"The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections." -Tahereh Mafi
HUNTER'S POV 4:00 PM Thursday
"Samantha!" I call from the bottom of the staircase.
"Coming! Coming!" my little sister calls back. I huff out a breath
"You better be because I'm late for a video club commitment" I yell back gruffly. My sister starts frantically running down the stairs.
"Here"she pants, smoothing out her leotard."Ready for ballet" she singsongs and then looks up at me. She puts her hands on her hips and purses her lips together in slight disdain."You really going to wear a suit like that? It's horrid considering the conditions you are going to be in for this particular commitment" She pauses for a breath. Samantha talks fast, as if every second is counted against her. A crease forms between between her eyebrows "This suit was tailored to your liking." she says accusingly and tilts her head to the side. Ya,I'm doing it intentionally but she doesn't have to know that.When did she get so inquisitive? I deflect.
"It's okay I'm late anyway" I say in a rushed tone "In the limo you go" I push her gently towards the door
"Hmmf I can't wait until my limo surfaces from the repair shop" I chuckle she sure is advanced for a 7 year old.
"Come on Samsung, riding with your older brother isn't that bad" I say. Ever since she could barley talk, Samantha's been obsessed with singing.Hence, the nickname. I wouldn't name her after a phone company for nothing. She rolls her eyes and Andrew, my chauffeur, unlocks the door for her. I hurry after her, lock the door behind me, and check the back for my video equipment.I enter my limo and lean forward to tell Andrew where I'm headed."Andrew take us to the school" I press the button to close the window between us. As it's rolling up,I add "the back entrance" and as if on cue, the window fully blocks any further interaction.He can't see us.No one can.
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I arrive on the baseball field, where my assignment is today, and realize I might actually be early. I presumed I was late for my appointment but it doesn't look like there are any students present. I only say this because the 7 Lakes is huge and I'm still in the process of setting my camera. It's pretty high tech as is the rest of the school's complimentary technology, but this ones my own.I'm technically prohibited from using my own but this is the same brand the school has so no ones noticed yet. I prefer to use it because the school's cameras are in rotation so basically everyone can use them.I prefer to use it when I do projects assigned to me alone which I make sure they all are.That's the way I am and the way I'll always be.I don't question it or try to fix it. I do almost remotely everything in solitude when I can. Except for the hour devoted to my sister, sometimes hour and a half...No.Even with her company or the company of all those tiny numbers on her addition set I still feel alone, As there is a difference between being and feeling alone.It's astounding how, on this planet, there are 7 billion people and I still manage to feel this way.I sigh as if letting out all these thoughts about my nature. Iv'e finished setting up and start walking towards the building to address Coach Stratford when a red headed ginger boy starts talking to me.He looks like he could've come straight from the Weasly dinner table.
"Your Hunter Thompson?" He asks raising an eyebrow
"That's me" I say and he relaxes and starts spewing out words rapidly.
"Coach delayed the tryout to 4:30 which is a good 20 minutes from now, I told everyone but I forgot to email you cause dude you aren't in the blast, and I thought I was forgetting someone but...." I stop him in his tracks by lifting up a finger.
"It's all right, what did you say your name was" I say knowing full well he left that part out.
"Jack, intern and new assistant to the coach" he puts his hand out for me to shake and I shake it firmly, letting him know he has my respect. A lot of people have tried for the position he's occupying and Stratford isn't exactly the easiest person to work with or so I've heard.Jack smiles at me and I was trying to muster up the energy to smile back but before I can he carries on talking.
"Iv'e heard about you ya know, your dad is such an inspiration to me since I want to go into business" This doesn't surprise me.In fact most people believe he is a certified genius for how he launched the family business, Thompson Towers, a series of high-end hotels for America's finest.Iv'e never bothered to hear a detailed account of the story to be honest. I don't need more detailed accounts of his success looming over me, revealing to me that people's expectations of me are higher than I thought them to be for when I take over. "Ya, my father's a real hero" I say under my breath rolling my eyes.
"Mad at pops?" Jack asks, giving me a strained smile. "Me too man, I know how it is.All my life he's pushed baseball on me and I was training so hard I graduated high school with the top schools pinnin after me but I realized I wanted to start my own business.I don't wanna be like him and it kills him.Kinda just taking this job first to get him to lay off me."He takes in a breath and when I soak in his words.I'm shook.
It's like they were aimed and crafted just for me to hear. While I have acquired a love for business and do want to take over, I know for a fact I'm not going to run things like my father does. What I'm thinking must've shown in my expression because Jack nodded knowingly."I get it" he said simply and turned to walk away.I felt..conflicted as he did. It was one of the few times I felt...companionship? It was like I wasn't completely alone. Don't get me wrong I'm not that weirdo that sits alone at lunch or hides in the bathroom.I'm actually quite popular with the 7 Lakes student body.I would prefer to spend time alone but I can't.I can't let people see the real me so I've made a name for myself. Hunter? His Dad's a celebrity.Hunter? he gets shit done.
With Jack though? I actually wanted to talk to him I wasn't mentally counting and estimating how long the conversation would take.It was...nice.Easy. I guess it's because we have something in common.All the relationships Iv'e made with other people felt fake and lacking foundation.It was all riding on the fact that I was the esteemed Ed Thompson's son and I was famous for just being famous and I was and I was.No one likes me or regards me for who I am.Except Jack. I almost smile.
I get back to my camera and text Andrew to pick Samantha up first since this will take longer than expected.Now that I know what the hold up is, I can calmly wait for the coach to come out himself.I start digging around my backpack looking for a comb.The dust started to pick up and my hair was out of place.I pull out a mirror and comb I always keep with me. I've always been obsessed with cleanliness since I was a kid.When I'm feeling overwhelmed,I need a long cool shower.It's as if I'm a machine or computer and I'll explode if overheated too much.I lower the mirror and stare into my empty blue eyes.Emotionless.I realize they look kind of frighting... as if there's no soul behind them.I pick up the comb and run it through my blonde hair.Hoping the pristine, well made person they see on the outside hides the mess I am on the inside.
AND THATS A WRAP
Why does he want to ruin his suit you ask? keep reading and find out.
This chapter was long and boring I know but its necessary. It'll get good with the girl baseball player.. truuuust me.I had to establish Hunter's character and messed up thoughts and we'll look into his suit soon.
xoxo-Summer Wrightsss
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Count The Stars
RomanceMeet Hunter Thompson, esteemed son of the CEO of Thompson Towers, trying to prove his worth to his father and protect the company-and his sister-at all costs. In comes Adrian Santo the baddest bitch you'll ever meet (according to her). Just tying to...
