Chapter 11 - KMCF

My eyes opened up to take hold of a glass table, my neck was paining me as I was sitting  up from a leather couch. I had no recollection of last night, nor what was going on. Instead, I set off  my morning routine ruffling my hair and wiping any drool on my face. Doing this I managed to encounter a sticky note on my forehead:

"I have things to do this morning, but you looked so adorable when you were sleeping so I decided not to wake you up. Anyways, I left you something to eat and when you leave use my spare key on the counter to lock the door.

                       -Hunter"

P.S. Last night was great ;)"

Throughout the entire note, my heart was intensely beating. I had just made out with my childhood friend until I fell asleep in his own home. Call that anything, but normal.

I tucked the note in my back pocket and headed to the kitchen. Where a stack of pancakes laid waiting for me, sitting on top of another note:

"Another note? Correct. I made you blueberry pancakes, in case you were wondering. Mind telling me if you liked them, on the back of this sticky note?

                           -Hunter"

  After, finishing the deliciously made pancakes. I washed the dishes and moved on to writing my review.

I spotted the key near the sink and headed out. I got out of the elevator and immediately I noticed I was receiving strange looks, especially from the snotty  receptionist, which I expected, but not by everyone. Then it hit me, coming out of Mr. Hunter's penthouse, with my hair and clothes ruffled; wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I looked like a whore, a complete whore.

"You've changed a bit since I last saw you." Remarked the smirking receptionist.

I wish I didn't ignore her, that I could slap her across the face without a single person watching. But, as I learned from my past experience, pain only makes people stronger. I walked out of there hoping I'd never come back and jumped into my car, heading to work. Knowing I may never come back at all, Miranda was bound to be angry.

** **

"Hi," I waved my hand awkwardly.

She glared back.

"I'm sorry."

She glanced at me for what seemed to be a millisecond, Miranda then quickly went back to folding the clearance items.

"At least, I'm here, right?"

She scoffed a little, she looked at me again. "With the same clothes you wore yesterday? Seems like you woke up from a fix."

I looked at myself directly in front of a hanging mirror. She was right.

"Did you even shower? Brush your teeth?" She spoke louder.

I opened my mouth to speak, only to be completely cut off.

"Of course not! Even with Rocxy over there, there's still so much to do! Jen, I know you're hurting, but what about the rest of us?! I called you about 20 times. Where were you?"

It took me a while to process everything Miranda had said with all the anger slurring her words and the quick hand gestures. Even in the end, I couldn't answer her questions.

"Oh! sure come in late, but you-" Miranda paused in between her sentence, for a moment she stared at me as I watched her face turn from anger to shock. "Don't tell me, you were with Hunter?"

I was a bit surprised, but managed to stay silent.

"Did you two. .?"

"No."

"Wow, you can talk now? I was starting to think you went mute." Miranda said sarcastically.

"Stop."

"Why should I? When my best friend has been messing around with the guy she supposedly hates" Her eyebrows furrowed even deeper.

"We weren't messing around."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Fucking the guy she supposedly hates."

"Stop it! I told you we didn't do that."

"Then tell me! What did you two do?!" Miranda yelled louder with each word coming out of her mouth.

"It has nothing to do with you, leave me alone for God's sake. You're not my mother!" I immediately regretted what I had said.

"Of course I'm not, I'd never have a daughter who can't keep her legs closed! I've been supporting you ever since this so called Hunter came to town. But, what do I get in return?"

I looked at her, only to say nothing.

"You know what, it doesn't matter anymore." She put her hand up in surrender then threw a shirt at me. "Fold the rest yourself."

With that said, Miranda ignored me for the entire day, not even a glance in my direction. Of course I was hurt, hurt that I basically chose a guy over my best friend. Hurt enough to realize how naive and stupid I was. I tried to suppress the large lump in my throat that wanted to release the large sum of tears in my eyes. I was looking like trash and even feeling like it, just wondering if it was even worth it.

"Hey!"

I immediately turned to face Rocxy, who was nonchalantly che- chomping on a piece of gum.

"We're closing the shop, you can leave now."

"Sorry, didn't notice." I said, but she only responded by rolling her eyes.

I honestly didn't care the attitude Rocxy gave. I just wanted to go home and fix myself up, because guess who I'll be meeting later today?

Hunter and Miranda.

** **

 
Shower. Check
Teeth brushed. Check
Makeup. Check

   I put on the short royal blue dress, Grace had given all her bridesmaids. We all had to make sure our makeup was light, so it wouldn't steal the spotlight from the red on our lips. Our hair placed in a nice braided loose bun. We also had to wear flats and bring a set of pumps.

Today was the day in which the bridesmaids and groomsmen were rehearsing for the reception dance. We've rehearsed before, but the two genders had practiced separately.

I drove out to the dance studio, feeling anxious as ever. The guy I made out with was going to be there along with my best friend, who hates me. Before I knew it, I was already in the studio. No one really noticed me, they were either fixing up themselves or talking among themselves. Even, Hunter had his attention set on the groom. Miranda, surrounded herself with 3 out of 7 bridesmaids, she looked like she was enjoying the conversation. She saw me, but I think that was just my imagination.

I walked over to a corner of the room and put my stuff down. I pretended to use my phone to look busy, while we waited for the other members to show up. It wasn't long before they came, they probably knew Grace would lash out on them if they were a minute later.

"Okay, seems like everyone is here." Grace said, scanning the room. "Let's begin!" she clapped her hands together.

Every bridesmaid had a groomsmen pair and luckily my partner was the best man, since I was the maid of honor. I walked over to him, I think his name was Thomas, but I wasn't sure. This was really nice, getting to avoid Hunter. I didn't want to dance nor talk to him, knowing what we did last time.

Just when I was so close to Thomas, Grace had yanked my arm to deliver mood killing news. "I forgot to tell you, you're with Hunter."

"What? Why? He's not the best man." I looked over at Hunter who was standing nonchalantly without a bridesmaid. 

"Well, according to Luke, Tim was just a random guy he chose since he didn't really have a closer close friend."

"So, where does Hunter play in this?"

"Hunter and Luke really hit it off, so Luke replaced Tim as the best man with Hunter."

I let out a deep sigh, a really deep one. If the room was quiet it'd be a loud sigh. I walked over to Hunter, who had a smile growing the closer I got to him.

At least, I know his name is Tim and not, Thomas.

"I'm starting to think you planned this to happen." I said, approaching him.

He smiled. "Think what you want, Jen."

"Okay! I'm glad we all know who our partners are. Form a circle!" We did as we were told. "Get into starting positions, we'll start when the music plays!"

Hunter slipped his arm around my waist, I placed my hand on his shoulder and we both held hands with our free hands. We were close, but not too close. Each touch from him was like a heat source for my body.

"What's wrong?" Hunter whispered in my ear.

I blushed. "Nothing."

"You sure?" He said as he pulled my body closer to his.

I give him a quick, shy nod. Doing so, I noticed Miranda and her partner were in front of us. Immediately our eyes met, her's projecting anger and mine projecting sincerity.  I knew I wasn't helping the situation,  considering the fact that I was going to dance with the reason for our conflict. But, I wanted her to see even without words that I was truly sorry. She averted her eyes and quickly gave her partner a reassuring smile.

So much for sincerity

"Ah, so that's what's bothering you." Hunter said as the music began. It was classical music, no words, just instruments. I had to follow Hunter's lead while trying to perfect the footwork Grace made us practice for hours. It was all worth it because there weren't any flaws ..so far.

"What're you talking about?" I said trying to act unaware.

"You and Miranda had a fight," He said.

"Yeah, so?" trying to sound like I didn't care seemed like the best way to go, knowing he might ask why.

"Jen."

"What?"

He didn't say anything after that, he avoided eye contact with me and held an expressionless visage. I didn't want to say anything either so I listened to the inattentive sounds. The fabrics rubbing against one another, the little whispers within each pair. I let out an inaudible sigh and just paid attention to the dance. I guess I paid too much attention to the point where I accidently stepped on Hunter's foot. I looked up at him only to see his reaction, but his face was still the same. No expression. Even when he spun and dipped me, he had no expressions. He wasn't looking at me, so I took the opportunity to stare deeply at his face. He was extremely Handsome, no lie. Green eyes that dulled or shimmered depending on his mood. A chiselled jaw with patches of freshly trimmed hair. Perfect lips, lips that I've kissed.

How can God make such a Handsome man?

"Like what you see?"

My heart suddenly skipped a beat. Hunter wasn't smiling with his lips, but with his eyes. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

He snickered a bit before going back to his lifeless appearance.

"We fought about me coming into work late," I said, giving up to his plain demeanor.

He raised his eyebrow to indicate: and?

I sighed. "We fought about. .you. About you and me."

He delivered a quick kiss to my lips and a dose of surprise. "Thank you for telling me."

I didn't know what to say, but just look at him.

** **