Finding You

Chapter 18 - Unpack Your Heart

Show me something the rest never see.
Give me all that you hope to receive.
Your deepest regret dies with me.
I want it all.

Bring your honor, bring your shame.
All your memories, I will change.
Won't you lay down, down your guard.
Share your silence,
And unpack your heart.
- Phillip Phillips

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed school this much. After a dreary morning spent dodging Sean and his stupid comments, having Hunter here just seems to fill the entire day with life.

It's different from when I first started talking to Sean. Being with him seemed to bring out the worst in me in every possible way. I was insecure and frantic and anxious, and I never really felt like myself. But I like who I am when I'm with Hunter.

I'm almost sad that the day is coming to an end, but then I remember he's taking me somewhere after school, and I'm giddy all over again.

Where's he taking me? I still don't know. He won't tell me, which really sucks considering how curious am.

"Come on, please?" I say as we make our way to the school parking lot.

"No, it's a surprise," Hunter says.

"You know, all this secrecy," I say, glancing at him. "Should I assume you really are an axe murderer?"

"Seriously? You're still on that?" he laughs, running a hand through his hair.

"Not really," I admit. "I just hoped it might make you tell me."

Hunter grins at me. "Well, I promise you won't have to wait much longer, it's not far."

He stops in front of a black car in the lot, and I'm struck by how nice it is. I mean, I'm not exactly an automobile expert. Actually, I don't really know anything about cars, but it doesn't take a genius to tell that this is an expensive one.

I mean, most of the kids at our school have cars that are nicer than your average high school kid's junker. It's a private school after all, but Hunter's looks even nicer than the other ones in the lot. It's got a classic American muscle look to it, but it's not so lavish that it stands out too much. I can't help but wonder what kind of parents would spend so much on a car for their teenage son.

My attention is brought back to Hunter when he opens the passenger side door for me. "Besides, have I ever given you any reason not to trust me?" he asks.

I think about it, and, honestly, no, he hasn't. I realize that there's not many people in my life that I can say that about. Hunter's never given me any reason not to trust him.

In fact, he's given me every reason to trust him. Every time I've needed someone in the past couple of months, he's been the one there for me. Not Zack or Jay, not Rose, and definitely not Sean, but Hunter. It's been Hunter. Why has he been there for me? I don't really know, but the fact is, he's never left me when I needed him. And so far, that's made all the difference in the world.

I smile back at him and answer. "No," I reply before climbing in. I buckle my seatbelt as he walks around to the driver's side and gets in.

After a quick fifteen minute drive, we pull off of the road near a small wooded area. The car comes to a stop, and Hunter cuts the ignition, before quickly hopping out of the car.

I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt, trying to hurry out of the car to follow him, but before I know it, he's over on my side opening the door for me. I climb out as gracefully as I can, thankful that my school shoes are flats and not heels, because the ground is a bit rocky.