Finding You

Chapter 22 - I Think I'm Rubbing Off On You

"Shhh!"

"Wha-? I didn't say anything -"

"Shhh!"

Okay, that's it.

I can't see him, but I reach out in the dark, moving my hand around until I find him.

"What are you-," Hunter doesn't even get to finish his sentence before I smack a hand against his chest. "Ow!" he exclaims. "What the -"

"Shhh!" I reply with a small laugh.

Hunter chuckles. "Oh, you're so gonna pay for that once we get out of here," he hisses at me.

"No way!" I say in a short of whisper-yell. "Now we're even. It's your fault we're stuck in here anyway."

"Oh please, this is so your fault," he defends.

"How is this my fault? You were faced towards the direction of the teacher, you should've seen him coming. Ergo, your fault," I reason. Hunter laughs, and I feel him shift in the dark. I can't really see him, so I'm surprised when his arm snakes around my waist and pulls me to him.

"Well excuse me, if I was a little distracted," he whispers, his breath on my ear sending shivers down my spine. "My girlfriend was looking extremely gorgeous. Couldn't help myself."

Hunter leans down and, somehow finding them in the dark, slowly presses his lips to mine, causing every thought to escape my mind, and butterflies to erupt in my stomach. He pulls away all too quickly, and I'm left in a daze. That is, until he speaks.

"Which, if you think about it, really makes this your fault doesn't it?" he says, and I can almost hear the smirk in his voice. Idiot.

"Ow!" he exclaims, after I swat his chest again.

Okay, clearly, Hunter and I remember the last few moments very differently.

*Flashback*

I'm sitting in history class, and every minute that passes, the room seems to get more and more suffocating. How do I usually get through this again?

Oh right, I'm usually with Hunter. My boyfriend.

I know right? I have no idea how that happened either. It seems too good to be true, but if I'm dreaming, nobody pinch me.

Somehow, there's a tall, attractive, kind-hearted guy, and he's interested in me. I have no idea why, and honestly, I don't care. As long as he's willing to be with me, I'm not complaining.

However, my boyfriend (still not used to that) is late to school, again. He texted me this morning to let me know what was going on. Apparently, he got into this huge fight with his dad last night, which led to a fight this morning, which led to him getting his car keys taken away at the last minute, hence his absence at school.

I just wish there were something I could do to help him, to be there for him the way he's been there for me.

It doesn't take a genius to notice that he's been less than willing to talk about his family lately. He says it's because he doesn't want me to worry about him, but I know what the real reason is. It's because it's getting worse. And no matter how much he says he's fine, I know it's starting to get to him.

I know that Hunter said that things have been like this for a long time, but now more than ever, I can see the toll it's taking on him. I'm not sure what's changed though. From what I understand, he and his parents rarely even talk to each other, let alone fight. What could have broken the stalemate he's had with them for so long?

Even at times like this, he's still managed to make me a priority though. He always makes sure to call and let me know what's going on, no matter how vaguely, and I'm grateful for that, grateful that he doesn't let me wonder too much. I know I'm lucky to have him. I just wish I knew how to help him.