“One more?”
“I don’t know Hunter, I’m pretty wiped out.”
“Aw, come on, it’s Thursday night. It’s practically the weekend.”
“Fine, just one more. But let me text Daniela and use the bathroom first.”
“Great! I’ll make some more popcorn.”
I knew his bathroom was situated across from his bedroom, having showered there the first time I came to his apartment. On my way, I noticed his bedroom door was closed and had a sign that said “Uno Ab Alto”. I shrugged at the mysterious phrase and moved on. I texted Daniela when I was in the bathroom, letting her know that I’d be back to the dorms late. When I was finished, I could still hear Hunter in the kitchen microwaving the popcorn.
I was about to return to the living room when I noticed the door on my right was cracked open a slit. Curious, I pushed it open slightly. It was dark but it looked like it was a closet. The floor was covered in cardboard boxes, filled with irregular shapes. I struggled to make out what they were for a second, and then I recognized the shapes. They were model airplanes. There were maybe a hundred model airplanes of various types covering the floor.
“Lorrie, the popcorn is ready!”
His voice made me jump. Why did he have so many model planes? And why in this closet? He didn’t have any on display in his apartment. If he had them hidden away, it was probably something I wasn’t supposed to see. I pulled the closet door closed again and then went back to the living room to join him.
Hunter offered me the bowl and I popped a small handful into my mouth. He smiled at me brightly. I was relieved he hadn’t heard me snooping around. We returned to the couch and turned the movie on, thoughts of the contents of Hunter’s closet still swirling through my mind.
Halfway through the movie, my eyes started to droop. I looked over sleepily at Hunter, but he was entranced with the bloodsucking on screen. My eyelids grew even heavier. I couldn’t fight the tiredness anymore. I gave in and let my eyes close.
I opened my eyes and the bowl of popcorn that had formed the barrier between us was on the coffee table. I was leaning right on Hunter’s shoulder, a blanket covering us.
If I was less sleepy I would have freaked out, but I just looked up at him. “What happened?”
“You started snoring, and your head was lolling back. I figured you’d be more comfortable this way. Also those vampires got scary so I needed your protection.”
I smiled against his chest, suppressing a yawn. His chest was so warm and welcoming. He smelled faintly of aftershave and leather.
“Go back to sleep, Snorrie,” he said softly.
I grinned at the stupid name and nodded sleepily.
He leaned his head back to look at me. I squinted my eyes open and saw he had a serious expression on his face. “Hey Lorrie?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“For what?” I yawned.
“For coming to the movies with me.”
“Thanks for inviting me Hunter,” I said, before drifting off completely.
Sunlight flickered against my face, bringing me slowly to consciousness. I felt completely content and satisfied. Then I realized I wasn’t in my dorm room.
My eyes shot open. I was leaning right against Hunter’s chin. His eyes were closed, and he was snoring gently. We were both laying on his couch together, my arms around him, his arms around me. My heart pounded erratically, and a cold sweat started breaking out on my skin.
Had we . . .
The previous night’s events came back to me slowly and I realized I’d fallen asleep on his shoulder while watching vampires. Thank god. We hadn’t gone that far, but it was still a mistake. We were supposed to be just friends. Friends didn’t casually fall asleep nestled together like lovers on the guy’s couch. I was supposed to be strong. I wasn’t supposed to fall for Hunter, yet I’d fallen asleep in his arms. This was bad. I gently unweaved my limbs from Hunter’s, careful not to disturb him. Then I grabbed my bag and snuck out of his apartment.
Why was I always sneaking out of his place?
Chapter Nine
LESSONS
Rushing across campus from Hunter’s apartment, I got back to my dorm around ten in the morning. It was Friday and I had to get to swim class. I climbed the four flights of stairs to my suite and gingerly unlocked the door, hoping that Daniela wouldn’t notice that I was away all night. Otherwise I’d owe her an explanation, and I did not want to have to explain that I’d slept over at Hunter’s place last night.
I opened the suite door and saw Daniela sitting on the couch watching TV. She slowly twisted her head in my direction and her wide green eyes locked onto me making me jump. Her movement reminded me of the movie The Exorcist. Damn horror movies last night.
“Well, well, well,” she said with a sly grin.
“Hello to you too. I was just grabbing breakfast in the dining hall.” It was a good excuse and I was pleased with myself for thinking quick on my toes.
“No, you weren’t.”
Shit.
“I knocked on your door two hours ago to go eat breakfast. I’ve been sitting on this couch, waiting for you to get up and here you come walking through the front door. You were out all night weren’t you? Hm?” Her eyes were mischievous yet probing.
Shifting nervously on my feet, I answered, “I got up at seven and went down early.”
“And ate a three hour breakfast?” She swiped her hand as if batting away my excuse. “I’m hungry and irritable. Admit it. I caught you, Lorrie. Spill.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright.” I sighed heavily. “I slept over at Hunter’s place.”
Her eyes widened and seemed to become possessed. “No way. I know I warned you to be careful around him, but what’s done is done. Tell me everything. Was he big? Small? Was he rough? Tender? Spare no detail. I want everything.”
“Whoa, whoa.” I was tempted to make a cross sign with my fingers to ward her away but ended up just shoving my hands in the air in front me. “We didn’t have sex. We didn’t even kiss. I just went over to his place to watch some movies we rented and I fell asleep on his couch. It wasn’t even intentional, I was just tired.” I then remembered that Hunter was supposed to help me with studying for my psych class but that clearly never happened. Dammit Hunter.
“Oh.” Daniela deflated. “Well I’m happy for you Lorrie. Sounds like you’ve made a new friend in Hunter.”