Better Than This

Chapter 24

They met up at Allie's school and started rehearsing. They changed a few things, like the lighting. The background lights are gonna be red and they're somehow going to figure out how to fade out Hunter's sets then when he comes in, light them up.

It was coming together very nicely, until the school secretary came in unexpectedly.

"Hunter, hide!" Allie called to him.

He looked up from his guitar, confused. "Why?" Allie came over to him and took his hand so he would hide in the music room.

"The school secretary is here. She can't see you!"

Hunter looked at Allie with concern in his eyes. "Listen, I think you're taking this a little too seriously, Allie. Won't it be ok if she sees me? I understand about your classmates, but the school secretary, really?"

Allie was hurt. She turned away from him and sat in the choir chairs. "You just don't get it, do you?"

Hunter followed her to the chairs and sat down next to her. "If I don't get it, then tell me."

Allie felt like they were getting into a fight. She thought about what he said, that she needs people to build her up. He wasn't being that person he says he was. She washed to go home.

"What's the point of you don't get it?"

Hunter tried to keep his temper. "Allie, what are you talking about?"

She turned her back to him, tears in her eyes."I'm trying so hard to actually have somewhat there for me and you're just blowing it off." He went to put his arm around her, but she stood up so he couldn't. "No, I know this is just an act. You just feel sorry for me. Cut it out. I just want an actual friend. And I know that when this is over, you're gonna go on tour and forget about me. So why don't you just leave? I'm not stopping you." She was really crying right now.

Hunter was shocked that she was saying this. He stood up and put his hands on her arms so she couldn't move. "Look at me," he said softly. When she didn't listen, he lifted her head. He saw that she was deeply hurt. "I don't understand why you're saying this." She turned her head away from him.

"Let go of me!" She didn't want him to be there. "Just go on your stupid tour and leave!"

Hunter was very much taken aback.