Secret crush

Chapter fifteen - You already like them

Ellie's POV:

Hunter is getting better. He should come back to school soon. Before that, he has to go on a check with my dad. I plan to tell him about my parents, but I don't know when. He has told me that he likes his doctor. That should be enough for me. I'll wait to see how his first day back to school will go. I'll make sure to take my spray against bugs. Apart from the joke, I'll keep him away from Molly. I know what type of person she can be. Nothing good will come out of this. I'm glad that he trusts me so much. Part of me feels sad that we have to separate after high school. There is a chance that it won't happen, but I don't believe it. I know where I want to go, but I need more time to be sure this is what I want. My parents might not like it because it's far away from home. That was the idea. I want to get away from everything and start from the beginning. Honestly, I planned to be there only for university. Later, I'll come back home. That is, if something doesn't happen and makes me stay. I'll think about this when the time comes. For now, I'll focus on the present. I have many other things on my mind. Hunter is one of them. He might be the only one. I'm happy that he has finally come to my side. I hope that we can keep the good relations after high school.

Hunter is coming back to school. Dad said that everything was fine. After around two weeks, he can remove the cast. That might happen between Christmas and New Year. I'll beg my parents not to work this year. It's not like this will help. Other doctors want to rest as well. You have no idea how many incidents happen during the holidays. I wish I could help them, but I can't. Maybe I can stay with Hunter. I have nothing better to do during the winter vacation. We can try to do something fun.

I went to school after breakfast. I texted Hunter to make sure he would come. A promise is a promise. I looked around to see where Molly was. I know what she will do the moment she sees him. I'm sorry, but I won't permit it. His mom will drive him to school. I took my things for the first class. Hunter gave me his locker combination. I felt like I was entering his personal space. It's not like he has many things in there. I took what he told me and waited for him. I'm glad that he looks and feels better.

- Hello. Maybe I should say good morning.

- Hey, Ellie. Thanks for waiting for me.

- Always.

- Please, take care. Hunter doesn't listen to what I say.

- Don't worry. I can handle this.

- I'll come to take you after school.

- Do you see what I have to deal with?

- Come on. Your mom loves you.

- There are many other ways she can show it.

- I know.

- Can you help me? I need to put my backpack on.

- There is no need for that. I'll carry it.

- I can't let you do that. It's ridiculous.

- The ridiculous one will be you if you fall with it.

- Ugh, fine.

- Hunter, what happened? Move up, loser. - Molly said and pushed me away

- If you don't go in three seconds, you will deal with me.

- And you are? I don't remember your name.

- Molly, leave me alone. I don't want to be around you. - Hunter said

- Because of her, right? She is better than I. Huh?

- Yes, she is. A million times better than you. Can you leave?

- You won the fight, but the war is not over. - she said and left

- Now you see why I didn't want to be here.

- It will be fine. I'm here. It's not like I can do much.

- You already did too much.

- I can tell your mom to drop us off at my house.

- If this means I have to be away from her, deal.

- Great. You can stay with us for dinner.

- What about your parents?

- What? They won't say anything. You might be surprised to see them again.

- You talk as if we have met before.

- That is true. You already like them.

- Huh? How?

- You have to wait for that. Let's go to class. Can you climb the stairs?

- I'll be fine. You don't need to carry my backpack.

- We won't argue about this. After the New Year, you will be like a brand new person.

- All I want is to get rid of this thing. It's so itchy.

Hunter and I kept talking until the teacher came. He lied to her and said that he had fallen on the stairs. No one needs to know what has happened. The same story was repeated for a few teachers today. On the lunch break, we went for food. I made him sit while I got us something. I know this is bothering him, but it's temporary. Soon, he will remove the cast, and everything will be how it used to be. I put the trays on the table and sat down. I can tell something is bothering him. He started eating without saying anything.

- Won't you tell me what is bothering you?

- Huh?

- What is bothering you?

- Everyone is watching me.

- They don't believe the story about the stairs.

- I don't care. I won't say what happened. I can't relive this again.

- Don't worry. I won't say anything. That will stay between us.

- It better be this way.

- Don't you trust me?

- I do. I'm sorry. No one paid that much attention to me before.

- That is because they didn't care. It's not like they do now. Everything is out of curiosity.

- Sadly.

- What do you say for dinner? Will you stay? Tell your mom to come and pick you up later.

- Why not? I'll tell her that you will take care of me.

- Sure.

- I hope your mom is not like mine.

- She isn't. I mean, she knows how much to take care of people. If you understand.

- I do. I wish we could go now.

- Only a few classes left. You will survive. After all, I'm here.

- That is the only good thing.

- I'm honored.

- It's true. I came today only because of you.

- I'll try to keep it calm. - I said, and he laughed

- Do you think the university will be different?

- Yes, I do. People are supposed to act differently and leave the high school drama.

I stayed with Hunter until the end of the classes. Later, I made his mom drop us off at home. He will call her to come and pick him up. I told her he would stay for dinner with us. I know she is worried, but nothing will happen. We spent the afternoon doing our homework. I explained to him a few things he missed while he was in the hospital. We finished for two hours. I won't t*****e him more. I'll study more when I'm alone. I let him decide what we'll do.

- Do you want us to do something?

- No.

- Let's go to my room. You can lay down.

- No, thanks. I don't want to stay in bed all day.

- Then what?

- I don't know. I don't know anything.

- Are you ok? You look irritated. Did I do something?

- Where will you go to university?

- I haven't decided yet. I'm thinking about a place, but I'm not sure. My parents might not like it.

- Why?

- It's a bit far away from home.

- Are you going to another country?

- No, no. I'll be here.

- Can't you at least tell me your options?

- Why? Do you want to come? - I asked, chuckling

- Maybe.

- I was joking.

- But I'm not.

- Go somewhere where you'll feel good. Please, don't do it because of me.

- I feel good around you.

- I'm serious.

- Me too. I want to keep this friendship.

- You will. I won't stop calling and texting you. Also, we have a whole summer vacation. We can do whatever you want.

- It won't be the same if I know I might not see you again.

- After university, I plan to come home.

- What? Really?

- Yes. Look. I care about you, but I have to think about myself.

- I know. I'm the last thing on your mind.

- That is not true. Right now, you are number one.

- Why?

- Because I have no one else.

We moved to the backyard. Hunter can't walk much, so this is the only way to have fresh air. We stayed there until my parents were home for dinner. I told him to wait outside until everything was ready. I would love to see his reaction. His doctor is my dad. I could've told him earlier, but it wasn't necessary. I went to help my mom set the table. Later, I went to check on him. He was lying down on the grass. I helped him get up, and we went to eat. Soon, my parents came. I tried not to laugh.

- My doctor is your dad?

- I told you that you already liked them.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- That wasn't necessary.

- How is your leg? Two weeks left. - my dad said

- Itchy. I want to scratch it, but I can't reach it.

- Patience.

- I tried with chopsticks. They got stuck.

- You have chopsticks in your cast. - I said

- Not anymore. Mom helped me take them out. I want to get rid of this.

- I'll remove it soon. I can do it now, but I won't. You have to wear it for a month to be sure the leg will be in its normal position.

- Can't we speed up the process?

- No, we can't. Why don't you sit down?

- Mom is a great chef. You'll like her food.

- There you go. We have more if you feel hungry. Don't be shy and eat as much as you want.

- Do you want a chair for the leg? - I asked

- No, thanks. Please, don't be like my mom.

- I don't know how she acts.

- You don't need to know.

- How is school? Can you climb the stairs? - my dad asked

- Yes, I'm doing fine. Ellie is helping me with everything.

- I'm not doing much.

- You carry my backpack. That is more than enough.

- If you carry it, you might lose balance and fall.

- It's a bit embarrassing.

- Be happy that someone even does this for you.

- There is no turning back when she gets something in her head. - my mom said, chuckling

- I see. Honestly, I don't mind. That is the only thing that has left me.

- You'll find more friends at university.

- Maybe. I don't know.

- Don't think about this now. First, you have to graduate. Then, you'll have a great summer vacation.

- If you say so.

- Don't make me pull out my tricks.

Nothing. There was no answer. I know why Hunter feels this way, and I promise to help him. He still feels guilty about his ex-friends. I can't do anything about that. I don't know what will happen. I want to be around him, but only when he is happy. Maybe it was a mistake that I messed with this. I ruined his life. He won't say it, but I feel this way. We have to sit and talk, but it will be another day. At least my parents kept him company. It's not like that helped much. All I can do is stay by his side and try to make him feel better. I hope that I can do this.