The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 11

I managed to avoid Hunter for the rest of the school day, not that it will make much of a difference since we have to do this project together.

I hate the fact that Hunter's came back at such a confusing time in my life but I also can't help but feel like it's what I deserve. I caused my family a lot of pain and suffering by trying to do what I did, and maybe the painful reminder of what I had before, is exactly what I deserve.

I voiced my thoughts on this to Dr. Blaylock in my session this afternoon and she told me that I need to stop carrying all of this guilt. That's easy for her to say though. She doesn't have to put a brave face on just so that her whole family won't try to follow her into the bathroom every time she needs to take a freakin pee, just incase she tries to end her life.

I get that they mean well but at this point it's just suffocating.

I finish watching my episode of the Big Bang Theory and decide to go downstairs to get something to eat. When I make my way into the kitchen I notice Mia and her boyfriend, who is also her twins bestfriend, Nate sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hey Kid" He greets me in his British accent with a broad smile.

"Hi" I reply as I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, deciding I don't actually want anything to eat.

"How you doing? is Mia's snoring keeping you awake?" He laughs but the way he looks lovingly at her shows me he is anything but serious.

"I do not snore you asshat" she scoffs lightly swatting him on the arm.

My heart aches slightly at the sight of them together, a pang of unwelcome jealousy stirring. It's not lost on me that Nate has came to my house to see Mia even though they live together. She has barely left my side since that day and I'm grateful for that but it's time for her to go back to her own life and her own home. I know she won't leave voluntarily so I make her decision for her.

"Actually, she's coming home with you today." I inform him.

Mia looks at me in confusion, "Grace, I don't think that's a good idea, not yet."

I know she means well but I also know she wants to be with Nate, she can't stay with me forever. So I tell her exactly that.

"But are you sure... I mean.. what if it gets too much again.."

"Mia, I'll be fine. I promise. Besides, Nate's right, you do snore." I give her a small smile to try to lighten the mood away from my attempted suicide.

Before she has a chance to argue I hear a knock at the front door.

I pull it open and see the blue orbs I've been trying to avoid all day.

"Nope." I say and close the door in his face and turning to go back upstairs, before I even make it up two steps Mia is on her way to the front door.

"Who was that?" She asks but she's already pulling the door open before I can answer.

"Well, well, look who it is." She says, turning to give me a smirk before stepping to the side to let him in. Traitor.

"Sorry Hunter, the wind must have blown the door shut" Mia apologises for me, although we both know she's full of shit.

"Nope. That was me." I tell them from the spot on the stairs.

Hunter just looks amused and not the least bit phased.

"Hello Mate, long time no see" Nate greets him as he joins us in the hallway. They do that stupid bro hug and I roll my eyes, apparently Nate is also a traitor like his girlfriend.

"So Hunter, what are you doing here?" Mia asks.

"Me and Grace are art partners, we've got a project to work on to find 'the beauty in the city'" He tells her using air quotes but the grin on his face shows just how happy he is about this damn project.

"Yeah look about that, just you take some photos and I'll take some photos, you know, like separately." I suggest.

His smile grows even bigger, "no can do Gracie, remember what Mrs Levi said, we have to take selfies together and everything."

"I'll photoshop you into them?" I try.

"You barely know how do use Word, are you trying to tell me you know how to photoshop?" He raises a challenging brow knowing I'm full of it.

I see Mia chewing on her lip, trying to stop her smile. "Well since you're here do you want pizza Hunter? Nate and I were just about to go and pick some up?"

"We were?" Nate asks, clearly confused since no one mentioned pizza before Mia decided to try and play cupid. He looks to me and I stare with pleading eyes hoping he gets the hint not to leave me in the house alone with Hunter.

She nudges him in the side and he lets out a yelp. He gives me a shrug, "yeah we were" he agrees. Fucking Judas.

Hunter clearly knows what they are doing but obviously doesn't care, "I could eat some pizza" he tells them, rubbing his toned stomach for added emphasis. Not that I can if it's toned but judging by the countless times I've seen him without a shirt on and the fact he's only gained in muscle mass these last two years, I think it's a safe bet to assume he's toned.

I let out a groan and stomp up the stairs with Hunter hot on my tail. I sit on my bed and cross my legs in front of me. "Fine, you want to do this project then fine. We pick two places each, go see them and take these freakin' pictures and then we don't speak again, deal?"

I notice throughout my speech Hunter's been looking around my room, taking it all in.

It's not much different since the last time he seen, my walls are light grey and my carpet matches. My bedding a slightly darker shade but the fluffy pink comforter and rug in the middle of the room adds some colour along with my white furniture.

His eyes focuses on the wall above my desk with a frown on his face, "you took down all the photos of us?" He says it's quietly, almost to himself.

Before he left I had a montage of photos, all of my family and a lot of me and Hunter. I guess when I started shutting everyone out they were just a painful reminder so I took them down.

I choose to ignore his observation, "are you listening to me? 2 places each then that's it, we leave each other alone"

His head snaps to me, "Fuck no."

"What?"

He sits next to me on the bed, his blue eyes shining in to mine, "I'm not going anywhere Gracie. And I'm certainly not letting you go again." The conviction in his voice stuns me momentarily.

Hunter never made his feelings for me clear, they were there and we both knew it but he would never admit to it, just like I wouldn't about my feelings for him.

I stare at him, wondering if he means what I think he means or if he means getting my friendship back. That makes more sense actually, I'm probably jumping to conclusions.

His serious look is gone and replaced by his easy going smile, "first place I pick for our project is the beach" he tells me, his cryptic words brushed over but not forgotten.