“Yeah, I reacted the same way. I can’t believe someone would do that. It was in broad daylight.”
“My God …” I say, still baffled.
“I’m wondering if it’s some sort of calculated, premeditated fight. Like it was set up, or something like that. I know it sounds strange, but it took ages for word to reach our end of the campus, and fights like this usually take no more than five minutes for everyone to know. I mean, the guy was busted up pretty bad.”
“Who was it? Were there more?” The words roll over my tongue like they’re in a rush.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t there when it happened, you know. I just hear the rumors.”
“So that’s it? That’s all you know?”
“Wow, calm down, girl.”
“Sorry … I’m just curious.”
“Since when do you care so much?”
“I don’t know. Never mind,” I say.
I don’t have the guts to tell her that I’m actually nervous that it might be Hunter we’re talking about here. And I’m even more anxious to find out whether it was him that received the beating, or if it was him who was handing it out.
That last thought is making me want to puke.
I can’t imagine him doing that to someone. Hunter Bane, planning a fight? No, that doesn’t seem like him. He can’t have.
Although he looked just like the type yesterday.
“Well, I have to be in here, so …” she says, and she points at the door to her right. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Actually … I have to work tonight.”
“Oh …” she says, her face turning gloomy all of a sudden. “Okay. Well, put your best foot forward.”
I roll my eyes. “Like I ever do anything else.”
“Of course you don’t. You’re perfect, remember?” she winks, and we both burst out into laughter.
“See ya!” I say, and I walk into a different hallway to get to my own class in time.
I sit down somewhere in the middle and start unpacking my stuff. Soon the entire room floods, but my area stays nicely quiet. I don’t mind. I mean, I’ve known for a long time people don’t really like to sit next to me. I don’t really care about the reason. I don’t care at all that they don’t want to sit next to me. I like being on my own. I have Evie. Enough friends for me.
As I finish placing my stuff on the table, I notice a guy opening the door. The teacher has already started his class, and seems pissed when the student stands in the doorway.
“Well, come in then,” the teacher says, annoyed.
And then I notice it’s Hunter.
His face has turned from a colorful palette into a much less noticeable shade of green. Lucky for him he’s hiding part of his busted face in his thick vest. He probably only put it on to hide that fact.
I snort as he turns his face toward me and stares at me with his piercing gray eyes like he can see right through me.
I swallow and sink back into the chair. Especially when I realize the only empty space in class is right beside me.
“You’re late,” the teacher snaps.
“Yeah … Sorry.”
“And your homework is shoddy at best.”
Jesus, he’s really getting it today. I’m starting to feel embarrassed already, and the teacher isn’t even talking about me!
“Mister Bane, I don’t know if you realize this, but your grades are on the line.”
Hunter seems unfazed by the teacher’s comment. His face is unmoving but sincere, as if he really cares.
I envy him. I wish I could remain that confident, hard like a brick, when facing a sneering teacher.
Especially in front of the entire class.
“I know, it won’t happen again. I’ll work harder. I promise.”
The teacher squints in silence and looks intently at him for a second. “This is your last chance, Mister Bane. Don’t screw it up.”
Hunter nods, and somehow that’s enough for the teacher to let him off the hook. I don’t know how he does it.
When he comes up the steps his gaze is already set on that one empty spot beside me. I’m squeezing my legs together as he sits next to me. My instinct is to scoot far away, but I can’t; there’s nowhere to go.
I feel watched, which isn’t strange, considering his gray eyes are practically trying to penetrate my skin.
Anger is seething inside him; I don’t have to look at him to know. I can feel it flowing out of him like a radiator that’s burning up.
God, I want to die.
He keeps staring at me, as if he has nothing better to do. My heartbeat is rising, and I’m starting to feel really sweaty. I don’t know why he’s doing this, but it’s freaking me out, and I don’t like it one bit.