Just this once

Chapter six

Hunters POV

As soon the bell sounded she shot out the door, I flew after her but she was ready lost to my sight. I'm about to give up and go home when I see her storming towards the doors I run to catch up to her and grab her wrist just as her hand reaches for the handle.

Her head jerks around wildly until she meets my eyes and she slightly relaxes but I can tell she's still on edge.

"Let me go Hunter." The way she says my name makes me want to pull her in and kiss her on the spot- Wait why am I thinking? I don't even really know her. We barely associate, besides that one day two years ago... We both agreed we would never speak word of that day again, but does she still remember? I know I will never forget...

"Not until you tell me what I saw in class." She looks like a deer in the headlights and instinctively starts fiddling with her charm.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes Erika, I think you do." I can see the wheels spinning in her head and attempt to reach her sleeve, but she notices and yanks her arm out of my grasp, slamming her hand on my chest and pushing me into the nearest locker.

"Listen here, Hunter. Whatever you think you saw you should just forget it- you don't know me, and don't need to try and be involved in my life.

You know nothing- nothing about me."

As she continues her rant I seize the opportunity to find out for myself, seeing that she won't tell me anytime soon. I yank down her sleeve and sure enough there are rows and rows of ragged scars covering her forearm, the most recent at the tip of her wrist.

She gasps and staggers back furiously pulling it back down and over the markings.

'She self harms.

She's not okay.

Something's wrong.'

'Something's wrong.'

She continues to back away slowly.

"Please, just leave me alone." Her voice cracks and their is so much pain in her eyes, pain I do not know what caused, but I will make it my duty to fix it.

"Erika," I begin tenderly reaching out for her arm, but she flinches back and sprints out the door before I can utter another syllable.

To say I am shocked would be an understatement. I had prayed that I was wrong but what I saw in art class was now undeniable. Erika cuts- the question is why? Why would the always happy; always cheery, perfect girl with a perfect life cut?

What is she hiding?

The only thing that is clear is that I won't rest until I find out.

This morning went by in a blur up until now; lunch.I am making my way towards the bench when I hear a tray clatter to the ground and see her staring up with a frightened expression at a very pissed Ty.

Ty is the head of the popular kids and one of the biggest douches,

I've heard many rumors about him, although I don't know whether they're true or not. Usually there is always some truth to it somewhere, but I find it hard to believe.

"Watch where your going Erika."

Her name sends tingles up my spine for some unknown reason and before I can think it over I am walking towards him and stepping in between him and her. She just stares with wide eyes; unable to process what is going on.

"Leave her alone Ty." I say in the most menacing voice I can manage.

He looks back and forth at us clearly in shock that I would willingly cross paths with him, let alone for a girl of her social status, and yet I stand my ground.

"My my, aren't we getting protective over this little doll. Hunter my man I think you're going soft."

"Just stay away from her, she did nothing to you." And with that I turn away from him and help her to her feet,guiding her away from the menace.

"Lets go somewhere else." I say and she looks up at me with an expression of pure awe and shock.

"Why'd you do that? Why would you help me over him?"

"Just because I'm popular doesn't mean we're friends- more like I stay out of his way and he stays out of mine."

"Still, you shouldn't have stood up for me. I can fend for myself. I'm not weak you know." Her response almost makes me want to chuckle, but after what I saw yesterday it worried me.

"I never said you were." My voice softens

"Erika, about what I saw yesterday-"

I begin but she cuts me off

"Just forget about it."

"Erika" I begin to protest again but the pleading in her voice stops me.

"Please just drop it."

"Okay."

And I will drop it for now, if I want to help her, she has to let me in, now is not the time to pry.