Feelings to Find

Chapter 2

I woke up to the sound of loud thuds against the house. I sneak downstairs really fast and run outside to see Hunter throwing rocks.

Me: "What are you doing!?"

Hunter looked at me with a shy-like look.

Hunter: "Trying to wake you up."

Me: "Well, it worked."

I walk towards him and smirked.

Me: "By the way, that's my parents window."

Hunter immediately dropped the rocks and started to mess around with his hoodie string.

Hunter: "Are, uh, you busy?"

Me: "Why?"

Hunter: "Follow me."

He ran off across the street, and for some unknown reason... I followed him. We walked into the back part of the woods and came up to an old treehouse that looked as if it's been there for over 100 years.

Me: "Who's is this?"

I slid my fingers across the door with a faded 'R' on it.

Hunter: "It's the last memory I have of my dad. Sometimes, it helps. Most of the time it just hurts me to even think about him.

Me: "Oh, I'm sorry."

I paused and dropped my hands down at my side.

Me: "What's the R for?"

Hunter looked up at the faded letter on the door and smiled.

Hunter: "Rowland. It's my last name."

He smiled at me, and I could see that he was blushing too, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

Hunter: "Enough about me, tell me more about you!"

Me: "I moved here from Florida."

Hunter: "Florida? Girl, then why did you come here? To see me?" he teased.

Me: "My dad got a better job offer here. He didn't have the heart to pass it up."

Hunter: "Have any friends you didn't want to leave behind?"

We sat on the edge of the deck together, and I sighed.

Me: "I knew a pair of twins, they were my best friends. I hung out with those boys more than anyone."

Hunter sat up straight the second I mentioned they were boys. He looked kind of worried, like he knew something.

Hunter: "Names?"

Hunter was very nervous now. Maybe even scared.

Me: "Julian and Jovani."

He now looked twice as scared.

Me: "Are you okay?"

Hunter: "Oh, yeah. We should be getting back. My mom is gonna be getting up soon. My brothers are probably already up and wondering where I am."

Me: "Oh. Were they the two younger boys you were with earlier peeping through my window?"

He glared at me while blushing intensely.

Hunter: "Um... yeah. My brothers Ashton & Brandon."

Me: "The younger one was so adorable."

Hunter scoffed and pouted. He looked as if he wanted to hit something or scream, and it was kind of cute. We came up to the end of the sidewalk where we then had to go our separate ways. I glared at him for a bit, then looked down at my shoes and smiled.

Hunter: "Look, Alyssa. I know we just met but I'd really like it if you'd come on tour with me next weekend. The thing is, I really like you. A lot. This would mean a lot to me if you came."

Hunter grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes as if he was trying to see my soul. He was about to cry, and saying no would definitely make him. So I thought about it for a second.

Me: "How about you give me your number, I'll ask my parents and then I'll let you know what they say."

I winked at him and held his hand back. A tear fell from his face and he lit up and smiled.

Me: "By the way Hunter, I like you a lot too."

I had a huge grin on my face. I couldn't help it, he was so amazing.

I went back inside and plopped down on the couch, happy as a puppy when their owner comes back from being away for a while. My mom came in with a happy look on her face too. She sat down next to me and patted my knee.

With a sarcastic voice she asks, "He's just our neighbor, huh?"

I blush and look her in the eyes.

Me: "About that mom.... he asked me if I could go on tour with him. It wouldn't be long and I get to meet all of his friends. There's three other boys and all of their families go along too. Before you say anything about it, just think. Hunter was nearly in tears when he asked me, because he felt like I might say no... or so I'm assuming. I don't think staying behind is gonna make it better. Please mom?"

Mom: "Sure"

I ran upstairs, jumped on my bed & pulled out my phone to text Hunter. It turned out Hunter was nervous and texted me first.

'Hey... I know i asked like three minutes ago.. but, can you go ?'

I quickly text back my response.

'SHE SAID YES HUNTER' at the end I put a "😉" and I felt my heart flutter. I don't know what to think. All of a sudden... I remember that Jovani liked me when I lived in Florida that one time. He could hardly say anything to me when I left... he didn't even give me a hug goodbye. even when Julian told him to hug me since I've known them since childhood. I push the thought back into my head & pop open my computer. I look through the tour Hunter was going on.. but didn't find much. I couldn't even see who else was going. maybe I was just on the wrong website. I hear my phone go off.. Hunter wanted to FaceTime.

Hunter: "Hey Alyssa." He smiled behind his hand.

Me: "Hey Hunter" I smile brightly as my mom knocks on the door.

"Is this Hunter? He's so handsome. Are y'all getting together yet?"

"Moooooommmmmm" I whine as Hunter tries to tease me even more about it.

Hunter: "I haven't got to it yet, ma'am." He smiled.
I looked at him through the corner of my eye & he's smiling so big, as he's looking at me and winks at my mom.

"Okay, I'm sorry for interrupting the moment. Before I go, alyssa honey, remember to pack everything. We can go to the mall later to pick out a few new outfits okay?"

Me: "Thanks mom !"

Hunter cleared his throat as my mom left.

"So, Alyssa... Hope your getting shorts cause it'll be kinda warm as soon as we get there"

"I planned on it"

We face timed for the next two hours laughing, messing around & having a good time. I felt as if I had slept on a cloud the night before. It made me feel a little guilty though, because Hunter had no idea that I dated Jovani and that Julian still liked me. I decided to not let myself get too happy from there on out.