When a 14-day dating challenge erupts between skeptical Blossom and her secretly smitten best friend Hunter in the waning days of 1999, their easy friendship is plunged into a maelstrom of teenage angst, unrequited affection, and the terrifying poss...
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~ ~ ~ 1999
Hunter pulled into the parking lot outside their usual coffee and breakfast spot, a spot near the front every time they pulled in was conveniently left open, almost saying this one's yours, perhaps even a gift from the universe itself self. That sounded like something Hunter would say.
The air was still crisp as they settled into a corner booth, the scent of roasted beans filling the space. Hunter, ever the charmer, had surprised her with a cinnamon roll that was still warm to the touch. As they munched on their treats and sipped their coffees, Blossom's curiosity got the better of her.
"So," she began, the word drawing out into a playful question, "what's the surprise today?" She'd asked every one of the seven mornings, each day just as curious as the last and yet the information was never given freely.
Hunter chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that always seemed to make her heart skip a beat, something she ignored, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Blossom sighed dramatically, "You're impossible, you know that? But," she said with a genuine smile, "I really do appreciate all of this, the dates have all been so thoughtful, so intricate."
Hunter's gaze softened, "I'm just glad I can spend time with you," he replied, his voice holding a sincerity that made Blossom's stomach flutter. He was always the most kindest and sweetest and she never doubted that. All the dates he had planned were so intricate and planned out just for her. He made her feel so special.
This was where things started getting confusing again. These dates felt like more than just a bet. It felt like they were something more. The bet was her attempt to figure out if love was real, but maybe it was a way to figure out if she liked him more than a friend. She definitely liked him, there was no doubt about that, but did she like him romantically? It was such a terrifying thought. She was just starting to feel like herself again after her last relationship and didn't want to get hurt, not by him or anyone. She had her guard up so high still and this was just...making it difficult to figure out how she felt about her closest friend.
"You know," she continued, her tone more hesitant now, "you're like a brother to me, Hunter. Always coming up with these amazing ideas, and taking care of me." She was just voicing the first thing that came to mind, something safe, something platonic.
The shift in Hunter's expression was subtle but unmistakable. His eyes darkened ever so slightly, a brief flicker of something that looked suspiciously like hurt passing across his face. He quickly recovered, of course, his smile returning, but she saw it. She didn't understand it but she saw it. Why would he be hurt by that? There was absolutely no chance he could have liked her like that, right? Even despite the teasing her friends gave her about him.
They finished their coffees in a comfortable silence, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Hunter was clearly trying to shake off what had just been said as he stood up from the booth.
