The Only Exception

four

As I made my way through my classes that day, I noticed that I was now partnered with or sitting right next to Hunter in every single one of my classes. In our third class, I gave him a confused look and he laughed, so I knew this was all his doing.

"Stalker," I scoffed jokingly as I sat down next to him for the third time that day, secretly buzzing on the inside because I was getting so much interaction with him.

"Hey, someone's got to make sure you don't break the other side of your face," Hunter said, making me snort in laughter at the bruteness of his joke.

"Oh please, we both know I don't need any protection in the classroom," I scoffed back with a playful tone of voice.

"Yeah I know, I just wanted to sit next to you," Hunter admitted. A cheesy smile adorned his face and I returned it. Well, I returned a half smile because the one side of my face was tight from the stitches.

At the end of that class, we walked out of the room together, our arms lightly brushing due to our close proximity. "Where do you normally sit for lunch?" I asked him as we went to our lockers to put our things away.

"I usually just sit out in the courtyard. You?"

"The library," I admitted sheepishly. I usually just did my homework at lunch which is why I almost never had anything to do at home.

"Care to join me?"

I didn't want to seem too excited that he wanted to spend all his time at school with me. I wasn't used to this kind of attention. Normally, I hated all forms of attention, but not from Hunter. I liked it.

"Sure," I agreed happily.

The two of us walked out to the courtyard together. I was hoping Quinn wasn't anywhere near, otherwise we might have to deal with another hissy fit from her. She usually ate with her group in the cafeteria though so I wasn't too worried.

Hunter led me over to a pretty tree in the grass area of the courtyard, that would have provided nice shade if it were sunny, before setting his stuff down. I took a seat next to him and neatly crossed my legs while he sprawled out. I pulled out my small lunch sack from my backpack and noticed that Hunter wasn't pulling out any food from his backpack.

"Did you bring lunch?" I asked.

Hunter shook his head, "Nah, I don't usually eat here. I just eat a lot before and after school."

I took half of my sandwich out of its little baggy and handed it over to him.

"No, D. Eat your lunch," he declined my offer with a chuckle.

"I'm really not that hungry. Plus, it's hard for me to eat cause of my stitches," I explained while continuing to hold the half out towards him. He looked at me again for extra reassurance before taking the sandwich.

"PB & J?" He laughed after the first bite. I laughed in return and nodded as I took a small bite out of my half. I loved his teasing nature. Everyone around me seemed to be so serious which made Hunter's playfulness feel like a breath of fresh air.

"You are a child."

"It's good!" I defended as we both laughed again.

We finished our halves quickly and then continued to sit and make small talk. It was a cold day, which wasn't unusual for September in Washington. However, I hadn't been planning on being outside that day so I had only worn a thin sweater to school. I started to shiver a bit and wrapped my arms around myself as I listened to Hunter talk.

"I am not looking forward to our math class this year. Mrs. Harrison is confusing me already."

"I can help you," I offered shyly and I tried to keep my shivering to a minimum. Hunter looked over at me as I spoke and immediately his eyebrows furrowed.