First off, so sorry, but no Shane. I'm trying to get there soon! Thanks for the great reviews, definitely helps keep things coming.
FeistyLittleWoman: More steam to come soon! I need some in the midst of all this drama!
Angel Spirit: I figure siblings are better in times like this, so I had to make Jessie cool with it. And I haven't quite decided on why Shane reacted the way he did, either.
Chapter 7: Leaving One Place for Another
"I'm going away for a little while, Jessie."
"What? Where? You can't leave!"
"If they can't even try to understand, if they're so willing to hate me for this…what other choice do I have?"
"You can't leave me here alone, Dustin."
"I can't just stop seeing him, either. I won't change who I am to suit them and I can't change who I love."
"Where will you go?"
"To Hunter's. I think you'll really like him, Jess."
"Anyone you like I'm sure I'd like. What about Shane and Tori?"
"Shane didn't take the news well. And Tori…right now all I want is Hunter."
I tell her about the whole 'coming out' thing and how Shane, Tori and Cam reacted, making sure to leave out Sensei.
"You and Shane have been best friends forever. And the fact that he didn't see this coming may have been too much of a shock for him. Give him some time."
"That's easier said than done."
"I know it is, Dustin."
She kisses the top of my head, then leaves so that I can call Hunter and pack. I use my cell phone to call, pacing around the room and shoving clothes and toiletries into my yellow duffel bag, grabbing other odds and ends at whim. It takes a few rings, but Blake ends up answering. I ask for Hunter, and I know he knows something's wrong.
"Hey," he says softly.
"Things didn't go so well."
"You want to come here?"
"Yeah."
"Need a lift?"
"Yeah, it's too far to walk."
"I'll be there in a few minutes."
"I'll be waiting outside."
"Dustin?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"Back at ya."
I hang up the phone and force myself to be calm. I can fall apart later, when I'm safely with Hunter. Jessie pops in and I tell her that I'll be leaving for Hunter's in a few minutes. She smiles a bit, then says she's going to tell our parents where I'll be. And I grab my bag and head outside, waiting on the porch. A familiar Jeep pulls into the driveway and I immediately know that it's Hunter. But the person who climbs out of the Jeep is too short to be Hunter.
"Hey Blake," I say, trying to hide my disappointment.
"Hunter wanted to come, but thought better of it. He wasn't sure how your parents would react if they saw him."
"Probably a good idea."
It's a silent, short ride to the Bradley's apartment. I drop my bag by the door when I see Hunter coming out of the kitchen. He immediately pulls me into a tight embrace, one that I'm not anxious to get out of.
"Thanks for letting me stay here," I say, still clinging to Hunter.
"Not a problem. You're welcome here anytime," he replies. "You want anything to eat or drink?"
"Could use some food. I didn't get to actually eat dinner," I answer sadly.
"C'mon love, we'll fix ya something. You want anything special?" Hunter says, then takes my hand and leads me to the kitchen.
"I'm not too hungry."
"Waffles it is," he decides, then looks over his shoulder to me.
I nod, I like the sound of that. When I had first heard of him having waffles for dinner, I thought it was a bit ridiculous. But I was never allowed to have breakfast foods for dinner, my mother always insisted on proper dinners. I also found out a little later that Hunter considers waffles comfort food. And right now, we need all the comfort we can get.