Shy (Hunter Hayes)

Chapter 25

Hunter's POV

"What do you think about gettin' out of here for a little while?" I asked my mom, walking into the kitchen and lifting myself onto the counter.

"You mean, like, Louisiana?" she responded, puzzled. "Are you ready to go back?"

"Yeah, I mean Louisiana. And I think I am ready to go back. I just want to get out of here."

"What about Jana?" my mom asked.

"We...we um...we broke up today," I responded in a whisper, doing my absolute best not to cry.

She looked shocked. "Honey, what happened? Are you okay? Do you need to talk about it?" Mom responded, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm fine, Mom," I lied.

She looked at me with a concerned expression on her face. I pulled my long sleeves down further, becoming self conscious. She couldn't see my cuts. Not after Louisiana. I'd promised I would stop.

"Anyway, when can we go to Louisiana? I have a break soon...could we go then?" I asked.

"That sounds fine to me, but we'll have to ask your dad," Mom responded.

"Okay."

"Hunt?" my mom asked. She didn't usually call me that. Hunt was Jana's name for me.

"Yeah?" I choked out.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she whispered.

"Yeah. Promise," I lied again.

• • •

That night I wrote a letter to Jana explaining everything. I couldn't give it to her yet. I would wait until I worked up the courage to tell her he information and secrets kept that ended our relationship. Then maybe she'd forgive me.

• • •

he next few weeks were painfully awkward. I went out of my way to avoid Jana. I ate lunch in my car rather than in the spot we used to share. She sat on the other side of the classroom during study hall. She was sitting with some other guy I didn't know. She must have moved on all ready.

Math class was the worst. We were assigned to sit next to each other, and we couldn't get out of it now. She slid her chair as far away from me as she possibly could. She didn't speak a word to me. We hadn't talked in a little over two weeks.

I was leaving for Louisiana tomorrow. I couldn't decide on whether I should give Jana the letter or not. I wanted to explain everything in person, but I knew she wouldn't agree to talk if I asked.

• • •

I walked into math class, the second to last class of the day. I had almost survived the week.

I shyly sat down in my seat. Jana's head jerked up from her phone. Her eyes met mine. "Hi," I whispered. Jana smiled the tiniest smile. Her eyes turned glassy before she blinked once and looked away. A single tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. I caused that tear. I'm causing her pain right now.

I longed to hold her as she cried and comfort her like I used to. I wanted to kiss her lips and take the pain away. I wanted to help, but I was only making it worse.

• • •

"Hunter, are you all packed for tomorrow?" my mom asked, walking into my room.

I sat up from my position on my bed. I was holding the letter I wanted to give Jana. I quickly sat it down beside me, trying to hide it.

"Yeah," I responded simply.

Mom had a concerned look in her eyes as she stepped closer to me and took a seat next to me on my bed.

"Are you okay?" she asked me.

"What do you mean?" I whispered, caught off guard.

"You've seemed really down for the past few days. I just want to make sure you're not...thinking about..." my mom started. "You know what I'm trying to say. Please don't make me say it."

"Oh my God, no. I'm not...I'm fine," I said.

"Thank God," she responded. She hugged me and kissed my cheek. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mom."

As we hugged, I made my decision. I had to give Jana the letter. I had to let her know what happened.

My mom left my room. I put my shoes on and brushed my hair. I grabbed the letter and left my room.

"Hunt, where are you going? Your dad will be home any minute. We're going out to dinner tonight, don't forget," my mom said.

"I'll be home before seven. There's just something I have to do."