You’re such a baby, Mystral, I chided myself. Why aren’t you happy? In the back of my mind, I knew exactly what my problem was. I wanted it to have been Hunter. I needed a reason to distrust him, to distrust them. Flor and Hunter knew my insecurities, and my secrets (except for a couple I didn’t know how to tell them). They had an enormous power over me and I hated that. Being close to anyone was more frightening than anything else I could imagine.
I got to my dorm fast because it was thankfully next to the cafeteria. Ever since I got back from Tampa, I hadn’t been using my bike, which is weird since I’d been almost all over campus. I guess with everything that was happening, I just forgot.
Please be somewhere else, please don’t be in here, I chanted in my head as I unlocked the door of my room and gently pushed it open.
She wasn’t in the room.
I smiled slightly. Flor was probably still out with Bernard and I had the dorm all to myself.
Thank Drol I had instinctively held on to the pizza plate. I only realized the pizza was there when I stopped for a breath. I was so used to having food in my hands that I didn’t even notice it when I was opening the door.
After finishing the pizza, I discarded the paper plate, happy about not leaving stuff lying around. That feeling immediately faded as soon as I turned away from the kitchen and toward the living room/bedroom. It was a terrible mess, worthy of its own television show. A shrug and a sigh later, I was face-down on my bed groaning in horror of the task I’d have to get around to doing; someday.
“Myst! You in there?”
No. There is no way this is happening. I refuse to respond. I held my breath, hoping Hunter would assume I was out.
I heard the sound of a key turning the lock. When did he get a key?!
“Oh, there you are!” Hunter poked me in the arm. “Wakey wakey eggs and bakey!”
Angrily, I turned myself around so I could look at him. “You gigantic dork. Why are you here and who gave you permission to come in?”
Hunter grinned at me, unfazed by my scowl. “I’m just here to hang out with you. Flor gave me a key a long time ago and I thought I would wait for you in here. Satisfied?”
“Go away.”
He blatantly ignored my command, sitting himself down on my bed. “Let’s go to a water park.”
“No.”
“Mystral, stop being such a killjoy. We’re going.”
“Go by yourself. I’m not holding you back.”
Hunter sighed dramatically. “We’ll go to the zoo if you want.”
My eyes widened. “Really? Can we get one of those tandem bikes?”
Laughing, he nodded. “Sure. No problem.”
Zoos were one of my weaknesses. Seeing the animals lounging about made life seem a little simpler and I loved it.
“We can go right now.” I put on my shoes and pushed Hunter out of the room. “C’mon, slow poke.”
*
It was weird riding with Hunter on the motorcycle again, but when we got into the zoo, my stiff shoulders immediately relaxed. The penguin exhibit was directly to our left and I headed right for it. Hunter followed me, huffing about how if I’d wanted the bike, I should be the one to drag it around.
I sat on the bench in front of the penguins, smiling at their underwater escapades. They were so unconcerned about the people watching them. I wanted to be like them so much it hurt.
Hunter’s arm draped over my shoulder as he sat down. “You look cute right now.”
My cheeks heated at his comment and I focused on staring at the exhibit in front of me. “I’m cute all the time,” I mumbled.
At that, he laughed. “No, you’re scary and intense all the time. Adorable’s a new look for you. I like it.”
“Oh my goodness! Hunter?!” The piercing voice let out a small shriek. “It’s been so long!”
I turned around to see a beautiful redhead, standing with a hand on her hip. The sun glinted off her sunglasses and her short hair framed her face. She was, in a word, stunning. I felt kind of intimidated.
Hunter laughed. “Vanessa, how nice to see you again!”
I plastered an awkward smile on my face as they hugged, not knowing whether I should also stand up.
Hunter made a vague motion toward me. “This is Mystral. You know her, don’t you?”
Vanessa’s smile faltered as she saw me, but she quickly brought it back up. “Hello, Mystral.”
I waved slightly, “Hello.”
The two of them proceeded to ignore me as they caught up, but thankfully I quickly got distracted. An ice cream cart had pulled up near us and I just had to go over to it. The day was pretty hot and I was in need of something cold to boost my energy. Just as I paid the lady, I heard Hunter calling for me.
“Mystral! Where are you?!”
I rolled my eyes. I was literally ten feet away from where I’d been and it was the most obvious place for me to be. Look for food and there’s a good chance you’ll find Mystral. “I’m here, poo head!”
He ran over and gave me a hug, putting my ice cream in serious jeopardy. “Myst, don’t do that! I thought something happened.” I couldn’t see Vanessa anywhere as he pulled away.
Lifting an eyebrow, I stared at him. “Why are you being so weird?”
“I’m not being weird.” He frowned. “But I think it’s time you go home.” Hunter took my hand and led me away. I was too surprised to argue with him.
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A/N: Poo head is my favorite insult ever.
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Freezing Cold
Novela JuvenilIt has superheroes and stuff. Yep: ~Mystral is an outcast, even as a super. She doesn't have many friends and people always look at her strangely. She's avoided almost as much as the students everyone recognizes are destined for villainy. ~Lately...
