an ANGEL fell from the sky

Chapter XVII: Katie

We always have lunch together. I don't know where he is. I left him so many messages, but he hasn't replied to any. He didn't show up at the station. Neither was he on his classes. I start to feel worried. I've been sitting in the cafeteria for like 15 minutes and I haven't even touch my lunch.

''Hey girl!'' Liz says loud and sits down next to me. ''You seem to be very under the weather.'' She states and takes a bite in his mouth.

''It's Hunter.'' I say sad.

''He hasn't answered back?'' She asks munching. ''Sorry. But this is awesome.'' She apologizes and puts her hand on her mouth. ''Look. I'm sure he's fine. You worry too much.'' She's trying to calm me down between the bites.

''You think?''

She nods swallowing what's in her mouth.

''Look. We're talking about Hunter. If he doesn't want to be seen or heard, he'll hide and don't answer until he feels like it.''

She's got a point. Maybe I do worry too much.

''Okay. I'll wait for him. You're right. He'll text if he wants to be found.'' I explain and finally take a bite.

''Where's Sean?'' I ask out of nowhere and take another bite.

''I don't know.'' She's still munching. ''See. I don't worry myself as hell.'' She says and points at herself. Then she starts coughing.

''Alright. I get it. But now let's just not talk before you die in your own tacos.'' I say and let out a laugh.

***

I'm back at Nixon's. Liz dropped me a message that she's gonna be with Sean after school. She said that she'll watch the football practice then they will go somewhere in Manhattan. Which means she won't be back 'til late night.

Awesome. Hunter still hasn't called or texted. So, I'm all by myself.

I should study. Tomorrow night and Saturday morning will be about the party anyway. So, I better get started.

I get my Chemistry book and open it. I highlight some important informations and check the questions.

I've been sitting above my book for like an hour, but it's like my mind is not capable of receiving any information. I've read the chapter like five times already, but everything just like gets in and then gets out of my head immediately. I obviously can't focuse. I don't know how many messages I had sent to him already. I try to be very patient, and try not to be worried. But now, it keeps bugging me very much.

I close the book and throw it to the ground. In that moment my phone starts buzzing. I reach for it and almost fall down from the bed. I check it and see Hunter's text.

Hunter: Sorry. My phone died. I got dizzy on the way to school. So I dropped by the library. I didn't have the mood for going to school after. I've been chillin' here. But I'm comin' soon.

''Oh thank God!'' I sigh and fall to the bed.

But why didn't he come back here? He's been at work all day? Or what if he was with a girl?

Jeez what? No no no. I'm too paranoid. And I'm definitely going crazy.

I sigh again and sit up.

I still haven't finished Hunter's present. And since it doesn't require such thinking, I think I'm gonna be able to do that at least.

I go to my desk and pack up all the stuff that I need and sit down on the ground. I've already written him a letter. I've never written to anyone. I hope he'll like it.

I take the photos out of the envelope and put them in order. I change it like three times until I'm satisfied with it. Then I pin each one of them one by one on the string with small clothespins. When I'm done, I hold up the whole thing and check if it looks good. I'm satisfied with the result, so I grab the little box that I bought the other day and slowly place the photos into it.

We don't have so many pictures together. But I found some that I really love.

The first one is a selfie. Hunter holds a piece of my hair and puts it under his nose as a mustache. He looks ridiculous. He can be such a goof sometimes.

On the second one he teaches me how to skateboard. I didn't really manage, cause at the end I fell. He couldn't stop laughing.

On the third there is Skye and I. I thought it would be great if I give something that involves his sister too. I know how much he cares about her. Even if it doesn't seem that they are really close all the time. But there's a strong bond between the two of them.

The fourth one is the best. Oh my god!! There's us, eating a hot-dog. And Hunter's face is covered in mustard and ketchup. I was laughing my ass off. Then he ran off with his skateboard when he saw that I took a picture of us. And I remember that I had to run after him all the way to Nixon's.

Then there's the last one where Hunter pushes my head into my birthday cake. He's got some into his face too. I needed to take revenge. We had some serious battles sometimes. That was a great birthday actually.

I'm gonna be honest. These are all rare moments. Sometimes it lasts for only minutes, sometimes for hours. Always just for a short period of time. Then his smile just disappears in a second.

But that's why I like these photos. They show that sometimes he can actually be happy. His smile. That cheeky smile he always gives is everything. I literally can't get enough of his smile. And I hope that wherever he puts these photos, and whenever he looks at them, it'll put a smile on his face. Even if it's for a few seconds, then it's already worth it.