=Hunter's POV=
(Friday, 6/1/2018-2:45 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berkian Academy)

I don't know what started the conversation and at this point after hearing what I did; I wasn't sure I wanted to. Hell, I didn't even know what emotion to feel after what I walked up on between my girlfriend and my ex-girlfriend. I had only come back to get the rest of my stuff from my locker, as that was part of the final school things as the graduating class. But I came back to get the rest of my stuff so it would be out of the way and done already before next week and I happened to hear a conversation about me. I heard Nicole say; you have no business trying to play the first friend and girlfriend card to make Hunter tell you what's wrong; he isn't going to say a word to you because of what you did to him. What was I supposed to do? Step in and get the two of them to stop fighting? That's what it sounded like, and looked like from where I was, which was on the outside corner of the C-Hall outside wall. I could see them, but they couldn't see me with everyone around and the area was kind of quiet as the two girls were going at it. All I wanted to know was what started this, and I kind of also wanted to see where was going to go. I remember Nicole telling me that if Ashley said one more thing about me; she was going to let her have it.

So I stayed hidden and quiet, watching and listening to the entire fight ensue. It looked like my friends were on my side, but I figured they were after the truth originally came out and I asked them to just leave things alone to avoid drama. All of them were willing to do that, as long as Ashley knew she was wrong for what she did. But now all this, it sounded like Bryan wasn't too happy with Ashley either about her bragging to me that Bryan had a bigger dick and was better in bed. I wasn't sure how to feel listening to all this; I didn't have just one emotion about the matter because a lot was being said, but what got me to move was Nicole asked Ashley if she used me for sex, to practice on before she got with someone else. I knew already Bryan wasn't in the picture until after the first time, but everything after? All the sex we had those final three months, was she just using me? When Ashley didn't answer, I decided that I had to confront her here and now when she couldn't run away or hide behind her dad to make me leave.

The fear on her face when I walked up and casually told her not to be afraid because we were old friends and could talk about anything, just as she'd said when this started. When she was quiet, I pushed and I got my answers. She did not love me the entire year and three months were together. She was having sex with Bryan while still with me. And she did use me for me sex. I didn't even know what I should say to her. Yeah, I got the truth and it hurt; it's like she didn't care at all, just worked me up to get what she wanted and then bail. That's what it looked like now with this information, and honestly…I wasn't ready to deal with it. I stared at her a moment longer before I closed my eyes, shoved my hands in my jeans, and turned away from her to start walking back to the student lot.

"Hunter, wait! Please?!" Ashley called for me.

I stopped, but didn't face her. "There's nothing to wait for, Ashley."

"I want to talk to you!" Ashley demanded.

"You want to talk to me?" I asked. "Now you want to talk? Where was this when I asked for it back then? When I'd beg you to talk to me so I could fix whatever I did wrong to upset you? When I'd plead for you to just tell me why you left me? Well, might have taken a year and five months, but I finally got the truth out of you and all I learned," I paused facing her now. "Is that everything about you is a lie." I saw her flinch. "All the things about you that I'd fallen for; it was lies and you're nothing but a fake." I stated. "Honest? No. Open? No. Faithful? No. Understanding? No. Loving? Eh, maybe…At least until you get bored. Everything you told me about yourself when we got together, all the things I respected, admired, and loved…Everything I thought you were about. Lies. Every single one of them." I stared at her now as she looked very guilty and knew she was wrong. "Since everything about you was fake, obviously so were your feelings for me."

"No. Hunter, no…That's not true!" Ashley tried.

"You hesitated that response, which means you actually had to think if it was true or not. Further proving that you seem to say things just to say them. Save it for someone who cares, Ashley, because I don't anymore." I snapped at her as she took a step back when I narrowed my eyes. "You can't prove to me otherwise after everything you just admitted to. Not loving me the whole time. Not staying faithful, or having the decency to leave me first before you started screwing him," I pointed to Bryan. "And using me. You didn't deny anything Nicole said; I've been watching and listening from the corner of the building ever since she said you can't play the first friend and girlfriend card. I heard everything, and only now when I confront you do you look scared to have it revealed, and guilty because you know you're in the wrong. And nothing you say or do is ever going to make me think differently about this matter."

"Hunter, I did love you…I'm sorry that my feelings changed, but what we had was real…" Ashley said quickly.

"If everything you ever told about you was a lie, that makes what we had a lie. Because I got with you based on how I thought you were. You're a fake, and in my eyes; that means our entire relationship was based on lies and everything in it wasn't real. You can't prove me wrong, and you can't deny it either because all the proof is in what you admitted to. All this looks like to me now is that you built me up, taking advantage of how much I loved you, to get what you wanted and then tear me down and abandon me for someone who YOU said was better than me. If you'd like to deny that, please Gods; tell me…Because I can give you the exact date, time, and words of when it was said. I can give you dates, times, and words of anything after that first time we had sex…Because it's when you changed, or decided to drop the act; I really don't know anymore…But I've got it all written down. All the messages, the fights, times you blew me off…I've got it all. Saving it for a time just like this when you want to lie to my face about everything you did…" I remarked.

"I knew the truth would come out eventually, and I can't lie to you and say it didn't hurt when Nicole showed me the recording of what you said about why we broke up. But I decided to drop it that night, figuring that it was over a year ago, long past done, and I didn't want any drama between us for the sake of our friends. Just like I did after the breakup. This, though…Oh, this changes everything. But hey, I'm not an asshole. I'm not gonna avoid you, or do everything in my human ability to make sure we don't cross paths. I'm not going to ask our friends to choose, and I'm not even gonna hate you for it…" I paused as she looked at me sadly. "But understand this, Ashley…We are not friends. We're people who know another through mutual friends. I will tolerate your presence for their sake. I will associate with you when everyone hangs out, by including you, and I will be civil with you to avoid unnecessary drama."

I took a breath. "But what's done is done. Whatever happened prior to today regarding you and me in both friendship and relationship…Is dead to me and know that I wholeheartedly regret our lives crossing paths. I regret everything we did, everything we said…I regret meeting you because it was and is, by far, the biggest mistake of my life." I said coldly, leaving her there stunned and maybe about to cry. I looked at Bryan now. "I don't hate you either; if what you two have is real…Then I wish you all the best with each other and hope you'll be happy." I said.

"I don't see how you're being so calm…You should hate us both, maybe me more because I kissed her first knowing she was with you…" Bryan said quietly.

"What good does it do me to get mad? What does it change? Nothing, so it's pointless. I only said what needed to be told, and now it's done as I said it was. Done and over, so let's just move on from it…" I remarked, trying not to lose control over my emotions. How was I staying calm right now? I ran over Bryan's question several times, but I didn't know. I was furious, upset…Hurt. That last one was both emotional and physical. The pain this information caused me was more than I wanted to admit to it causing me. I really just wanted to run away as fast as possible, get in the jeep, get home…And maybe cry. I could have gone the rest of my life not knowing what I found out today; that everything I shared with this girl had been a lie, a fake.

=Normal POV=

Nicole felt awful because as good as Hunter hid this; she knew it hurt him pretty deeply. This was worse than learning that Ashley thought he was bad in bed, and had been cheating on him. Had she known Hunter was around still; she never would have said anything to Ashley. Hunter didn't deserve this, and the poor guy was trying to recover from surgery; he wasn't supposed to get stressed out or it could slow down the recovery, maybe worse if he ended up having physical chest pains from the hurt where it led to him having trouble breathing. Nicole knew everything to watch out for, and right now; she was worried that her boyfriend wasn't okay like he was acting that it was.

"Now…If nobody minds…I'm gonna go home." Hunter said, preparing to walk away.

"W-Will we still see you tonight at the team party?" Shane asked, maybe a bit nervously.

"I said I would go, and I will…" Hunter replied. "I'll see you at 4:30, Shane. And I'll come grab you at 6:30, babe."

"No problem. Text when you leave the party, and I'll start getting ready." Nicole smiled, not wanting to set him off.

"Will do." Hunter said as he glanced at Ashley once more before sighing and turning his back to her and the group of friends. Taking a breath, Hunter walked towards the student lot. The group was silent as Nicole waiting for Hunter to be farther away and out of earshot.

"And the worst part of all this is that despite what he said; he's still hurting because of you," Nicole glared at Ashley. "I wonder if this was enough for you to realize how wrong what you did was, and I can't even believe that you did this to him after all the love he gave you. All he was willing to give or do for you, just to make you happy. But that's fine…I'm glad you messed up this badly. I can give Hunter what he deserves; real love, from a real person," Nicole said. "Because I truly love him…And I'm going to show him what real love is, but then again…Maybe I don't have to as when we got together; Hunter told me that he loved you, but loved me more than he had loved you." That took Ashley by surprise; Hunter had said that to Nicole? That he loved her more than he'd loved Ashley? "So perhaps I should thank you, Ashley…What you did only showed Hunter that what you two had wasn't meant to be, or even real and he was willing to give you the world…That's saying something if he feels a stronger love for me, knowing me less time, than he ever felt for you. Thanks for fucking up and giving me the chance to love him in the all the ways you could maybe only even dream of doing."

Without another word, Nicole adjusted her backpack and headed after Hunter because she glanced at her phone and saw the time. She was so into scolding Ashley, and then Hunter jumping into things that she lost track of the time and her bus back home was just pulling away. Hunter wasn't too far ahead, and just about to the lot when Nicole ran up to him, panting a little. Hunter saw her from the corner of his eye when he reached his jeep and unlocked it, then went to open the door.

"Nikki?" Hunter asked. "What…Are you doing in the student lot? You're…Gonna miss your bus if you came all this way just to check on me…"

Nicole shook her head to him, trying to catch her breath. "Lost…Track of time when all that happened back there. I just…Missed my bus and was wondering if you'd give me a lift home?" She asked.

"Yeah, that's fine; I don't mind…Just catch your breath first; I don't want you knocking out on me…Here." Hunter pulled his spare water bottle from his bag and handed it to her.

"Thank you…" Nicole said, opening the bottle and taking a few small sips while working on breathing normal and getting her heart rate down. Not more than a few minutes later; the two of them were in the jeep, buckled up, and Hunter was driving in line with the rest to get off campus.

. . .

(3:00 pm)
(Driving)

Hunter and Nicole were quiet for most of the ride waiting to get off school ground and on the main road; they were about ten minutes from Nicole's house. Nicole felt like she should apologize to Hunter for what he walked up on earlier at school, and ask if he was okay, but she didn't want to upset him by bringing it up after he'd said he was done with it and to move on with life.

"Where should we go for our date tonight?" Hunter suddenly asked, taking Nicole by surprise.

"Oh, uh…I don't know. Is there anywhere we haven't been yet?" Nicole wondered.

"Couple places, little farther out than we venture and mostly all seafood, Chinese, or Italian…Maybe one Mexican spot too." Hunter replied, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Chinese sounds good; haven't had that in a while." Nicole said.

"Alright, I know a really good restaurant we can go to. I think you'll love it." Hunter informed.

"I can't wait." Nicole smiled, not that she was sure Hunter saw it or not. She sighed softly, closing her eyes and resting her head back; keeping her hands in her lap.

"Is something wrong, Nikki?" Hunter asked as she looked at him quickly.

"Hm? No, no. I'm fine, baby." Nicole stated gently. "I'm just…Happy to be with you. Feels life forever since we've spent time together…"

"I suppose that's my fault; I told everyone to leave me alone and didn't take visitors…" Hunter sighed a little. "I'm sorry about that; it was…Just a really bad day overall."

"You don't have to explain, babe. I understood." Nicole smiled.

"It's nice to have someone other than family or friends who understand." Hunter gave a small smile back. It was quiet again between them for a minute or two. "So…Can I ask something?" Nicole looked over at him. "What happened earlier, outside of C-Hall?" Nicole tensed a bit. "I'm not…Mad," He paused. "Okay, I'm furious…But at her, not you…I just want to understand what happened. Summarized version will do as I heard most of what was said between you two, just not how it started…" Hunter stated.

Nicole sighed some, glancing down. "It was civil after you walked away; Devon and Elijah came up to ask what they walked up on with you saying what you did to Shane, then leaving. Everyone…Is kind of convinced that something is wrong with you that you aren't saying. Just because you seem really…I don't know, quiet all the time since the surgery. So what started with me and Ashley was that she stated she always knew when something was up with you, acting like she was your best friend right now who you'd absolutely tell what was up. It was honestly said kind of stuck up like, and it didn't sit right with me, so I said something to her that she wasn't the best choice in trying to get you to tell someone what was wrong, if there is. Not saying so, just seems that way…" Hunter nodded, understanding.

"But basically, she continued on about how she was your first friend, girlfriend and you two could always talk to one another…Knowing all I do about your guys' past relationship; I got mad and told her that her knowing you didn't mean you'd tell her what was wrong. Claiming you two have history didn't matter when it's bad history, and then went on a rant that it was bad because of what she did to you. That's about when you must have started hearing everything. It was in the same rant that I told her she couldn't use the friend and ex card to get you to talk…" Nicole finished explaining.

Hunter kept his eyes on the road, taking in what Nicole told him. "Well, I'm not thrilled about the information…But like I told her, at least the entire truth is out now…It was more than her cheating; she stopped loving me, if she ever did at all. She wasn't just seeing Bryan while with me, she was fucking him too. And every time we had sex after the first time…It was just her using me…"

"The truth always comes out, she had to know that she couldn't hide it forever. It was horrible, and wrong of her to do. Bryan didn't seem to pleased with her bragging to you about him being better, and with all this out now…I kind of wonder what's going to happen to them. I suspect he probably told her they had to talk, but I don't know. I walked away to find you and ask for a ride after I told her one last thing." Nicole said.

"What else did you say?" Hunter asked as he pulled into the driveway at Nicole's house.

"I'll tell you when you come get me for our date, promise. I want to go grab a shower and something for this headache that she gave me because of all that bull. You go home and rest for a bit before you go to that team celebration. But…Are you okay, with what happened earlier?…I know what you said; I guess I just feel like if it were me in your spot, I'd be really hurt and upset, wanting someone there for comfort."

Hunter took a breath, but looked at Nicole. "It does hurt. I'm mad and upset about it…But like I said, what's done is done. The truth is out, and there's just nothing left regarding that matter anymore. I want it behind me, so I can move forward. And I'm going to pretend it never happened, that it was just an illusion…Or maybe a bad dream I'm finally awake from…Won't forget, obviously, but…Yeah, I'm okay." He explained, smiling a little.

Nicole leaned over in the seat and kissed Hunter gently. "As long as you're okay, I'm okay…But just for the sake of making sure you haven't forgotten," Nicole cupped his cheek and looked into his eyes. "I am here for you, Hunter. Anytime, anywhere…If you need anything; I'm here for you, just don't be afraid to ask. I love you."

Hunter had returned the kiss and smiled a bit more after she said what she did about being there for him. "I know, and thank you, Nikki. It means the world to me to have you in my life, and Gods, I hope you always will be. I love you, Milady. I'll see you in a few hours," Hunter said as Nicole and Hunter kissed again, then she got out of his jeep and closed the door while heading for her door. Nicole shot him a smile before getting inside and closing it, once Hunter got her thumbs up from the window, he nodded, backed out and headed for home.