Just this once

Chapter twelve

Hunter's POV

It has been a week since the incident, Erika has since opened up to me a little more. She is slowly coming out of her shell and letting the world in which makes me glad, but it also makes me wonder why she built up the wall in the first place.

Her eyes show so much pain, I wish I could remove it, and I also wish I knew what caused it.

'What happened to you Erika? What made you this way?'

I could never ask her out loud- at least, not yet.

I just got to her and I don't want to lose her again.

Riiiiiiiing. The bell goes off and as usual Erika bursts through the door, this time I follow her.

I stay around the corner while she's at her locker- I don't even care how stalker like that sounds.

I hear her phone buzz and she visibly tenses when she reads the caller I-D.

"Hello," I cannot hear who she is addressing but she speaks cautiously and slow her face falling at whatever is said on the other line.

Why does she look so distressed?

I have the strange urge to storm I've there and shout using every curse word I know at the receiving end of the call.

How dare they make her feel this way?

Whooooa Hunter, where did that come from?

'You know,' The voice inside my head taunts.

Yes, I do know, but I will make sure that never happens.

She has been hurt so many times and she cannot be hurt again. I swore to myself I would never let anyone hurt her and that is why I can never act on my feelings.

I do not want to accidentally hurt her, I know I would never be able to live with myself if anything happened to her.

I must hide my feelings, she can only see me as a friend.

"Okay bye." She hangs up her voice trembling at the end and she warily glances around as if she's afraid someone noticed.

'Of course I noticed,' I think

'I always noticed you.'

I quickly act like I saw nothing and walk up to her

placing my arm above her head on the locker with a slam.

She jumps out of her thoughts and all I see is hurt in those beautiful hazel eyes. She notices me reading her and quickly wipes her face of any expression.

It pains me how easily she is able to do this.

'Who made you this way Erika?

Who was on the other line of that phonecall?'

"What do you want Hunter?" She says tiredly and I notice bags under we eyes.

It's clear she hasn't been sleeping.

"Let me take you home" I say suddenly

"What?" I can tell she is shocked.

"You heard me. Let me take you home, you're exhausted and look like you're about to fall over from sleep deprivation." I keep a joking tone but inside I am dead serious. She is not getting out of this.

"I'm fine Hunter, really. Just a little tired."

"Bull." Her eyes widen

"Excuse me???"