I'll Reach For You, page 8
"And you should give me a dollar every time you mock me," I say and walk out to her in the clear water; it feels good around my feet. The sound of the waves hitting the shore and children playing in the water fills my ears.
"I guess we’d be even then." She says and takes a step closer. The sun makes Hunter's dark red color shine vibrantly. Her deep blue eyes are looking at me. When she watches me like that, I feel exposed, as if she can see all my secrets and maybe things I don’t even see. She has this crooked, small smile on her face, but it’s her eyes that smile the most. They’re so alive and bright; I’ve never seen anyone look at me like that before. It’s like she’s searching for something, looking for something and I have no idea what it is or what she wants.
"You’re staring at me," I say. She continues to stare at me like that. She didn’t even turn away and blush like she does when I catch her.
"I know." She answers. Now I’m the one turning away with reddening cheeks. I look down at my feet, which are covered in sand. The waves are splashing water at our ankles. I look back up to her meeting her blues again.
"When did you get so confident?" I ask.
"I'm not." She answers. I shake my head.
"Yes, you are." I protest.
"You’ve changed a lot since the first day I met you, Hunter. I like it."
"So, you didn't like the way I was?" I snort and facepalm myself.
"Why do you always do that, Hunter?"
"Do what?" She asks innocently.
"Test my limits?"
"I don't know." She looks thoughtful and I know she’s telling the truth. She has a confused look on her face like she’s struggling to find the answer. Her eyes are looking around as if she can find it in the air.
"I'm sorry if I annoy you. I can s..."
"No, Hunter. I don't want you to stop and you’re never annoying. You may drive me insane sometimes, but I like it."
"Okay." She nods, unsure. I take her hand in mine.
"Let's go back up." She agrees, and we walk to the house.
Chapter 26
You are Weak, Skylar
"You are weak, Skylar."
"Oh, shut up, Hunter." I drag my bag up the stairs; we’re finally home after a long drive. Now I can't get my stupid bag up.
"Did you put some of your clothes in my bag?" I ask and pull it behind me. I don’t remember it being so goddamn heavy.
"Or a brick stone for that matter?" Hunter laughs and helps me pull.
"No, why would I do that?" She chuckles. I stop pulling and look at her.
"Did you?"
"No Skylar, come on its late and my head hurts." I start pulling again and then I’m up. I drag the bag into my room and lay down on my stomach on the bed. The drive was long, and I didn’t sleep at all. Hunter kept poking me in the side when I closed my eyes. It was so annoying we started to fight. Poor dad almost stopped the car because we made so much noise. He yelled while we laughed. She can really be a pain in the ass. After that, Hunter let me borrow her phone to listen to music. Her music is scary. I mean the screaming, she had the sound up so loud I almost threw the phone out the window. Well, at least I know what kind of music she likes. God, I’m so tired. I close my eyes and let sleep take me.
I wake up to someone. Hunter's arm is around me and her face is buried in my back. The tingling feeling in my stomach never seems to stop whenever I’m with Hunter. There are so many emotions when I’m around her. I feel happier and I love the way she keeps me warm at night. I like the way I can hold her, and the way she holds me. I like her soft hands touching my skin. How I feel and hear her breathing.
I love her laugh; it’s like music to my ears. How she smiles, when her cheeks drown her eyes sometimes. She’s so comfortable with me now. At the start, I could barely touch her without her freaking out. Now, she needs to lay next to me to sleep. She’s more open and telling me stories about her past, even though it hurts to talk about it. It must feel better afterwards, to let it out, knowing she doesn't need to hide the pain. There’s still so much I don't know, but I know she’ll tell me eventually. I want to help her as much as I can and hope I can. I’m only human, she knows I’m no magician. There are limits to what I can and can’t do. I just hope I don’t disappoint or hurt her.
"Skylar?" She whispers.
"Yeah?"
"Did I wake you?" She asks. She holds me tighter and buries her face deeper into my back.
"Kind of, but it's okay." Hunter takes a deep breath.
"Sorry, I can't sleep, my head hurts." She sounds so upset that my heart aches. I turn to glance at her and she looks very tired.
"Where does it hurt?"
"There." She points to her temple. I move my hand from under the duvet and stroke her head. She must really be in pain; her forehead is warm.
"Just close your eyes, Hunter." She keeps fighting to hold them open, but after a few seconds, gives in.
"I feel better." She whispers.
"That's good," I say, moving my fingers up and down her temple softly.
"Thank you for everything." She lays her arm around me and pushes herself closer. I can feel her breath on the side of my neck.
"No, thank you, Hunter."
"For what?" Her voice is so weak I can barely hear. I thought she’d fallen asleep.
"For making every day special."
"No problem." Now she’s fallen asleep. There’s nothing better than watching and hearing her sleep.
"Goodnight, Hunt."
Chapter 27
I Love You
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Skylar?" Taylor asks on the phone.
"Sure, it’ll be fun." I look at a nervous Hunter next to me in the car. Her leg’s shaking.
"Yeah, but Hunter’s not the kind that goes to parties, she’ll be eaten alive."
"No, it’ll be fine. I won’t be drinking since it’s my turn to drive. Where the hell are you, by the way?" I stop the car outside her house.
"I'm coming." She says and ends the conversation. Taylor comes out the door and steps into the car.
"It's still a bad idea. Hey, Hunter." Hunter turns and gives Taylor a shy smile. I start to drive again.
"No, that'll be fun. Right, Hunter?" She just shrugs. Hunter hasn’t said a word since we left, I had to beg her to come with me. Being the driver is boring and to have Hunter coming along will be better.
"No, I agree with Taylor. I’m not a party material." She sighs. Oh no, Hunter’s in a bad mood. She has that depressed tone in her voice.
"I-I didn't mean..."
"No, Taylor. I know how I am, I know my weak parts." Hunter sounds off, it’s scary. We drive in ten minutes of silence until we reach the party then step out of the car.
"I'll catch up with you two later. Lauren!" She runs over the yard and follows Lauren in the door. I turn to Hunter, who has her hands in her jean pockets. She looks a little upset.
"Hunter, do you want to go home?" She sighs and shakes her head.
"No, I'm fine." I know she’s lying, it’s so obvious.
"I can drive you..."
"No, Skylar." She sighs.
"Let's just go inside." She says and starts walking. I follow her, and the sound of music reaches our ears. We walk up the stairs and I open the door. They’re all dancing, drinking, and talking.
"Skylar!" Brook comes toward me with open arms.
"Oh, God." She hugs me too tight.
"Brook, I need air." She lets me go.
"Sorry, I haven't seen you in weeks." She looks a little tipsy. Her hair and clothes are messy as always. She takes my hand and drags me to a couch.
"Are you drunk already?" I ask chuckling. She shakes her head.
"N-no, not yet." She says, blinking her eyes.
"So, how was paradise?" She asks grinning.
"It was nice and damn warm," I tell her. She laughs.
"Did you meet anyone cute?" My heart jumps into my throat and I swear my hands are shaking.
"I-I..."
"Oh, my God." She burst out, making me jump.
"You met someone. What's his name?" I clench my teeth. I wish I could just run out the door and drive far, far away from here right now. This is one of the reasons I don't like to be alone with Brook.
"No, I didn't..."
"Yes, you did. I am not blind, Skylar." How can almost everyone see that? Does my hair turn to gold or something?
"Yeah, fine, I give up." I sigh irritated.
"Ha, I knew it," She points at me. This is not going to end well.
"What’s his name?" I think I just swallowed my own heart.
"I'm not gonna tell you," I say, and she sighs.
"Come on, tell me something at least." She’ll never stop If I don’t say something. I just want to leave.
"Um, well." A picture of Hunter comes to my mind when we were on the beach playing and talking. Everything about her comes to mind. I feel the bright smile come onto my face and the fire on my cheeks.
"Perfect blue eyes. Sometimes they shine and if you stand real close, they look a little grey. An amazing crooked smile that lights up your day. Can tease like an ass, but it’s never annoying. The laugh is so contagious; you can’t stop the smile that comes to your face. And those small adorable ears." I stop as I hear Brook burst out in laughter.
"Wow, Skylar. You don’t just like him, you love him." I know, I love her, and it drives me insane.
"Well, I need something to drink." She says and walks to the kitchen. Oh shit, I’ve been so busy talking about Hunter, that I forgot I brought her here. I look around and can't see her anywhere. I feel the panic in my chest. Taylor comes down the stairs and I grab her arm.
"Have you seen, Hunter?" She shakes her head.
"No, not since we left the car." The car!
"Thank you." I turn and walk.
"Your welcome?" Taylor says, and I start to run. I reach the car, but no Hunter in the front seat. I open the door, finding her lying in the back. She looks up, blinded by the light.
"Goddammit, Hunter!" I close the door and she comes out, meeting me in the dark.
"Why did you come back out?" I ask and try to calm myself. Her eyes look hurt, she’s been acting weird for hours and now it’s starting to worry me.
"I was looking for hell, but then I realized I’m already there. So, I came to the car."
"What?” I shake my head in confusion.
“Hunter, you could’ve told me where you went." I say and take a deep breath. For a minute I thought my heart was about to bust out of my chest.
"You could’ve told me, you know?" She says not looking at me; her eyes are glued to the ground.
"Told you what?" She itches the back of her head. Meaning there’s something wrong.
"Hunter, you’re scaring me."
"I heard you talking to Brook. That you, um, met someone while we were at your grandma's."
"What?" I ask, now she’s itching the back of her head harder.
"You could have told me." She sounds really upset.
"Hunter, I didn't..."
"Skyler, don't lie to me." She points behind her.
"I-I am just gonna walk home." She turns and starts walking.
"Hunter, stop. Goddammit." She doesn't listen. I run after her.
"Hunter, please stop." I go to her and stop her with my hands on her waist, gripping her sweater. Her eyes wander to the ground.
"Hunter, look at me, please?" She does, but not in the way I love.
"How much did you hear?" She looks confused.
"Does it really matter?"
"Yes, it does!" I shake her a little. She looks very upset and sad, it’s heartbreaking.
"I walked by when she asked the name." She answers and sighs.
"Can I go now?"
"Hunter, you can't walk home, it’s late, dark, and it’ll take at least an hour to get home." I hold her sweater tighter afraid she’ll leave.
"I have lots of thoughts, they’ll make the time pass." She says, trying to get away from me, but I hold her back.
"Hunter, calm down..."
"No! I can find someone else to keep my nightmares away." She moves out of my grip and starts walking. I grab her arm. Her words hurt; I don’t want her to have anyone else in her bed. I want her in my arms, in my head and in my heart, always. It may sound selfish, but I want her for myself.
"Hunter." I move around her and place my hands on her waist again.
"I’m not in love with some guy I met. You didn't hear everything I said to her."
"I don't have to."
"Yes, you do!" She clenches her hands into fists.
"Hunter. I’m in love with someone..." She sighs.
"No, don't move!" I take a breath and fight the tears wanting to flow from my eyes. I hurt her again and didn't mean to.
"I’m so deeply in love with someone who has the most beautiful blue eyes that make my heart melt every time they look at me. Someone that can tease and annoy me, but I can't get angry because it’s so damn funny and adorable. I love the way she looks at me with this crooked smile that will make me do anything for her. The way her eyes look so happy when she plays football with me. I love the way she makes my heart warm when I hear her voice or laugh. I love the way she feels when she’s sleeping next to me at night. How warm and soft her skin is, and when she breaths on my neck. I’m so deeply in love with you, Hunter, I don’t even know where to put it all. There’s so much it drives me insane. I remember one day at the beach when we played football, and you said I could never reach you? I’ll always run and reach for you Hunter, and I’ll always wait for you." I admit everything to her, pouring out my heart.
Hunter stands frozen; she’s biting her inner cheeks, her eyes so focused on me I’m not sure she’s blinking. She opens her mouth but closes it again. It looks like she’s having a battle in her head. Then she starts to shake her head.
"No, no, no." She says. I think I may have crossed the line.
"You can't... you can't love someone like me."
"Of course, I can, Hunter. I love every damn part of you, every inch of you..."
"SKYLAR!" She yells my name so loud I let go of her waist and take a step back.
"I’m a mess, Skylar, a complete mess. Don't tell me you’re happy with me, because this," She points at her heart.
"Is not love." I can feel the tears run down my cheeks.
"Stop hurting yourself, Hunter." I take her hands in mine.
"I understand if you don’t feel the same for me, but don't ever think no one will ever love you. Because right now you’re the only one, Hunter. The only one for me, the only one I see, the only one I want to feel this way about. You’re good enough for me, maybe too good even. I’d rather go through hell with you than go to heaven without you." I let Hunter's hands go to dry the tears from my face. I just wish she’d stop looking down on herself like that. Tears are streaming down her cheeks as well. I cup her face and take them away; I lean against her forehead.
"You shouldn't..." She whispers.
"I can't decide who I love, Hunt. But I can choose if want to tell and stay with them, that’s my choice. And I choose to stay with you, even if you don’t feel the same." She takes a deep breath. Her tears raining down over my hands.
"What-what if I feel the same, but it’s too scary?"
"Then we’ll take one step at a time. This is just you and me; we can take all the time in the world."
"I don't think you should waste your time on me."
"You’re not a waste of time. Every minute, every second with you is magical. You’re my miracle, Hunter. You’re so special it's hard not to like you. You have so many good qualities I love, you’re beautiful, you love to tease, and you’re selfless. The thing I love the most is the way you look at me. You have this weird, amazing way of watching me. It's like you’ve just seen..."
"You." She says. I think I’ve stopped breathing. Everything went quiet, it feels like time has stopped.
"I see you." She looks into my eyes and I feel the happiness in my heart rise. Chills go through my body.
"You're all I see. It’s like everything around you doesn’t matter. If there were a burning house behind you, you’d shine brighter. You’re the only one I want to look at. You’re not a distraction, everything around you is." Right now, there’s nothing more I want than to taste her lips and breathe her in. How can someone be so goddamn perfect?
"You like me?" I ask, amazed.
"Skylar, of course, I do. You helped me feel again, took all my hate for this world and turned it into flowers. I wish I could give them all to you, to show how happy you’ve made me."
"SKYLAR!" I hear Taylor yell. I move slowly away from Hunter.
"SKYL..."
"I’m here." She walks around the car and stumbles towards us.
"What the hell are you two doing down here?" She looks a little drunk.
"We were talking. Umm, you want to go home?" She nods.
"Yes, I’m so tired, and Brook can't shut up about you being in love with someone. Who is it by the way?" I look at Hunter, who’s watching me the way I love.
"Why did you tell her and not me? You know, it kind of hurt when she told me." She looks upset.
"Um, let's all get into the car," I say and they both follow me. I open the door and start the car.
"Come on, tell me." She sounds excited. Hunter’s still looking at me the same way. It's hard not to watch her.
"Stop it." I hit Hunter in the arm.
"I thought you liked it." She said teasing.
"Yes, but I can't drive while you do that."
"Do what?" Taylor asks.
"Nothing, Ty." I start to drive on the main road.
"Fine but tell me who you’re in love with." I look at Hunter.
"Goddammit, Hunter, I told you to stop." She laughs.
"I'm sorry. It's hard not to." I poke her in the side.
"OH. MY. GOD!" Taylor yells. Hunter and I jump looking at each other, wondering what the hell’s going on back there.
"You didn’t meet some random guy at the beach. There’s no guy at all, it's Hunter!" She says and moves to sit in the middle of the car to look at us. My grip on the steering wheel tightens.
"How could I be so blind, you talked about her all the time and worried when she didn't meet you in the car after school." I turn to look at her with the death glare. She backs up a little. I look back at the road, then at Hunter.
