12 Days Before Christmas || ✔

d a y # 2

Beth.

I'm not even remotely surprised when Hunter West shows up at my apartment a little past ten in the morning, demanding that I put on some decent clothing at once. When questioned what occasion am I dressing up for, he puts on that charming smile of his and pretends to zip up his lips and throw the keys away.

Wait did I say charming? No, I absolutely meant annoying.

After rummaging through my entire closet in a mini crisis, I decide to just go with a pair of black high-waisted skinny jeans, white GEEK sweater (though I am no where close to being a geek) and my favorite army green combat boots, with a creame colored scarf, gloves and a black beanie to keep out the cold. Throwing on some eyeliner and lipstick, I check my reflection in the mirror in satisfaction. I may be suicidal, but I still care about how I look. I want to die wearing something nice with my hair and makeup on point, thank you very much.

Seems like I've dressed the part, I realize, as Hunter West practically tows me to the ice skating ring at the sports complex a few minutes from where I live.

"You're gonna love this," he says with a reassuring grin as he straps into the roller skates we have rented from the complex.

I whine in complete disagreement. "I'm gonna hate this." I've never gone skating before ,with a good reason too - I suck at maintaining my balance, I'm not kidding! I can't ride a bike to save my life, nor engage in any other activity that require some form of balance. I'd just end up falling flat on my butt. Not a pretty sight.

Besides, Marco would never in his lifetime let me near anywhere that would cause me harm, which is, in this case, an ice skating rink.

"I hate you, Hunter West," I groan. We're on the ice now, barely, and I'm holding onto a certain dark haired jerk to save my reputation. "No, wait, that's too far out, go back. Go back!"

He laughs heartily at my hysteric while I glare at him, hoping I'd suddenly gain the ability to shoot laser with my eyes. He continues to laugh but stops when the movement causes me to almost slip and fall on the ice. Almost. Hunter West may be an ass, but he has quick reflexes I'll give him that. He manages to catch me in his arms before I completely humiliate myself in front of a bunch of ten-year-olds looking like they're professional skaters already.

"Did you break anything?" He asks, carefully examining me.

"Only my heart," I mumble. He gives a deep chuckle, his chest rumbling with it, and gets me to stand upright. He throws both my arms around his neck so that I'm basically hugging him for support. I'm not complaining as long as I don't kiss the ground. But he does have that faint smell that reminds me of -

"What are you thinking about, Beth?"

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "Nothing, I was just - my mind likes to wander."

"I can see that."

I half smile, suddenly remembering how close we are. His breath is tickling my forehead and I'm all too aware of our proximity. My head is screaming at me, berating me for doing this to Marco, yet my heart is completely at ease. I duck my head - I'm so confused.

"Something's bothering you," Hunter West utters, sounding more like a statement rather than a question.

"It's nothing," I lie.

"It's not, I can tell."

"I'm just - it's my parents."

"Oh," he seems genuinely shocked by my confession. "What's wrong? Wait, you don't live with them anymore, do you?"

"No, we can't stand each other. I've been living by myself ever since I started freshman year. But I still have to visit them, a few times a year. Mandatory visits, you know?"

"Ah," Hunter West nods, catching on. "It's the time of the year, right?"

I bite my bottom lip out of habit. "Yeah, Christmas dinner on the twenty-third. One more reason to not stay alive."

"Hey," he places a finger under my chin and lifts my head up so that he's staring straight into my eyes. "Don't talk like that, ever, not even as a joke."

I don't know what to say.

"Life is too precious to be taken lightly."

"Why are you really doing this, Hunter West? Why do you want to help me so much?"

He sighs, a hand caressing my cheek in a feather-like motion. It lasted only but for a second, but my cheeks still burn with an inexplicable heat. "I just want to help a friend."

"We didn't even know each other two days ago."

"I mean our mutual friend."

It takes awhile for that to sink in and I gasp as realization hit me. "Marco?"

"Yes."

"He told you about me?"

"In a way."

"When?"

Hunter West wipes away a stray tear from my face that I haven't even notice escape. "I can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"Someday perhaps, when you're ready."

"Ready for what?"

He smiles, this time it's a sad one. "You'll know then. But for now, let's get you off this rink. I think you've had enough of skating to last you a lifetime."

"That I agree."

He leads me back to the bleachers, hand in hand, as I try to figure out what he had meant. I'm sure I'd have known if Marco had kept in touch with him after moving away from Brooklyn because Marc would never keep this from me, but how else then would Hunter West have known about me? Besides, I have a feeling that it isn't purely coincidental that Hunter West had found me in the cemetery two days ago while I was dead set to end it all (no pun intended). Something just doesn't add up.

"Stop thinking so much," the man himself chides, poking my arm, all seriousness from before gone. "I can almost see the gears turning in your head."

"I will if you'd tell me."

He chuckles again, amused at my stubbornness. "Then stay alive, Beth. I'll tell you on Christmas day, I promise."

~~~

So, how was it? Too intense? Honestly I don't have the whole story planned out - just bits and pieces in the middle and ending - so I'm kind of just winging it and hoping that everything goes well in the end. That said, if you have a suggestion on what Hunter and Beth could do in the next couple of days, please do comment down below, I'll even dedicate the chapter to you if I use the idea! x

Anyway, don't forget to vote if you liked it, and if you didn't like it, please tell me why :(

p.s. Special thanks to olygrail_ for the lovely cover. It's so beautiful <3

- debo.