The night continued similarly as to how it started; another frat house, filled with way too many people, consuming what looked like an endless supply of alcohol. I did my best to pretend like I was enjoying myself. There was a part of me that felt like I had to with everyone giving up their night. Finally, the night seemed to end, and the cab pulled up outside my apartment.

I stepped out of the cab, telling Abby for what felt like the hundredth time that I was fine and didn't need her to stay over. Although I greatly appreciated the gesture, I felt as if I needed to be alone for once tonight.

I unlocked the main door of my apartment complex and quickly headed up the flight of stairs. I let out a deep breath as I walked towards my door, shuffling around my keys in my hand. I stopped in my tracks, seeing someone sitting on the ground.

"Hunter?"

His head quickly looked in my direction as I slowly walked towards him. He appeared to look relieved as he scrambled to his feet. I walked past him cautiously, unlocking my door.

"What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you." His voice was softer than I had ever heard before. "I couldn't think straight," he continued, "I just kept thinking of you at that party, bringing back some guy. It was driving me crazy."

Why would that matter? The voice in my head screamed.

I stayed silent as I walked into my apartment. I turned to face him, watching as he stood in the doorframe.

"I meant what I said, Dylan," Hunter took cautious steps towards me, "I wouldn't have done anything. I don't want her. I just want you."

I wanted to speak, but no words came to mind. Everything in my head was still trying to process my emotions from before.

"I've never felt this way before," his voice continued, as he stood in front of me, "I don't know what to do."

I wanted to question everything he was saying, but the saddened look in his eyes stopped me from doing so. Hunter raised his hand to my cheek, his thumb lightly moving across my skin. His eyes flickered from mine down to my lips. I felt the dryness in my mouth, my heart beating so rapidly I feared it was about to leap out of my chest as he leaned down.

"All I think about is you."

Without another word, the small amount of space that was left between us closed. Hunter's lips softly pressed against mine. I found myself deepening the kiss without a second of hesitation. I wanted to blame the alcohol running through my body for doing so. But I couldn't. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to forget what I saw earlier in the night.

The one thing my mind could get straight from this whole ordeal was that I believed what he was telling me. And I didn't care if it was wrong too.

The sun peaked through the blinds, causing my eyes to slowly drift open, surprised not to see Hunter next to me. Just as I was about to call out his name, a small folded piece of paper on my side table caught my eye.

Went to grab breakfast. Be back soon. – H

I couldn't help but smile at the letter. Slowly crawling out of bed, I slipped on an old oversized shirt and walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I had trouble finding any regrets about last night. For once, it felt like I had finally received something honest out of him, even if it happened in the way it did.

The front door creaked open, the sound of footsteps followed. I stepped out of the bathroom, seeing Hunter walk in with a tray of coffee and a paper bag, setting them down on the table.

"Morning," I greeted as I walked over, taking a seat.

"Morning," Hunter responded, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead.

We ate our breakfast, making mindless conversation. It seemed as if both of us were avoiding any topics that would bring up last night. And I found myself happy to forget, mostly because it stopped the hectic battle in my head over my emotions. It was evident Hunter was surprised that I wasn't visibly upset. Truthfully, I didn't know how to be. I was bothered by him next to that other girl, that was one thing I knew for sure. Showing it, however, was what I did not know how to do. From what I gathered, it seemed as if he understood not to do it again. And I doubted that it would.

"What time do you have to leave?"

I looked over at the clock on the wall. "Not for a few hours," I said, glancing back towards him, "Told my mother I had to go to the library in the morning as an excuse to avoid the pre-dinner party stress and commotion."

Hunter chuckled. "Is Thanksgiving weekend a hectic time to be in the Miller household?"

"Very. It's best to steer clear." I leaned forward, brushing away a crumb from the corner of his mouth.

Hunter held lightly onto my wrist before I had the chance to pull away. "Well, that's good for me then," his voice whispered, a smirk dancing across his lips, "I don't want to let you go just yet."

"Alright, alright, naughty boy," I teased, "Let me clean up first."

Hunter released his grasp, allowing my hand to be free. I collected the muffin wrapper and empty coffee cups, stuffing them into the paper bag. Walking to the garbage can in the kitchen, I tossed in the bag, instantly feeling his body press against mine from behind.

"Wasting no time, I see."

His hand moved my hair from my shoulder, exposing my neck. I felt his lips press against my skin, sending an instant shiver down my spine. My teeth sunk into my bottom lip, feeling his kisses trail up towards my ear. His hand travelled down to my side, toying with the bottom of my shirt, lifting it up ever so slightly.

"It was hard for me to control myself with you sitting there like this," his voice whispered into my ear, his fingers delicately tracing the inside of my thigh. 

With everything running through me right now, I knew I had made the right decision.

Time could not pass any slower than it was right now. Being home was something I used to love. Baking something delicious with my sister late at night, picking flowers out in the garden with my mother, watching football with my father. But now, it was something I grew to loathe.

The time spent at home was nothing like it used to be. My mother would spend every moment making snide remarks while my father spent as little time being seen as possible. He was either at work or locked away in his office. Lucky bastard.

I allowed my thoughts to wander as I slipped out of bed, getting myself ready for the day, as my mind instantly went to Hunter. I could feel my cheeks flush with heat, remembering his words before I had left to go home. "I'll be a good boy," he teasingly promised to me, in-between his begging for me to stay. Hunter barely gave me a second to not think about him with the messages and calls I would sneak out of the room to take.

I wondered if he knew the effect he already had on me. I wondered more if there was a possibility I had the same on him. I had never felt this way about someone before. It was an odd feeling. I had dated guys previously, but none of them made me feel the way he did. He seemed to know exactly what to say to make my heart flutter, every touch to drive me insane with desire, and every movement to make to stay in my head.

"Morning, Rosia," I greeted the housekeeper, walking into the kitchen.

The older woman glanced up from the counter. "Good morning, sweetheart," her voice cooed. "Your mother is out at the market."

I made my way over to her side, helping as she prepared a tray of fruit for breakfast. Over the past few years, Rosia was truly the only reason why I came home. Her sweetness never failed to amaze me, even when she faced constant orders being barked at her by my mother.

"Those arrived this morning," Rosia pointed behind her to the large bouquet of flowers, "I think they might be for you."

I gave her a smile as I walked over the vase, seeing the beautiful display of white hydrangeas, my favourite. I reached for the card, smiling to myself.

– H

Reaching for my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I reached his name. Pressing the call button, I held the device to my ear, listening to the ring.

"Hello?" His voice answered, sounding as if he had just woken up.

"Hi," I replied softly, "I just wanted to thank you for the flowers, I'm surprised you remembered–"

"Dylan?" Hunter questioned, "Uh... what flowers?"

My eyes glanced back down to the card, "The flowers that-" I bit my lip, shaking my head, "Sorry, there was a card, and I just assumed they were from you."

The sound of shuffling feet was heard from the other end of the call. "No, I didn't send you any flowers."

"Right, sorry." I squeezed my eyes, feeling a rush of embarrassment flow through me. "Well I'm home later today if you wanted to-"

"Where are you going?" Another voice, a female voice, was heard from Hunter's end. "Come back to bed."

The beating of my heart began to quicken. I glanced down at my hand holding onto the card, seeing it shake.

"Shut the fuck up," Hunter's voice was muffled. "Yeah, dinner tonight?"

The card crumpled in my hand as I heard his question.

"Dylan?"

"You seem a little busy right now," I gritted through my teeth, "Don't call me again."

Before Hunter had the chance to respond, I quickly ended the call, tossing my phone onto the countertop.

I returned back to my apartment later than I had expected, finding it humorous that I had decided to delay my return in the way I had. Finally, the number of remarks from my mother had reached a limit I was willing to take, pushing me out the front door.

Carrying my bag up the stairs, I fumbled around with my keys as I walked towards my front door. I stopped dead in my tracks, noticing the figure that leaned against the wall.

"Not calling me again also meant not showing up at my door," I snapped at him, the hand that held my key beginning to shake as I fiddled with the lock.

"Dylan, please," Hunter's voice pleaded from behind me as I opened the door, walking inside.

I dropped my bag onto the floor, turning to face him. "I'm not doing this again, Hunter."

"Please, Dyl," Hunter walked towards me, his hand reaching for my face.

I swatted his hand away. "Don't touch me."

"I meant what I said the other night," his voice dropped to a whisper, "You have to believe me, I meant everything. You believe me, right?"

I looked at him in disbelief, shaking my head. "How could I believe that now? How?" I could feel the anger bubbling inside me. "You make me think you want to be with me, and then you sleep with someone? Was she the only one? How many girls did you sleep with while I was gone for three days?"

Hunter ran a hand over his face. "You said last time it didn't matter because we aren't together! You didn't even fucking care!" His voice shouted.

My eyes went wide, hearing his words. "You asshole."

"No, I-" Hunter's voice dropped softer, "I didn't mean it like that." Hunter paused, his jaw tensing with frustration. "I'm fucking confused, Dylan! I don't know what you're doing to me! I just want you to show me you care!" The sound of his voice increased, "Show me you care!" He repeated, "Shout at me! Call me every name you can think of! Tell me you don't want anyone else but me! I can't fucking tell what you want, Dylan. I can't fucking read you!"

"So, what was this then? A little test? Seeing how far you could go until you made me care?" I couldn't control the shouting of my voice. "Well, guess what? Congratulations, Hunter. You hurt me."

Hunter reached forward, taking my hand in his. "I didn't want to hurt you, I didn't. You just confuse me, Dylan."

"I confuse you?" I repeated, pulling away. "I confuse you because I didn't cry last time? Is this why you did it? Trying to see what you can do until I cry?"

"No, Dylan-"

"Get out." I could feel the muscles in my shoulders tense. "I don't want anything to do with you."

Hunter did not move an inch. Instead, he continued to stare, as if he thought he could win by continuing with his pleading, "Just give me another chance, please."

"You told me no one knew you. That all the things people said about you were false. But you are exactly who they say you are." I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a deep breath, "We're done, Hunter." My hands pressing against his chest, shoving him back as forcefully as I could. Hunter only stumbled a few steps back, taken aback by my action.

"Dyl-"

"Get the fuck out and don't come back." Were the last words to leave my lips before he slowly turned.

Before he had the chance to say something else, I walked quickly towards the door, slamming it shut. I felt my body sink towards the ground, back pressed against the wood. Knees drawing in towards my chest, I wrapped my arms around. I could feel my entire body began to shake as I realized the anger that had once taken over was starting to disappear.

"One, two, three..." I whispered to myself, attempting to control my uneasy breath, "...Ten, eleven, twelve..." My arms tightened their grasp, "...Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen."

My body continued to shake, the tears beginning to weld.

"No, no, no..." I mumbled, squeezing my eyes shut.

"One, two, three..." I began again. When I reached eighteen, nothing inside me calmed like it usually did. Instead, I found myself getting worse, feeling the tears that started to fall.

The first time this had ever happened was when my sister left. And now, the second time was due to Hunter Grayson.

2019; how i'm picturing everyone who was team hunter ^

keep in mind, this is a flashback from the beginning of dylan and hunter's relationship. soo clearly, somehow these two lovebirds did get back together. 

how??? well guess you'll just have to wait to find out (mwahaha)

CHQ1: how do you think hunter and dylan got back together?

CHQ2: do you think dylan was justified in how she reacted??

CHQ3: next chapter is charlie at thanksgiving... what do you think is gonna happen there??

until next time! please don't forget to comment and vote/like/star this chapter. it means the world to me :) xo