text messages // hbr

«Thirty-Seven»

Hunter's POV

I've been in LA for almost a week now and I've spent most of it with Aaron. She didn't lie to me when she said she wouldn't go to school. I'm on my way to her house right now, my 'family', that I don't even know what part of it they are from, seem to not want a part of me here at all. It's a good thing I like Aaron better than all of them. I told her we were really close family because I need an excuse to be with her. I can't believe I've known her for about ten and a half months now, texting and calling everyday. I liked to cherish those moments and now I get to be with her for two months! Well, minus a week now.

I knock on the door and her mom answers. "She's in her room" she says while smiling and motioning for me to walk in. Guess she already knew what I was gonna ask. "Do you want anything to drink or eat?" She asks kindly.

"No thanks. I'm fine" I reply and start walking up the stairs. I approach her room and go to knock when I hear keyboard music:

"All we do is hide away
All we do is, all we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All we do is, all we do is chase the day

All we do is lie and wait
All we do is, all we do is lie and wait
All we do is feel the fade
All we do is, all we do is feel the fade

I've been upside down
I don't wanna be the right way round
Can't find paradise on the ground
I've been upside down
I don't wanna be the right way round
Can't find paradise on the ground

All we do is hide away
All we do is, all we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All we do is, all we do is chase the day

All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All we do is play it safe
All we do, all we do

I've been upside down
I don't wanna be the right way round
Can't find paradise on the ground
I've been upside down
I don't wanna be the right way round
Can't find paradise on the ground

All we do is hide away
All we do is, all we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All we do, all we do is chase the day
All I did was fail today
All I wanna be is whites in the waves
All I did was fail today
All we do, all we do

The voice I just completely fell in love with, I couldn't help but to listen. I don't know why she doesn't want to sing, that was beautiful, her voice matches her looks and personality. I wait about a minute and knock on the door.

I'm greeted by a true beauty. "Why hello there" she says and gives me a hug. I hug her tighter never wanting to let go. I don't even want to think about when I have to leave. "Come in" she invites me in and we sit on her bed.
"What do you want to do?"

"Whatever you want to do" I smile

"Why don't we play a board game?" She asks and I nod. We go to her stash and decide on Monopoly. Classic. We set it up and begin playing.

In the middle of the game I say "you have a beautiful voice. You should sing more often"

"What?" She asks blushing, but also with a worried expression.

"I heard you singing. You don't have to be embarrassed. You are better than Beyonce in my ears." She just looks down at the ground. "Why'd you choose that song?" I ask. She just keeps her head down and shrugs.
"Aaron, it's fine. It's a great song. It showed a big part of you." I'm trying to make her not feel awkward. She looks up, but still stays quiet and just looks at me.

"I don't want to play this anymore" she says biting on her fingernail. I noticed she has that habit.

"Okay. What do you want to do?" I ask and smile while putting away the game. She helps and shrugs.

"Can we just lay down or something?" She asks and laughs.

"That's honestly a great idea." I say and stand up to neatly put Monopoly back where it came from. We lay on her bed next to each other, but still have a good distance. We were silent, but it wasn't awkward.

After about five minutes, I take her hand and intertwine our fingers. She accepts. I've been wanting to do this since I got here, just like that dream I had. I look at her and smile. She gives a big smile in return. I'm happy.

We stay in this peaceful position for a long time, who's keeping exact track though? "I have something to give to you" I say sitting up causing me to sadly let go of her hand.

"What is it?" She says copying my action. I reach in my back pocket to pull out two folded papers and hand them to her. She takes a second to look over them and she looks at me with a huge smile and glistening eyes.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She squeals jumping into my arms.