I'll Be The One
Chapter 54:
=Normal POV=
[Friday, 5/31/2019-6:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Archia Island University]
By some grace of Odin, Hunter got everything finished and turned in on time. The term paper was in on the 24th, and then finals started three days later on the 27th. Hunter didn't have many of those, but it gave him more time to get makeup work done. Hunter turned everything in this morning to his teachers, and by 4:00 pm; he had his final scores. Naturally, Hunter passed everything with all A's. Hunter was ridiculously happy all his word was completed now, and finals were over too. Technically; Hunter was officially done with college now. The only things left to do were the concert, which was happening in about fifteen minutes, and then his last week of work since his official last day was June 7th. Salvatore and Gregory were throwing him a graduation party on Saturday, June 15th. This was to give time for Hunter to finish work, and his diploma come in. Salvatore wanted it displayed during the celebration. However, the best part of today is that Hunter hadn't told anyone he had his final grades because he wanted it to be a surprise after the concert being put on the students of this music class; these were all kids who were graduating and leaving the university this year.
Currently, Hunter was on edge. Something bad was going to happen soon. Hunter knew the leader who had kidnapped him was still out there and swore vengeance on Hunter for everything. Hunter had been approached mid finals week by someone telling him that the master would be back and get Hunter for messing everything up and knew it was Hunter who told the cops where he had been being kept captive. Hunter, of course, reported it to Tallon right away as it happened at school, where Hunter was somewhat protected.
The guards remained outside classrooms or the building, but this took place in a classroom before Hunter exited. What choice did Hunter have except to tell someone what happened? This was serious, and if was getting verbal threats that got past his security team; the he was in active danger. After such an incident; Tallon brought it up to his father, which reached Salvatore. And Sal, with Hunter's permission, stationed a guard right next to Hunter for everywhere he went except the Archian House and his apartment. Hunter knew something like this would happen, but it was only a matter of time until the leader made his appearance to extract this revenge. Hunter knew it was only to make a point because Hunter was the one who messed up the whole operation by sending a silent, quick message to his search party about where he was.
Hunter was on guard everywhere he went now; this was a real threat that Hunter knew would come to pass soon because he could feel it. Hunter needed to shake this off before getting on stage; the concert was only going to be an hour and thirty minutes to two hours. There would be breaks in between performances too since the students were not expected to sing straight through the entire time. Feeling vibration against his leg; Hunter got his cell phone and checked the screen, finding a text from Tallon.
Tal's Cell, 6:15 pm
We're here and seated up front, baby :heart: By the way; we brought everyone. All our families. Hope that's okay. Love you!
Hunter smiled a bit as he replied.
6:15 pm
Final preparations backstage. See you when I come out there, babe. Love you :heart:
Hunter slipped his phone away and made sure it was on silent for the show, no one would be messaging him since they were all at the show and he'd see them sitting right up front. "Alright everyone; here we go," the teacher called. Hunter just moved to his spot, coming out front and seeing his group. Hunter jumped down from the stage and waved to them.
"What are you doing?" Tallon asked first before anyone else could.
"I missed a lot of the practices, so a couple of the others argued that I shouldn't be allowed to sing lead tonight. I decided to step aside without a fight and run the music and lights," Hunter stated.
"You should have fought it," Gregory told him.
"No big deal. Wasn't in the mood to debate it with them," Hunter shrugged as he kissed Tallon's cheek and sat before the system and got everything checked over.
"You think he's okay?" Avery looked at her friends.
"What makes you think otherwise?" Drew looked over.
"Seems out of it, tired, no energy, uninterested," Madison remarked, agreeing with Avery.
"It's been a long couple of weeks for him," Miya reminded. Tallon got up and shifted next to Hunter.
"Hey, are you alright?" Tallon inquired.
"I am, babe," Hunter replied. "Bit tired," he added.
"You sure that's all it is?" Tallon pushed gently.
"Maybe not feeling so hot," Hunter shrugged.
"Want to leave? I'm sure they can find someone else to run lights and sounds," Tallon questioned.
"No, it's okay, love," Hunter stated as he got the signal from his teacher. "Go on back to your seat, babe. It's about to start," Tallon nodded as he went to get up, but Hunter grabbed his hand, turned him around and kissed him deeply.
"What was that for?" Tallon blinked a few times after the kiss ended.
"Just because I love you," Hunter replied as Tallon blushed. Hunter winked at him and let go of his hand. "Enjoy the show," he smiled.
. . .
[7:00 pm]
The first forty-five minutes had been interesting and very well done. Hunter never said a word; he just handled all the lights and sounds. Honestly; it looked like he was starting to feel worse in Tallon's opinion. "Alright, we're going to take a short break here and be right back in ten minutes," the teacher smiled. Hunter sat back in his chair sighing; his hands went over his face with a yawn. "Hunter," the teacher said, coming to the edge of the stage as Hunter sat up.
"Yeah?" Hunter replied.
"Can you come with me a moment?" she inquired. Hunter got up and pulling himself on stage, walking with the teacher towards the back.
"What do you think all that is about?" Salvatore asked.
"Who knows," Gregory shrugged. After eight minutes, Hunter returned as everyone was getting set back up for the second half. However, as it got started; the lead girl seemed to be struggling and ended up looking at Hunter. Surprisingly, Hunter attached something to his ear and stood up, returning to the stage. Hunter pushed her lightly towards backstage and a small group of people as he gave a nod to them.
"Alright, guys…The only thing that has changed is the singer. Let's finish this night off," Hunter told the group standing with him. The music started up, something different than what they'd been doing.
"Oh, my Gods! This is from Descendants!" Harper squealed.
"Which song?" Miya inquired.
"Rotten To The Core," Avery, Madison, and Harper giggled together, suddenly very interested in the performance.
"Gods, I wonder if he can do it…" Flynn questioned.
"Hard song?" Elijah wondered.
"Eh…Nothing like length or pitch. It's just…An interesting song is all, and very much not Hunter's style," Trevor informed.
The music continued and on the cue to sing, Hunter turned around with a grin almost. "They say I'm trouble. They say I'm bad. They say I'm evil, and that makes me glad,"
"Wow," the friends blinked.
"A dirty, no good; down to the bone. Your worst nightmare. Can't take me home," Hunter continued, walking forward. On the big screen for everyone to see was the original video, but no music since it was playing from a different source. "So I've got some mischief in my blood. Can you blame me? I never got no love,"
"Damn, he's good," Seth laughed.
"They think I'm callous. A low-life hood. I feel so useless…" Hunter went on as three others came next to him.
"Misunderstood!" the four sang together.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall…Who's the baddest of them all?" the group besides Hunter sang, but he was between them all. "Welcome to my wicked world…Wicked world!"
"I'm rotten to the core. Rotten to the core. I'm rotten to the core. Who could ask for more? I'm nothing like the kid next; like the kid next door. I'm rotten to the core," the group sang together.
"Call me a schemer. Call me a freak. How can you say that? I'm just…Unique. What? Me a traitor? Ain't got your back? Are we not friends? What's up with that? So I'm a misfit. So I'm a flirt," Hunter went on, winking at his boyfriend and causing him to blush a deep shade of red. "I broke your heart. I made you hurt. The past is passed, forgive forget. The truth is…"
"You ain't seen nothing yet!" the group yelled.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall…Who's the baddest of them all?" the group besides Hunter sang. "Welcome to my wicked world…Wicked world!" after that it was just a rocked out mix of music where the people on stage danced like how it was in the video. Luckily, despite missing practices due to circumstances beyond Hunter's control; he knew the moves as if he hadn't missed a single day. "I'm rotten to the core. Rotten to the core. I'm rotten to the core. Who could ask for more? I'm nothing like the kid next; like the kid next door. I'm rotten to the, I'm rotten to the core. I'm rotten to the core," (Song is Rotten To The Core from Descendants)
The song ended as the group stayed in place on the last move as everyone applauded and cheered. Finally, the position changed as the group took a small bow. Hunter turned off his microphone and returned to his spot at the music station. TJ tapped him a few times on the back as Hunter turned around and looked at him. "What's up?" Hunter asked.
"What was all that about?" Roxanne motioned to the stage.
"The whole purpose of the contest in April was to find one person who could change pitch and hold various lengths. Obvious reason was to avoid having multiple performers depending on song, so the contest was to pick someone who was close to doing everything needed. The girl who argued about me shouldn't be lead because I missed so much was unable to do that particular song because she can't change like I can. That's what the talk backstage was for; she was going to try to do it, but backed out not wanting to mess up and ruin the show. That's why I went up and did it," Hunter informed.
"Oh! Makes more sense now!" Arianna smiled.
. . .
[8:00 pm]
The night continued on until 7:30, this basically marked an hour since everything started at 6:30. Hunter was exhausted with a headache; his stomach was bothering him a bit too. Still, Hunter focused on what he was supposed to do, and desperately hoped he wouldn't have to sing again. The one song he did do made him feel like he was going to throw up. At 8:00 pm, which was now, Hunter couldn't do it; he felt too sick. When the teacher was next to him, planning for the next song; he told her the truth that he wasn't feeling well and needed to cut out early. The teacher, discreetly placed someone else in the spot as Hunter left the auditorium and went to the bathroom.
Hunter moved into one of the stalls to relieve himself, and once that was done and he'd flushed; Hunter went out to wash his hands and splash his face. Of course, it didn't last. Hunter felt the vomit rise in his throat as he dashed back into a stall and puked twice. "Ugh…" Hunter spit out the remnants; then sat there a few moments. Hunter got his phone and texted Tallon. Out in the auditorium, Tallon and the others saw that Hunter left, assuming it was just a bathroom break. However, when Tallon felt his phone vibrate; he checked it to see Hunter had messaged him.
Hunter's Cell, 8:06 pm
Just so no one panics about my disappearance; I'm in the restroom.
8:07 pm
Figured that's where you went, love.
Tallon went to put the phone away, but got another response.
Hunter's Cell, 8:07 pm
I'm sick…
8:08 pm
How sick, babe?
Hunter didn't reply right away, and Tallon didn't make a move just yet; he wanted to know first so no one would freak out. Finally, after five minutes, the phone vibrated.
Hunter's Cell, 8:13 pm
After that…I've thrown up three times in the last, almost, ten minutes. You guys don't have to stay in there; I won't be coming back. Already told the teacher.
8:14 pm
Are you ok?
Hunter's Cell, 8:16 pm
Tired, nauseated, stomachache, a headache that is becoming migraine, and it's keeping me down right now. I…Could use a little help, and I'm technically unguarded at the moment.
8:16 pm
On my way now.
Without a word, Tallon got up, sliding his phone in his pocket and prepared to get out the door. "Where are you going, son?" Dustin asked.
"Hunter just told me he's sick in the bathroom and unguarded," Tallon informed.
"What? Why didn't he tell anyone?" Salvatore got up right away.
"He said he hadn't been feeling so hot at the start of this, but he'd be fine. Seems like it's gotten worse; he admitted to throwing up a few times since being in there," Tallon mentioned. The group got up together and left the auditorium; it was much quieter in the hallway.
"There's like five bathrooms around this area…Which one?" Harper inquired. Tallon pulled out his phone and dialed Hunter.
"Babe? Which bathroom are you in?" Tallon asked. "Okay, I'm coming now. Just stay put," Tallon ended the call a moment later and moved down the hall more and stopped at the men's room on the right side of the hallway. "I'll go in and check on him," he offered.
"We'll come as well," Salvatore stated. Gregory held him back and shook his head.
"One person is sufficient, Sal," Gregory rolled his eyes. "And Hunter did message Tallon to let him know he was feeling ill, so I think we should let him do it. Go on, lad," he nodded his head towards the entrance of the men's room. Tallon pushed the door open and walked inside. "And the rest of us who don't need to be here can head home," he added.
"I agree with Gregory," Rachel spoke up. "Hunter isn't going to want an audience, and if he's sick; then he'll be going right home to bed,"
"Those who live in Dreki Apartments can stay, and obviously Hunter's father and uncle," Miya stated.
"I agree with her," Drew said. Not long after, all those who lived in Hunter's building, plus Salvatore and Gregory, left the school. The friends and Hunter's family stayed put near the bathroom to wait for Hunter and Tallon to come out. Inside the bathroom, Tallon instantly searched for his boyfriend.; it shouldn't be too hard when Hunter was the only person besides himself in here.
"Babe?" Hunter's voice asked instantly.
"Yes, it's me, baby," Tallon moved over to the stall where he could see Hunter's feet sticking out from under the door. Hunter unlocked the stall and got the door open for Tallon to come in. "How are you feeling?" Tallon asked, kneeling crouching down next to Hunter.
"Awful," Hunter sighed. "I don't even know where it came from to be honest with you," he mumbled.
"When did it start?" Tallon questioned.
"Little after lunch," Hunter jerked forward, trying not to throw up again.
"What did you have?" Tallon wondered now, rubbing Hunter's back a bit.
"Small side salad and a chicken sandwich," Hunter informed.
"Might be unlikely, but I suppose you could have gotten food poisoning, baby…Takes effect a couple hours after consuming; salads, chicken, meat…That's all stuff that, if cooked wrong, or not enough, can cause it," Tallon mentioned as he checked Hunter's forehead. "You got a bit of a fever too," he said softly. "I suppose it could also be stomach flu,"
"Don't care what it is…I'm just tired, feeling weak, and want to go home…" Hunter muttered.
"You alright to move? Or will you throw up again?" Tallon asked.
"I should be…Okay," Hunter said. Tallon helped Hunter slowly rise to his feet, and then allowed Hunter to lean on him as they both exited the bathroom.
"Son?" Salvatore said gently.
"Hi, Dad…" Hunter greeted.
"What's up with him?" Madison questioned.
"Not sure; I have my theories that it could be the stomach flu or food poisoning," Tallon shrugged.
"What?!" Salvatore panicked.
"Dad…Stop. I know how it sounds, but it's probably just from the shit food in the cafeteria here. I don't typically eat at school, but I was busy with final makeup assignments and the practice for tonight, so I grabbed food. It doesn't mean someone intentionally poisoned me…" Hunter stated. "Can we just go back to the apartment?"
"Of course, lad," Gregory nodded, hinting to the others not to push the issue. If Hunter had been poisoned by someone; the effects would be a lot worse, and Hunter would probably be dead by now. Not arguing, they all left the school to return to the complex.
. . .
[9:00 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]
Returning to Hunter and Flynn's apartment; Hunter instantly went to the bathroom to throw up a few more times. While he was in there, Gregory told everyone to go back to their own apartments because Hunter was likely just going to go to sleep and didn't need everyone around. No one argued it, and left. Eventually, Salvatore and Gregory did the same after asking Tallon to keep them updated. Flynn cleaned up the apartment a bit, and relaxed on the couch to watch TV with Harper, who chose to stay with her boyfriend. Tallon made himself useful in Hunter's room to get his bed ready for Hunter to rest in. Hunter came out after a bit; he'd changed into his sleep stuff while in the restroom.
"Come on, love," Tallon patted the bed. "You need to rest," smiled lightly. Hunter didn't argue; he laid down and Tallon covered him up, kissing his forehead.
"Are you…Staying?" Hunter asked while Tallon grabbed a water bottle from Hunter's mini fridge and set it on the nightstand next to Hunter.
"I can if you like," Tallon replied as he got the small trashcan next to desk and placed that near Hunter too.
"Please do," Hunter said.
"Sure," Tallon smiled as he changed into his night clothes, which was his boxers and a pair of basketball shorts, and joined Hunter in the bed. Hunter curled up against him comfortably. "Better?"
Hunter nodded. "I love you,"
"I love you too," Tallon responded as Hunter drifted off to sleep. Tallon continued to hold Hunter and soon fell asleep as well by 9:30 pm. It might be early, but that didn't matter. Hunter would probably be sick for a few days, and then everything would go back to normal. Hunter would only have a week left of work, and then the graduation party. It would be fun for sure.