Finding You

Chapter 6 - Hunter Scott

He's got a point.

"Okay, fine," I reply. "It's this way. But just, try not to attack me or anything, on the way there, alright?"

The corners of his mouth tilt down like he's holding back a laugh. "Wouldn't dream of it," he replies, and I resist the urge to smile.

We start to walk towards my house, but I make sure to keep him at arms-length, just in case.

We're both silent for a while, and as awkward as I am, this silence is killing me.

"So, Hunter, right?" I say. "I saw you at track practice earlier, didn't I?"

"Ah, so that was you that saw me," he says. "I'm usually a lot stealthier than that. Clearly, I'm losing my touch."

"Yeah," I say, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. "You didn't, um..," I'm too embarrassed to ask if I look at him, so I stare at the sidewalk beneath my feet. " You didn't follow me here, did you?" I ask.

He lets out a short laugh. "No," he replies. "No, stalking isn't actually one of my hobbies. I live near here. I was headed home when I saw the whole thing."

"Yeah, about that," I say, before pausing to take a breath. The words are harder to force out than I thought they would be, but I chalk it up to social anxiety rather than just my wounded pride. "Thank you," I say. I feel my face heating up as I speak, but I force myself to continue. "I'm sorry I went off on you like that earlier. It's just that kind of stuff never really happens to me, and it was slightly terrifying, so thanks."

Hunter glances down at me and smiles. It's a disarming smile, kind and genuine. "Don't worry about it," he replies. "You were out of that guy's league anyway. I'm not surprised you wouldn't give him your number."

"Thanks," I say and let out a nervous laugh as the tension between us fades. "So, what were you doing at practice today? I've never seen you at school."

"Checking out the track team," he says, shoving a hand in his pocket. "I'll be starting at Northwest Academy tomorrow. I'm going to transfer into the junior class."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Oh really? Wow, we hardly ever get new students," I say. "Have you gone to private school before? I hear it can be kind of a shock for people, but I've been going there since I was in like the first grade, so I wouldn't know. Everyone who does show up gets the hang of things pretty quickly though, so I'm sure you'll do just fine."

Oh my God, that was the longest sentence ever. He's making me so nervous, I can't even think straight, and now I'm rambling. Awesome.

"Anyway, I'm a junior too," I finish before clamping my mouth shut.

"Really? Well, maybe tomorrow you could show me around then," he says, glancing at me with those eyes of his. Seriously, how does he have eyes that color?

Not the time Mia, focus.

As we arrive at my house, I slow to a stop, and Hunter follows suit.

I smile at him and nod. "Sure, I'd be happy to show you around."

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Mia...?"

"Valiente," I finish for him.

"Hunter Scott," he replies, and he gives me a smile back.

We just sort of hold each others gaze for a moment. It's probably only a few seconds, but it feels longer. Then he waves, turns around, and starts to walk away.

I walk up my driveway to the front door and turn around, watching as Hunter grows smaller in the distance.

I suddenly notice how fast my heart is beating, and for a moment, I let myself feel happy. Happy that such a nice guy is going to be joining our class, happy that I managed to get through an entire conversation with him without looking like too much of an idiot, happy that he asked me to show him around.