Wishing For Something More

Chapter 14: Christmas Eve

*Hunter's POV*
I wake up alone in a bed that isn't mine. I briefly remember that I took Sydney home because Tyler broke up with her. I am going to kill him for making my flower cry.

I hear yelling from downstairs, "You are never home, but the one night you are supposed to be home for, Christmas, you're telling me you're going to be on a week-long trip for? What kind of parenting is that?" Sydney's voice is laced with anger. "I am sorry, honey. Something came up-" Her father says, only to be interrupted by Sydney, "Am I staying alone?" "Of course not. You'll be staying with the Daniels." Her mother says, cheerfully, as if this was all normal. "Well, at least their parents are better and more welcoming than you guys will ever be." She yells, running upstairs.

She opens the door, "Let me guess. You just heard all of that?" I simply nod. "Well, I guess I am spending Christmas with you, Hunter." She says, sadly. "You know, I'm a blessing to be around. It'll be so fun!" I say. She lightens up and begins to pack up her things.

After an hour of packing, we head out to my car. Her parents didn't even have to decency to say goodbye. Reminds me of someone. "Does this mean I have to buy you a present?" She fake groans. "Sure does. And vise-versa." I say, laughing.

When we arrive at my house, Leila bursts out of the front door and envelopes Sydney in a hug. "I just got the news about your parents, also, I am going to murder Tyler to shreds." Leila says very dramatically. A buzz goes off, "Speak of the Devil. 'Sydney, I am so very sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I am so dumb for letting you go. Please, take me back. I love you.'" She reads most of it dramatically, but stops at the 'I love you' part. Leila looks very surprised. "That's a lie." I scoff. Sydney looks at me very hurt, "What? Do you think I am incapable of being loved?" Quite the opposite. She stalks off. Leila gives me a dirty look, "Are you an actual idiot?" I sigh, "I didn't mean it like that. Tyler is incapable of loving anyone, but himself." "Well, same to you." Leila says, and runs inside the house after Sydney.

Hours pass before Sydney comes out of Leila's room. She takes a seat on the couch next to me, ignoring my presence. "I didn't mean it like that, Flower. Tyler is a straight up jerk. Always has been, always will be." I say. She says nothing, but instead hands me her phone. It's a text to Tyler that says, "No. You don't. I want nothing to do with you. You stole my first kiss. Jerk move. Please. No longer text this number." I hand her back her phone. She avoids eye-contact with me. Her eyes are puffy and red. "I'm sorry, Sydney." I say, as she clears her throat. "D-Do you think it would be a problem if my brother, Jared, spent Christmas Day with us here? Since he is in town for two days and Christmas is only tomorrow." I nod my head. She mutters an quick 'thanks'. "I am going to go to the store to buy you a present." I say, standing up. She stands up as well, but instead to leave, she hugs me tight and whispers, "I know you didn't mean it that way." My ear tingles, and my heart flips. This girl, man. "Just date already!" Leila yells. Sydney immediately steps away, embarrassed, "See ya, Hunt." She runs upstairs. "Date Jack already." I say, leaving the house.

The mall is super crowded. How many people leave shopping up to the last day? Oh wait. I am doing that. I go to the necklace aisle, as I already have an idea of what I want to get her. I search every aisle and can't seem to find just what I am looking for, so I ask the lady at the counter. She is in her late 40s. "I am looking for a flower necklace, preferably real gold." I say. "OOH! Who's the lucky lady?" The woman asks. "She's just a friend." I say, almost monotone. "Sure. Maybe, but I can tell she means more than a friend to you." She says, grabbing a necklace from a secret counter under her desk. "Maybe so, but even then, she's too good for me." I sigh. "Eh, I think you're just the guy she's looking for. That'll be $2,500." I hand her the money and leave.

When I arrive home, no one is there, but a girl with red hair and glasses. She is small, but you can see she's at least in her early 20s. "I'll be out any moment, Babe." A man's voice calls. Who are these people?!? "Oh! Hello! I'm Hailey, so you must be Hunter. I'm Jared's girlfriend. The girl says. "Oh, Sydney didn't tell me that you guys would be staying, but feel free to take the guest room." I say. "Thanks!" She says. A man who looks similar to Sydney emerges from the bathroom. "Oh. Who do we have here? I'm Jared. Sydney's brother." The famous Jared Tanner. He's the reasons Sydney is a delicate flower. He is such a legend. "To this day, you are the Best Quarterback the Ravens have ever seen. What a legend." I say, amazed to be finally meeting him. "Oh, you're Hunter. The new Quarterback. Also known as the guy who seems to have a thing for my sister." My face freezes. "Lei and I have always been tight. I just have one thing to say. You hurt her, I will ruin you. And if my rep pertains to me correctly, you know, I can. But if you make her happy, go for it." Jared finishes. I freeze. "Jared, she makes me so happy. But I stand no chance. She could never like an idiot like me." I say. "As much as that may be true, you mean a lot to her. She speaks so highly of you. You're lucky." He says.

Just then, Sydney comes in with a ton of bags. "Help, please Jared." Sydney says, Leila following closely behind with more bags.  "Why can't your boyfriend help?" Jared says. Sydney eyes widen. "He's not- This isn't Tyler." She stutters. "Wait! Who the F- is Tyler?!" Jared yells. "Honey, calm down." Hailey says. "Who is she?!?" Sydney shouts. This house is a shouting mess. "LISTEN UP TANNERS! This girl is Hailey, Jared's sweet girlfriend. Tyler is a my best- ex best friend, who dated Sydney, but was jealous of me, so he broke up with her because she refused to stop talking to me." I say without taking a breath. "Since when do you date?" Jared asks, accusingly. "Since when do you settle down with one girl? No offense, Hailey, I'm sure you're great." Sydney says. They sure are siblings. Jared turns his attention towards me, "And you! You didn't kill this Tyler?" He asks me. "I was planning on it." I say. "Well let's go. You drive, bro." Jared says, totally ready to go. "GUYS STOP!" Sydney yells. "Okay, Flower. We won't." I say, and Jared shoots me a questioning look and mouths 'Flower?'. I simply shrug. "Fine, but if this Tyler kid bothers you again, I will tear him to shreds. Tell him Jared Tanner is watching." He says. Even I would be scared if I heard that.

Leila barges in the conversation, "Guys! THE BAGS!" We all help the girls bring the bags up to their room. I look at the time and it's 10 p.m. "Goodnight guys!" I shout as I head to bed. Sydney follows Leila to her room, slightly disappointing me, but then I get a text from her saying, "As much as I'd enjoy sleeping with you, my brother could see, even though he's aware of my slight insomnia."

I decide to suggest something. I go to the living room and shout, "GUYS! How about a sleepover in the living room?" I know. LAME. But it's an excuse to lay by Sydney. I never want to stop waking up next to her. Wow. Just realized how creepy that sounded.. And how quickly I am falling so deep for her. "Okay!" Everyone slowly brings down their pillows and blankets. "Ooh! Let's watch a horror movie!" Hailey says. "Never pegged you for a scary movie kind of girl. I like it." Jared says, and then kisses her. "Keep it PG." I say. "Don't act like I don't know the real reason you want to sleep down here." Jared whispers. I smirk. Jared pops in a horror movie much to Leila and Sydney's distaste. Sydney takes a seat on the couch next to me. She lays her head on my lap and is out in seconds. Leila and Jared smirk at each other and high-five. I shake my head and then almost fall asleep. "Merry Christmas, Hunt." Sydney mutters. "It's Christmas Eve, Flower.." I say. "I know," she mutters, "It better snow."

(A/N: OMG I HAVEN'T POSTED IN MONTHS! I feel so bad! I've been so busy, but I have this week off so I'm looking forward to maybe finishing it this week. There honestly isn't much left. Honestly, JARED IS THE FAVE OF THEM ALL! He is played by Kian Lawley. :) And I still haven't decided on an actor for Hunter. I can't imagine anyone like him but I love him. :))) Thanks for reading and please vote and comment. Who's your favorite character by the way?