~𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈~ ʜᴜɴᴛʟᴏᴡ

Chapter 3 ~Smoothies! (Gone wrong)~

A/N: This was the closest image I could find to the hexsquad drinking smoothies, and I didn't feel like drawing, so just imagine they're smoothies.

Willow's POV:

"So, what should we do today?" I asked Hunter as we sat down with our breakfast. It was fresh out of the oven, and pleasant smelling steam wafted from the Spanish sponge cake. I fumbled with my fork, accidentally dropping it on the floor. "Here, let me get that for you!" He said, bending over in his seat to pick up my fork. "Aw, thanks Hunter!" I ruffled his hair playfully, messing it up. He slapped my hand away, laughing, and trying to duck away. "Don't mess up my hair! It's new!" He squealed, dodging my hand. "Yeah, only cause I cut it for you!" I retorted. "You're lucky I didn't just shave it all off!" I added. Hunter stared at me with mock shock, and for a moment it was just us, happy and blissful, playfully bantering. 

And that's when I noticed Luz. 

I jumped a little when I noticed Luz standing in the stairwell, grinning mischievously at us. Hunter tilted his head in confusion, unaware of his friend standing behind him. "What is it?" I sighed and put my head in my hands wearily, pointing. I heard Hunter let out a growl of anger, and he began to tell off Luz for spying on them. "Anyways," Luz said after Hunter had finished chewing her out. "Guess what we're doing today?" She exclaimed. "What?" I replied. "We're going for smoothies!" Luz's voice was sing-songy, and she started explaining what smoothies were.

-time skip to the smoothie place-

"I think I'll have the strawberry smoothie, please!" I informed the waitress taking our order. Gus had gotten a banana and mango smoothie, same as Luz, Amity had chosen a peach and strawberry smoothie, and Hunter was still deciding. "And you?" The waitress asked, looking at Hunter. He turned to the girl, and she looked taken aback when she noticed Hunters' scars. Hunter didn't seem to notice, and stuttered out, "I'll have the dragon fruit, peach, and banana smoothie," "Alright, I'll bring you your order in a few minutes." The waitress replied, turning away. 

Btw, Hunters' order is what I had in my smoothie this morning. If anyones intrested here's the ingredients:

-Greek vanilla yogurt

-Matteo's brand "thin caramel" coffee syrup,

-frozen peaches

-frozen dragon fruit

-fresh banana

Hunter's POV

A different waiter soon returned with our food, and we started to enjoy our smoothies. "Mmm! This is really good, Luz," commented Gus as he slurped down his smoothie. "Yes, batata, very good!" Agreed Amity, pecking her girlfriend on the cheek. I lifted my smoothie to my mouth, ready to try a sip, but a loud bird outside startled me into dropping the drink, all over Willow. She gasped, and I instantly started profusely apologizing."Ah, eck, I'm so sorry, Willow! Sorry! Sorry!" Then silently scolded myself for being zero help, watching Gus grapping a handful of paper towels, and starting to dab at the thick liquid. I tensed my muscles, preparing myself for impact. I expected Willow to yell, scream, punish me, beat me. 

But she didn't. "Hunter-" before the words were fully out her mouth, I had stood up. I looked for a place to flee, beginning to hear murmuring from the surrounding tables. My eyes locked onto the exit, and out the door, beginning to sob.

I ran, ran and ran down the street, as though I thought I  could run from my problems, worries, and trauma. I suppose I already had, after fleeing to the human realm. I eventually had to stop, and doubled over, gasping for air and tears streaming from my eyes. Once I had finally caught my breath, I glanced around and found myself in a part of town I sort of recognized. I sat down at  a bus bench, digging in my pockets for hopefully enough money to ride public transit. Nada. "Hm. Guess I'll be walking," I concluded aloud. I started to rise from the bench, only for a voice to stop me. I turned to see Willow nearing the bus stop. I started to apologize again, but before I could, she cut me off.

"Listen, Hunter, I know you probably were punished severely for messing up in the Emperor's Coven, but you're there anymore." Willow reminded me softly. She sat close to me, smiling sympathetically, and I felt the tip of my ears go red, and my cheeks warm up. "I-I.." I couldn't find the words to reply. "How about we take the bus home, just the two of us? The others will finish their smoothies and join us in a while," Willow suggested. I nodded in reply. 

She looked me over, smiled at me again, and wrapped me tightly in a hug. I went rigid, but leaned into her, and hugged back. I didn't really know how to feel, I had never been hugged before, but I knew it was a way of expressing care and emotion. How did Willow care for me? Like a friend? Or more? I decided to ponder it later, for now it kept me warm, and I didn't mind the care. But then I felt the flames. My skin felt like it was on fire. Not from embarrassment, but a different way. I remembered that this had happened before, like when I had put my arm around Gus when we first got here. I briefly remembered Luz talking about being something called "Touch starved," I think it was? I pulled away from Willow, and we kept waiting for the bus.

Have a great day, darling! Remember to drink water and get a snack! Sorry for the short chapter!

~891 words~

Published on Fri, Mar 15, 2024