Chapter 25: Avoiding

"When are you going to go to sleep? That light is bothering me!" Rose yelled from her bed.

"I can't go to sleep," I called over my shoulder as I gripped my pencil tighter, staring at my homework…that wasn't even due tomorrow.

"Well, I want to go to sleep and that light is annoying," Rose groaned, flipping over in her bed as her mattress squeaked.

I bit my lip as I copied down some information onto my notebook. My eyes jumped from my notebook to my textbook, jotting down notes vigorously. I flipped a page in my textbook, quickly scanning the printed words.

"Can you at least be quiet as I try to sleep?" Rose called from her bed.

I looked down at my hands to see that I was absentmindedly tapping my pencil against the wooden surface of my desk. The only light illuminating my desk and room was my lamp. I turned around, noticing that the light encompassed the room in a gray color.

Yes, I know I wasn't going to do any homework today which was Zach's suggestion but after dinner with Shannon and Sam, I had to do something to preoccupy my mind. And homework definitely preoccupied my mind from the Zach situation.

I felt so vulnerable, doubtful, and clueless when it came to thinking about Zach and the situation I found myself in. It wasn't what I was used to…except for the one time I felt everything in my life was falling apart and I couldn't do anything about it.

I was used to controlling my life, being in charge of me and my life. But when I found out Chris, my oldest brother, was in the hospital and may not make it, I felt…helpless. I was used to being in charge but I couldn't control what was happening to Chris' body when it was slowly giving out.

And now as I sat by my desk, pencil in hand, I felt helpless again with Zach and my feelings and everything.

"It's midnight Crystal," Rose stated, in a sleepy tone, "You should get to bed."

"You're right," I admitted in a whisper.

I slowly set my pencil down onto my desk, switched off my lamp, and climbed under my covers as I pulled myself into a ball.

Not even a minute later, I heard Rose's heavy breathing and I knew she was fast asleep. I envied her at that moment.

I couldn't get myself to fall asleep and it was the worst feeling ever. Desperately wanting to fall asleep but couldn't because my mind was racing with unwanted thoughts that Zach was playing me. I was wasting my time. I was falling for him but who knows? Maybe he was just playing with my emotions. Cruel.

Let's just say that for the rest of that night, I turned restlessly in my sleep and didn't get much rest when morning came.

So it wasn't much of a surprise when I ended up rushing to my first period class without eating breakfast. Well, that was my fault for ignoring Rose's yells to wake me up.

"And I actually thought you were going to miss first period," Hunter greeted me as I planted myself into the desk beside him.

"Why would you think that?" I asked, out of breath from my sprint to my dorm to first period.

I dropped my binder onto my desk, taking out my agenda and notes for the day. I flipped through my notebook, scanning my handwritten math notes.

"Rose said she couldn't get you out of bed this morning," Hunter explained, causing me to finally look up at him.

"Yeah," I sighed, connecting my eyes with his blue ones. "I didn't get a good sleep last night."

I grimaced recalling the restless sleep and all the tossing and turning in my bed. I desperately tried to take my mind off of Zach and get some sleep but I wasn't that successful. I probably got one hour of sleep.

"Oh," Hunter grimaced, "Sorry about that."

I shrugged but gave him a smile. Looking into Hunter's bright blue eyes already brightened up some of my day. He was just a really nice and sweet guy.

"Was there something on your mind?"

I automatically looked at him with suspicious eyes. It was like he could read my mind. He immediately let out a laugh, taking in my look.

"Usually when I can't sleep it's because I can't get something off my mind," he explained. "It's like my mind is too preoccupied with just thinking about that one thing, that it can't put itself to sleep."

"Exactly," I agreed with a lazy nod. "Worst feeling ever."

"Well, sorry about that," Hunter apologized, sending me a small smile.

"Nothing to apologize for because it's not your fault that I can't go to sleep," I smiled sincerely.

"Yeah, but those nights are the worst. I hate them," he stated with a nonchalant shrug.

"Anyways," he started, filling in the abrupt silence. "If you need to just talk to somebody, I'm here," he offered, sending me a friendly, innocent smile.

I've spent quite a bit of time with Hunter and no matter how much I spent time with him, I still couldn't believe how sweet and nice of a guy he was. Sure I had math class with him and he suddenly became my study partner since he didn't mind working in the library like me, but it still surprised me by how nice he was.

"I didn't learn anything," I stated matter-of-factly as Hunter and I exited our math class.

"Well that will certainly be a problem when you try to do your homework," Hunter laughed, casting a glance down at me as I stifled a yawn.

"Ah, but that's where I have a solution," I smiled up at him innocently. "You will help me when we meet at the library today after our sport practices."

"Of course," Hunter deadpanned with an amused shake of his head.

Just then I caught sight of Zach in the midst of the crowded hallway. My heart instantly stopped.

"I'll see you later then!" I stated abruptly, looking back at Hunter.

And before Hunter could even form a confused look on his face, I sprinted away from him and towards my second period.

It's been somewhat of a routine that after breakfast that Zach, Hunter, Cosette, and me would walk together towards our first period since our classes were in the same building. And after first period, Zach would meet up with Hunter, Cosette, and me as we made our way to our second period classes.

But honestly, today just wasn't one of those days since I ditched our routine at the first sighting of Zach. I needed to avoid him like the plague. I was just so distraught with Zach that if I even came into contact with him or even spoken a few words, I wouldn't be able to take my mind off him. And right then, I needed my mind to focus on school.

Yes, I was such a nerd but you didn't understand. My parents would kill me if I weren't their smart, golden daughter who was perfect in every way—especially in the subject of school. If my grades even slipped from my perfect record, I was dead.

I unknowingly smiled to myself, feeling quite proud that I was able to avoid Zach for the past two days. I honestly thought I was going to fail in that plan of mine, but I didn't. Who knows how, but I did.

Yes, a part of me was proud that I was able to avoid Zach because then I wouldn't be worrying about what we were and all that complicated stuff. However, a part of me somewhat…missed his presence. I've grown accustomed to talking to him everyday since we did eat lunch with the same group of friends and the fact that we had two classes together.

I was actually quite surprised by how lucky I was when I was pulled out of art class for meetings with my counselor. Art class was the one class Zach and I actually sat next to one another, and my plan to avoid him would have probably went down the drain since it would be inevitable that we would talk to one another.

"Are you zoning out on me?"

My head snapped up and met Hunter's blue eyes. I sheepishly smiled at him.

"And you're the one who kept pestering me to keep you company in the library. On a Friday," Hunter deadpanned, staring at me.

"I was actually pestering you to help me with my math homework," I corrected him. "On a Friday."

"Exactly. It's the weekend. I have no idea why I'm even in the library."

"Didn't we settle this already?" I asked, turning my body towards him in my chair. I didn't continue my statement until Hunter willingly looked over at me. He motioned me to continue.

"We already agreed that we're study partners. And whenever I study you study," I finished. "We even shook hands on this agreement."

"You're totally going to get it when I purposely wake you up in the middle of the night to make you study with me one of these days," Hunter retorted, a teasing look in his eye.

I waved him off, rolling my eyes at him, before I stood up from my chair. Hunter's eyes lazily followed me as he was slumped in his chair, obviously not wanting to be in the library on a Friday.

"I need a dictionary," I stated. "I'll be right back."

And with that, I left Hunter to wallow in boredom as I walked over to the section of the library for my needed dictionary.

I let out a small laugh. Hunter was way too nice. I still couldn't believe how I managed to persuade him to come to the library with me on a Friday.

First, I needed Hunter with me because I really did have a question about math homework which he successfully answered for me. Second, I just simply didn't want to be alone in the library on a Friday.

"Hi Crystal."

I spun around to see a guy on the chess team at school walking towards me. I watched as he approached me, fixing the position of his glasses on his face.

"Hey Dexter," I greeted back with a smile.

I desperately tried not to grimace as Dexter ran a hand through his greasy black hair. Yes, Dexter was probably the perfect stereotype of the weird nerd in school. Even though he was the weird nerd type, he was a nice guy when you got to know him.

"Are you going to watch the school's football game tonight?" Dexter stuttered, avoiding my eyes. I looked at him oddly.

"Um…yeah I probably will," I answered. "How about you?"

"Probably," Dexter nodded, finally meeting my eyes. "We should hang out."
I saw him fidget with his fingers as his cheeks grew pink. I couldn't help but look at Dexter with amusement.

"I mean—" Dexter stuttered, looking at the floor. "Maybe we could—could hang out together at the football game….tonight?"

"Oh," was all I could say, speechless.

Now it was my turn to feel uncomfortable. Did Dexter just…

I stared up at Dexter to see that he was looking at me shyly, expectantly. Sure, Dexter was a nice guy and whenever I did run into him I was friendly. However, Dexter was just…odd. He was the typical scrawny, awkward nerd in school. Not to be mean or anything.

"Um…I actually made plans to hang out with my group of friends," I said politely, inwardly grimacing at watching Dexter frown and slump his shoulders. I felt so bad at turning him down.

"Oh, of course," Dexter said weakly, looking down at his scrawny hands.

"Sorry, Dexter," I replied politely. I realized that I wasn't all too comfortable with turning people down. I suppose that's because I've never really turned people down before…

Well, except for turning down Sam who always seemed to pester me and flirt with me. But that was different because Sam was a jerk.

"Crystal, there you are," a voice sliced through the awkward silence I found myself in with Dexter after turning down his offer to hang out with him at the football game tonight.

I turned around and relief washed over me to see Hunter walking towards me. I glanced back at Dexter to see him as uncomfortable as ever as he fidgeted with his fingers, his eyes darting from me to Hunter.

"I was actually coming to believe that you ditched me, thinking it funny to just leave me here at the library on a Friday," Hunter stated, a teasing tone in his voice as he came to stand next to me, oblivious of Dexter.

"I wouldn't do that to you," I reassured Hunter. "But then again, that would have been funny if I just left you here."

"Very funny," Hunter deadpanned with an eye roll.

I smiled innocently back at him. I really did appreciate how Hunter and my friendship grew to be. We just had this easy, friendly relationship. Although Hunter was attractive, I only looked at him as a friend. A very good one.

"Oh hey Dexter," Hunter greeted the scrawny, uncomfortable looking guy in front of us.

"Hi," Dexter replied, staring up at the blonde soccer player who seemed to tower over him.

"You guys know each other?" I asked quite surprised as I looked between Dexter and Hunter.

"Yeah. We're in the same journalism class. Isn't that right Dexter?" Hunter turned to give him a smile.

I watched with a confused look on my face as Dexter simply looked between me and Hunter before giving a curt nod in confirmation to Hunter's statement. The look Dexter had on his face was what confused me. It looked like Dexter was scared…or at least intimidated by Hunter.

But it wasn't like Hunter was glaring or being mean to him. Hunter was just being…Hunter. Nice.

"Uh… I'll see you later," Dexter muttered as he looked at me.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to say the same, I watched with astonishment when I saw Dexter's eyes narrow at Hunter.

My mouth dropped open and my eyes wide as I realized that Dexter was sending Hunter a dirty look!

Psh, and I thought it was beyond Dexter to even make a face like that. Guess I was wrong!

And just as immediately, Dexter's quickly retreated away from us as he turned a corner into the comics section of the library. I couldn't help but stare in wonderment at what just happened.

"Did he just send me a dirty look?" Hunter asked in astonishment.

I turned to him, looking up into Hunter's blue eyes with a bewildered look on my face that made him laugh at me. I glared at him.

"Don't laugh at me," I said curtly, hitting him on the shoulder.

"What?" Hunter exclaimed, rubbing the spot I hit him. "You should have seen the look on your face. You were so…"

"Shut up," I deadpanned. "I never knew Dexter could even make a dirty look at somebody."

"Me neither. He's always so reclusive."

"What'd you do to him?" I accused with a laugh. "You must have done something to even make Dexter send you a dirty look."

Hunter simply shook his head.

"I didn't do anything."

I teasingly narrowed my eyes at him.

"I swear!" Hunter said earnestly, raising his hands in innocence.

"Sure," I drawled teasingly as I resumed my walk towards the dictionaries before I was interrupted by Dexter's appearance.

"But I didn't even do anything," Hunter earnestly stated as I felt him follow behind me, trying to catch up with me.

I let out a laugh as I pulled out a dictionary from a bookshelf, turning towards Hunter. I shook my head at the look on Hunter's face. He was truthfully still puzzled at what he did to Dexter.

"I believe you," I reassured him with an eye roll. "Who knows what goes on through Dexter's head. He's just weird."

"How do you even know Dexter anyways?" Hunter questioned as we made our way back to our library table.

"Let's just say that with all my time spent here at the library, I've come to be an acquaintance with him."

Hunter looked at me curiously as we took our seats at the table. I raised my eyebrow in response. I was honestly expecting him to tease me about hanging at the library so much—since that's what my friends would always tease me about.

So it was surprise to me when he simply stated, "Dexter barely talks to anyone. But he talks to you supposedly."

I weird sense of appreciation went through me, suddenly realizing that Hunter was the one person who never teased me about being so study-study as you can say-never teasing me about being such a nerd for hanging out in the library.

"I guess," I shrugged with non-interest as I flipped open the dictionary.

"He likes you."

"Excuse me?" I asked, never looking up from the dictionary.

"He likes you. I never see him talk to anyone."

"He talked to you," I pointed out, flipping a few pages.

"It's not the same."

"Yes it is," I said absentmindedly as I peered over the dictionary pages, running a finger down the pages, searching for a word.

"He wasn't the one who asked me to watch the football game with him, now was he?"

I snapped my head up, immediately glaring at Hunter through my brown eyes.

"You ease dropped on me!" I accused.

"Not purposely," Hunter defended himself with a roll of his blue eyes. I raised my hand and smacked him on the shoulder.

"Well whatever," Hunter shrugged off my hit on his shoulder. I probably didn't even hurt him. "He likes you."

"Well hopefully he got the hint that I don't return the same feelings," I stated as I stared back at Hunter.

"Yes, you rejected him quite well I've got admit," Hunter shrugged.

I immediately blushed in embarrassment, recalling how I uncomfortably tried to tell him no. It was an awkward moment for me.

"No I didn't," I corrected him, looking back at my dictionary. I was surprised how easily I was able to tell Hunter the truth. "It was the most awkward thing for me."

Hunter let out a chuckle from beside me, stealing my attention away from the dictionary.

"Even if it was awkward for you, I think he got the message," he reassured me with a pat on my shoulder.

"You think?" I asked meekly, Dexter's face popping into my mind.

"Well…I think," Hunter said oh so helpfully. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I think he was intimidated by you," I stated as I turned back towards my weekend homework.

"Really?" Hunter asked, obviously shocked by this news.

I rolled my eyes at how oblivious he was. Didn't he see the dirty look Dexter gave him? And how Dexter immediately clammed up whenHunter appeared?

"Yes," I answered simply as I jotted down a definition onto my notebook. "Explains the dirty look he gave you. And how he kept fidgeting."

"But I didn't do anything," Hunter explained, obvious confusion in his tone.

Gosh, Hunter was so naïve in his ways.

"I don't think you notice this," I started as I looked up at Hunter. "But you intimidate him. Did you see how much taller you were than him? You practically towered over him."

"It's not my fault I'm taller than him."

"No it's not but that intimidated Dexter," I explained with a shrug. "Maybe it's a guy thing? But he was obviously uncomfortable when you appeared."

"Not like he was already uncomfortable when he tried to ask you out on a date for the football game tonight."

"Are you trying to argue with me?" I glared at Hunter. "I'm just stating the fact that you intimidate him—whether you know it or not."

And that's the thing that I liked about Hunter. Even though he could come off as intimidating and attractive, he never knew this. He was so humble that he doesn't even notice how girls swoon over him or how guys like Dexter shrink whenever Hunter is around.

"Whatever," Hunter yawned, obviously bored with the subject. I rolled my eyes as I returned back to my homework. "Wake me up when you're done with your homework so I could get out of this library."

"Sure thing," I reassured him as I saw from the corner of my eye when he slumped in his chair, his neck was against the back of the chair as he his eyes closed.

Author's Note:

So sorry guys. I've been super busy with life...college apps...all that fun stuff.

But I've also been having huge writer blocks and it's hard to make time to write and all.

I hope you like this chapter. And for those who really want me to update My Life Can't Get Any Better...well I'll try to do that. Huge writer's block for that.

Luckily though I don't have much of a writer's block for this story. Review please.

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