The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 13

When Hunter leaves I go straight to my room to avoid having to deal with my Mom. I know how much she adores him and it's sweet but I wonder if she would feel the same way about him if she knew just why I was so pissed at him.

I sit on my bed and am strangely aware of how empty it feels in here now. When Hunter was in here earlier it was almost as if his presence dominated the space in my small room. But then I guess he has that effect wherever he goes. His demeanour has always demanded attention.

I'm so confused by his sudden return and his new attitude. I would be lying if I said the crack he made about me, him and Coco living together didn't make my stomach knot in the best kind of way. There was a time when there was nothing I wanted more than to hear Hunter Adams say something like that to me, about us having a future. But now his words only confuse the mess in my head even more.

"Knock knock"

I turn to my open door and see Mia standing in the hallway.

"I just came to get my phone charger, you sure you're okay with me going back home tonight?" She asks me. Worry clear in her bright eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine I promise."

"You don't seem it" she says, sitting next to me on my bed waiting for me to bare my soul I guess.

"I'm just confused" I begin. Maybe Mia can actually give me some advice.

"Because of Hunter?" She asks and I nod.

"Look I don't know what happened with you guys, and if you want to talk about it I'm here but I do know one thing, that boy is crazy about you."

"How do you know that though?"

"Because he stares at you like you're the only person in the whole room. He always has. And seeing you two together again it just reminds me how happy you were, you know before everything. I heard you laugh tonight Grace, for probably the first time since he left and I think that if he makes you happy then forget the past. I'm not saying jump into a relationship or anything but why can't you guys be friends again?"

"What if he leaves again" I ask her and hate how pathetic my voice sounds.

Mia pulls her dark hair over one shoulder and wraps her arm around my shoulders, "I don't think he's planning on leaving you again judging by how hard he's trying to spend time with you. He was your best friend for years. I know you're scared to get hurt again but maybe start small with him, like not scowling every time he opens his mouth." She lets out a laugh at the end.

"You know that boy is stubborn as shit too. So you can either try and let go of some of your hatred towards him or wait until he wears you down. Because we both know he won't give up."

She's right. He is stubborn and he won't give up. Maybe I could stop hating him. Doesn't mean I have to give him my heart to stamp all over again.

Mia places a soft kiss on my head as she stands up to leave.

"Thought you needed your charger?"

"Nah, just wanted to come and see if you were okay before I left" she walks out of my bedroom and it's quiet again.

It's funny, I used to love the quiet. But now I hate it. My thoughts get too loud, too messy when I'm alone and everything seems darker.

It's easier to pretend everything is okay when I'm surrounded by people but when I'm alone that's when the cold, evil hands of my demons start tearing me apart.

I take one of my new sleeping pills and hope that a restful nights sleep comes with it.

Thoughts of Hunter are long gone as my nightmares take over my mind.