Ah, yes, it continues.
Angel Spirit: taps foot impatiently Tell me there's more of Shipwrecked coming soon? Patience may be a virtue, it just isn't one of mine. Plus, the story's awesome and I can't wait to see what happens next.
FLW: I have many comfort foods, most of which scream Vermont (or Germany). Actually, I'm not a resident of any corner of the fandom, I just have condos in each place. Right now, I'm in the Dustin/Hunter corner.
Chapter 8: Doing the Math
After we eat, we move into the living room. Hunter sits next to me on the couch and I immediately cuddle into him. I can see Blake smiling warmly at us, sitting on the coffee table. I remember Hunter telling me that Blake seems to like sitting there, although he doesn't know why. I tell them about dinner, coming out to my family and their reactions.
"I just feel like my fears are being realized. Shane didn't take it well, and now my parents," I say just before turning and burying my face in Hunter's chest.
His arms wrap around me, his fingers soothingly in my hair. When I turn back, I see that Blake's gone. I look up to Hunter, confused. He must've noticed it since he answered the question that I was about to ask.
"He's calling Tori to see what happened with Shane."
Either I didn't hear them talking, or they have some sort of silent communication that I know nothing about. And since I would've heard Hunter say something, I'm guessing it's the latter. I nod, then turn to see if I could find Blake. But he wasn't in the room, probably in his own room.
"Depending on what you're more comfortable with, you can either have the couch or you can stay in my room," Hunter offered.
"I like the sound of your room," I smile, something I hadn't done in too long today.
While we wait for Blake, he helps me get settled into his room. Although I didn't bring much, he makes room in his dresser and closet for my clothes. After I'm unpacked, he gives me the 'grand' tour of their small two-bedroom apartment. It is rather tiny, but it's all they can afford. And I know that some months are easier than others. I decide that if I'm going to be staying here for an extended period of time, I'm going to help somehow.
We wait in the living room, I'm curled into Hunter. He's playing with my hair as we talk motocross, one of the few things in common that can be considered a safe subject for discussion. He turns suddenly, one arm going up in the air. When he brings it down, I can see his cell phone in his hands.
"So?" he asks impatiently, and I know that Blake's reappeared.
"She said that she promised Shane not to say anything about what they talked about. I begged and pleaded, but she wouldn't say a word," Blake explains as he sits again on the coffee table.
"This isn't good," I reply.
"All she said is that Shane would be by tomorrow to talk to you," Blake says more to me than to Hunter.
We all realize that it's late, and that the day has been eventful. Blake goes into his room while Hunter and I go into his.
"I'm gonna get a couple glasses of water," he says, leaving me to change.
I quickly go from street clothes to boxers and a T-shirt. He reappears, setting both glasses on the single nightstand.
"What are they for?" I ask, since it appears to be a normal thing for him.
"The air is kinda dry in here," he answers, stripping down to his boxers, then slipping a black long-sleeved shirt over his head.
The shirt looks like it's a few sizes too big, but it does have the necessary crimson on it, in the form of the word 'Old Navy'. I never pegged him for an Old Navy shopper, but right now, nothing surprises me.
In bed, I curl into him and his arms are around me. For the first time today, I feel warm, safe and loved. My parents may not want anything to do with me anymore, and I may have lost Shane as a friend, but I have Hunter.
I do the math… I lose three, gain one…that's still negative two. But somehow that one trumps the three as I realize that I'm not sure if I've lost them forever, or if they just need time. I'm lulled into sleep by Hunter's soft voice, although I have no idea what he's saying. I try to focus, but my mind is just too tired.
Plus whatever he's saying, it isn't in English. I'll have to ask him about it later. Between the sound of his voice, the comfort of being in his arms, and his fingers in my hair, I soon fall asleep.