“Where are you going?”
“Jessica never would have treated you like that unless she felt threatened by you. You do realize that, right?” He grabbed his bag and walked away, not giving me a chance to catch up. I sat at our table, stunned and trying to understand what he meant.
“Hunter, wait!” I shouted, but as I stood up to leave my phone buzzed and it was the call I had been waiting for. “Tru,” I said, a little breathlessly. I ran to the entrance and looked around, cursing silently when I saw that Hunter was nowhere to be found.
“You sound a little out of breath,” Tru said from the other end of the country.
“Sorry, hi. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I’m sorry if I have been scarce. My dad had me helping him entertain a client for the last few days.”
“It’s okay,” I said, my voice almost cracking.
“Is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just thought...it’s stupid.”
“Spill it.”
“I thought the scene with Jessica was too much for you.”
“I already told you it’ll take a lot more than a drunk high school bully to run me off.” The sound of him saying it eased my nervousness a little bit. We chatted as I walked home and the sound of his voice was almost enough to make me forget about my conversation with Hunter, but it all came back to me when I saw him sitting on my porch swing. I said my goodbyes to Tru before I walked any closer and lingered in my driveway for a few moments.
“I’m sorry,” Hunter said from where he was sitting.
“What was that all about?”
“It was about a lot.” I sighed and joined him on the swing. “Was that him?” he asked, looking at the phone I was gripping.
“Yeah.”
“He’s a lucky guy.” I squeezed my eyes in confusion and looked at Hunter who was staring at the sky. “Are you really going to apply to NYU?” I was having a hard time keeping up with his change in subject.
“Maybe? I really don’t know. Part of me... a lot of me wants to be far away from here.”
“Far away from me?”
“Hunter...”
“Seriously, I made you leave once already.”
I shook my head and sighed. “No. I was going anyway. That incident motivated me to actually do it with no excuses. And I needed to spend a summer free of Fugly and other distractions.”
“What other distractions?” It was my turn to look up at the sky.
“Ugh. Okay, don’t laugh. Promise?” Hunter put his hand over his heart. “Oh god. I can’t believe I’m telling you this. I thought, no longer think it, but thought I had a crush on you just before I left. It’s so stupid. I mean, I met Tru and that felt completely different.” I laughed at the thought and how ridiculous it must have sounded, but when I looked at Hunter there was no humor on his face as he stared at me. “Stop looking at me like that. I already feel super stupid for telling you that.” My laughter slowly died down as I composed myself.
“I had no idea,” he whispered. “So, I didn’t just hurt your feelings. I...”
“Oh my god... can we please stop talking about this?”
Hunter took a deep breath, but didn’t take his eyes off of me and I could feel the nervousness creeping back. He finally turned away, looking out into the street and started talking.
“My dad is talking military instead of college now.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I told him I wanted to go to art school. I actually looked into CUNY in Brooklyn.”
“Brooklyn? I didn’t know you were leaning towards that.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I told my dad I wasn’t interested in a sports scholarship and he said he wasn’t interested in paying my tuition. I’m not a low key genius like you, so no scholarship money is coming my way.”
“I’m not a genius,” I whispered. “What about your mom?”
“Agrees with him. She didn’t even flinch when he said military instead of college.”
“But you’ll be an adult. He can’t make you do that.”
“I know, and I won’t enlist. But just the fact that his head goes right to that. No conversation or discussion. Just boom! Do what I want or you don’t get any help.”
“I’m sorry. I think you should do whatever will make you happy.”
“Thanks, Fen. I should go,” he said as he stood and stretched.
“See you at school,” I said as he walked to his car. I couldn’t shake an unfinished feeling as he drove away and I felt like he had held back from saying what he wanted to say, but I decided to let it go. It had been a long day and I was ready to crawl into bed and get as much sleep as I could.
23.
All I managed was a few short hours of sleep and lots of tossing and turning. Too many thoughts of Tru, college, and Hunter’s problems had me awake. I finally gave up on sleep and decided to get my run out of the way before school. Hunter was sitting at our breakfast bar when I got back. My mom stopped me before I got all the way in the kitchen and spoke under her breath so he couldn’t hear.
“Fenley, is he okay? Is his dad giving him trouble again?” my mom asked in a hushed whisper.
“Stuff is weird, but I think he’s sorting it out.”
“He knows he always has a place here, doesn’t he?” I nodded yes and went into the kitchen where Hunter was tearing into a stack of waffles.
“I thought you’d want to ride together,” he said with his mouth full.
“Sure. I’m gonna go clean up. Be right down.”
I got myself showered and ready for school as fast as I could. I didn’t want to give my mom any extra time to start asking questions. When I came back down my mom had an egg white breakfast sandwich in a to-go bag for me.
“Don’t be late,” she warned as she handed it to me with a cup of orange juice.
“Thanks mom.”
“Thanks second mom,” Hunter teased as we headed out.
“What time did you leave your house?” I asked.
“Early enough to not see my dad.”
“Then you should probably just start sleeping over,” I said sarcastically, knowing his dad woke up before dawn each day.
“Yeah, maybe so,” he said with a laugh.
Monique found us the moment we entered the building. I silently begged Hunter not to go, but Jessica had other plans. Hunter tensed up as soon as she approached and even Monique got into a defensive stance. She looked me over and practically snarled before she turned her attention to Hunter.
“Can we talk?” she asked, though it sounded more like a command than a request.
“I’m pretty sure we don’t have anything to talk about,” Hunter said, sounding exhausted.
“I’m sure whatever business you have with Fugly and Mogeek can wait,” she said, giving us the evil eye. Monique’s arms crossed over her chest and suddenly she seemed to stand ten feet taller. Her perky attitude changed to something a whole lot scarier in a flash.
“You. Did. Not.” Monique said as a warning. Hunter and I shared an intrigued look at each other.
“This has nothing to do with you so take your pathetic self somewhere else,” Jessica said. Monique took two steps in Jessica’s direction, making it clear that she easily towered over her.
“The only person who needs to go somewhere else is you.” Jessica’s face as she tried to remain in control was priceless.
“Okay, enough. I can handle this. You two go to class,” Hunter said, leading Jessica away from the potential beating she was about to get. I had to do a double take a Monique.
“Who are you?” I asked. She tapped her foot on the ground in frustration and shook her head as if to clear it.
“She is complete trash. I have wanted a reason to annihilate her, but I have to remember she’s not worth it. Sensei says we have to find a peaceful way to resolve conflicts.” She took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes for a moment.
“Sensei?”
“Yes. Tae-Kwon-do bla
ckbelt.” She smoothed out her skirt and calmed herself down.
“I’m impressed.”
“Fenley, that girl is the reason I have been taking tae-kwon-do since 5th grade. We all see how she treats you and anyone else she can get her disgusting hands on. I wanted to be prepared if the time ever came.”
I had to process this. My entire time in middle and high school I assumed everyone shared Jessica’s opinion of me and everyone else she tortured. I had no idea there was anyone rooting for the underdogs.
“Well, a lot of guilt by association goes along with being seen with me,” I warned, but Monique didn’t seem phased.
“Poor Hunter. He’s so sweet and I can’t imagine what those two could possibly have in common,” she mused, completely ignoring my warning.
“Yeah, I have been wondering that for years,” I said as I glanced at the two of them at the other end of the hallway.
I didn’t see Hunter until the end of the school day. I found him waiting outside of my last class.
“I figured I should take you home since I drove you here,” he said.
“Oh, no...don’t worry about it. If you need to do something I can find a ride.”
“It’s okay. I can take you,” he insisted. I didn’t argue and followed him to his car. Once we were buckled in I decided to ask him about his talk with Jessica.
“So, what did she want?” Hunter shook his head and tapped his finger on the steering wheel impatiently.
“To get back together. She heard some stupid rumor about Ally Simmons having a crush on me, so she wants to claim her property.”
“Ally? She’s on the softball team, right? She’s always seemed nice. Maybe just because she’s always seemed to hate Jessica.”
“Ally is super nice, but I’m not interested.”
“Poor Ally.” Hunter turned and grinned at me.
“She’ll live,” was all he said.
Hunter was quiet on the way home, but once we pulled up he decided to start talking.
“What was I thinking? Middle school me sucked,” he blurted out of no where.
“Excuse me?” I asked, not quite following his train of thought.
“Now that I have had some time to stand back and see Jessica for who she really is it makes me nauseous. Like, I see how everyone sort of sees her and her friends as a joke. Have people thought of me like that?”
“Hunter, the people who matter will always see you for who you really are. What matters is that you realize it isn’t what you want.” It was the only advice I had and I hoped it helped. Before he could say anything else my phone started to buzz. I saw Tru’s name on the screen, but I declined the call because I didn’t think I should end the conversation yet.
“If that was Tru you should take the call. My stuff can wait.”
“No, it’s okay. You said you wanted to be a better friend and I want to be one too. If you need to talk I’m always here.”
“I don’t really deserve a friend like you.” He was staring far off into the distance when he said it.
“Is something else going on, Hunter?” I had the feeling he was holding back again.
“I’m good,” he said with a shake of his head. He turned in my direction and smiled. “Tell Tru I said ‘hey’.” I could tell by the change of mood that the conversation was over so I grabbed my bag and opened the car door.
“Hey, want to eat with us later?”
“I never decline, right? Usual time?”
“I’m sure my mom already made a serving of whatever we’re having just for you.”
“Then you know I’ll be here. See you later.”
The house already smelled like pot roast when I walked in and I found my mom in the kitchen peeling potatoes.
“Hey little girl,” she greeted.
“Hey mom,” I said as I opened the fridge to grab a bottle of sparkling water. “Hunter will be here for dinner. Is that okay?” I turned to hear her response, but she had stopped peeling and was staring out of the window. I could see she was wearing a worried crease between her eyes.
“Honey,” she took a deep breath before she went on, “what is going on with him? You know I love having him around. He’s such a good friend to you, but he’s been here a lot more than usual.”
“What are you asking, mom?”
“A few things I suppose. I want to make sure he’s okay and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m not following.”
“I know how his parents are. I’m not blind.”
“It’s been more stressful than usual for him.” I felt a little guilty for talking about Hunter’s personal life when he wasn’t around.
“I know how Ed Hughes can be. It’s his way or the highway,” she complained as she wiped her hands on a towel.
“He’s okay though.”
“And what about you? Does Tru know how much time you spend together?”
“He knows he’s a good friend.”
She eyes me skeptically. I guess I hadn’t really answered her question.
“Well, he always has a place here.”
The conversation with my mom had me thinking a lot and I decided to give Tru a call.
“There she is,” he greeted when he answered his phone.
“Everything is instantly better the moment I hear you.” I sighed and leaned back against my headboard.
“Was something wrong?”
“No. Not with me. Tru, can I ask you something and get a really honest answer?”
“Anything,” he said without hesitation.
“Hunter has been around...a lot. Stuff is bad at his house so he escapes to our place. That does’t mean were always together. Sometimes he’s in my living room watching t.v. and I don’t even know about it. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable with that.” I head him sigh on the other end.
“Fen, no guy is going to be excited about his girlfriend hanging out with another guy, but I understand the circumstances and I trust you. The fact that you brought it to my attention shows me how much I can trust you.”
“Why are you so amazing?”
“You bring out the best in me.”
“I should go. I have to help my mom with dinner.” The last thing I wanted was to hang up.
“Same time tomorrow?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
As soon as the call ended another call came though and I was surprised to see that it was Monique. I had forgotten that she had my number for the french class study group.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Fenley, I’m at Amber’s and we just realized she lives at the end of your street and we are in desperate need of your help!” She sounded chipper even though she was dead serious about whatever was happening.
“What’s wrong?” I thought to myself that it was strange that I had a classmate at the end of my street but had never said two words to her. I had really made sure my bubble was secure.
“We are in the early planning stages of the french class banquet and we are torn on what to serve. Chicken cordon bleu is so passe’, but ratatouille might be too many vegetables for the cave people we go to school with,” she said in a rush. “Can you just come over? Just for a few minutes?” I envied her if these were her crisis moments.
“Uh, sure. What house is it again?”
“Seriously? You...never mind, second to the last. Same side as yours,” she said in an impatient whisper.
“Be right over.”
I grabbed my shoes and headed for the front door.
“Where are you off to?” my mom asked.
“Believe it or not, I’m going to a classmate’s house at the end of the street.”
“Huh, only took you until senior year.” She shrugged her shoulders and went back to what she was doing. Before that moment I wasn’t sure if she had ever noticed that Hunter was my only friend. I shook the thought off and headed to the end of my street where I was greeted by Monique and Amber before I even had time to approach the front d
oor.
“This job is huge and I’m distracted with all of my honors classes. Thank goodness you’re on board to help,” she said in a rush as she ushered me inside.
“Wait, I didn’t...” I didn’t have time to make an argument about not volunteering before I was seated at Amber’s kitchen table and presented with french magazines. I sighed an exhausted sigh and thumbed through one. “This is too much. Too fancy.” I closed it and shoved it aside. “Look, when I was in Brooklyn french food was a thing. Croque Monsieur was in every restaurant.”
Monique stopped moving and speaking and just stared at me with wide eyes. “Of course,” she finally whispered. “Of course we should make that. It’s not fussy and technically a finger food. Oh! We could make finger sandwich sized croque monsieur. Fenley where have you been all of my life?” She looked like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. I felt my phone buzz and noticed it was my mom calling.
“Hi mom.”
“Hey, want to invite the girls to dinner?” she asked and by the surprised look on their faces I could see they heard.
“Sure, let me ask.”
“Tell her yes,” Monique said before I could answer.
24.
“So, you girls are all in the same french class?” My mom asked as she passed the mashed potatoes over to Amber who was shaking her head “yes”. I looked across the table at Hunter who looked amused at the evening’s turn of events. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled a little as Amber explained how she and Monique started the club and plan the dinner every year. My mom listened as Monique and Amber dominated the conversation and my dad pretended to listen, but his eye was really on a game he was watching silently from his phone.
We all helped my mom clear the table when dinner was done and she seemed to enjoy the extra help in the kitchen.
“I should go,” Hunter said as he handed me the last dish to dry.
“Us too,” Monique said as she finished wiping down our kitchen island.
“Wow, keep this up and I’ll have you all over every night,” my mom said as she took in the sight of her clean kitchen.
I walked everyone out, but Hunter lingered for a moment before getting in his car.
Fugly: Book One of the Fenley East Series Page 8
