The Only Exception

four

"Are you cold? My bad, here," he said and began taking off his sweatshirt despite me protesting that I was fine.

He didn't listen and carefully slid it over my head, being sure to avoid my injury. I blushed as I slid my arms through the holes of his hoodie. I had to admit, I was much warmer now. Hunter didn't seem to be bothered by the crisp air despite the fact that he was left in just a short sleeve tee. My eyes were instantly drawn to the tattoos that covered his arms.

I instinctively reached out to touch one of the tribal patterns that were on his tan arm. Hunter chuckled and I drew my hand back, feeling my cheeks get hot. I was embarrassed as I realized how weird that might have been.

"It's okay, I don't care if you look at them," Hunter smiled and held out his arm. I took him up on his offer because I was really curious. Scooting closer, I moved over to where our legs were touching and I held his arm in both of my hands. His large biceps made my hands look so small.

"Do they have meaning?" I asked and looked up at him, realizing our faces were now a lot closer than I had expected. My eyes widened a bit at the proximity but I didn't move away and neither did he.

Hunter nodded at me with a smile, "I don't know if you remember, but my family on my mom's side is of the Klikitat tribe. These tribal patterns represent our culture and are used to symbolize respect, strength, and wisdom." I watched with a smile as his eyes lit up. A memory flashed across my mind.

"Oh! I remember that time your mom took us to the rez. There was some festival with dances and then there was a bonfire or something like that," I said, having a hard time remembering that day clearly.

"That was so long ago, I'm surprised you remember that. You were like 5," Hunter smirked as he thought back on the day I had described. Hunter and his mom used to go to the Yakama Reservation a couple times a year. Quinn and I had only gone with them that one time, and although it was hard to remember everything we did, I do remember that we had the best time.

I shrugged in response to his comment before turning back to his tattoos, "Well, I really love them."

As I looked up, I watched as Hunter's eyes moved down to my lips and I felt myself grow nervous. He seemed to think better of it though and focused back onto my eyes. "Thank you. You're one of the only ones," he said.

He leaned back against the tree and then scooted me over so that I was leaning against him. He placed one arm around my shoulder and the other one he placed on his thigh closest to me with his palm facing upward. I realized it was an invitation for me to hold his hand. I prayed my hand wasn't sweaty as I gently placed it in his.

His hand wrapped around mine gently and he almost instantly rubbed his thumb against the back of it. I had never felt what I was feeling now and I didn't want it to go away.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, finally returning to reality and acknowledging his statement as I relaxed my head against his shoulder.

"There's been a number of teachers here that have told me it was inappropriate for me to be showing them at school. Then there's the people in town. They never have a nice thing to say about me anymore, but it's understandable when everyone hates you."

My heart broke a little at his words. As he spoke, he didn't seem sad about it, more so emotionless. He acted like he had just accepted it, but I was sure he just shoved all of his feelings down. He was strong, he always had been, but something like that would affect anyone.

"I don't hate you," I spoke softly as I turned to look up at him. I knew there wasn't much I could say to make him feel better, but I wanted to let him know that he had at least one person in his corner.