Wishing For Something More

Chapter 12: The Utter Heart Strings Are Being Pulled

*Hunter's POV*
      I woke up with my arm around Sydney. She actually stayed. I remember most of last night. I remember kissing her on the cheek and how angry Tyler was last night. I soaked the bed and probably Sydney. She did not have to take care of me, but she did, and I was so grateful. She was still sleeping, so I checked the time. It was only 10 am on a Saturday, which was early for me. Don't judge my sleeping habits. I peeked at the mirror and my hair was a wet, utter mess. I snuck a glance at her. She really was the prettiest. When I got up, I saw Leila in the doorway, holding her head. Clearly, she has a bad hangover. I, on the other hand, am used to hangovers. Times were rough.

    Leila takes one look at me and then my bed, which was occupied by Sydney and I. She moves her hand from her head onto her mouth in shock. "Not like that!" I whisper. Sydney suddenly shoots up. Her hair is also an utter mess, but she looks beautiful without a doubt. I notice Leila has left. "I could wake up to that every morning." I say, smirking. She smacks my arm and I pretend to be hurt. "Whatever..." She says.

    Sydney takes a look at her phone and screams, "10 MESSAGES!" I give her a confused look. "10 is a lot for me, okay." She begins to read the names out loud, "Mom, Dad, Jack... Tyler." Her face drops, as she recalls last night. "What did he say?" I ask out of curiosity. "He said 'I am so sorry. What I did last night was out-of-hand. Please forgive me'." She says. "Are you going to forgive him?" I question. "Not until you do. Has he texted you?" She says, showing some concern. I take my phone off of my nightstand and see a text from him, "I am sorry, dude. I flipped out. I wish you would have told me you liked her when I asked. Sorry, man." Woah! Woah! Woah! Who said I liked Sydney? Sure, she is cute, beautiful, and talented and smart and... Crap. I might like my Flower. I reply back, without showing Sydney the text, "I am not sure Tyler... About liking her,  but I forgive you, bud."

    "So did he apologize? Did you forgive him?" She asks again. I cough out, "Yeah. We are bros once again." I abruptly say, "I wasn't lying last night. You were the prettiest girl there," I step closer to her. We are inches apart. Why did I say that to her? I decide to cover it up, as she blushes, I say, "But that's only because every other girl is ugly and you just happened to be the least ugly." She smacks my chest away from her. "There you go again, Hunter!" Sydney shouts, severely annoyed. "Go again with what?" I ask, genuinely confused. "Flirting with girls, and not caring about the consequences. To be frank, I'm sick of-" I cut her off with a kiss on the cheek. She shutters under my touch. "I am sorry, Sydney. I won't do it again. I promise. Can we be real friends, now?" I say, quietly. She slowly begins to nod. I cannot stop myself from kissing her cheek again. She doesn't shutter this time.

    We study Calculus for a tiny bit before Leila bursts into my room. "I was wondering if you guys wanted to go to a cafe and listen to an Open-Mic Night?" She blurts. I look at Sydney for an answer. "Sure, I am starving, honestly." She says, shooting up, pulling me up with her. "We leave in 10. Wear something nice, Syd." Leila says. My nickname for her is better. I chuckle to myself. "What...?" Sydney asks. "Oh nothing, Flower." I say, still sort of laughing. Sydney rushes into Leila's room to grab and outfit. She comes back in a black skirt and a green crop top with her hair in a ponytail. I walk over to get and pull the hair-tie out. "Hey!" She shouts, slightly angered. "It looks better down." I simply state, as I throw on my leather jacket.

   The cafe is absolutely beautiful. There are fairly lights everywhere and the room is dimly lit. We grab a booth directly in front of the stage. "I feel like I forgot to mention something as to why we are here. Oh yeah, sorry Syd, but I signed you up!" Leila screeches. Sydney's smile drops. She looks over at me, accusingly. "Did you know about this??" She asks. I put my hands up in surrender, "I didn't know I swear," I say, "But I am excited to hear you sing again." "But I haven't prepared anything.." She whispers. "I have got that covered." Leila says, handing her a ukulele. "House Of Gold!" They both say at the same time. "What?" I mutter. "It's my go-to Uke song!" She says as if I was supposed to know everything about her. "Oh.. Well get ready. You're on in an hour." I simply reply. She begins to strum a few familiar chords. I look over at Leila. I sigh. "Oh, this is that band where you fawn over the drummer, isn't it?" I say, finally understanding. "I prefer the singer.. Idiot." Leila says as if she is offended. "I prefer the drummer." Sydney states.
Of course she does.