hauntingly beautiful
Chapter 26
I began to panic as a firm hand clamped over my
mouth.
My first instinct was to kick, so I started to squirm under their
tight grip.
I tried to scream, but under the person's hand, it sounded
like a bunch of muffles.
Suddenly, I heard chuckling behind me.
My body was loosened, as the person removed his hands from my
body.
I turned around, fists in the air, readying to punch.
As soon as I saw Hunter, my fists dropped to my sides.
I was confused, yet I growled with anger when he continued to
laugh.
"You think this was funny?! You nearly gave me a heart
attack!" I snapped, slapping his shoulder.
Hunter bit his lower lip, trying to stop his endless
laughter.
"S-sorry, you're reaction was just priceless!" he
grinned.
I rolled my eyes, turning my back from him, as I started to
walk.
He caught up with me, placing his warm hand on my wrist.
"Where are you going?" he held me.
I pulled my arm away from him, crossing my them as I avoided eye
contact with him.
"You can't ignore me forever, Hayden." he sighed,
yanking my arm forcefully as I stopped in my tracks.
"Why did you even come after me?" I whispered.
Hunter let out a bitter laugh. "Why wouldn't
I?"
I narrowed my eyes away from him, as I nervously played with the
ends of my hair.
"Because you know the truth now..." I trailed off.
Hunter let out a groan, placing his hands at my waist.
Immediately, I blushed as Hunter smirked.
"That doesn't change me prespective of you." he
pulled me closer.
My cheek came in contact with his chest, as he held me with
protection.
"Is doesn't?" I asked.
Hunter rested his chin on the top of my head.
"Of course not, silly." he paused. "What your dad
did to you and your brother wasn't your fault. You were the
victim."
I bit my lip. "Cameron was the victim, too."
Hunter played with my hair, running his finger through it.
He pulled my head back slowly, as he pressed his lips on my
forehead.
I closed my eyes at his gentle touch, as he wrapped his fingers
through mine.
"Let's get you home now, it's getting late." he
muttered.
We went back into his car, where he parked about a block
away.
He began to drive me back home, and it seemed as if I ran far
away, because it took us a while.
By the time Hunter dropped me back at home, Ruth was waiting for
me in the kitchen.
She seemed stressed, and her face was tight and serious.
"Ruth, what's wrong?" I asked.
Ruth sighed, shaking her head as messy loose strands of hair fell
onto her barely aged face.
"I got a call from your principal earlier today." she
sighed. "Why didn't you tell me you were getting bullied
at school?"
I bit my tongue nervously. "It was no big deal, I didn't
want you to worry."
Ruth rubbed the back of her neck. "It was no big deal? The
principal told me everyone found out about your father, and
they're putting up nasty posters and pictures everywhere in
the school!"
I don't think Ruth's ever raised her voice at me
before.
I sulked back into the wall, obviously scared by her harsh
tone.
Her face softened. "Hayden, I can't send you back to
that school."
"I'm in the middle of my junior year!" I cried.
Ruth shook her head. "It's not good parenting if I
do."
I clenched my fists by my sides. "You aren't even my
real mom!" I spat, tears streaming down my face.
I stromed up the stairs, slamming my door shut.
No, I couldn't loose Hunter, right when I just got
him.