The Prophecy

Confession time

                 Peyton woke up blissfully happy, yesterday’s anger at James was completely forgotten all she could think of was the sound of the mystery man’s voice and the way his hand gently grazed her face. That man was charming enough to rid her of her nightmares for a night that was enough for her at the moment. Her dad came in shocked that she was still in bed letting her realize Amethyst didn’t come into bed with her for the 1st time since she heard about the dragons, that assignment yesterday must have really worked.

                 Peyton tossed herself out of bed as fast as she could, getting ready wondering what happen to Hunter remembering that she was supposed to meet him last night at Hutch’s house for the star show. How could she forget? Hutch snuck out of training and everything, she’ll have to apologize to him. She did get off really late, too late to put Amethyst to bed but still she forgot, for what, some guy she doesn’t know? To her surprise Hunter was waiting inside the kitchen stuffing his face, with his bow at the side door. She thought she would have to walk all the way to Hutch’s house. She went to apologize when Hutch stepped in front of Hunter smiling at her.

                 “How’s the prettiest lady in all of Fells Falls doing this morning? Slept in I see?” He said flicking her hair off her shoulder like it was a bug. “I just had to stop by to tell you about the show you missed last night as well as a slumber part with me I would have kicked him out of bed for you.”

                 “And I would have kicked you out of bed to sleep with him, so it all worked out. We all got to sleep in a bed last” She laughed hugging him.

                 “Yeah well I won’t spoil the hunt I have to go to work you know boring adult things, so I’ll leave you two kids to your kiddy things.”

                 “Says the 2nd youngest student to pass the police academy test.” Her dad said coming out locking the door behind him.

                 “Well you were the 1st before you up and quit on them old man, so tell me how does it feel to know I almost beat you?”

                 “Good because I’m still number one.” He laughed and then touched Hutch’s shoulder. Peyton watch both of them look kind of off for just the slightest second before shaking it off and laughing at each other. “And I quit because Peyton was on her way, you’ll see when you have a family.”

                 “Not likely mainly because I don’t want kids but also because no one can handle me. Well I better go before they kill me for being gone.” Hutch said smiling.

                 Peyton gave him another hug and walked into the woods as Hunter told her about the night lights. Hunter made it sound amazing but not as happy as he should have been. From how he talked about the beauty of the stars falling like sparklers in fireworks she thought he should be happier, it sort of sounded like a lie but he’s never lied to her. Peyton could tell something was off, he was either hiding something from her or lying but she decided not to ask. Not that she really wanted to hear about bad things after her day yesterday she wants to stay happy today.

                 Hunter looked at Peyton all morning wondering what had her all ditsy, she didn’t even hunt she just walked around all bubbly smiling, after her running out of school pissed off then not showing up last night he assumed he’d be in for a rant this morning but no she’s happy, more than happy he couldn’t even think of a word for how blissfully jubilant she was. That’s why he tried to make last night sound better than it was and not creep her out. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he’s seen it before with other girls’ maybe, but it was strange to see Peyton like this, but it was welcomed indeed, he loves her smile. They sat down at a fallen tree by the lake he just watched her off in her own little world smiling for nothing, she must have had a better night that he did. His curiosity got the better of him and he broke her ditsy focus in la la land to ask her about what got her so mad yesterday and what flipped her switch to happy.

                 “I’m just extremely annoyed with James that’s all.” She said shaking her head. Hunter just looked in confusion waiting for her to go on. He wasn’t mad about it but would like to hear the story because she seemed happy again.

                 “You look pretty happy for someone who is ‘extremely annoyed’ normally annoyed people look well um annoyed.” He said smiling at her.

                 “Well yesterday at the shop I-” she paused looking up at him and shook her head smiling. “I just had a great day baking.”

                 “I oh yeah I missed out on the cookies last night they must have been good they were all gone.” He said watching as she looked over to the lake, the sun reflecting in her golden hair, he loved how happy she looked and yet he let his mouth run away with him “so you don’t want to talk about it? The thing making you so clearly angry.”

                  He watched her face turn from happy to mad in an instant as she went off on her rant wondering if she had some kind of reputation. He almost laughed thinking it was a joke until she yelled at his smirk during that rant of hers and he realized that she has no clue how beautiful and amazing she is. How can’t she see that? None of those i***t guys who could get her ever even tried to tell her how amazing she is? Hunter hasn’t either but for different reasons, like living together right now and she’s his best friend. They don’t have an excuse like Hunter does they don’t live with her, and they all complain about how she won’t go for them like they tried to ask her out and she said no. As Hunter thought about that and laughed, she went on she just looked at him confused.

                 “Where did I lose you? This isn’t funny it’s terrible if I have that kind of reputation and its insane!” she asked looking at him hard, like he was at her wondering how she didn’t know.

                 “You didn’t lose me, it’s just that you don’t see it, do you?”

                 “See what?” she sighed, he just couldn’t believe that she has no idea.

                 “You. You don’t see you or the effect you have on absolutely everyone you meet. Also, that he’s completely into you.” Hunter said not meaning to sound so blunt.

                 “What?” She almost shouted because of shock he guessed form the look on her face.

                 “Oh, I’m sorry, you’re right, I’m wrong.” He joked looking for her to show any signs of her joking as well, she just shook her head looking like she might hit him. “Absolutely every guy and I do mean every single one of them are all fighting for your attention. They meet you and it’s like they fall in love just from how you treat everyone around you or how you act maybe. If you haven’t noticed every girl wants to be you, they copy your outfits, some even tried to hunt I heard that’s how Shannon something broke her leg. Surely you know that, I mean look at you and how you act. You’re the most popular girl in school”

                 Peyton juts started at him waiting for him to laugh and say just kidding instead he held the stern face that he had the whole time he told her. That wasn’t a lie or a joke? It seems impossible to her that what he just told her to be true. No one likes her, she’s nothing special, and they all avoid her at every opportunity they get. The only people in school she talks to are, Hunter and James sometimes maybe Rebecca. He’s just a good liar right now, Peyton got up shaking her head sure of it, there was no way at all that anyone liked her, and girls don’t want to be her they all want to kill her or that’s how it feels when they look at her. He hasn’t seen how they look at her he’s confusing their looks with the ones everyone gives him.

                 “You have this power over- no not power that’s a bad word um.” Hunter started to stumble Peyton lifted her hand to try and shush him, but he wasn’t paying attention to her it seemed. “It’s just a charm, I don’t know why have to tell you all this. You should know it.” Peyton tried to talk when he cut her off again. “You capture people as easily as you capture animals on the hunt, you don’t even have to try. For the jerks that told me they wanted you for your looks only that made the mistake to tell me what they wanted to-” Peyton back as he clenched his fist, she knew sometimes he does swing so she just watched disbelieving while Hunter went on with his rant. “The other get caught up for good reason the sound of your voice while you ramble on or how your green eyes light up when you talk about Amethyst or anyone close to you. Everything you say about your mom people say that about you all the time why do you think my mom put you up at the front desk?”

                 “Because I didn’t know how to bake when I asked for the job.” She said as he turned to her making her sit back down on the log because he spun so fast.

                 “Because people flood in to talk to you, she could have taught you to bake no problem,” he turned around grabbing his bow “you’re just blind. Let’s go home it’s late.”

                 He started walking off and Peyton sat there for a small moment letting it sink in, the she jumped up yanking his arm back telling him that it was insanity. If people liked her why didn’t they say anything to her or try to talk about things, anything? And the bakery they just ask her about what’s best to eat and sometimes ask advice really fast, but they don’t come in for her. She told him that he couldn’t just get up and walk away like that, walking off mad if it was a lie he went too far. Hunter shouted at her making her turn. He seemed just as mad after lying like that, she was looking at his face and arms crossed over his chest ready to say he had no right bringing her mom into it. Hunter simply said, “I’ll prove it.”

                 Peyton just rolled her eyes turning around heading back to the house, meeting with her dad and Sean on the way. Hunter had a smug grin on his face, and she thought for a small moment that he was actually telling the truth, as impossible as it sounded to her.

                 Graham sat at his desk trying to focus on the book in his hand but couldn’t, all he could think of was how he can get out of his room right now. Seaton is mad, when he is coming into a town against his will to do something so small, like dragons which is what Graham assumed is the reason, he throws a temper tantrum and people end up dying. All Graham wants to do is make sure she is safe it feels like pure insanity this feeling for practically a stranger, to calm his mind he walked down to the sorceress den, the prophet will still be down there now while the rest of them are working on the extra protection spell. He grabbed his bag from his chair by the window doing it all over again to see when he has a window to escape this camp for her, no for whatever is making him so crazy. Graham walked down the wall, looking up at his window, as quiet as he could dropping to the floor just like last time going to the side of his father’s window. The grass flew up as he landed, louder than he planned, landing to the side of him he saw another pair of boots on the floor next to his. Graham didn’t even have to look up to know who’s boots they were, he rolled his eyes stand up right turning to face his father with a look of anger and disappointment that he’s grown accustomed to the past for years. They are almost the same height but when Capitan Ryanns is mad, he looks stories taller than Graham, those blue eyes piercing like any parent knows how to do to their children.

                 “Is this a suicide attempt or are you just stupid soldier?” he shouted like any good commanding officer would, but not like a father should, nothing new.

                 “Neither sir!” Graham shouted like a good soldier, standing up right and proper. “You locked me in my room, and I had an urgent call from the prophet sir.”

                 Graham lifted his phone out of his pocket to his father hoping his plan worked, hiding a smile when it began ringing right as his father took the phone. His father scowled at him as he answered it most likely listening to the prophet talking about some fake emergency to excuse Graham. They have to use one of their guard’s phones so hopefully they play along as well later if his father tries to ask, maybe the prophet can come up with a good story.

                 Hard to tell really, his father’s face never changes, it’s always serious and angry looking unless he’s angry then it’s bad, he knows that from just a few moments ago. He had to be that way, can’t become head of every rebel camp by being happy and nice, it’s impossible. These factions against the king have been going on since the start but when his father was growing up so did his reputation, then when his parents met, there was no stopping them from rising to the top. Graham has always wondered why his father never took on a larger title than Capitan, there are higher titles in the books, yet he’s never upgraded. After a few moments, his father handed Graham back his phone turning and walking away leaving two guards on him. Fearing he failed he put his phone to his ear looking at the guards.

                 “It took me all morning to figure out your plan be happy I came up with your alibi, your father wants these two men to escort you here.” The prophet said in his mono toned voice before hanging up.

                 Graham smiled hanging up walking over to the sorceries as his father’s two men trailed beside him making sure he didn’t escape. He’s sure he’ll find a way out once they are gone.

                 Hunter shook his head rolling his eyes at Peyton’s outfit. Her hair up in a messy bun like she was sick in bed, with a dark blue hoodie and sweat pants, completely hiding everything. Of course, he still thought she was stunning but to prove him right like she agreed that she can’t wear that to school, they will all think she’s sick. He walked into the room going into her drawers as she tried to pull his arm away from it. He just reminded her she promised and pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, the good ones that make her... Well they will grab attention no doubt. Then he pulled out a white tank top and walked into her closet pulling out a tan cardigan. It was her mothers and the last time he saw it on her was at the after “party” they had from her mother’s funeral. It should fit better now but even then, it was stunning on her, all the guys in school talked about it, for a moment he glanced over at the skirt she wore with it wondering if she should wear that, no its too far, she will catch attention in anything but they can’t overdo it or it won’t prove his point, she has to look natural.

                 Sean was jumping down the stairs when Peyton came out, Hunter only knew she came out because of the sudden stop before Sean hit the bottom of the stairs. He turned around and she was just as beautiful as he thought she would be, she pulled the sleeves sup to her elbows and let her blonde hair fall curly down her back. She looked like an angel it was breath taking, he could have kissed her there if she’d let him. She flipped her hair to the side when she swung Amethyst into her arms, he couldn’t imagine how she can’t see how beautiful she is especially now.

                 “What’s with the get up sweet heart?” Mr. Quinn asked coming around the corner joining Hunter and Sean at the bottom of the stairs. Peyton and Amethyst looked down at the outfit

                 “I think she’s pretty. Looks the photos of mommy!” Amethyst exclaimed playing with Peyton’s hair like always when Peyton is holding her.

                 “More like smoking hot.” Sean whispered into Hunter’s ear making Hunter swing his elbow back knocking the wind out him a little. “What?” he shouted

                 Mr. Quinn hit the back of both their heads saying he heard it and then walked up to his daughters, Hunter just locked his little brother in a head lock pulling him down the stairs. Their mother shouted from the kitchen to stop fighting and get to school without even poking her head out, she just knew they were fighting somehow, making both of them jerk up right pretending like nothing happened. Peyton, Mr. Quinn and the kids were already gone, so Hunter ran to catch up pushing Sean back before he did, closing the door behind him. It’s fun to pick on younger siblings when they rise to the occasion, like Sean does, he’ll throw a fit like a two-year-old every time. Hunter has no doubt that he called to their mom to mediate after getting pushed back inside.

                 Peyton was hugging her dad goodbye letting Amethyst do the same when Hunter walked out, he always is surprised at how close they are after everything, they never fight, Peyton and her father have one of the best relationships he’s ever seen. He loves his parents, but he still yells and fights as much as any other teenager. Times like this when they all say goodbye just the three of them Hunter wonders would his family have been like it had the king seen his mother not Mrs. Quinn that day. Would Peyton yell at her parents, or are they really just that loving? Knowing Peyton, he thinks it would be loving still, without his mom in the house there would be chaos but still he’d like to know what a family like that is like. Peyton seems to find a way to make everyone envy something about her, she so amazingly perfect, he’s so lucky to be able to call her his best friend.

                 Hunter walked right past her with Rebecca into the school Peyton fell back rethinking this outfit her father wouldn’t have hit Hunter and Sean unless they said something, this whole stupid thing. Hunter can’t prove anything, even her dad noticed she dressed up, and her mother’s sweater is just crazy. She wanted to go home and change, really, she wanted to go home and forget about this dumb bet. The bell rang when she was going to go home, Peyton couldn’t ditch even with how school is it just doesn’t feel right so she took a deep breath and walked in, just to find Hunter coming out to get her. She just ran in lying about her shoe getting untied trying to pretend that she isn’t terrified of noticing everyone watches her, if Hunter is right. She never told him about it, but she hates being the center of attention, that’s why she turns down every solo the music teacher tried to give her.

                 The clock seemed to fly by today leading to lunch, the one day she wanted it to go slow, so she could come up with some sort of excuse as to why she can’t go. Hunter seems so sure that it scares her because she knows he will make a scene, he’s perfectly okay with being the center of attention. She ran to her locker putting her books away before lunch which is a first for her, she waits till after.

                 “So, do you want to back out?” Hunter asked making her jump and close her locker, sometimes he’s too quiet for his own good sometimes. “It’s okay you can just say the word and we will eat lunch outside.”

                 “I’m not scared of anything.” She lied echoing thought he hall, she could hear how fake it sounded in the echo it must have sounded so much worse to Hunter. Peyton just played it off walking to the cafeteria. She’s the strangest girl, who doesn’t want attention, it seems every girl around her is fighting for it and here Peyton is trying to run for it.

                 Hunter pushed the doors open walking straight to the table which was filling up, Peyton had to grab her lunch or that’s what she told her self-heading to the food court. She picked up a cookie and without meaning to Peyton thought of the mystery man, his attention she wouldn’t mind. Peyton put it down turning to pay for her salad only trying to shove his memory out of her mind, it doesn’t matter anymore, and he’s gone. By the time, she got to the table all the seats were gone, she almost ran to sit at Rebecca’s table no one is over there but Hunter stopped her.

                 “Anyone willing to give up their seat for Peyton to sit down or help her with her tray?” He turned and winked at her as the boys at the table practically fell out their chairs sliding back for her. Where was all this excitement before? Even some of the girls even offered to help. Hunter just laughed a little yanking her hip in towards him, making her sit in his lap. “Relax boys I got a seat for her”

                 “Yeah you wish.” She half laughed pushing his chest to stand up and get away from him, when the roar of boy’s laughter at that echoed in the cafeteria, she felt everyone eyes on her. The room felt like it was about to start spinning or that she might faint. Peyton slipped a little dropping her tray, when all the guys dove to pick up Peyton scrabbled to her feet running out of the cafeteria apologizing that she dropped that.

                 She stopped outside expecting to hear door close behind her, when it didn’t, she didn’t care, Peyton just leaned on the column just outside the door catching her breath. When she felt a hand on her back after hearing the door close behind her, Peyton swung her hand around accidently punching Hunter in the Adams apple knocking the wind out of him. Peyton rushed over to him as he started gasping feeling horrible about herself rubbing his back.

                 “Are you okay Peyton?” James asked popping out of the door, she just nodded her head at his horrible timing going back to Hunter.

                 “She’s fine!” he coughed “She just needed air and have her, go back to that table.”

                 “She wouldn’t need air if you hadn’t caused that scene, putting her on the spot like that.” He shouted advancing to Hunter like he might punch him, even while he was coughing Hunter did the same thing getting readying to throw a punch.

                 “I didn’t cause anything, but I can if you want.” Hunter said still coughing and James clenched his fist advancing towards him.

                 Peyton got between them grabbing Hunter’s arm mid punch and shoved them away from each other. “Stop fighting like a married couple or no actually like a bunch of kids in kindergarten or preschool!” She could see Hunter knew he’d gone too far. “It’s so unbelievably annoying how you too fight and complain about each other like toddlers who can’t share a toy yanking me back and forth, I’m done with it! Learn to get along!”

                 She felt bad after yelling like that taking out her anxiety on them. James walked up rubbing her back, she’s getting real tire of people doing that. “So are we married couple or two children.”

                 Peyton and Hunter both looked at him like he was crazy making that joke especially because she corrected herself, she just rubbed her temples walking away from him. Hunter made some comment about that and she turned around feeling like she yells again looking at them. Turning her focus to Hunter. “James, can you leave I need to talk to Hunter alone, please.” She could see him pouting from the corner of her eyes and she rolled her eyes calming her voice, walking James out. “I’m not mad at you I just need to talk to Hunter.”

                 Hunter was almost positive he was about to be yelled at when the door closed behind James, he was ready to try and joke when she turned around. Her face was unreadable, he expected disappointment, anger or frustration but this was neutral. “Seems fair, right?” He joked a little to see her smile “I knocked the wind out of you, and you did the same to me.”

                 “I’m not mad at you either Hunter.” She sighed walking past him not looking at him just out at the view of the student-less courtyard, just trees blowing in the breeze really beautiful especially with her. “I’m sorry by the way, for punching you, but you scared me.”

                 “I’m the reason that you came out here for air letting yourself get scared.” He said coming up behind her. “I shouldn’t have done that, I just didn’t like you not knowing how beautiful and admired you are, I guess.”

                 “Why?” she asked cutting off what he was going to say. “I was blissfully unaware of the attention I was getting, why did you want me to know so badly?”

                 “Because.” He said taking a deep breath, he was really about to do this, wasn’t he? He could feel her hair blowing on his arm as she turned around facing him, their proximity didn’t seem to bother her so he thought it would be okay to go on, running his hand up her arm slowly. “It just didn’t make sense that you couldn’t see how much every guy in school was in love with you.”

                 “Every guy in school isn’t in love with me. If anything, it would be called infatuation or maybe a crush love is a strong word.” She said leaning into him a little, he wasn’t sure if she got it or not even with his hand in her hair a little. Here goes nothing.

                 “Yes, every single one of us are in love or infatuated with you.” He said making her look up at him, he knew she just noticed how close they are for the 1st time but she didn’t pull away. “I know I always have.”

                 “Always have what?” she asked he still didn’t really know what she was thinking so he slid his hand under her chin leaning down a little.

                 “Always.” He whispered leaning in a little more. He was excited feeling her breath so close to his lips, she wasn’t pulling away, did she want this too. Just as he felt her lips slightly brushing his, the door flung open with a loud bang against the wall making Peyton shoved him off her when she jumped. He was ready to yell at James when he turned surprise to see Bethany at the door her face as red as her frizzy red hair, with her glasses at the bottom of her nose. He fought the urge to roll his eyes at her running after him, she’s like a little puppy dog always following him around.

                 “Good I found you.” She said not looking at Peyton just Hunter, that’s one of the things he hates about her, so jealous that she completely cuts out his best friend so immature. “There’s been a-” she started coughing out of breath, he couldn’t help but wonder why she ran so fast. “A dragon sighting in town, we have to go.”

                  She tried to pull his arm, but he looked back at Peyton he knew exactly what the look in her eyes meant she was about to run into town. She already started to take off, when Hunter shook Bethany’s arm off reaching for Peyton hoping he could catch her in time.