Lies I Never Told You

CHAPTER TEN: HUNTER

"I don't like guys that are a pushover." Blair's words kept repeating in my mind like a broken record. Do I really come out as a pushover? I thought about what happened at the canteen earlier. I just didn't want to be rude to people. I didn't think it'll be interpreted as being a pushover.

"Dude." Elliot tapped me on a shoulder. "What's up? You seem to be in deep thoughts," he said as he started packing up his things. I haven't noticed that the class has already been dismissed. "Still thinking about Kiera?" he asked.

The only people who knew about me and Kiera are Blair and her friends, and Elliot. The other members of the basketball team still has no idea that we have broken up over the summer. I only trust Elliot with everything. He's my cousin after all, and my best friend.

I shook my head. "How do you handle the fans that suddenly approach you?" He was taken aback by my sudden question.

His eyes widened as he says, "Whoah! I didn't see that coming. Why do you ask?"

Yeah, I shouldn't have. I don't know why I was bothered by what Blair said about me. "Nah, just forget it." I started packing my own things and stood up.

Elliot put an arm across my shoulders. "Well, to answer your question, I make sure to show them some boundaries. You know how I like my personal space, right?" I nodded. "I let them come near me, talk to me, but I don't let them get too touchy and pushy, or even pull me around as they wish." He raised both his eyebrows twice as he said the last part.

He saw the confusion in my face. "I saw you at the canteen at lunch. You were with Blair and some girl just pulled you to their table. I saw Blair get hurt in the process - literally. Good thing her friends were there." He was talking about Blair, mentioning her name, like he knew her very well.

"You know about Blair?" I asked.

"What about Blair?" It was his turn to get confused. I haven't told him about my deal with Blair yet. "I don't know why you're hanging out with her and her friends, but if you're asking if I personally know Blair, then, I don't."

"Then why do you talk about her like you know her well?"

He smiled. "Research, Dude. Just looking at her, she seems interesting. So, I looked her up."

I just looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "That's what you do when someone or something piqued your interest. Blair sure have a lot of secrets up her sleeves but there are equally a lot of information going around about her," he said.

It took me a few seconds to register what he just said. "Wait. What?! You're interested in Blair? Despite her reputation around the campus?"

"What reputation? About her being a liar? Nah, I don't believe that crap," he said. "Not unless I see or hear her lie first hand."

I was tempted to tell him that he soon would, but I didn't want to ruin his perception of Blair. I don't want the only person I know who believes in her to be disappointed in her. Not at this time, anyways.

"So, where are you headed now?" Elliot asked me. "Some of our teammates are going to the arcade. Wanna come?"

I shook my head. "I have to meet Blair and her friends after class. Maybe next time?"

He squinted his eyes at me. "Are you not telling me something?" His suspicious eyes looked straight into mine. "Are you and Blair a thing now?" His tone was teasing but his eyes tell me otherwise.

I hesitated, and decided not to tell him about the deal yet. I figured I needed to know how he sees my connection with Blair without bias. "It's still a developing story. I'll let you know once we progressed. I'll see you tomorrow," I said as I bumped my fist with his.

I arrived at their classroom five minutes earlier. I just leaned on the railings and looked at the view around the building. I still have time for myself to think about what Elliot said and how I can adapt it. He actually had a point about securing personal space. And certianly, I failed to do that earlier.

"Hunter!" I was pulled out of my thoughts by that shrill, high-pitched voice. The next thing I know is someone's arm is already anchored on my own. "Are you waiting for me?"

I pulled my arm away from her before I answered. "I'm waiting for Blair." I looked around to see if she's around. "Have you seen her?"

Elsie pouted her lips and crossed her arms across her chest. "Why are you looking for her if I'm already here?" she asked like a spoiled brat. Then she took my hand again. "Just forget about her. She's a liar, she's not worth your time. Let's go." She started to walk but I stood my ground and took my hand back.

"It's for me to decide who's worth my time," I said, not looking at her. "If you're just going to speak ill of Blair in front of me, just don't dare talk to me." I didn't know what got into me, but what she said about Blair made my blood boil.

Elsie stomped away like a child who got scolded by her father, muttering things I didn't bother to understand. I heard someone clap behind me. Coming out of the room were Blair, Shannon and Tyrone. They were all smiling proudly at me, with Blair's hands still clapping.

"That was a sudden improvement," Blair said. Tyrone and Shannon nodded in agreement.

"You think so? I don't think that was necessary," I said.

Tyrone tapped my shoulder as if to comfort me. "Yes. Unnecessary, but well deserved. She's been bitching about Blair for God knows how long now."

"Don't feel bad for that brat. She deserved it." Shannon linked her arm with Blair's. "Let's go? I'm starving."

We went to a snacks stall next to the eatery where we had our lunch. It was like a buffet corner outside of the eatery. There were different types of balls, kwek-kwek, dynamite and other street food lined up next to the wok where an old man was deep frying the food. At the far end of the table are two pitchers of spiced vinegar, one for spicy and one for not spicy. There's also a bowl of cubed cucumber to add to the vinegar for extra flavor.

Blair, handed me a bowl with a plastic. "It's self-service here as well," she smiled. I watched her pour vinegar in her bowl and add a spoonful of cucumber to it. I did the same.

I stood in front of the table, undecided as to what I'll take first. "Try their dynamite. It's our favorite," Shannon nudged me on the elbow.

I saw Blair take three pieces of dynamite, two pieces of vegetable spring roll and a stick with five pieces of kwek-kwek. What an appetite for such a small frame. She seemed to be enjoying her food while chatting with us about how delicious the food was. She glanced at me and saw me watching her. "See, I am such a low-maintenance date," she laughed heartily.

It wasn't my first time eating street food but I couldn't remember a time where I enjoyed it like this.