Metal Rose

Chapter 6

Hunter drives into the school parking lot and spots Mercedes, chatting with Emily and Kevin. He looks at Mercedes, a puzzled expression on his face.

"You're early."

She raises her eyebrows.

"You're late."

Hunter rolls his eyes. Mercedes leans back against the front of Emily's van, and as Emily approaches, she leans into Mercedes, who wraps her arms around her in response. Kevin chuckles, shaking his head. Mercedes kisses Emily's head, her lips brushing through her hair. Hunter appears puzzled and shakes his head.

"Girl best friends are so weird."

Emily tilts her head.

"How is that?"

Hunter points to them.

"Because you guys will literally do stuff that makes it look like you're dating and you have no problem with it."

Mercedes and Emily share a laugh. Emily then turns to Mercedes and embraces her, prompting a smile from Mercedes.

"She is my Emily. Sorry, Kevin."

Embracing each other tightly, Emily's smile shines brightly while Kevin shakes his head in laughter.

"Yeah, yeah. Girls just have a special bond sometimes."

Hunter chuckles.

"Okay, nerds."

Emily raises her eyebrows.

"Then what does that make you? You literally play Dungeons and Dragons."

Mercedes laughs loudly.

"You fucking nerd!"

Hunter feigns offense in jest. Meanwhile, Emily tightens her embrace around Mercedes.

"Mercedes is coming to stay with me tonight."

Mercedes smirks.

"You might want to be worried, Kevie. I could steal her in the middle of the night."

Emily couldn't help her laughter. Kevin shakes his head.

"The things I put up with you two, and did you just call me Kevie?"

Hunter looks disgusted.

"That sounded gross."

The bell rings, eliciting sighs from everyone. Hunter trails behind Mercedes, fiddling with the keychain on her backpack. Upon entering the classroom, Mercedes halts and turns to address Hunter.

"What are you doing to my backpack, you weirdo?"

Hunter chuckles.

"Rearranging everything."

Mercedes's eyes widen, and Hunter immediately reassures her.

"I'm kidding. I was messing with your keychain."

Another student stares at them confused.

"It's so unusual to see you two being so nice to each other suddenly."

Mercedes shakes her head and points to Hunter.

"Oh, he's still an asshole."

Hunter rolls his eyes.

"And you're still annoying."

Mercedes looked at the other student raising her eyebrows.

"See?"

The class proceeded as usual. Hunter made an effort to minimize his glances at Mercedes. He was mentally strained from the effort to understand himself. Meanwhile, Mercedes concentrated on the lecture and diligently took notes. Hunter thinks about Mercedes spending the night at Emily's and resents Emily again. Jealousy was mounting within him. It seemed Emily was claiming everything he valued. Mercedes turns to find Hunter gazing into the distance, his expression somber. She reaches out gently and taps his arm. Snapped from his reverie, Hunter turns to Mercedes, who offers him a look of sympathy.