Secret crush

Chapter two - Liked by everyone

Hunter's POV:

Hello, my name is Hunter. I'm everyone's favorite boy. That's what the girls in school say. I'm not sure about this. I don't see myself differently from anyone else. I like going outside and having some attention on me. Sadly, I can't talk to many girls. Three girls in school are always around me. It's a little bit annoying. The names are Molly, Rebecca, and Stacy. Molly is the head of the trio. That is the cliché drama every high school has. Of course, I have seen the looks of the other girls. I can tell if someone likes me. That's why I like the game. I can let out a wink or a smirk. I'm not interested in anyone. At least, no one has caught my eye. Maybe there will be changes this year. Many girls have summer glow-ups. Boys have that, too, but I'm not one of them. I have a few friends with who I go out often. They like the company of the trio. I'm not a fan, but I can't push them away. I won't ditch my friends because of a few girls. Despite that, I don't do much. I try to go to the gym often. I don't care about my shape much, but I don't want to get fat. Junk food isn't healthy, but I love it. There is nothing better than fries or a burger. Call me a criminal if you want. I won't get mad. Every person has their weaknesses. I hope that I can make this the best year in high school.

It's my last week of summer vacation. I go out with my friends daily. The trio keeps coming. I found out that one of my friends is inviting them. I talked with him about it, but nothing. I won't stop going out with them, but the girls are annoying, especially Molly. If she thinks that I'll date her, she is wrong. I won't fall that low. There are a lot of fish in the sea. It depends on what you are looking for. I don't have a type for now. Also, no one said that you should date in high school. I went out with a girl, but it was for distraction.

I woke up to an empty house. My parents are already at work. At least they leave me some food. It's not like I can't make myself something. I went to get ready and eat my food. I texted my friends to see where they were. The girls will come again. I might stay there for a while and ditch them for lunch. I took my things and walked out. Everyone was waiting for me. I swear, Molly has dressed up for me. That's not getting my attention. It's even the opposite.

- Hello. Am I late?

- We have been waiting for you. Do you like my clothes? - Molly asked

- I have seen better.

- Where?

- In the store. This is so last year.

- What? That didn't even exist last year.

- Now you know what I think.

- Ok, where should we go? - Jackson asked

- I don't know. I'm free only until lunch.

- Why? What will you do later? Can I come? - Molly asked

- No, you can't. It's not your business what I'll do.

- You don't like me.

- Don't tell.

- Why don't we walk around the town? Let's enjoy the last summer days. - Kevin said

- Cool. Is there a direction? - I asked

- No. We can go to the same park as usual.

- Why not?

- Boys, who will make the party for the first week of high school? - Rebecca asked

- Don't count me. I can't do it. My parents will be at home. - I lied

- You can ask them to leave you alone for a few hours. - Molly said

- I won't do that.

- I might do it, but I can't promise anything. My parents might be at home as well. - Toby

- Here we are. Our spot is free. - Kevin said

- The ground is for me. These benches are uncomfortable. - I said

- Why is she here? I'll make her leave. - Molly said

- Who is here?

- Nerdy Ellie. Can't she go somewhere else? I think she is stalking us.

- How would she do it when she was here before us?

- Point for Hunter. - Jackson said

- You don't own the park. The other thing is that she is not bothering you. Why do you care so much?

- Yes, I don't want to be seen with her. - Stacy said

- She is annoying me.

- How? She is sitting on her phone, doing nothing. - I said

- Because she is a lonely loser.

- Why are you so interested in what she is doing? It has nothing to do with you.

- I hate her.

I slightly waved at Ellie. If I do it in front of everyone, they will think that something is going on. We went out only once. I wanted to distract myself from Molly and her minions. It wasn't that bad. Most of the girls talk only about me. I can tell that Ellie cares about other things. One of them is her future. She already knows where she will study at university. I'll think about this. Everyone went for lunch, but I didn't. I don't have plans, but I lied that I do. Sometimes, the girls are ok, but they are extremely annoying today.

- Hello. Can I sit with you?

- Hunter? Aren't you with your friends?

- I was, but I lied to go away. If someone asks, you haven't seen me.

- You are many things, but not a liar.

- The trio.

- Ah, don't say more. I feel your pain. - Ellie said, and I laughed

- How are you? I thought you didn't go out much.

- True, but I decided to enjoy the last days of the summer.

- Smart decision.

- You could've eaten alone. Why are you here? You don't talk to me often.

- Yes, but you are the only person I know here.

- So?

- I don't want anything from you.

- I'll believe you this time.

- This time? What about the next one?

- Will there be a next one? The trio won't let you talk to me or anyone else.

- The trio doesn't control my life. I can be with whoever I want.

- I have only one question. If you are honest, you can finish your lunch with me.

- You got me interested. Go on.

- Will you talk with me in front of your friends and the trio the way you do it now?

- I.

- I get it. There is a free table over there.

- Yes, I will.

- Are you sure?

No, I'm not. Of course, I won't tell her that. Here is the thing. My friends can be a bit mean. I don't want them to say some things to her. I didn't say anything. At least, she let me finish my lunch with her. Later, she walked away. I guess she doesn't want to have anything with me. I paid for my food and walked home. I rarely message people, but I might do it. Usually, I text only my friends. I found Ellie's f*******: quickly. I don't care about her much, but I'll see her daily. I don't want to deal with her mood.

Hey, are you mad at me?

Who is this?

You know who this is. You can read my name.

Do you know how many people named Hunter exist?

There is only one person named Hunter Adams. Ellie, you know it's me.

What do you want? I have nothing to tell you.

This means you are still mad at me.

I'm not mad at you. Also, you are not the center of the universe.

What do you mean?

Did I hurt your ego? I'm sorry. Everyone can't like you.

I don't need to be liked by everyone. I don't want to deal with your attitude all year.

I never said that you have to do it.

You know what? You are impossible. I wanted to fix things, but you don't.

There is nothing to fix. We are not friends. You only talk to me when no one else is available or you have nothing better to do.

What? That is not true at all.

Are you sure?

Stop with this. I'm sure about everything. There is a reason why you are a loner.

You are the only one who thinks this way. My friends don't need to be from this school.

What? Seriously?

I'm dead serious. If you have nothing else to say, you can leave me alone.

Talking with you is harder than a Math test.

That's all you came up with?

F you, Ellie.

Oh, I got you mad. Haha.

Is it funny to you?

A little bit. I thought your nerves were stronger.

You don't know me.

Neither do you.

Ellie and I texted for a whole hour. She knows how to annoy people, but I'll say that it's funny. I'm not mad at her. She does it in a non-offensive way. I haven't talked with her much or whoever it is. The trio doesn't let other girls around me. I can speak to whoever I want, but I can't let any girl have problems because of me. I'm not such a person. For dinner, I was at home with my parents. They love asking me about my day and if I have decided what I'll do after high school.

- Save yourself the question. I haven't decided anything.

- I wasn't going to ask, but thanks for the information. - my mom said

- How was your day? Enjoy the last summer days. - my dad said

- This is what I'm trying to do.

- Something has happened. I know this look. Spill the tea. - my mom said, putting the food

- My friends keep inviting the trio. I hate these girls.

- Why? Are they doing something?

- Because of them, I can't talk to any other girl. They don't let them near me.

- You can talk with anyone you want. No girl should tell you what to do.

- If I do it, I have to hide. I don't want anyone to have problems because of me.

- I'm sure you'll be fine.

- Well, I texted someone today.

- See? You are making progress.

- Here. I didn't understand everything the girl said.

- Because she is cleverer than you. As I see from the messages, her IQ is higher than yours.

- That is the most intelligent girl in school.

- You should be with such people. They have goals and don't care only about how they look. You can learn something from her. I don't mean only the school.

- Maybe, but we have nothing in common. That girl is not on my list.

- You can't dislike people if you don't know them.

- There is no need to. People act differently in school.

- Your dad and I have experienced that. Outside of school, it's like you meet a new person.

- Really?

- Yes. Some people care about popularity and act in a way to achieve it. You don't know what is going on in their home.

- She probably reads books.

- Probably, but you don't know.

- I don't need to know. It's enough that I'll see this girl every day in school. She is the teacher's pet.

My parents and I talked for some time. Their high school time is different than mine. I thought about Ellie's question. Will I talk with her the same way in front of people? Probably not. I don't have a reputation to keep, but I know what will happen. She doesn't need to go through this. Also, she needs to focus on her classes. It seems very important to her to have good grades. I should start thinking about what I want. Maybe I can talk with her about this. At least I know she won't fill my head with nonsense and will give me advice. I hope that this won't be a mistake.