--
Hunter woke the next morning and looked ay the clock beside Dustin's bed. Almost 10 o'clock. Half the day was gone. Though that wasn't really surprising considering how much sleep they got last night—or how much they didn't.
He slid out from under Dustin's arm and stood slowly. He found the bag he'd brought in the day before and took out a set of clothes, heading for the shower. Thankfully the teachers had private ones, unlike what they had as students.
He showered quickly and got dressed, glancing at the mirror before heading back, finding Dustin still asleep. Hunter watched him a moment, briefly wondering if he should wake him, but decided against it. He had some things to do anyway; he might as well let him sleep for a while longer.
Hunter smiled at the boy and turned, leaving the room. He didn't know his way around the new school well, but he figured he could wander until he figured it out, or found one of the people he wanted to see. He still didn't know what he was going to say to either of them, but he had to talk to them. Hopefully they wouldn't be together, he'd much rather talk to each other them separately. It would make it easier.
He heard a voice behind him and turned to see a young girl approaching him, very familiar . . . He looked at her a moment, then remembered what Dustin had said and it clicked. Marah. He waited as she caught up with him. "Hello," he said shortly, not sure what else to say to her.
"Hi." She flashed him a friendly smile. "I heard you were in, I was wondering if it was true."
Hunter nodded. "Yeah, I'm here. So what's up?"
She shrugged. "Just saw you walking and thought I'd come say hello."
"I was just seeing if Shane or Tori were around," he said. Then he paused. "You can walk with me if you want."
"Sure," she said. They started walking. "How long are you in for?"
"Just till Monday," he answered. "Then I have to get back to class."
"Too bad," she said. "But I'll bet Dustin's happy to have you here, for now."
"Yeah, seems to be." He paused again, unsure of what to say. "He told me you're doing well here."
"Really?" she asked.
Hunter nodded. "He also said you've really been there for him."
She paused. "I'm trying. I really care about him, and everything going on is just so pointless. It doesn't matter to me."
He looked at her. "What about what everyone else thinks? You don't care at all?"
Marah shrugged. "Not really." They were both silent a moment, and she looked at Hunter carefully. "You don't believe me."
Hunter didn't answer at first, then he shook his head. "No, I don't," he admitted. "No offense, but you were pretty convincing last time too."
"I know," she said quietly. "I'm so sorry about that. I've apologized to Dustin so many times, I just wish I could make up for it."
"You can't, though I do understand," Hunter said truthfully. "But I swear if you're playing him again—"
"I'm not," she cut in. "I promise."
"Forgive me for not believing you," he said flatly. Then he paused. "Okay, look. I'll give you a chance, and I really am grateful that you've been there for Dustin through this. I'm just not as easily convinced as he is."
"I understand," she said. She stopped walking and pointed past him. "Tori's over there. Maybe I'll see you later?"
He nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, see ya."
Hunter watched her go, then started towards Tori, trying to think of something to say last-minute. He had no idea, but he hoped it would come out all right. He was angry—downright pissed—and he might end up saying something he'd regret later.
He looked around for anyone else and breathed a small sigh of relief when he didn't see anyone. That was good. He came within a few feet of her and spoke. "Tori."
She spun around and looked at him in surprise. "Hunter. Hi . . ."
This was even more uncomfortable than he'd expected. It couldn't have been only a few months ago when they'd been the best of friends, sharing almost everything as they had with the other rangers. Always having fun . . . It seemed like so long ago now.
Tori looked just as uncomfortable as he was. "So, what do you want?" she asked.
"I just want to talk," he said. "I think you know what about."
"Probably," Tori said. She sighed, in something like resignation. "Okay."
"Come on," he said. "We'll take a walk, okay?"
"Sure."
They started walking, and neither said anything at first, then Hunter took a breath. "Tori, what's going on with you? Dustin told me what happened the other day."
Tori didn't look at him. "I don't even know, Hunter. I never thought it would be like this."
"But Dustin said you two were getting along fine," he said. "I thought you were okay with everything now."
She paused. "At first I was—or thought I was anyway. But I've never been okay with this, and I can't pretend to be."
"But—" Hunter cut himself off. There was nothing he could say, he'd known coming into it that he wouldn't convince her of anything. He sighed. "I just don't know how you could do this to him."
"Him?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "What about you?"
He paused, looking at her. "Me too," he finally admitted. "You know, I actually thought we meant something to you."
"You have no idea," she said. "I never meant for it to turn out this way, but there's just nothing else I can do. I'm sorry."
"Sure you are," he said, stopping walking. He swallowed quickly, hiding the feelings rising as he looked at her. "Well, I'm sorry it happened this way, Tori. I wish things could be different."
"So do I," she said quietly.
"Just don't do anything more to him, okay?" he asked. "If this is how it ends, leave it that way."
"I never meant to hurt him," she said.
"Well, you did," he snapped. "And it's going to stop. Now."
Tori nodded and he turned, walking away.
--
Dustin left the teacher's building and glanced around for Hunter, having no idea where he would be. Probably talking with Shane or Tori, he'd mentioned he wanted to do that. Either thought was a scary one. But Dustin couldn't begin to guess where they'd be. Most of the students were gone now, and though many of the teachers remained, he wasn't going to ask if they'd seen him.
He smiled to himself, thinking about Hunter as he wandered, still in disbelief that he was actually there. Only for a short time, but it was well worth it anyway. And it wouldn't be long after that, Hunter had promised.
"Looking for your boyfriend?" a voice asked.
Dustin turned and aw Jeff, Shane's apparent newfound friend. He paused. "I wasn't really looking for anyone."
Jeff nodded. "Of course."
Dustin watched him carefully. He didn't know him well but even Dustin didn't trust him. "Can I help you?"
Jeff shrugged. "Probably not. Just thought I'd say hi. Heard your boyfriend was here, where is he now?"
"He's talking with someone," Dustin said slowly.
"Yeah? You sure he's coming back?" Jeff smirked. "You know, I imagine he got a good "homecoming" from you last night, maybe that's all he wanted."
Dustin shook his head. "Just leave me alone, okay?"
"Aw, am I bothering you?" he asked, stepping closer. "Think about it, what else would anyone want from you? You're not even man enough for a fag."
"I'll bet I could take you," he challenged, his temper flaring.
Jeff laughed. "You think so? Well, you sure are a lot bolder with him around. But you have a lot to learn, and you will." He paused. "You can be sure of that."
Dustin looked him in the eye. "Is that a threat?"
He shrugged. "Take it as you will."
Dustin paused, then shook his head slowly, turning and walking away. He just wanted to get away from him. Jeff didn't intimidate him as much as he just kinda freaked him out and bothered him. Besides, he had better things to spend the day on.
He walked for a little while and smiled when he saw Hunter coming toward him. They met and Hunter smirked. "You finally woke up?"
Dustin shrugged. "Busy night. Where have you been?"
"Talking to Tori," Hunter said. "Didn't get anywhere."
He nodded, not surprised but still disappointed. "Didn't really think you would. There's not much to say anymore."
"I guess," he said. "I just thought maybe we could get to an understanding. Realized it wasn't worth it anyway." He shook his head. "Haven't seen Shane yet, but Marah found me."
Dustin smirked. "Not surprising, she's good at that." He paused, thinking. "What'd you say to her?"
"Nothing," Hunter said. "We just talked a little. I wasn't mean, I swear."
"Good," Dustin said. "I know you don't like her."
"I don't trust her," he corrected. "There's a difference."
He shook his head. "Whatever you say. You gonna try and find Shane?"
Hunter shrugged. "No, I'll get to him later."
"You know, you don't have to talk to him," Dustin said. "You won't get anywhere with him either."
"I know," he said. "But I want to give him a piece of my mind."
"Just be careful," he warned. "Okay?"
"Don't worry," Hunter assured him. "I won't do anything stupid. Now," he changed the subject. "What are we going to do today?"
--