Dance Me To The Moon [Sebastian Vettel]

22. I'm an Absolute Beginner

A/N: Sorry to keep you waiting! This is the penultimate chapter of the story. Only an epilogue to follow now.

Many thank yous to everyone who's reading and a special thank you for those who leave encouraging words. Hello to all the new readers, lucky you catching this almost at the end haha!

Stella slid the key in the lock and turned.

January was neverending by definition and, therefore, it seemed almost poetic that the very last day of the month had brought so much satisfaction. Receiving high praise on a short field landing exercise from one of her course instructors reinforced how indeed praise was one of the most powerful forms of reward. She'd grabbed a quick lunch with a friend she hadn't seen in awhile and now, after running errands, it would be gratifying to come home and snug up on the couch with hot cocoa and a book while the rain fell hard outside. It was her weekly day off work and she was looking forward to a cosy night in for a change.

The table lamp in the hall was on. Had her flatmate forgotten to switch it off or was she still home? Closing the door, Stella pulled the hood of her winter coat down.

"Natasha?"

The lack of immediate reply confirmed her suspicions that it had been left on accidentally. She threw the keys in the bowl at the entrance and was toeing off her ankle boots when she heard it. Light, approaching steps and someone clearing their throat. Startled, she spun around. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Sebastian?!"

A million scenarios crossed her mind in the space of a split second but it all boiled down to one thing: the man in a grey v neck jumper and jeans, that stood in the hall of her flat as if it was the most natural thing in the world, was Sebastian himself.

"The fuck are you doing here?" She gasped.

He raised his hands, stepping back with a wary expression stamped on his face, and Stella was suddenly aware of her posture, backpack squished defensively to her chest as if it was a thief she'd encountered at home.

"Sorry. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he appeased.

She straightened up slowly, forcing herself to calm down. "What the fuck..." Avoiding his gaze, she tried to gather her wits. "How did you get in?"

"Natasha opened the door for me."

It made the question sound more ridiculous than it rightfully should.

"Natasha was going out," she insisted.

"Yeah, she said she had a job interview at a beauty salon. She seemed excited, I wished her luck," he nodded, a small supportive smile forming on his lips.

"That was over an hour ago." Belatedly, Stella realised her treacherous flatmate had ample time to warn her about guests - especially uninvited ones - but elected not to say anything. She ran her eyes over him, curiously. "How long have you been here?"

"Maybe a couple of hours. Or more," he said, rolling on the balls of his feet. "I didn't know what time would be best to come, it was a shot in the dark. I didn't think it was a good idea going to the café."

"Nope. Especially cos I don't work there anymore."

An inaudible "oh" formed on his lips. "You changed jobs?"

She dropped her backpack on the floor next to the shoe rack. "I work at a restaurant now. More flexible, still pays the bills."

Sliding her phone into the back pocket of her jeans first, she proceeded to take her wet coat off to hang it on the rack. Her brain was furiously searching for ways to keep her busy, fighting not to let his presence unnerve her. There was a leather jacket that didn't belong to any of the two residents next to one of Natasha's hats, along with a familiar grey beanie. Stella's throat became drier with each element that cemented the reality of what was happening.