking in place of his mind.   But seeing that man kneeling behind me, professing his undying love in front of a crowd of strangers is an image I will never forget.

The shining 3-carat diamond ring sitting on the ring finger of my left hand speaks for itself regarding my answer to his proposals. Despite the fact that the fingers of my right hand are currently intertwined with those of another man. And here is where it gets a little twisted for those of you that are new to my saga.

Because right now, I'm sitting here, being introduced to the parents of my boyfriend. The other man who is important in my life right now. Hunter.

Hunter James Clarington.

His name alone conjures up thoughts of a posh upbringing.  Dark mahogany paneled dens, red and black flannel, roaring fireplaces and the mountains of Colorado.

Not that Sebastian's doesn't. Sebastian Axle Smythe. All sauve, dashing, debonair, total French playboy.

But that's besides the point. I was talking about Hunter right now.

Hunter Clarington.

Rich, pompous army brat made good.   At least that is the side he is portraying these days.  But the story with he and I goes much deeper than that.  More than randomly hooking up with my ballroom dance partner behind Sebastian's back, then forcing us into this twisted threesome.  Never all three at the same time mind you, but still all inexplicably locked together in love. In hatred.

Because Hunter and I have a past.  A rather extensive one that we both repressed.  Willing ourselves to forget. Needing to forget.

We danced, competed against each other for years. As children and into our early teen years. We were each other's first kiss.

Jay and Shay. Quite the pair.

He was that boy, the one I dreamed of for years.  The Prince Eric to my Dorothy.  Childhood storybook fantasies come to life  And I was the good girl, the one he put on the pedestal.  Despite how he was with other girls, always the perfect gentleman with me.  But still we lost touch when he went off to military school.

Rediscovering our past lives, that really threw a wrench into our current situation. But it helped to explain that connection we had from the very start, the invisible thread holding us together.

Making me reconsider my choices.  Things became difficult.  Do I want to be with Sebastian?  Do I want to be with Hunter??  I'm not completely certain about anything.  Other than the fact that Hunter is who I'm going to be attending college with, in California instead of in New York with Sebastian.

And that brings me back to now, sitting here with Hunter talking to his parents.

"So we are going to have this cute little bungalow on the beach. Shann got accepted into the School of Theatre, Film and Television. So she is getting all these perks from the school. Right Angel?" He squeezes my hand, I glance at him giving a small smile. "Hunter's right. The administration loved my audition tape, seemed fairly impressed with my resume and test scores. It ultimately came down to Columbia or UCLA but I really couldn't pass up their offer. Plus it means I can spend more time with Hunter."

Hunter's mother clasps her hands in front of her, olive green eyes sparkling.  "Shannon you seem like such a sweet girl."  Thank you....  His father finishes up her thought though.  "Son, you know I wanted you to follow in my footsteps.  Like your uncle, your grandfather, your cousins.  Are you sure you want to follow this girl to California like that?  She seems nice, but really..."  I'm biting my lower lip, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in this situation.  I really wish I were with Sebastian, I should just leave.  Go to meet him at his dorm room like I promised.

Hunt, I think I should go.  Leave you to discuss things in private with your parents.

His grip on my hand tightens, voice with an icy edge to it when he speaks again, though not raising it in volume at all.  "Nonsense Shay, you stay here.  General, with all due respect, I was never going to join the military.  That may be what you wanted, what grandfather, Uncle Danny and all of my cousins felt were best for them.  But that is not for me.  Engineering and law are noble professions.  I need to be able to test the waters, find what I am truly passionate about.  And technically she is following ME to California.  Because lord knows she could have just decided to go to New York with...."

Hunter catches himself before he finishes his sentence but I know what he is leaving unspoken.  That I could have easily decided to follow Sebastian to New York.  But there is no way we can bring that up with his parents.  Not now.  Hopefully not ever.

His mother catches his pause, his incomplete sentence.  Our quick glances at each other.  "New York with who dear?"  I turn to look at Hunter again and he gives me this panicked smile, small shake of his head.  And I think quick on my feet as I turn back to look at his parents.  "My cousin.  And some of my, well our friends were going to various schools in New York.  They tried to convince me that it would be the best place to go if I am interested in theatre arts.  But like we said before, the UCLA offer was just too good to pass up."

Hunter's mother nods in understanding.  His father still gives off a dissatisfied grunt.  He rises out of his seat, his mother getting up in turn as well.  Hunter stands and helps me back to my feet as his father speaks again.  "I suppose that is okay then.  Son, we are going to be leaving now.  You have our hotel information, we'll be in town for a few more days before we leave again for Florida."

Hunter nods as he shakes the hand his father has extended.  His mother, however pulls us both into quick hugs, startling me because I never expected that from such a buttoned up woman.  She seems so different from Sebastian's mother, that sweet, warm little French woman.  Once she steps back again she speaks, "Hunter dear, please stay in touch with us.  And bring this sweet girl around again."  He moves behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he murmurs back I will....

"Mrs Clarington, General Clarington, it was lovely meeting you both.  Believe me, I'm not trying to make Hunter give up his future plans.  The fact that we are ending up at the same college is a happy coincidence.  And my housing is going to be far too big for just myself, which is why I offered up the extra room.  That way we'll each start off knowing at least one person in a new city."  His father actually looks impressed that I stood up to them some, and right before they turn to walk away he calls back over his shoulder.  "Constance.  She's Constance.  And you don't have to call me General, James will suffice, for now.  Take care Miss Anderson, Hunter."

And with that, they leave a me and a stunned Hunter to look after them as they head back towards the parking lot.

What just happened there??

I shrug.  "I'm not fully sure.  But I think, in their own way, your parents just showed that they like me, us.  Did they just give us approval to 'live in sin' in Los Angeles together??"  He chuckles as he releases his grip on my waist, taking my hand in his again and coming to stand in front of me.  His free hand reaches up to cup my cheek, thumb running across my cheekbone before he moves to push a lock of my hair back behind my ear.  "Shay-Baby, I think they did."

Weird...

I know right?!

I can't help the giddy smile on my face.  Hunter is smiling playfully at me as he begins to move us about the chairs, initiating a complicated dance routine to unheard music. Spinning me around as I giggle.  It is fun and free, until I hear the bells from the clock tower beginning to chime.  I check my watch in disbelief.  "Crap...  I've taken too long.  I told Bas I would meet him at his dorm room.  That I would be quick."  Hunter stops our movement but doesn't quite release me from his grasp.  "Anderson, he can wait.  He always gets time with you."

Gently I disengage from Hunter's grip, despite his whine of protest.  "Clarington, I have to go to him.  I'm leaving him before summers end.  For who knows how long.  A semester.  A year.  Forever.  I don't know yet.  But I at least owe it to him to spend time with him while I can."

Hunter folds his arms over his chest, huffing out a response.  "Fine Shann.  You can go.  I guess I'll just see you at the concert tomorrow."  I call back an of course as I am already rushing towards the building.

I take care to pass as few graduates and families as I can along the way.  Hurrying to Sebastian's dorm room as fast as my legs can carry me.  I knock on the door once I reach it, trying to door knob.  It is unlocked and opens immediately.  Sebastian is seated on his bed, my bag on the floor at his feet.  "That took you a while, Mon Cherie."  I close the door behind me, clicking the lock into place before I cross the room to him.  I push him back on the bed as I reach him, sitting so that I am straddling his legs.

"I know Bastian, but I'm here now.  And that is what matters."