I'll Be The One

Chapter 31:

=Normal POV=
[Friday, 3/1/2019-7:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[The Archian House]

The last three hours had proven to be fun for Hunter, who was celebrating his twenty-second birthday with his friend, father, and uncle. There was some light music playing for background noise; there had been some appetizer foods, general dinner of pizza and wings, and then dessert which was all sorts of treats along with cake and ice cream. Everyone just sat around and talked, laughed, joked; Hunter felt great to be spending a birthday with friends and his boyfriend. Technically; Tallon and Hunter were sharing the party because Hunter insisted on doing so. For Hunter; the greatest gift was just having everyone there with him to celebrate. There was no drama, no sadness, no anything except being surrounded by family and friends. The only problem Hunter had was that his father invited some of his friends and their children to.

"I wonder if Hunter can still sing oldies," Salvatore stated to Gregory.

"Gotta ask him that," Gregory shrugged. "It's been a been a while. I don't know if he can hit some of those tones anymore,"

"Think he'll get mad?" Salvatore stated.

"What are you two concocting behind my back this time?" Hunter asked from his spot with his friends since Greg and Sal were sitting at a different table, but not far away.

"Nothing, son," Salvatore stated quickly.

"Yer father was just wondering if you can still sing the way you used to, like the oldies from our generation," Gregory rolled his eyes.

"It's possible. Wouldn't know unless I tried, some of those scratch the surface of my highest pitch," Hunter shrugged. "Why, are you requesting that I sing?"

"Yes," Salvatore and Gregory nodded. Hunter mumbled something about hating his musical talent at times before sighing.

"Fine…" Hunter agreed. "What did you want to hear?"

"Well, it's not…Really from our generation…But it was one of your mother's favorites," Salvatore stated.

"Dad…That's not what I asked," Hunter mumbled. "What song?"

"I think you know," Gregory gave a soft look to him.

Hunter tensed a moment, casting his eyes down a bit. "Oh…You're asking for that one…"

"Please, son?" Salvatore asked. "It was one of your best works…"

"You wrote and made all the music for it under a week…" Gregory added.

"It was made for a specific reason and event. I'm bothered and astounded you'd even ask me to perform it again after last time," Hunter stated.

"I-I know it's not fair to ask-," Salvatore started.

"No, it certainly is not…" Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. "And I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not going to,"

"But Hunter-," Gregory tried.

"I said no. It was used for one performance, and only created for said event. I said I would never sing it again because I can't," Hunter informed.

"Yes, you-," Salvatore began.

"No. I can't, Dad. Alright. It's not a matter that I can't play the notes; not something where I can't sing the pitches…I just mentally, emotionally, and physically…Can't do it. I did it the once, and you both remember how that went. I don't wish to repeat it, so how about we keep the good night going where I don't get pissed off, and you don't make the mistake of asking me to sing that song again? Kay?" Hunter warned.

"But-," Salvatore and Gregory went to say.

"If you were looking for the warning to stop, that was it…I don't advise you further pursue this," Hunter gave a hard stare. "Not trying to be a dick here, but come on…As parent-ish as it's going to sound here; you know better…"

"Aye…" Salvatore nodded. "Sorry, son,"

"Sorry, lad," Gregory added in. "You want a drink?" he asked.

"No, thanks," Hunter said.

"You're…Turning down alcohol?" Gregory arched a brow.

"I don't use alcohol to solve my problems; its casual, hanging with friends, or extremely bad nights where I just can't relax and sleep," Hunter rolled his eyes.

"We can vouch for that," Tallon nodded. "You alright, Hunt?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks, babe," Hunter smiled a bit.

"So, have you worked on any new songs, Hunter?" Drew asked.

"A couple ideas, but haven't actually sat down and broke them down yet," Hunter replied.

"How does it work for you? Your process of writing songs?" Tallon wondered.

"Typically, it just starts with an idea for something. A random thought to make a song with a meaning. Sometimes that's for a holiday, inspirational, party…I'll take the idea and sit down with it, start breaking it down into what genre of music I want. From there, I start working on lyrics, and eventually get to using the instruments that best fit. The ending segment is meshing all the instruments in time with one another while singing the final product and recording it," Hunter explained.

"And some of the music you do has more than one singer?" Avery questioned.

"The only time I did a song with a second person was Jay with Send It On, which you heard at the inauguration. The rest of my pieces are all me, singing different parts and meshing it together as I do music and lyrics," Hunter smiled.

"That's pretty cool," Roxanne said.

"What are some of the ideas you've had?" Madison wondered.

Hunter laughed a little. "That's for me to know, and you to find out if I decide to push forward with them," he stated. "Sorry, I don't share ideas or perform work before it's finished; that's just a thing with me,"

"No worries. Everyone has their way of doing things," Harper informed.

"Have you finished anything lately that you can maybe show us, laddie?" Gregory hoped.

"Eh…I finished one, but it's dedicated to my ex," Hunter shrugged.

"Jay?" Salvatore inquired. Hunter shook his head.

"Cassandra," Hunter muttered.

"Aw, you wrote a song for me?" Cassandra asked sweetly.

"Not the kind you're thinking," Hunter huffed. "Why are you here anyway?"

"Your dad invited us," Cassandra shrugged a bit.

"Again…Your mom I get, but you? Not seeing the reason why. All your presence alone does is tick me off," Hunter said.

"That's why I come," Cassandra grinned. "It's what you get for not telling me you were bisexual,"

"There's a lot of things I never told you," Hunter relaxed in his seat.

"Yeah, like what?" Cassandra huffed.

"I don't believe you truly want the answer to that question," Hunter replied.

"Try me," Cassandra challenged.

"Very well since you're so desperate to know," Hunter got out of his seat, facing her.

"Hunter…Come on; this isn't the time for petty arguments," Salvatore sighed.

"It's not petty nor an argument; it's simply informative," Hunter stated. "She wants to know so bad, so I'll be nice and tell her. I know she won't like the responses, but I really don't care because she asked for it," he added.

"Go on…Tell me all the things you did behind my back," Cassandra pushed.

"First of all; I never did anything behind your back. I, unlike you, was always honest," Hunter mentioned. "The only things I was doing was going to school, a couple of events with my parents, working, and putting up with your constant need for my attention despite you knowing I had a busy schedule," he remarked. "However, four days a week wasn't enough for you, so you started putting us on these breaks. You'd completely ghost me for days, even weeks at a time,"

"I needed space," Cassandra huffed.

"When you already complained we didn't get enough time together, you decided you wanted MORE time away from me? Yeah, that makes perfect sense," Hunter rolled his eyes in a sarcastic manner. "You put us on those breaks to talk to other guys who would bend to your every whim, who weren't as busy as I was. You put us on those breaks to see if I'd get all upset and beg for your attention. I'm sure you weren't pleased when you found that that's not how I operate, and didn't care. You said you needed space. Well, Milady; I was happy to give it to you. "I found uses for my spared time,"

"Yeah, with other girls!" Cassandra accused.

"I was with my ex, who I stayed extremely good friends with after the break up," Hunter informed. "There were no other girls,"

"Being with an ex is worse!" Cassandra screeched.

"Why? Because old feelings can come up, lead to other things?" Hunter asked.

"Exactly! And how can you say you weren't with any girls if you were with an ex!" Cassandra snapped.

"Oh, my Gods! Have you already forgotten that I dated no girls before you? My ex was a male!" Hunter glared.

"Yeah, yeah. I know; the ex who died, right? What was his name again? Jay? The one you said was just a friend? Figures. So sorry you didn't have anyone to turn to after he stupidly got himself killed. Guess you just had to deal with me, didn't you?" Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"You keep his name out of your mouth or I swear to the Gods; you regret the day you ever met me, and that is the only warning you will receive," Hunter stared coldly, making Cassandra tense at his tone. Salvatore, Gregory, Tallon, and even the friends recognized that Hunter was mad. "I don't care what you say about me; all the ridiculous accusations, the complaining that I never had time for you…Telling everyone that I was the cause of the breakup Whatever. Say what you want, but Jay was there for me more than you ever were as my friend, girlfriend, and for a short time; my fiance," Cassandra flinched with every word.

"Every break you put us on; every break up you issued…I was with Jay. Every fight we had; Jay knew about it. I told him everything, and no matter the time of day or night; he was there for me. When my mom got sick; Jay was there for me. Even when you and I were fine, and you were too busy to take an hour for us to have dinner on a work break…My ex would come out for me. Jay and I joked for years about getting back together, but I always went back to you…Because I was stupid; overlooking every red flag that popped up about you, thinking you actually cared about me. And Gods above bless Jay for always supporting my decision to be with you instead of him," Hunter pointed his finger at her.

"Jay would always say; I love you to death, Hunter. Be happy, and if you ever need anything or just me; I'm a phone call or text away. You know I'll come running for you. And he would, Cassandra. Jay would show up within ten to fifteen minutes. Jay would tell me to call out of work, pack up my school stuff and come hang with him for the night. Or if I had a couple of days off; he'd have me stay with him. During our breaks; we'd just play video games, snack, talk, play music…Whatever it took to cheer me up. And the times you left me; Jay would try and get me to see that you weren't worth the effort; that you didn't deserve me. Jay wanted me back every time you broke up with me, and I told him no, for you. Used to say, don't worry, she'll come back…she always does," Hunter remarked. "And you would, a week or two later,"

"But let me tell you something since I know you were doing it too. You used to leave me to be with other guys, right? Ones who apparently had more time for you? Well, one of the biggest things you don't know is that every time you and I broke up; Jay and I would hook up. We'd grab something to eat at his place, play some games, watch a couple movies or television shows; we'd kiss and it went from there. The night before he died; you and I had been broken up for three weeks, going on four…Jay asked me to be with him again, promising I'd be a lot happier with him. That we could pick up where we left off years before you came along. I said yes," Hunter told her.

"Y-You were going to go back with him?" Cassandra's eyes widened.

"I did go back to him; I told him yes that night. But the next night; he was killed in a car accident because someone lost control and swerved into his lane…He was killed instantly. And when I found out; I lost it with grief. It took my dad, uncle, and maybe a couple of my bodyguards to keep me down, so I wouldn't race to the accident site. I fought and struggled against them until I blacked out. Losing Jay was single-handedly the worst feeling I've ever felt, worst experience of my life. Not even losing my mom hurt that much…I mean it hurts, but at least I knew and had time to sit with that…I didn't get that with Jay; it just happened," Hunter glared.

"Jay was my best friend in the entire world, Cassandra; he was my first love, and I still love him to this day. Maybe if I'd said yes to him the first time you broke my heart; he'd still be here. You will never understand how much he meant to me. Despite everything…I still took you back after he died. And you didn't even care when I said a good friend of mine had passed away. You didn't even care when I lost my mom. All you care about is yourself and what you want. I told you the day we broke up in November that I didn't want to fight with you, but typical Cassandra has to make shit difficult, so I decided not to hold back to spare your feelings this time," Hunter stared as he stepped back casually now, hands up.

"But whatever. None of what I just said matters, at least not to you. I'm sure all you got out of it is that I was having sex with Jay every time you broke up with me, and that you almost lost me for good to him. I mean, you still lost me because you decided to lip-lock with Tallon, so that was your fault, like everything else. But…Like I said, though…Say whatever you want about me, but don't you ever even fucking dare talk about Jay. I don't even want to hear his name out of your mouth…Do you understand me?" Hunter asked.

"Yes…" Cassandra nodding.

"Good," Hunter backed up. "I wish I could say that it's nothing personal or against, but unfortunately, that's exactly what it is. Your mother, of course, is always welcome. You, at least while I'm here, are not," he added. "You didn't come because your mother did; you came because to give me a hard time or make me look bad; I can't figure out which, but it also doesn't matter because now…Everyone knows the truth. Judging by certain reactions; it's clear you attempted to give them a completely different story about why we broke up, or that I was the cause of all the fighting,"

"Remember, Cass…The truth always comes out, and you've now been exposed as a selfish, inconsiderate, unfaithful, liar. You're toxic, and I don't need that in my life. I gave you the chance after my mom died to change back to the girl I fell for. To the girl I wanted to marry. But you went right back to the ways that made me leave you in the first place. All I ever did was live my life; the plan I made for my future and include you…But it was never enough. I was never enough for you, so I guess I'm sorry for that. But everything else…That was you," Cassandra didn't say anything else, she just backed away from Hunter, nodding with her head down.

"Now, why don't you leave? And I don't think I need to remind you that if you refuse; I'll be happy to call my guards to remove you again. You should have known better than to come to this…You know I don't want to see you, Cassandra. Coming around me only ticks me off when it comes to you. So please, for the sake of me not losing the ridiculous control I have on my anger; just go, and don't come back," Hunter turned to Bethany. "Mayor Boggs, I apologize you had to witness that scene just now," Hunter bowed to her a bit. "But I refuse to allow someone, no matter who they are, to lie to save face. Also, if someone insists on fighting with me; I will fight back,"

"Hunter, it's alright. I understand," Bethany replied respectfully. "I don't hold it against you. I was unaware of all this, as far as I knew; you and Cassandra were still together, but you were exceptionally busy. At least up until tonight when she mentioned that you might not be happy to see her, something about breaking up a week or two ago. She claimed wanting to come to try and talk with you to fix things,"

"I assure that we have been broken up since November 4th, 2018, Ms. Boggs," Hunter stated.

"I am very sorry. Had I been aware, I wouldn't have brought her with me," Bethany said softly.

"It's alright. I don't hold you responsible for her actions," Hunter replied. Bethany smiled a bit, waving to Salvatore before briskly walking out with Cassandra beside her. Hunter took a deep breath, sighing. Gregory motioned to one of the staff, signaling for something as the woman nodded and hurried to get what Gregory wanted. Returning a few seconds later, Gregory moved next to Hunter, setting a drink in his hand.

"Just…Take the drink, Hunter. You don't have to drink another, or get wasted…But relax a little. You need it after that…" Gregory informed. Hunter couldn't fight it; he could if he wanted to, but he didn't. Hunter sat down in his chair, taking a long drink.

"Are you okay?" Tallon asked gently. Hunter leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"I'm alright. I didn't intend on it killing the rest of my evening, babe. I had a feeling, at some point, she would start with me tonight. I've been waiting for it to be honest. I didn't expect it to go down that way, but whatever. It's over now," Hunter shrugged. "Now, let's get back to having fun," he smiled softly, holding Tallon's hand.

"Whatever you want," Tallon nodded, linking his fingers with Hunter's. It didn't take much longer after Hunter finished the drink for him to be back to laughing and smiling broadly. Hunter wouldn't let Cassandra ruin his party; he said his piece, which she brought on herself, and then made her leave. After a quick drink; it was right back to having fun with his friends and boyfriend. Overall; it was a great night and he was happy.