My Hometown

We're friends right?

"Come in Cora."  Hunter said inviting me in.  We sat in his living room and sat down at a couch.  

"So explain."

He sighed.  "Okay.  So yeah that guy that kept questioning us is my brother.  His name is Russel. A few weeks ago he was bragging on and on.  About multiple things.  But one in particular.  His girlfriend.  They have been dating for two years now.  So during that he asked me if I had a girlfriend.  I said no.  And he bugged me about all the rest of the day.  And pretty much for the next two weeks.  He said he wasn't surprised that I didn't have one and it's not like I ever will.  Of course getting a girlfriend is not the most important thing in the world.  But after two weeks at every meal bugging me I was fed up.  So I told him I could get a girlfriend within the first week of school.  And then you showed up and it kind of worked out."

"Well you have a nice brother."

"Yeah.  I know we've only kind of gotten to know each other within the last few hours so thanks."

"Yeah no problem.  You can rely on me from now on.  We're friends right?"

"Sure why not."

That was the start of something new.  Of course I had guy friends before but not ones I spent a ton of time with.  He was the type of friend who would listen to you for hours, joke with you, try to make you feel better when you're upset.  My point is, he cared, which meant a lot to have a friend to rely on.

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It was October 20th and I was at school.  But then again most the time I was.  Hunter and I had become good friends.  But he still stayed his usual self most of the time.  Quiet, hoodie up, insanely smart when he wanted to be.  I however was becoming popular.  I spent lunches with Hunter sometimes and other times with my other group of friends.  They were one of the popular groups so me hanging out with them was making me more popular.  They kept telling me to join the volleyball team because one time I went to a party and played beach volleyball and all of a sudden I am an athlete.

First period science.  I walked in and sat behind Hunter who completely ignored me.  He usually at least talked to me before class started.  Maybe something was up.  I would have to ask him during lunch.  He didn't look very approachable right now.  He was glaring at everyone who walked in.  When I walked in he gave me a little nod and stopped glaring but nothing else.  

"Good morning everyone."  Said Mrs. Corwell.  "Today we will be partnering up for an in class project.  You can chose your own partner.  The project is due at the end of class."

I tapped on Hunters shoulder.  "Want to be partners?"

"No.  I'll work on it alone."

"Hunter.  It's a partner project."

He sighed.  "Okay fine whatever."

"Dude what's up?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're obviously upset about something.  You're grumpy and glaring at everyone."

"I'm not glaring at you.  Okay fine.  Russel is so aggravating."  Of course it was Russel causing trouble.  That guy didn't know when to stop.  I had just kept playing as Hunter's girlfriend whenever I was at his house.  

"He's going to move to California for college.  Don't get me wrong.  He is so annoying.  But he's my brother and it's not like I can go see him whenever I want.  My dad is always at work so I'll be home alone most of the day."

"Oh.  Do you want to hang out at lunch?"

"Yeah.  I can rant on about it later.  We have work to do now."

We started the project which was pretty easy.  It was just a couple of worksheets.  After we turned in our papers we could do whatever we wanted.  Within reason anyway.  I walked to my locker and got my books for the next class.  I heard someone walk up to me.  I turned around to see David.  He was a nice guy.

"Hey Cora.  Are you going to the Halloween dance?"

"I don't really know yet."

"Oh cool.  I hope I see you there."  He walked away and I closed my locker.  I started making my way back to science.  Then I saw Hunter.

"Hey Hunter.  Where are you going?"

"Actually I was looking for you.  So you know how next period is study hall?"

"Yeah it's the same schedule everyday."

"True.  I have an idea."