Takipsilim

Chapter 57: The Time We Shared

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies

- "Let Her Go", Passenger

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In exchange of doing his mission, Clara and Vicente gave Hunter a comfortable life. They sent him to the exclusive school for boys where Cedric studied, and provided him with the material things and support that he never once thought he would have back in his old life in the orphanage.

Befriending Cedric was a bit of a challenge for Hunter for he found him a little too popular and proud. Their classmates were all drawn to Cedric's charisma and he had a hard time entering the picture, but a fateful incident led to the start of their friendship.

Six months into his new school, Hunter was walking towards an isolated part of the campus to take a nap during lunchtime when someone called his name.

"Hunter Fernandez." He turned around to see a group of his classmates. They were examining him from head to toe and looked like predators ready to attack their prey anytime.

"What is it?" Hunter asked indifferently. In a short span of time, he was no longer the wimpy boy he used to be. He grew taller and gained weight. Clara sent him to martial arts and archery lessons and from there, he started to build muscles.

"We are just wondering. Only rich, famous, and exceptional students can go to this school. You are just a mediocre student, and nobody knows your parents. Paano ka nakapasok dito?" The leader of the group, a towering, beefy guy named Borris, was raising an eyebrow at Hunter. "We heard...may benefactor ka raw na mayamang babae? Sino kaya ito? A cougar, perhaps?" The boys snickered and made a roaring, cat-like sound to mock Hunter.

"I don't know what you're saying and how you reached that conclusion." Hunter replied. "But for males, masyado kayong chismoso."

The boys stopped laughing  and looked at Hunter incredulously. "What did you just say?!"

"I'm just stating a fact." Hunter said. "I'm quite surprised that you looked offended when you were the ones who started this in the first place."

You really think I will be intimidated by you? Hunter thought to himself.

However, he was far outnumbered by the group before him and they were still bigger than him.

Sinubukan niyang umiwas ngunit may dalawang lalaking humawak sa kanyang mga braso upang hindi siya makagalaw.

"Nagkamali ka ng kinalaban! Hindi mo ba kilala kung sinong tatay ko?!" The leader of the group said through gritted teeth. He was fuming red.

Akmang susuntukin na siya ng pinuno ng grupo nang may humila sa kwelyo ng uniform nito at itinulak ito sa sahig.

"Napakaingay mo kahit kailan, Borris." The guy who pushed Borris to the ground looked irritated. "Don't you know that this is the place where I take a nap here in campus?!"

"C-Cedric.." Borris shook with terror at the sight of Cedric. "S-sorry, hindi namin alam.."

"And then you gang up on someone not your size.." Cedric continued. "..then when he snaps back, mapipikon kayo?"

Cedric smirked and grabbed Borris by the collar. Ang mga kasamahan nito ay hindi makalapit sa takot. "You are yet another disgusting human being."

"S-sorry, Cedric.." Borris, who appeared aggressive not too long ago, looked like a scaredy cat when faced with Cedric.