ENDS

11- Closest

Third person p.o.v.

Hunter had microwaved some Spanish rice left in the pot and he'd carried a glass of water along with him as he proceeded up the stairs to iris's room.

   He stood at her door and took a deep breath to calm himself down. After speaking with his Dad, he didn't expect to feel so guilty, he'd expected to feel less responsible but it turned the other way around.

  Now he'd have to face the new music playing in his head. The one of pure guilt.

  He knocked thrice on the door and waited for a response, which came not long after as a muffled 'yes?'.

  Slowly balancing the tray and it's contents on one hand and using the other to open the door, he stepped in only to find Iris faced down on a pillow. And alone.

  At first he was scared shitless that something had happened to her, but after watching closely, he noticed her almost rapid torso movements and heard almost silent noises.

  She was crying.

  And that got him frozen to the door.

  He didn't know what to do. He's been trying with every damned nerve cell in him not to cry since morning, but now seeing Iris all helpless is making that effort seem useless.

  He wanted to go wipe her tears and promise her that everything was going to be fine, but he couldn't. He's been taught not to make promises be couldn't keep.

  Years ago, all he wanted to do was see those tears running down her face. Years ago that was his only source of happiness.

  Now, all he wants is to make sure those tears never grace her innocent face again.

  His dad was right, Iris had seen a side to life that most people would have never survived. But she went through it, just because of him.

  At this point, he began wondering if he'd ever forgive himself. Right now he was afraid of approaching her. He was scared that she'd tell him to get out and it'll dawn on him how much she hated him.

How much he'd been a stupid to think that just a 'sorry' would cover old scars.

  After at least, five deep breaths, he braced himself for the worst and called out to her.

"Iris?"

  Almost instantly, she froze. Like that hadn't been the voice she was expecting.

  Funny thing is, she'd never expect him though.

   Slowly, she rose from her pillow and wiped her tear stained face.

  Even if she tried to hide it, her eyes were swollen red. That was enough to betray her efforts.

Iris sat up straight to give attention to the man before her who was asking for it.

  And to be honest, she didn't want to.

" What exactly do you want?" She tried to make her voice sound neutral to his presence, but her anger took the best of her.

  Why she was angry? Well, you could guess. But she's kinda used to Hunter's stupidity.

Yuppp.. you heard right. Stupidity.

" You haven't had anything to eat since we got here, I guessed you'd be hungry" he said as he lifted the tray in his hands for emphasis. It was then that she even noticed it.

  Surprisingly, she thought the action was sweet. Then again, there was this little thought that sprang up in her mind that he may not have been the one to suggest it.