Everything Ripples

11

Chapter 11
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{music for the chapter:// Mykonos by Fleet Foxes}
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My head feels fuzzy, and I try to sit up, instantly feeling dizzy and queasy.

"Whoa, slow down. Lie down again."

Someone rushes to my side and gently lowers me back down.

"Hunter?" I say, my vision starting to become clear again.

"Yep. Same old me," he chuckles, still standing by me. I look over at my wrist and see a white cast cover it. I try to wiggle my fingers, only managing to move the first two.

"How long have I been here?" I ask airily.

"Just a few hours. They had to put you under anaesthetic to reset it 'cause you were panicking."

"Ah. That's why I feel like shit."

Hunter laughs and I grin.

"What about my parents?" I say suddenly, worried about what they'd do to me.

"Don't worry. I've got it all taken care of. If anyone asks, we're in town having dinner."

I sigh in relief. "Thank you. For everything Hunter."

He waves his hand as if to say don't bother, but I lean up and kiss his cheek, something very daring I'd never do. I immediately regret it as he backs away, sitting back on the chair.

"Sorry," I mumble, covering my face with the blanket.

"You did nothing wrong. I just needed to back away before I did something bad," Hunter admits, and gives me a cheeky smile. I shyly smile back.

"When can we get out of this hellhole?" I ask, fiddling with the seams on the blanket.

"Soon. I just need to fill out your release forms. It's all the sum to figure out. All they need is my credit card. You'd be surprised how much people have to pay for such a simple treatment."

I stare at Hunter, gobsmacked.

"What?" I hiss.

"It's no big deal," he says, shrugging like money is nothing. I start to struggle to breath, taking shallow breaths.

"Hey, hey, Snowflake, what's wrong?"

"Water. Can you get me some water?" I gasp between breaths. It's something that happens to me when I get nervous or anxious. I start to hyperventilate and my throat constricts, preventing any air to get in my lungs.

"Shit Sydney. I'll be right back."

Hunter rushes out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I try and control my breathing like my therapist taught me how, and my throat slowly begins to expand again.

Hunter storms back in, sloshing around a cup of water. I mouth 'thank you' to him and take the water, carefully drinking it. Finishing it, I lean back, taking deep breaths until it returns to normal.

"What the hell happened?" Hunter looks at me, face full of worry.

"Oh, nothing. Just the fact you paid for my wrist!" I shout."

"I didn't realise it would-"

"I barely know you and you basically just gave me money for no good reason."

"But-"

"Why?" I interrupt firmly, staring straight into Hunter's eyes. He sighs and runs a hand through his wavy hair, his eyes dark and brooding. He holds his hands up in surrender when I glare at him.

"It's nothing. Trust me. My family is loaded. And I wanted to pay for it."

I groan and bury my palms into my eyes. It was probably in the thousands. I don't have that kind of money to pay him back. I'll be in debt for ages. Hunter sits on the end of my bed and take both my hands, the white plaster contrasting with his tan skin. He tilts my chin up with his finger and looks me straight in the eye.

"This was my decision. I do not expect you to pay me back. I never did. Do not think I did this out of pity. I did it out of necessity and because I wanted to."

I nod meekly, because that's all I can do right now.

"But there is one thing you can do for me."

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I walk, with Hunter stuck to my side, outdoors into the setting sunlight. The day passed so quickly, with me winning in poker against Hunter and him raiding the medical cabinets. It was pretty fun, considering the circumstances. They let me go as soon as the doctor came and checked on me, and now I get to go home. Great.

"This way," Hunter says, pulling on my arm to steer me in the right direction.

"Are you sure your parents aren't angry at you for wasting the day with me?" I ask nervously.

"Of course. If anything, I think they're pleased. They've been bugging me to get out of the house since we got here, and it's only been a day. Trust me, they're fine," Hunter chuckles, clearly amused by my concern. I glare at him and playfully hit his arm. I've gotten more comfortable with the fact he's paid for my surgery, and am trying to act normal with him.

He feigns agony and stumbles away from me.

"Oh, get a grip on yourself," I scold, pulling on the handle of his truck when we arrive. He goofily grins and unlocks the car, hopping in before me. Starting the ignition, he twists his body as he reverses, his mouth pulled into a genuine smile when he looks at me. I blush, quickly covering it up with a cough and start inspecting my cast. I can feel his obnoxious grin on his face as we pull out of the parking lot and onto the highway.

"Can I turn on the radio?" I ask, to which he nods. Flicking it on, I scroll through the options. Hunter grabs my hand at one station, pulling it away from the dash.

"I love this one," he exclaims, tapping along to the beat of the song. I sit back amused.

"You like country?" He nods. "Wouldn't have pegged you as a cowboy."

"Shut up. I know you like it too," he fired back.

"Guess we have one thing in common then," I mumble, smiling when Hunter winks and gives me a thumbs up.

"Only the best music in the world!"

I raise my eyebrow. "Okay, you haven't listened to all the music in the world. How would you know? I bet I have songs you would adore if you have them a chance."

He scoffs. "Ha! People have tried, and failed. Go ahead, show me what you can do."

I grin in victory and enjoy the ride back to the little dirt path and the peninsula as I show Hunter the many wonderful types of music in the world.

Turning off the car, we sit in silence for a minute, the sun disappearing slowly.

"Ready?"