Chasing December (#wattyawards2015)

Chapter 1: As Cute As A Baby's Sneeze

I waved to Anna as she headed into her first period class, but before I could walk too far a hand reached out and gripped my shoulder. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt but enough to stop me in my tracks. I turned my head to see the culprit who was making me late.

“Why’d you lie, October?” He whispered, his breath tickling my cheek. He was so close that I could smell his scent. It smelled a bit natural like it was a home scent. He smelled like fresh laundry and warm chocolate chip cookies. It smelled incredible.

“I—neither she— nor anyone else, not even you, needs to know that you’ve been to my house. We shouldn’t even be communicating right now.” I whispered forcefully, peeking around hoping no one decided to eavesdrop.

He merely smirked and I opened up my mouth to wipe that smirk off his face, but he spoke. “Aw come on October, what’s with you and me?”

I stuck my finger to his chest and walked closer while he backed up with amusement in his eyes. Everyone else was already in class so no one could see me talking to him. “There’s nothing with you and me, Hunter!” I glared poking my finger deeply into his firm chest, “And my name is December!”

“Calm down, let me rephrase that. What’s with you and your anger towards me?” He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned back into the lockers. I was too angry to realize that I was going to be super late to class or to see that I was too close to him.

“I just know that you’re no good. So stay away from me Hunter, and I mean that.” And with one last glare and smell, I stomped off in the direction of my class. I pulled my light blue cardigan closer to my body and made my way into the classroom and plopping into my seat. I hoped that would be the last time I would speak to Hunter unless it is required.

I sighed out of relief and contentment and got focused into the lesson that was being taught in this Science class.

I didn’t realize that I had said the wrong words to Hunter, I mean from what I’ve heard about him he definitely lives up to his name. He’s a hunter for what he wants, but I was sure that it wasn’t me. There were plenty of girls around here that are willing to waste their time with the philandering idiot.

When lunchtime finally came around I walked in a slow speed to the lunchroom, Anna and I talking about random things. When we got inside I pulled out my student I.D and got the school lunch, which were mini corn dogs. Anna settled for a salad from the salad bar and her usual Sunkist.

We sat down at our normal table and talked about this guy that Anna thought was super adorable in her Med Bio class.

“So since it’s our senior year and we get to basically take it easy are you gonna go for a boy that interests you?” She stole one of my corn dogs and ate it with a small smile.

 I glared at her and said “No, there’s not a boy in this school that interests me enough. I need cuteness and smartness, which our school is severely lacking in.” I poked my corn dog in the ketchup absentmindedly.

“Are you sure? What about uhm—giving Kristofferson a chance?” She tried with a laugh knowing that, that boy was the prime example of what I did not want. Sure he was cute with his baby blues and blonde hair but his personality stunk and I wasn’t about to be the one to just deal with that.

“How about… Hunter?” She tried again and this time I whipped my head up so fast I almost got whiplash. A bright smile that mirrored the cat from Alice in Wonderland smile appeared on her face.

“No! Stop what you’re thinking. Most definitely not, no never will I ever. Get your head out of that dark place you call your thoughts!” I told her frantically knowing what she was thinking.

She placed her manicured hands up in surrender. “Whatever you say December, they say ‘you only get defensive when it’s true’!”

“Well it’s not; I was just shocked to see you say his name without worrying someone would hear you.” I shrugged looking back at the food left on my plate. I threw my plate away into the nearest trashcan and pulled my cardigan down a bit to cover my hands.

We continued our normal routine walking outside to bask in the sun, and feel the cool air since the school was a bit hot today. I looked around and I immediately made eye contact with Hunter. The side of his lips pulled up a bit and that unnerved me.

 I shook my head adverted eye contact and sat down on one of the benches with Anna. “So I see Hunter likes what he sees?” She teased and I gave her the most serious and straight face I could muster up.

“Seriously stop Anna; I don’t even want you to entertain that thought. I’ve taken my warnings and I’m living by them.” I replied hoping that she would see that this wasn’t something I wanted to play with.

“Lighten up! You know I’m not serious. Besides he as cute as a baby's sneeze, but I can’t help but wonder. If Hunter was a ‘good boy’ would you date him?” She asked serious about the question.

I sighed and replied “ A baby's sneeze? Where do you get these? But maybe, I don’t know! I mean I can’t deny that he’s cute, but there are no ifs, he’s not, and I don’t want to.”

Once lunch was over I went to my class without much fault, it seems like Hunter was listening to what I asked of him. I was sitting in my government class and waiting for the teacher to start. Hunter strolled in his book bag hanging off him loosely. The only other seat was next to me, and I had that seat occupied by my book bag.

He looked around and though he could have easily glared at anyone and they would get up from their seat he decided he would come annoy me. He pushed my bag off the chair and gave me a pointed look, as if ‘try me and I’ll make it worse’.

I just stayed silent and sat facing the front of the classroom not even sparing Hunter a glance. He decided he was going to mess with me though. First he threw little pieces of paper, and then he started humming and tapping his pen against the table.

“Stop, you know what you’re doing.” I hissed glaring at him and smacking the pen out his hand. He smirked at me.

Every other class we had together he wouldn’t talk but he would bother me by doing little things that would make anyone frustrated.

When school was over I did my usual routine, I stopped at my locker and walked out with Anna, waved goodbye to her and started on my way home.

“So you don’t want me to talk to you at school, so what about on your way home?” I jumped from the sudden voice right next to me.

“Hunter we don’t need to talk ever. Point blank.” I told him sternly hoping he’d get the obvious picture I was painting.

“Why not? I think you might turn out to not be such a weirdo.” He replied with a shrug walking backwards in front of me.

“We are two different people. We don’t need to talk, we have nothing in common. Also you’re not a good influence.”

“Oh, so this is about what you hear about me? Because if so, rumors are never the full truth and you shouldn’t judge me before you know me, February.” He told me looking into my eyes intently.

“See this is why I don’t want to talk to you! My name is December and rumors or not, I know from a reliable source.” I kept walking trying to get away from him and his beautiful scent. “Now leave me alone before someone sees me talking to you.” I tried shooing him but he wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll see you later, Cember.” He said ruffling my hair and walking across the street. I watched him go, and I just stood there angry at the fact that he was so persistent and that he still managed to get my name wrong.

Just a hot little thing with a bad attitude And I knew, I knew, I knew you were trouble baby-Christina Grimmie, Tell My Mama