"My Flower"

Chapter 16 - Unsaid Reassurances

~ ~ ~ 1996

5 days have gone by, 5 days since he has seen her. 5 days since he has slept normally in his twin bed.

Hunter was restless, the news of what had happened hit him like a freight train. No where to run to dodge that fast unmoving route the heavy machinery is dead set on completely.

Hunter just happened to be in the way and did it slow down? Did it go away? No it plowed its way through anyways.

"I should've been at that party."

"I should've been there to stop them."

"I could've helped her."

All of the above were arguments Hunter had with himself as he stared up to his roof, sleepless in his bed.

Getting the news she was ok was better, but didn't seem to calm him down. He was angry at the world for the first time.

Angry at the boys who did this to her. Angry at the other party goers who did nothing. Angry at the police for taking their sweet time in tracking down the boys. Angry at the judicial system for setting such a late court hearing, delaying her justice and their punishment.

Angry himself for not being with her.

Hunter trusted in the system, he really did but this was discouraging to say the least. But what's he to do. The only way to change the system is to inevitably be apart of it.

He thought long and hard about that last sentence. The words echoing through his head, he had never really known what he wanted to do with his life. Just figured he grow to be a construction worker like his father, maybe owning his own company but now...

Now he had different plans. Different aspirations. Thinking about being a police officer was a welcomed distraction from the self depreciating thoughts that stuck in his subconscious like glue.

"There is never just one victim in cases like these." He thought to himself.

His parents, bless them tried to console him. "There was nothing you could've done Hunter. You can't change the past." His dad tried to reassure him.

He smiled weakly up at him. It didn't help but he appreciated him trying.

His parents didn't think it would be a good idea for him to see her while in the hospital, hence the waiting.

They were right, Hunter could see that now. It would've made it worse to see her hurting and broken and he would apologize to his parents after school for his angry outbursts towards them.

But for now he would attend his classes and hopefully see Blossom there, sitting next to him doodling away with her Fred flinstone pen in her sticker covered notebook.

Elena had mentioned last night over the phone how Blossom said she was ready to go back to school but it was inevitably up to Mr. Trent and Mrs. Natalie.

He had thought over and over again in his head about what he would say and how he say it. The main points of his speech would be "I'm sorry" and "how are you feeling?"

What else could you say? Hunter didn't know and it was eating him up. So much so he visited the towns library to find any kind of book on the subject however his trip was to no avail.

He pondered on about something he could say on the ride to school but seemed to run out of time in the blink of an eye, the school bus doors opened and students clambered together trying to exit the yellow vehicle.

He too fallowed like herded sheep and only regained his awareness as he stood outside the middle schools heavy wooden doors.

Hunter surveyed the area filled with adolescents like him, looking around for that unmistakable blonde hair and the way it swished back and forth with every step she took. Even the smell of her vanilla scented perfume she always wore...but nothing.

Until he saw Ethan's tall frame emerging from the crowd with Evan right by his side, the 2 seemed to be parting the crowd with their presence alone. Hunter could see Ethan was carrying an extra book bag and Evan, extra books.

What caught his eyes was the woman walking slowly in between them. Eyes on the floor and hands in a twiddling frenzy.

He hadn't recognized her, not with the bruised cheeks and bandaged wrapped cranium but it was Blossom. She was here.

The bell rang throughout the hall and students hurried into classrooms which Hunter still had to do.

It was his home room period which he had with his best friend. Just the thought of sitting next to her again made his stomach flip in anticipation.

    He entered into the class room and saw her looking down onto her decorated desk, it was decorated by the other teens in her home room and teachers with cards, candy and flowers. Her locker was accessible to the whole school so that was more heavily decorated.

    The boy watched as she picked up on card in particular, he couldn't see it in full view, still he hoped she was reading one of the many he had left for her.

    The card was abruptly snatched out of her hands and crumbled in between her younger brothers hands.

   Ethan looked livid as he glared at everyone in the room, all except his sisters and one good friend in particular.

    Hunter approached his desk, it was his and he was allowed to walk over. Even if he didn't feel safe doing so.

    A whisper escaped Ethan's deep voice that Hunter almost missed "I'll found out who did this. Don't worry." Ethan fumed.

   Blossom nodded quietly and sat down at her desk. She glanced at Hunter, then really looked at him. Seemingly realizing who the boy was sitting next to her.

    "Hunter!" Blossom rejoiced in a voice only he could hear.

    That was enough to get him to smile from ear to ear as he drank in the sight of her all at was. Breathing her in and wanting to do nothing else.

    Blossom went to say something else but the teacher had entered into the room now and called for the class to go silent.

    "Good morning students. Now as most of you have noticed our Blossom has joined us today for class and I hope you all are being courteous and respectful towards her!" The teacher smiled "we have all missed you so much dear and are very glad to have you back!"

    A student somewhere in the room chuckles mockingly, Hunter nearly broke his neck turning it so fast to try and catch a glimpse of said student.

    Ethan pounded his hand on his desk and stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back and shooting daggers at everyone in the room.

    His intimidating stance was soon discouraged by the teacher yelling for him to sit back down in his seat.

   She merrily disregards that last few moments, most definitely not knowing what to do or say to the waste of space human that took up a seat in her class.

    As the teacher began to do her job, Hunter couldn't help but look over to gaze upon his best friend who had her head in her hands. Trying to drown out her surroundings with one deep breath at a time.

   He wanted to reach over and tell her it was all right and to not pay them any mind but would that make her feel any better?

    She didn't look like she wanted any of the attention she was getting, would him telling her hurt her more or be a reassurance.

    Was he truly wanting to say those things to comfort her or was he really trying to make himself feel better.