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SETH
Running in the snow is always a bit tricky. There’s ice to watch out for and it’s always best to have the grippiest shoes to ensure traction. Then there’s the whole thing with outerwear. Do you wear everything you have because it’s freezing outside, only to become a sweaty mess fifteen minutes in, wanting to rip every layer of fabric off your body? Or do you wear hardly anything and nearly freeze to death at the beginning of your run with the hope you become a reasonably happy runner about twenty minutes into your run?
Well, either way I was kinda screwed when I set out at five this morning. One with the ice. There are patches here and there and sometimes it’s difficult to tell with the black ice. And then with the clothes, because, of course, I’m terrible at packing for myself so of course I ran in my old flimsy running joggers with the hole in the crotch.
Idiot me.
However, that isn’t on my mind when I see Hunter in the distance, walking towards me and away from Lucas’s mansion. His head is slumped down, not paying attention to me approaching him and he seems to be, once again, in a very foul mood.
I look down at my runner’s watch, seeing that it’s a little after six in the morning; a time I didn’t think Hunter experienced unless he was coming in from a party. I frown, noticing his backpack hanging from his good shoulder.
Is the asshole really leaving?
I run for him, running as fast as possible. He can’t leave now. Rachel is probably still upset. She was crying so hard last night. I had never seen her so upset. Not since four eyes tried to take advantage of her.
They had a fight so what. He can’t just leave. Not without making things right.
“Where are you going?” I gasp, stopping in front of him and planting my hands on my knees.
Hunter stops, meeting my gaze with bloodshot eyes. They guy has been looking like shit these days. His face looks a bit thin and pale and his hair has been greasier than usual. Normally, Hunter is pretty narcissistic about his looks like the rest of us, yet the guy seems to have completely gone off the deep end.
“I’m heading back to the apartment early,” says Hunter, his eyes sliding away from me and focusing on the snow.
“Does this have to do with Rachel?”
Hunter shrugs, but gives no answer and I sigh, lifting my head and trying to appear taller, bigger in front of this Thor look-alike. “You should talk to her,” I say, watching his gaze turn into a scowl. “I know you care about her. If you leave now, she’s only going to worry more.”
Hunter shakes his head. “I need a break.”
“A break from what?”
I don’t even understand why they fought. Rachel wanted to know why Hunter is acting so weird, which is exactly what Lucas and I want to know. But apparently, Hunter wants to remain all secretive.
What exactly happened over winter break?
Hunter sighs and pulls his backpack further up his shoulder. “It’s nothing you would understand.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Try me. I’m a good listener.”
Hunter scoffs.
“Ok, I’m sometimes a good listener. Especially with best friends.”
Hunter shakes his head and steps around me. “I really don’t want to talk about it, Seth. Especially now.”
I follow him, not ready to let this go. “Okay, then you don’t have to talk about it. Just stay. Hang out with us. We’ll be driving back tomorrow. You can stay one more day, right?”
Hunter sighs. “I’ll just bring the group down. I think it’s just best if I go home now. Get things ready for the semester.”
I raise an eyebrow.. “Get things ready- who are you and what did you do to Hunter?”
Hunter chuckles, but his gaze doesn’t meet my eyes.
I touch his shoulder, shaking it lightly. “I don’t think you should be alone right now. You won’t bring down the group. Not at all. We’re a family. We stick together.”
He nods, yet I can tell I’m not getting through to him. It’s like he built a huge wall around him, refusing to let anyone inside. Like Sleepy Beauty’s castle or whatever. If he really doesn’t want to hang with us, what more can I do? I don’t even know what else I can say.
“Okay, well, we’ll be back tomorrow afternoon,” I say when Hunter continues standing in front of me, looking down at the snow. “Just promise to take care of yourself. Get some rest and order some burritos or a pizza or something.”
