Bella's Hunt

SEVENTY-ONE

WARNING! STRANGER THINGS SPOILERS!

I take my last bite of my pancakes before looking up to see Hunter, still leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest and a serious expression plastered across his face. He's been standing like this for the past ten minutes.

I rub my hands on my shorts before clearing my throat. But still, he doesn't look at me. "Hunter?" I stand up and walk around the counter. He remains silent as I place my dish in the empty sink.

Wait... When did I do the dishes?

I glance up at Hunter with furrowed brows. I'll ask later.

"Hunter?" I wave my hand in front of his face. When he doesn't respond, I place my hand on his cheek. He grabs it immediately, causing me to jump, and his head slowly turns to me.

"You can't be adopted." He shakes his head angrily. "That's impossible."

"I saw the documents, Hunt." I state.

"No. They were fake."

"Trust me, they were not fake." I sigh.

"How did you find out?" He asks a couple seconds later, turning to me fully.

"Uh... I found a file with my name on it in my dad's desk." I look down when I say the word 'dad', catching a glimpse of Hunter fingers intertwined with mine. "A-And I went through it because I was curious. And I found a paper with the words 'certificate of adoption' on top."

"That doesn't mean anything." He states and I stare at him with narrowed eyes.

"Um, Hunt, that actually means a lot." I deadpan while trying not to smile.

"Was your name on the adoption paper?"

"Yes," I nod.

"Your parents?"

"Y-Yes."

"And your... Wait... Fuck-" He runs his hands over his face.

"What?" I ask.

"I-I meant Tiana and T-Ted... Not-"

"It's fine. I'm confused too." I mumble.

"What did your dad say?" He asks after a few moments of silence.

"What?" I furrow my brows.

"What did you dad say when you saw the file?"

"Uh..." I scratch the back of my neck. "I didn't actually ask him. I just left."

"Bella!"

"I was angry! You can't blame me!" I state loudly. "But I did leave the file on my bed, so when one of them checks my room for me, they'll find adoption papers instead of me. So I should be getting a phone call any time soon." I mutter before slipping my hand out of his.

"Where are you going?" He follows me.

"To get my phone."

"Bella," he calls my name when I begin walking upstairs. I stop and turn to him.

"Yes?" I sigh.

"I just wanted you to know..." He mumbles and my brows furrow. "That I'm not leaving you here alone. I'm not going to leave your side."

I bite down on my bottom lip, trying to come up with something witty to say. "You've told me that a million times."

The best I could come up with.

Thankfully Hunter stays downstairs and I enter my room alone. I grab my phone out of the side pocket of my duffel, silently wondering about what Hunter did while I was asleep and showering.