Just a Deal

Chapter 9 ~ Back To Normal

I waddled my way out the front door in my penguin coat and met up with Charlotte at her doorstep.

"Skye-poo!" She teased me as I approached her. I stuck my tongue out at her with a grin. I felt myself comfortable with her once again knowing that Hunter no longer liked her, yet I couldn't help but feel terribly guilty. I had basically chosen Hunter over my relationship with Charlotte by getting jealous. For no reason too. I looked her in the eye and released a soft, relaxed sigh with a small smile. Sisters before misters, right?

She smiled back and grabbed my hand. We walked, actually she walked and I waddled to be exact, all the way to school, hand in hand. We always had walked hand in hand, starting in grade school. To others it looked a little strange but for us it became as natural as breathing to grab each other's hand.

My boots squeaked against the school's floorboards. It attracted attention yet couldn't help it. Before class I went to my locker and took out my indoor shoes. I sat on the ground, beginning to tie them, when someone suddenly bent down in front of me. I paused and looked up to loock eyes with Antonio, whibwas staring down at my shoes.

"Here, let me get that." And with those words, he took the laces from my hands and tied my shoe for me. I felt like a kid and I looked at him, embarrassed.

"Th─ Thank you, Anotnio, but I think I could do that myself." I said, trying to shake off the slight blush that began to cloud my cheeks. Antonio smiled and rose back to his feet and extended a hand to me. As if synchronized, the bell rang at the same moment.

"Come on, we'll be late for class." He said with a gentle grin. I hesitated to take his hand, as I didn't trust him. He broke my heart after all. But for some reason I blindly felt myself slowly forgiving him. He held my hand in his as we walked to class, but more like he dragged me and I stumbled behind, following him.

As we entered the classroom all heads turned to stare at us. My eyes met Charlotte's first. She was widely smirking and raising her eyebrows up and down at me. Then, my eyes fell to Hunter. He looked back at me, appalled. He furrowed his eyebrows at me, and his eyes trailed to Antonio. His gaze lowered to our hands. He suddenly jolted up from his seat, causing his desk to slightly slide. He opened his mouth as if to tell something, but slowly shut it and looked down at his clenched hands on his desks. He bit his lip harshly too keep himself from yelling and drew blood. Everyone stated at him, confused. Whispers scattered through the room.

"Ahem, please, take your seats." Mr. Harrison spoke up. Antonio winked at me and let go of my hand. I walked to my desk, nervous. Nervous about Hunter.

"Alright, today we're going to..." Mr. Harrison began his lesson and all heads turned back to him. I looked to Hunter. He sat down and stared at his hands in his lap. Oh no.

"Hunter." I whispered. Hunter slowly brought his eyes too meet mine. He looked hurt, as if someone emotionally ripped his heart out from his chest.

"He grabbed my hand, I didn't grab his. I swear." I explained. A glad smile grew on Hunter's lips and he let out a relieved sigh.

"Oh, your lip is bleeding!" I narrowed my eyes at the red seeping from the bottom of his lip. He lifted a single finger to his lip and examined it. He licked the blood from his lips and turned his attention to Mr. Harrison.

"I heard there's a snow festival tonight!" Charlotte beamed as the four of us sat together during lunch period.

"I'm going." Hunter commented.

"I'm too busy, but I'd like to go." Charlotte sighed.

"I have singing lessons." She added.

"Skye, do you want to go with m─"

"Skye wanna go on a date tonight?" Antonio abruptly interrupted Hunter. Hunter glared daggers at Antonio.

"Um... Sure." I smiled. I didn't have it in me to reject him. I met Hunter's eyes and soon regretted it. He looked angry.

"Oh, wait but I sort of want to go with Hunter so..." I tried to change my mind.

"He can go alone, right?" Antonio said. How inconsiderate is this guy? Aren't they childhood friends like Charlotte and I?

"Meet me at my father's restaurant at six. You know where that is, right?" Antonio asked. I nodded in response and forced a smile. I'm going to regret this.

So, hours later, I sat at the Rossi Restaurant, dressed in slim, typical light gray jeans and and a light blue sweater, waiting for my ex-prince-charming. He better not be as late as Hunter. I smiled sadly at the other, empty chair across from me. Then, someone pulled out the chair. I looked up to see a servant pulled the chair out for Antonio like a prince. He was dressed like he was going to a wedding.

"Ciao, amore mio." He said in Italian. The hell does that mean? 'Yo, what's up'? I don't speak Italian dammit! I forced more smiles, which turned out to look like cringes.

"...Translate please?" I asked nervously.

"Hello, my love." He laughed. Love? Boy, you just rejected me less than a month ago, when the hell did I become 'your love"? Why am I even here?

"What may I get for you two?" The waiter asked.

"A water." I answered.

"I'll take a water as well." Antonio ordered. I took a brief look around. it was a truly luxurious restaurant. Many people were sitting at their tables, eating, but very quietly. His family must be rich. I felt Antonio's eyes on me but refused to lock eyes with him. We sat in awkward silence, the only sound of other customer's whispers and silverware clinging against the high-quality plates.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings." He suddenly apologized. Surprised, I stared up at him.

"Was just having a really bad day and I think I took my chance to take it out on you. My sincere apologies." He bowed his head shamefully. I couldn't help but grin. I recalled how he broke my heart... and how I ran to Hunter. My mind trailed off then and I spoke moments later.

"...I forgive you but at the same time I don't." And with those words, I stood from my seat and began walking away.

"Hold on where are you going!?" He cried out after me.

"To be with someone I should already be with!"

I ran though the cold, trying to find my way to the festival. Hunter's image burned in my mind. My legs grew sore from running by the time I got to the festival. My hot breaths spun and soon faded into the air. I fell to my knees in front of him. He looked down at me, surprised.

"Skye?" His voice was soft and quiet, near a whisper.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner!" I cried, looking up at him with regret. He continue to stare down at me but then gulped down and smiled widely.

"That makes me glad." He extended a hand to me and I took it. He pulled me to him and I fell into his arms. He placed his warm lips onto my forehead. I felt my heartbeat quicken. He suddenly grabbed my scarf around my neck and pulled it up to him, securing our lips together. Next thing I knew, he slipped his burning tongue into my mouth and my nails dug into his back from the surprise. Our kiss deepened and I felt as if my heart would swoon. I felt much more content there than with Antonio, and that's all that mattered.