Not From Around Here- A Hunter Hayes fanfic

Chapter 16- Hesitation

***Hello, my beautiful readers! Let's get right into it, shall we? :)***

Melody's POV-the next day

      Hunter's words kept repeating themselves in my head. I don't get it, if he we hate each other so much, why does he want to 'help' me? I mean, seriously!? I know I've made a mess with Sam, Hunter and myself, but at this point I honestly couldn't care less. I'm just going to leave and go back to California in a month, anyway, and then I'll never have to see them again.

       The thing I don't understand is why he claims he can make me a 'better' person. What you see is what you get with me, and that's it. Yeah, I know I can be unpleasant and snobby, but most of the time I have a reason to be. Even if I didn't, I'd still be that way. It's my way of putting my walls up, I suppose. Ever since my ex-boyfriend cheated on me, which was about two years ago, I haven't let myself develop so much as a friendship with a boy. Now, Sam, he was different. I know, I know, everyone says that about their ex. But I honestly thought things would finally turn out right with him, only to find out that it would turn into this huge mess.

      So far, my life here in Nashville has been miserable. I thought I could just get by for the summer, then leave and never give it a second thought. I didn't think I'd end up in a relationship, much less whatever this 'situation' with Hunter is. I know he probably means well, but I'm not going to let myself trust him, then possibly find out he didn't keep his word. I don't want to go through another breakup.

     But, he's been nothing but nice to me since I got to Nashville. I mean, the least I could do is try, right?

No.

      No, I won't let myself do that. I'm not going to let my walls down for him, I just won't. Plus, even if we did end up together at some point, it'd be awkward, considering everything that's happened between Sam and I. Not to mention the fact that Sam probably wouldn't be too happy with his best friend dating his ex-girlfriend. That never ends well.

       Deciding to sleep everything off for a bit, I crawl into my bed and put my Pandora app on. After I get all comfy and warm in bed, I hear a voice softly sing through the speakers.

You know I'd fall apart without you,

I don't know how you do what you do.

      Funny how Hunter always decides to make a visit when I least want him around.

     I sighed, not even bothering to change the song. After hearing it so often on the radio, I've gotten used to it, I suppose. I mean, it's a sweet song, if you like country music and mushy love songs. And if you get past the southern accent of Hunter's voice, he's actually a decent singer. Not that I'm saying I like his music, or him for that matter, because I don't. I'm just saying that for what it is, 'Wanted' is a good song. Nothing more, nothing less.

5 days later-Hunter's POV

      We leave to go back on the road again tomorrow, and I haven't heard from Melody. I know I should take that as a sign that she probably isn't interested in my help with her attitude, but I can't not ask her one last time. "Hey, Sam?" I ask, tuning my guitar. The guys and I were in the studio, the place where we usually hang out when we have nothing better to do. "Yes?" he asks, setting his mandolin down. "Would you mind if I got Melody's number from you?" I ask carefully, not wanting to make him annoyed at me for asking for his ex's number.

     "It's for a good reason, I promise." I continue. He pulls out his phone. "What kind of reason?" he asks, handing it to me. "I ran into her the other day, and well, to make a long story short, I offered to help her with her...attitude problem." I explain. He, along with the other guys, burst out laughing. "What?" I ask, slightly annoyed. "You really think you can change her? She's a monster!" Matt exclaimed. The other guys agreed.

        "A man can try. Besides, I don't want her to leave Nashville not having changed a little, for her parent's sake. That's why they flew her down here, to try and get her to change her attitude for the better." I say, defending myself. Sam sighs, walking over to me. "We're just messing with you, but what are you going to do? We leave for the road tomorrow." he explains. I nod. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But we probably won't be back here again until another two months. She'll be in California by then." I say, going to his contacts app.

       Finding her number, I send it to myself then give Sam his phone back. "I gotta go, I'll see you guys later." I say, grabbing my backpack as I walk out of the studio and out to my car. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial Melody's number. Surprisingly, she answers.

     "Hello?" she asks, sounding tired. "Hey, it's Hunter." I answer. She goes quiet for a few moments. "What do you want?" she snaps, now sounding more awake. "Well, the guys and I leave to go back on tour tomorrow, and I was just wondering...do you think you'd be willing to work together on that attitude of your's?" I ask, pulling out of the studio parking lot.

        I hear her sigh, as if she were confused. "You know, Hunter, I really don't know. It's..it's just complicated, alright?" she explains. I come to a stop light, only to be allowed to pass through seconds later, when the red light turned green. "I can handle complicated." I say, chuckling. "Not my kind of complicated, that's for sure." she replies. "Try me." I say, turning a corner.

      "Look, Hunter. I know you probably mean well, but you don't know me. You don't know a single thing about me, and I'm not ready for you to, either. You're going back on tour tomorrow, and I'm leaving for California in a month. We'd never see each other, even if we did do this whole attitude thing. Just let me be, okay?" she asks, getting frustrated. "That's the thing. I want to get to know you, Melody. I mean yeah, we might not like each other, but we could give each other a chance at the least, right? We probably won't be back in Nashville until after you've left, so I only have tonight. Please, let's at least give it a chance. If it doesn't work, you'll never hear from me again." I explain, now on the main highway.

      She was silent for a while, to the point where I almost thought she'd hung up. Her sigh reassured that she was, in fact, still on the other line. "Seems like whenever I give people chances, people get hurt. I get hurt. I don't know, Hunter." she says warily. It sounds like she's been through more than she's letting me know about. "I wouldn't let you down, I promise." I reassure her, as I pull into the driveway of my house. Stepping out of my car, I unlock the front door of the house and let myself inside.

     "Promises are always broken." she protests. She's a stubborn one, that's for sure. Walking upstairs and into my bedroom, I flop down onto my bed. "I keep my promises, Melody." I say, putting my free arm behind my head as a pillow. She sighs, sounding uncertain. "How could I believe that?" she questions curiously. I take this oppurtunity and use it to its full advantage. If I only have tonight, then so be it. "Meet me at seven o'clock tonight, at that fancy Italian restaurant downtown, over by the bookstore. We can talk then, and I'll be there. Promise." I say, hoping I didn't just screw things up even more.

        She waits for a few moments, before answering me. I let out a breath of air that I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"See you at seven, Hunter. You'd better be there."

***BOOM! Didn't see that one coming, did ya!? Hehehe ;)***

I love you guys,

-ML312<3