The College Badboy's Danger Zone

Chapter 10: Special Someone

7:23 PM

“What should I do?”

I had been pacing and talking to myself for a while now. Not long after I got back to my room, I managed to push the thought of Caleb out of my mind, only to be replaced by a nagging worry about Hunter. He had gotten hurt so suddenly.

I sat there, opening and closing the messaging app on his chat profile, unable to make a decision.

(WHITE: Are you there? I need some advice.)

This was my alternative. I chose to consult this friend of mine.

(BLACK: I’m here. What’s up?)

(WHITE: I’m feeling really anxious.)

(BLACK: About what? Tell me.)

(WHITE: I’ll be blunt.)

(BLACK: Go ahead. I’m listening.)

(WHITE: An upperclassman got hurt because of me. Should I message him to ask how he is?)

(BLACK: Are you worried about him, or do you just feel sorry for him?)

(WHITE: I’m worried, obviously.)

(BLACK: If you’re worried, then just message him.)

(WHITE: I’m afraid he might be with his girlfriend. I’m afraid I’ll annoy him or interrupt them.)

(BLACK: You’re acting like you’re trying to hit on him. You’re just checking in because you caused his injury. That’s it. Or, to be honest, you could just ignore it. He’ll probably be fine. If it were serious, he’d be at the hospital by now.)

(WHITE: Hmm.)

I typed back a brief reply because Black seemed to be in a bad mood—I could tell by the way he was typing. Even though it was just text, when you talk to someone every day for a year, you can sense their emotions. To be honest, I was mostly going off my gut feeling.

(BLACK: Sorry. A stray male cat has been hanging around my cat at home, so I’m a bit cranky.)

See? It was like he knew what I was thinking. We’ve talked so much that we’re completely in sync.

(WHITE: It’s okay. Message me when you’re feeling better.)

(BLACK: So, what’s the plan?)

(WHITE: I’ll tell you later.)

(BLACK: Works for me.)

(WHITE: Okay.)

I put down the phone I used to talk to Black and picked up the other one to look at Hunter’s chat again.

“Should I ask?” The hesitation returned. “Just ask. It won’t hurt.” That’s the benefit of talking to yourself—you come up with the ideas, agree with them, and execute them all on your own.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Notifications chimed as messages popped up on my screen. I chose to ignore the incoming alerts and typed a message to Hunter instead.

(ADELINE: Where are you?)

(ADELINE: Does it hurt a lot? Have you dressed the wound yet?)

(ADELINE: Did you go to the doctor?)

I fired off the questions in a rapid-fire burst. I was nervous and a bit scared. I was terrified he might be with a girlfriend; my brother had told me he was a total womanizer.

Ding!

(HUNTER: Not yet.)

(HUNTER: Come do it for me. I can’t reach it properly.)

(ADELINE: Do what? Are you crazy?)

(HUNTER: I’m not crazy. I’m at the entrance of your neighborhood right now. Are you coming? Let’s meet halfway at the neighborhood park. Take some responsibility—your boyfriend hurt me.)

(ADELINE: He’s not my boyfriend.)

(HUNTER: Not your boyfriend? Butyou have his Gear?)

(ADELINE: He’s just my brother’s friend. Someone like him would never be interested in me. He has women falling all over him.)

(HUNTER: How was I supposed to know? Anyone would think that if there’s a Gear involved.)

(ADELINE: Ugh, whatever.)

(ADELINE: Anyway, what are you doing at the entrance of my neighborhood?)

(HUNTER: Business. So, are you coming or not?)

(ADELINE: You got punched like that and you still have time for 'business'?)

(HUNTER: Stop nagging. Are you coming? I’ve already driven here to wait.)

(ADELINE: If you can drive, why didn’t you go to the hospital?)

(HUNTER: My hand hurts too much to type now. That’s it.)

(HUNTER: I’ll be waiting at the park.)

(ADELINE: Hey? I haven’t even said I’d go yet!)

Silence. He didn't read it, didn't reply, just said he was waiting. Was he actually waiting, or was he just messing with me?

Many minutes later…

“Where are you going, Adeline?” the housekeeper called out when she saw me heading out and grabbing my favorite bicycle.

“I'm going to get some red pork rice!” I shouted back as I pedaled away. Tucked in the front basket was a small first-aid kit I had secretly snatched.

My two brothers were probably up in their rooms, or perhaps they had headed out to hunt for prey like handsome guys usually do.

I pedaled until I reached the park. It is nearly deserted now, unlike in the evenings when people come to exercise and socialize. Now, there were only the streetlights casting glow along the path. I spotted a car parked—it must be Hunter’s. I recognized the license plate.

I scanned the benches and saw a man sitting by the pond. It had to be him, as there was no one else around.

(ADELINE: Where are you sitting?)

I chose to text him, and he read it instantly, even though he had ignored my previous messages. What was with him?

(HUNTER: Just walk over here. I’m sitting by the pond.)

I parked my bike, grabbed the first-aid supplies from the basket, and walked toward him. Why did I come? Because I was afraid he’d actually be waiting. I don't know... I just thought that if he really was waiting, he’d be very cold since the air was chilly, not to mention the wounds he said he hadn't treated yet.

“I thought you were lying,” I said, sitting down beside him and placing the first-aid kit on my lap.

“I’m a man of my word. Are you cold?” Hunter turned to ask. His face was a mess—a cut on his eyebrow, his nose looked bruised at the bridge, his lip was split and swelling, and his cheekbone was cut.

“In this condition, you should be at a hospital, not sitting by a pond,” I told him as I unpacked the supplies.

“It doesn't hurt that much. But I’m not handsome right now. Do you still like me?” Hunter leaned his face very close to mine.

And what did I do? I panicked. My heart started thumping wildly.

My heart was racing again. Why does it race for both Caleb and this man?

“Hey, what’s wrong, Adeline?” Hunter waved his hand in front of my face.

“Nothing. Let’s just fix your wounds so I can go home.” I snapped back to reality.

“I told you that when we talk, you should call yourself Adeline. I don’t want you to talk to me like you talk to everyone else. I want to be someone special. Just like how I told you to call me ‘Hunter’—no one else calls me that because I only let my special someone use it. Can we be special to each other?”

When those words hit my ears, how did I react? I just sat there, blinking at the person in front of me. What kind of nonsense was he talking about? My brother said he was the quiet type.

“Well, Adeline?” Hunter pressed.

“Did your brain get scrambled when Caleb pushed you to the ground? I think you should keep your mouth shut; moving too much isn't good for you.” I played it cool, ignoring his question.

I picked up a cotton ball, soaked it in saline, and began cleaning the wounds on his face.

“Why did you come?” Apparently, he didn't understand the part about keeping his mouth shut.

“I was afraid you’d be waiting,” I said, taking a new cotton ball with saline and wiping his face again.

“I really would have waited. I’d wait until you showed up.”

I’m certain I wasn't seeing things—I saw Hunter smile.

“Are you crazy? I might not have come at all.” I shook my head slightly and picked up a new cotton ball, this time soaked in alcohol to disinfect the cuts.

“I believed you’d come. Ow! That stings! No alcohol, I don't like it!” He practically yelled when I pressed the alcohol-soaked cotton onto his cut eyebrow. He grabbed the hand I was holding the cotton with.

“If you don't like it, you have to endure it. With this many wounds and not going to the hospital, how can I not clean them? It’ll be bad if they get infected. And are you insane? Driving all the way here instead of stopping at a hospital.” I used my other hand to pull his hand away from mine, then gently dabbed at his wound again.

As I worked on his face, I realized that the hand I had used to pull his away was now interlaced with his.

“What are you doing? Let go,” I said, trying to pull my hand back, but Hunter held on tight.

“Sorry, I’m cold. Holding hands makes me feel warm.”

There it was. Hearing that made me feel sorry for him again. I really hate my own "leading lady" tendencies.

“Then tuck your hands in your jacket or hold your own hands,” I suggested as I began applying Betadine.

“Holding my own hands isn't as warm as holding the hands of the person I want to hold.”

“Then you must be very deprived of warmth, because I see you holding every girl’s hand.”

“I never initiate it. Those women are the ones who grab me.”

“Well, you are handsome.”

“But I’m not handsome anymore. Do you still like me?”

“I’m finished. Anyway, take these painkillers and anti-inflammatories. I brought them for you. But if you feel worse, go to the hospital.” I stuffed the medicine into Hunter’s hand. I didn't even know why I had prepared everything for him like that. Before I knew it, the medicine and first-aid kit were already in my hands.

“I’m going home now. Drive back safely. If you have a headache, take the medicine and get some rest.” I packed up and stood up when Hunter did nothing but stare at the medicine in his hand and then at my face.

“Will you go out with me?” Hunter grabbed my hand as I was walking past him.

“What is wrong with you? What kind of game are you playing? If you’re here to play with my feelings, I’m not interested. Go home,” I spoke with irritation. At first, I didn't take his words seriously, but since he wouldn't stop, I was starting to get frustrated.

Why play with my feelings? What could he possibly want from someone like me?

“I’m not playing. I’m serious. I’ve never asked anyone to be my girlfriend before.” Hunter’s face was dead serious.

“You can say that to anyone, but don't say it to me because I feel pathetic. I’m not a good match for someone like you. Look at the difference between us. Don't toy with people's feelings, Hunter.” I pried his hand off and chose to walk toward my bicycle.

However, Hunter pulled me into a hug and said, “I really love you, Adeline. I never thought of playing with your feelings. I’ve never said the word 'love' to any woman. Is that enough for you to believe me just a little? And don't look down on yourself like that, because I love you for your heart, not your looks. I don't like lying. Everything I say is how I truly feel.”

What kind of day was this? What was happening to me? Was I dreaming?

Yes! I must be dreaming.

“Be my girlfriend. Please. I’ll go public with anyone you want. Just say yes, and I’m ready to be clear about us.” Hunter pulled back from the hug and looked into my eyes.

Vibrate... Vibrate... Vibrate...

I pushed Hunter away and reached into my pocket for my phone.

“Don’t answer it,” Hunter said quickly when he saw the screen and who was calling.

The person calling was my brother's close friend—the one who told me he was only nice to me because he felt sorry for me and didn't want me to end up like his younger sister.

“I’m asking you... don't answer it.”

Should I believe Hunter, or should I answer the call?