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.