H U N T E D ~ T H

4

"Yeah, ill meet you there, I left my kit in my car!" I called to Annie, walking out the front of the school. The bell had just rang signalling the end of the day, all pupils were either heading to after school clubs, to their cars or to busses.

Me and Annie had cheer practice which I had been dreading all day after ditching yesterday. I spun my keys in my fingers, scanning around the practically empty parking lot, taking everything in.

I liked to know my surroundings no matter where I was. 15 cars left, a group of 5 standing around one. One buss had just pulled out into the street, the others already left.

Everything seemed safe. That is until I noticed him, he was straddling his bike, his hands fisting his hair as his head hung back. I should have just let him be, let him suffer with whatever shit was going on, but I'm too nice for that.

I walked up to him, clearing my throat to signal I was there. His head lifted to me, a shocked expression on his face "Mack" He spoke.

He was surprised, after the cafeteria he probably thought I wouldn't even look in his direction. So did I, but yet, here I am. Talking to this asshole.

"The one and only" I raised my hands, gesturing to myself, before dropping them back down "And nobody calls me Mack anymore, when I was a kid, yes. Now it's just Kayla."

"I like Mack better" He shrugged.

I felt myself blush, his eyes softening on me. "Problem with your bike?" I asked, nodding to the dirty, banged up Yamaha Frazer, probably bought second hand.

"Won't start" He sighed.

"Mind if I try?" I asked, taking a slow step forward.

"Go ahead" He nodded. I dropped my bag to the ground, stepping up to the bike, I placed my hand on the key and knew exactly what was wrong, I pressed down on it hearing it click.

"Key wasn't in all the way, dummy" I laughed, turning the key and the bike roared to a start.

"Oh— I knew that" He pursed his lips, looking down at me. He crossed his arms over his chest, the leather jacket stretching by his muscles.

"I have to get to practice" I picked up my bag, swinging it over my shoulders.

"Practice? You play football or something?" He pulled gloves out his pockets, slipping them over his fingers. The nerves in his hands more prominent than ever.

"Cheer" I answered, clenching my jaw, already expecting what was coming.

"Cheer" He raised his brows, tilting his head down, his body shaking with silent laughter "I didn't picture you as the Pom-Pom type."

"Helps me fit in, keep a good cover" I narrowed my eyes at him. His muscles tensed at my answer, obviously my secrets bothered him. Good.

"That explains your 'friends' then. They don't seem like your type."

"Not that you would know, you scared all my friends away" My tone was no longer friendly banter but more scolding.

Anytime I got close to someone or even whispered the term friend, Tom would go to that person, give them dirty lies about me and make sure nobody would even dare look in my direction.

His eyes met mine with deadly rage, but there was something behind them, like there was something I didn't know. "Get to practice, Mack. Wouldn't want you to miss out of the go team go chant."

"Suck a dick, Holland" I scoffed, turning on my heels and heading forward to my car.

"Oh I'd rather you sucked mine!" He called. I glanced back at him for a moment, a smug smile on his lips as he slipped his helmet over his face. I bit down on my tongue as to not say anything back.

Yes he was confident when we were kids but never to say anything like that, never anything that would invoke anything between us. Like it would tarnish his name to even be affiliated with me.

Then again, the last time I seen him I was 13, just reaching that age where guys suddenly starting becoming hotter and feelings sprung. Never for me though, there was never anyone I had even thought about in that way, Tom was a thought at a point, very brief point since a minute later he drowned my pencil case in the boys bathroom toilets.

There was also that one time he 'accidentally' gave Tessa my favourite toy, RIP Mr Cuddles. I do wonder what happened to Tessa, do they still have her? Is she back in England?

The only way I were to find out is if I see her with one of the Holland's on the street or go to their house which will never happen. You'd have to knock me unconscious and move my lifeless body.

*

"Greeves! I want 3 laps!" Coach Sanders clicked her fingers at me, her blonde hair pinned into a tight pony tail which made the skin on her face pull back.

I let out a huff, standing to my feet and brushing off the dirt on my leggings. "You wanna skip practice, you face the punishments. Chop, chop!" She clapped her hands.

One foot after the other I jogged around the football field. The ashrituff below me digging up. I didn't mind doing laps, I jogged every morning. Keep my stamina up.

I know every inch of this town, every nook and cranny. Ever hiding place and every dark corner someone can hide in.

I heard foot-thumps at my side, when I looked over the brown haired, green eyed boy was running at my side. His under-armour shirt right around his pecs.

"Hey, babe" He grinned, I looked around the pitch seeing his football team running drills. I hadn't even noticed that they arrived.

"Nick" I nodded, slowing my pace to a walk.

"Sanders got you running lap?" He asked, his breath heavy while mine was still. Slightly ragged but still.

"She's not happy chappy that I missed practice yesterday" The breeze hit my warm skin, cooling me down.

"Yeah, I was worried about you when you stormed out of Kenner's class and didn't come back" He says, his eyes glancing to mine. Nick isn't my boyfriend, but he likes to think he is.

I took a deep breath, shuddering it out. "You should get back to Isaac, I'm sure he's missing you" I try ignoring his comment.

He nods, kissing my cheek quickly before jogging off. I forced a smile on my face to please him, even though it makes my stomach turn with disgust.

*

"He's not gonna tell anyone" My father assured me, his head tucked into the engine of a bike, covered in grease.

"You don't know that" I crossed my arms, my legs folded into a basket as I sat on the ground beside him, looking up at the purple sky, the sun was beginning to set.

"He's a good kid, Kayla" He reached his hand behind him, I dug threw his tool box picking out the screwdriver and placing it on his palm.

"I don't trust him" I murmured, pursing my lips.

"You don't trust anyone" He chuckled, wiping his arm over his sweaty head.

"Yeah, well, I have pretty good reasons not to."

"We've gone years without any trouble" He sat back on his heels, looking to me "I think it's time to let your guard down, Honey. No harm in rekindling an old friendship."

Friendship. That's what my parents thought me and Tom had. Little did they know how miserable he made me.

The only thing we will be rekindling is the hate we feel for each other. Or that I feel for him.