VERONICA
I saw Hunter in class, and I was really avoiding him because I knew I wouldn't be able to control my anger if he tried to talk to me.
I'm very sure I will insult him and tell him about what I remembered.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not scared of him but I just don't want to bring up the matter because it will make me feel very uncomfortable and used.
As I saw Bryan leaving the class for a lunch break, I followed him.
"Bryan, please excuse me, can I speak to you?" I asked him feeling suddenly shy.
"Sure," he said with a calm smile.
"Would you like to talk here, or should we go somewhere else?" he asked me.
"A more private area, please," I replied, not oblivious to the looks I was receiving from people.
"I think I know a place we can go to," he replied as he motioned for me to follow him.
I followed him, and we both ended up in a place I never knew existed inside the school.
"Wow, I never knew we had a secret room in the creative art lab," I said with surprise.
"More like a basement," he replied with a grin.
"So, before I ask you how you found this place, I need to say what I wanted to tell you," I said with a frown.
This is obviously one of his hideouts with girls.
Why do I care?
"So, I'm all ears," he replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?
Okay, I know we are not close, and he is your cousin, but I can't help but feel that I deserve to know." I said with a pained expression.
"What are you talking about?" he asked confused.
"I'm talking about what happened at the party.
first of all, thanks for coming to my rescue that day." I said lowering my gaze as a feeling of embarrassment engulfed me.
He looked dumbfounded by what I just said.
"You remember?" he asked.
"Yeah, but I didn't remember immediately.
My memory of that day was kind of messed up." I said.
"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you, but it wasn't because we aren't close or the fact that Hunter is my cousin.
It's just that I know how hurt and insecure you will feel if you find out that someone you were trying to trust wanted to force himself on you." he said, and I noticed he was already closer.
"I didn't want you to be uncomfortable."
"That's true. Bu...bu..but, I was really scared when I remembered.
what if you didn't come in that day, what would ha...hav.. have happened?" I stammered, and all the emotions I had been trying to keep in since I found out what happened just fell out, and I didn't even notice when the tears forming in my eyes began to drop.
"It's okay, it didn't happen," Bryan said with a soft voice as he came close to me and embraced me in a comforting hug.. that was when I lost all control, and the tears started pouring down as I hugged him back.
Trust me, it's not every day you find out that a guy tried to force himself on you, and I know that these tears were not only because of that.
It was also because of the divorce, and even though I tried to push the thought away from me since I woke up, it still came back to me and I chose this as the perfect time to get an emotion out of me.
"I'm so sorry, I must have ruined your shirt," I said as I tried to release myself from the hug.
"That's actually the last thing I'm thinking about right now," he replied as he continued patting my back softly.
"Thanks," I said as I finally released myself from the hug and wiped my face with the handkerchief.
I must look really ugly right now.
"Don't feel embarrassed for crying on my shoulder, It will always be available whenever you need it," Bryan said, and I noticed that I was not the only one shocked by his statement; he was shocked, too.
I guess he didn't mean to say it out loud, or he was just trying to lighten my mood, and it worked a little.
"So, how will I repay you now?" I asked him with a frown.
"For what?" he asked mirroring my expression.
"Well, for coming to my rescue that day. I can't help but feel like I owe you." I said with a shrug.
"You really don't owe me anything, but if you insist, then I will say you can give me your friendship in return," he said with a shrug.
"My friendship? like, you want to be friends with me?" I asked with surprise clearly on my face.
"Sure, you don't want that?" he asked with a frown.
"No, it's not as if I don't want it; I'm just surprised that you want to be friends with me," I said.
It was not like I saw myself as unworthy of his friendship; I was just surprised he asked for that of all things.
"Well, I truly want to be your friend and I have wanted that for a while now," he said with a shy smile as he rubbed his neck with the palm of his hand.
To say I'm surprised is an understatement compared to how am feeling right now.
What could he possibly gain from being friends with me?
"So, what do you say? Is it too much to ask for?" he asked, frowning.
"Not at all; why would you even think that?" I said with a soft laugh.
"Well, you haven't answered," he said with a shrug.
"Oh, yeah, I would like to be your friend." who wouldn't want that?
I added secretly as I smiled at him.
"Thanks," he said with a wide grin as he rushed to hug me.
That actually took me off guard.
"Umm, sorry,", he said and coughed as he noticed I was not hugging him back, but as he wanted to release himself from the hug, I hugged him back really tight.
I had no idea why I just did that.
"Do you mind? I can't breathe", he asked, chuckling.
"Oops sorry!" I said as I left him.
Way to be awkward.
"So?" the both of us said at the same time.
"You go first," I said and I know very well that I'm blushing.
Get a grip, Vee he just asked you to be his friend and not his date for prom.
I scolded myself.
"No, ladies first," he replied with a smile, and he looked closely at me.
As if he sensed my discomfort, he tried to hold his smirk and he didn't stop staring deep into my soul.
"So, I wanted to say what happens now? I don't know if I should approach Hunter." I said, looking down as I paid attention to my blue-painted toenails.
"I don't know, but I think he will surely sense that something is wrong if you continue ignoring and giving him an attitude, but you can tell him whenever you feel like," he said.
"We need to get to class, they just rang the bell," Bryan said.
"That's right," I replied as the both of us went outside.
What now?
As the both of us started heading to class, I sighted Sam from afar and his expression mirrored that of shock.
"What's going on?" he mouthed.
"later."I mouthed in reply.
I didn't even realize how uncomfortable I was feeling until I got inside the class with Bryan beside me.
I know I normally get stares from people but believe me when I say you don't ever want to be stared at the way they were staring at me right now.
Most of the girls were just throwing dirty and annoying looks at me.
As I got to my seat, Bryan went to his own seat after giving me a wide smile.
Cindy on the other hand, had other ideas because she came to my seat and warned me to stay away from her guy.
"Geez, I'm not interested in him," I replied.
"Well, you have been avoiding me." someone said as he sat down beside me.
I didn't need to look before knowing it was Hunter.
"Have I?" I asked still bringing out my notes from my bag.
"So I'm not even worthy of eye contact. Have I done something wrong?" he asked, and I decided to turn to look at him.
"I guess I'm worthy then, so what did I do wrong? You have been avoiding me," he asked, and it took me lots of self-control not to smack the grin away from his face.
"You didn't do anything but I will be very glad if you leave me alone," I replied.
"Whoa! That tone is not used on someone who didn't do anything wrong," he said.
Well, he is really asking for it.
This is one of those times that I wonder why teachers come late for their classes.
"I remember what happened at the party. I can't believe you tried to force yourself on me." I said with a glare, trying to maintain my low voice to avoid drawing attention to us and I didn't expect the reaction he gave to me.
He smirked, he actually smirked and it didn't stop there because he started laughing.
"Oh, glad to know you have remembered.
So, what will you do about it?" he asked.
The Audacity!
Oh God! The nerve of this devil.
"You are a very big disgrace to humanity, and trust me when I say I don't have anything to do to you right now, but you will greatly regret this.
You are not even ashamed of yourself, you insolent bastard." I said in disgust, and by now, all attention was on me, and I mean the whole class.
I'm sure they are wondering why I am shouting at their all-perfect Hunter Bush.
Yes, I couldn't maintain my low voice anymore; I didn't even care if people stared at us.
This is just so great.
"What's going on here?" Mr James asked as he entered the class.
"I got to go now, we will have this discussion later," Hunter said as he stood up with a smirk.
"We are not doing that!" I said with venom in my voice forgetting we have a teacher present in class.
"Casper and Bush, I'm very sure three hours of detention is not something you will enjoy, but you can prove me wrong if you continue talking." Mr James said with a frown.
"Sorry," I muttered as I faced the class.
Well, I still have my manners.
Hunter, on the other hand, just went to his seat without saying anything, and I caught the annoyed frown that was on Bryan's face, and it was obviously directed to Hunter.
*******
After school was over, I headed to the school parking lot to wait for Sam so we could go home, and I would tell him about Bryan being my new friend on our way.
"Hey," Sam said as he came to the parking lot.
"Thank God you are here," I said as we got into the car.
"Sorry, I had to take care of something," he replied as he started driving.
"So you and Bryan, what's the relationship?" he asked.
"Well, We are friends," I replied and it sounded really strange coming from my mouth.
"Should I be worried?" Sam asked as he continued driving.
"I don't know, but I don't think so," I replied to him as I took in a deep breath.
At least for now.
"Okay, how did it happen?" he asked.
I told him everything from when I thanked Bryan for coming to my rescue and all we discussed.
"I don't think we can trust him, and I really won't appreciate it if you turn into a laughing stock because of these guys," Sam said, clearly worried.
"I don't trust him too but I won't let them make me a laughing stock.
I'm still thinking of what to do to make Hunter regret ever setting his eyes on me." I said to Sam with an angry look plastered on my face.
"Oh, slow down, Missy! I wasn't the one that annoyed you." Sam said with a deep chuckle.
"Stop making fun of me unless you want to be my next target," I said as I turned front and faced the road.
"Sorry, but I'm still worried; I don't want to see you hurt, and I can't help but think Bryans's motive is suspicious and untrue."
Sam said as he used one of his hands to touch mine while his other hand was still on the steering wheel.
I understand his worry.
"Thank you, you are such a blessing to me," I muttered as I looked at Sam.
"And you to me," he said with a smile.
After he dropped me home, I waved him bye then he drove off.
As I got inside, I saw that I was not the only one at home, and that was explained by the sounds I was hearing from my brother's room.
Was that why I didn't see Steph in school today?
It's not like I care.
I don't know if you know how yucky and eew it can be when you walk in on your brother doing that.
I don't know if you understand but I really don't want to go into details.
The high moan I heard was all I needed before I walked fast to my room.
Ran even.
I can't believe he brought her here to do that.
What if Mum was the one that came inside the house?
After removing my clothes, I got into the shower and I couldn't help but think about Bryan.
What if he really wants to be my friend?
Do I want to be only friends with him or do I want something more?
What about him, does he want something more?