Patience

Chapter 10 - Sweatpants and Singing

Have you ever walked freely into a situation you know you shouldn't be in? Like, you're screaming at yourself to turn around because there's no way this is going to work out. Like, when you're watching a horror movie, and someone goes into the pitch-black basement even though you know that's where the killer is. Come to think of it, why are all horror movies the same? It's either a family moving into a haunted house even though they've been advised not to or there's a serial killer on the loose at the same time as a bunch of teenager's party in the woods.

Well... that's the kind of situation I find myself in now, following Hunter into the darkness of his home. Four years of keeping to myself, out the window, thrown in the bin and set on fire. This person in front of me knows way more about me than almost anyone else I know, I'm a complete moron for letting that happen.

Since when do I tell people about my family, my past, what Tom and I have had to endure? Since when do I let said person into my house? When did I become the person that looks forward to spending time with some guy? Who the hell am I?

Hunter pulls me closer as he leads me down a narrow hallway, photos line the walls. Pictures of kids and an older couple and landscapes catch my eye, a door to the left takes us into what I assume is his room. Hunter flicks the switch to a lamp on his bedside table as I take in what is essentially the most private part of someone's home.

His large king bed sits in the far-right hand corner of the room, covered by a dark blue comforter which complements the rest of the room's décor. He stays frozen beside the bed, watching me as if he too has just recognized we've walked into new territory, hand in hand.

"So, I can take the couch if you want to stay here tonight. If you don't want to go home alone." His voice is unsure, his eyes darting around the room as if he doesn't want to settle on me just yet. This is kind of adorable, his nervousness, he is always so sure of himself, always ready to put up a fight but that side of him is nowhere to be seen right now. I like it, it makes me feel like the strong one.

I make my way to his bed, planting myself on the edge, my legs folded beneath me. "Is it alright? If I stay the night?"

Hunter stands up straighter, as if instantly conjuring some courage. "Of course, a sleep over it is. We can tell each other all our secrets and do makeovers." The twitch in his lips making it clear he's amused with himself, how charming.

"Well, it's only fair you start considering how many of my secrets you already know." I pat the bed beside me. "What should we start with? Favourite colour? Too cliché. What are you most afraid of? Who is your favourite person? Best movie you ever watched?" I shrug, moving to the middle of the bed as Hunter's chuckle makes it way to my ears, sending a bout of goosebumps along my arms at the sound.

He plops his shaking head into his hands as he lets out another laugh, his eyes drift back up to meet mine as he takes a deep breathe. "Green, not like the colour of grass but the kind of green that's hard to come by, like Hazel? A light green with a little golden glow... kind of like your eyes actually. Now don't judge me but I'm terrified of moths, they have creepy little eyes, ya know? My Grandma is probably my favourite person in world and the best movie I've ever watched... it's gotta be The Lion King, for old times sake." I  laugh at the string of answers at the same time a genuine smile comes across his face.

"What?" The dimples on the left side of his face, gracing me with their presence. "We're really getting down to the deep stuff, huh? What about you?" He asks, kicking off his shoes in the process.

"Umm, let's see. Orange, like the sunrise, not like the fruit. I'm afraid of failing, of not being able to be there for Tom like he needs? Thomas is obviously my favorite person ever, there's no competition there but you already knew that and the best movie I've ever watched is also The Lion King... for old times sake." I say all in one breath. "Is that who's in those photos out there? In the hallway?"