"I'm sorry, I got lost.... But I'm still here before 3."

Hunter sits across from me, still in his Dalton uniform. He hurriedly runs his hand through his hair, mussing up his style job.  But it doesn't seem like he cares.  He gives me a shy smile and then looks at the menu sitting on the table in front of him.  "I thought I left in plenty of time but then I missed a turn and got completely lost.  My GPS recalculated like three times.  I'm very sorry....  So does this place have good food??"

I blink as I try to process his stream of consciousness, shaking my head slightly as I put my books away. "You're so very lucky. I was just getting ready to leave, thinking you reconsidered and would leave me alone. But here you are.... And yes, they have amazing food. Aunt Pammy would bring Blaine and I here on weekends before dropping him off at Dalton when I would come visit."

He looks up and nods.  "So you wanted to talk, then talk."  I sit back and sip my drink as he looks around. Nervously he folds his hands in front of him on the table and prepares to speak.   At just that moment the waitress appears out of thin air, pen and order pad in hand.  I swear I hear him let out a relieved sigh.  I just roll my eyes as she looks between the two of us waiting to take our order.  He doesn't look ready so I start.

"Can I have the cheeseburger platter, no onions with a side of cheese for the fries?"  The waitress nods and writes it down then turns expectantly to Hunter.  He still looks unsure but replies none the less, "Um, I'll have the same please.  With a strawberry milkshake."  She jots it down quickly with a nod and is off.

I raise an eyebrow at his order, "Strawberry milkshake?" He just shrugs, "What? Strawberry is my favorite. It's just tastes so good." I try to hide my blush because that only reminds me of Sebastian's comments from yesterday.

"Mmmm... yes, I know.... But I love you so much, especially when you taste like strawberries."

He looks at me confused obviously noticing that I blushed, "Did I say something wrong?" I blink and shake my head, "No. You just reminded me of something...."  He continues to look confused but decides to change the subject, "So no onions?  You planning on kissing me again?"  He raises an eyebrow, trying to tease.  I can't help but laugh at him.  "Don't flatter yourself Clarington.  I just detest onions on burgers.  And trust me, there is no way your kisses could measure up to Sebastian's anyway."

He looks really hurt by that, glumly mumbling everything always comes back to Smythe as the waitress sets his milkshake down in front of him.

Damn.

Now I feel like a horrible person.

He is toying with the straw in his drink as I quickly reach across the table to squeeze his hand reassuringly. He glances up at me, somewhat confused as I pull my hand back across the table. "Hunter, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Finally he smiles back, a genuine smile, I can see his eyes crinkle up in the process. "No worries. Hey do you want my cherry?"

Wait?

What?!

I just about choke on my drink when he says that. Once I get my coughing under control I look at him with a very shocked expression on my face. "Wow..... That was forward and highly presumptuous of you.... And I know you don't want to hear this, but boyfriend. I've got a boyfriend. One who can be very scary if he feels like you're trying to encroach on his territory."

His eyes go wide when he realizes his faux pas, blushing lightly. "Geeze, Anderson. Perverted much? I meant the cherry on my milkshake. They always add one on top regardless if you want it and I don't particularly like them." He holds it out to me by the stem. I giggle when I realize the mix up, reaching out to take the cherry from his hand. As I accept it he winks at me, "At trust me, I'm far past those days..."

I shake my head, "Now who's the perv...."  He scrunches up his nose and sticks his tongue out.  I roll my eyes as the waitress drops off our food, "Mature Hunter.  Real mature."  He just laughs as we start to eat.

We fall into casual conversation as we enjoy our burgers and fries.  I pick up a french fry and dip it into the cheese sauce, gesturing with it before I pop it into my mouth.  "So I get how you ended up at Dalton, sort of.  But military school?  What was up with that?  Were you some sort of juvenile delinquent?  I mean if you don't think it's prying of me..." He smiles slightly and shakes his head, dipping one of his fries in his milkshake before eating it.

Huh.

I thought I was the only one who did that...

I refocus from my thoughts as he begins to explain. "Well, I'm an army brat. But my parents didn't think I was disciplined enough, so military school. But my vocal, dance and gymnastics training got me recognized nationally. Led my school choir there to a regional championship last year. Dalton thought I would be a good addition. So here I am, Westerville instead of Denver. What about you?"

I set down my burger and wipe my hands on a napkin, "Well I'm just a small town girl living in a lonely world..." He looks at me like I've gone insane. I giggle, "Sorry, New Directions humor. Pittsburgh is actually a much larger city than Lima." He sips his milkshake and looks at me, "So Shann, your story??"

I smile briefly, and try the condensed version. "Rich parents. Professors currently working in London. So they shipped me off to live with Blaine and my aunt. Been here two months now. Met Seb, Jeff and Nicky my second day in town. Taking a boatload of honors courses along with New Directions and trying to keep up with my old dance lessons although I haven't found a good batch of classes yet. That and the steady boyfriend you would rather I not mention."

He nods again. "Yea.... I'm sorry about that. About the rumors. Trying to steal his spot. Well and you. I'm sorry.... I know it was wrong to kiss you like that, I'm not really that type of guy." I sigh, swirling the straw around in my drink glass. "So? You were so desperate to talk to me...."

He looks quickly up into my eyes and then back down at his half eaten burger. "Yea..." I tap my fingers on the table and he looks up again, a slight tinge to his cheeks. "And??" He sighs and mutters something too softly for me to hear. "What was that??"

He sighs again, toying with his milkshake. Looking at me and then quickly away, slowly breathing out.

"I like you..."