The Past Between Us novel Chapter 31

|Hunter|

|3 Years Ago (Prom)|

This was it.

It was officially the end of high-school. The end of possibly the worst year of my life.

A slim pair of arms suddenly wrapped around me "Hey babe. I've been looking everywhere for you." I cringed when I heard Nichole's voice purr in my ear.

"Shouldn't you be with your date right now?" I spat out.

"Nah, I ditched him. He was just my ticket to senior prom so I could come here and be with you." Her eyes narrowed. "I'm still hurt that you didn't ask me."

I was about to tell her to get lost when Danielle's voice caught my attention. "I can't believe we're actually at senior prom!"

That's when I saw her. Scarlett. My breath hitched.

So Beautiful.

She always looked beautiful but right now she looked breath-taking.

"I'm so glad Jace asked you! We're the only freshmen who got asked!" Danielle squealed and my hands clenched into fists as jealousy stabbed my chest.

Scarlett had come here with Jace?

I watched as she whispered something to Danielle but I couldn't make it out. Then suddenly her beautiful doe like eyes met mine.

It took great effort to stop myself from going to her, it was physically painful.

Enough

I couldn't do this anymore.

I couldn't stay away from her.

I didn't have the strength to do it anymore.

Tonight I wasn't going to hold back.

I wrenched myself away from Nichole and quickly jotted down a note telling her to meet me on the roof.

Tonight I was going to tell her everything.

I was going to tell her why I treated her the way I did.

I was going to tell her how I felt about her.

"Hey Sam!" I called out one of my team mates. He jogged towards me and raised his eyebrows in question. "Do me a favor and give this to Scarlett, will you?"

For a moment he just stood there and studied me but then he shrugged and took the note from my hand. I watched him walk over to Scarlett, my heart thudding wildly.

I couldn't waste any more time. I quickly made my way to the roof and waited for her.

A few minutes later I heard the sound of her soft footsteps. I was so nervous I had to remind myself to breathe. My hands were trembling.

I saw her walking towards me and stopped a few feet away. It was dark so I couldn't see her properly.

I was about to speak but she beat me to it.

"Jace?" She called out.

My heart stopped. I feel like the air had been sucked out of me.

She came closer.

I couldn't move my lips to speak.

"It's dark here, I don't know if you can read my lips but I need to tell you this. You've always been there for me. I can't thank you enough for standing up for me all those times. Sometimes I feel like you're my guardian-angel. You're always there when I need you. What I'm trying to say is..."

No. Please no.

"I-I like you Jace."

I staggered back when she said that. I felt like I had been punched.

She had feelings for Jace.

I could feel the blood pounding in my ears. Red hot rage consumed every part of me.

"You like Jace?" I almost didn't recognize my voice. It was too calm completely opposite to the war raging inside of me.

"Hunter? What are you doing here? You wrote me that letter?" Shock and horror laced her voice.

Just leave Hunter.

"Leave her alone. Let her be happy." A small voice in my head kept telling me but I couldn't listen.

I was too far gone. Consumed by my anger. The jealousy was eating me alive.

"Disappointed to see me? Poor Scarlett, were you expecting Jace?" I spat the words out like they were poison in my mouth.

"What is this? Some sick joke to make fun of me?" She demanded.

I laughed coldly. "I was bored and I wanted some sort of entertainment. And by the look on your face right now, it was totally worth it. You really are quite pathetic Scarlett."

Shut up Hunter.

Stop this.

You're only making her hate you more.

"Why?" She whispered finally.

I squeezed my eyes shut at the pain I heard in her voice.

I felt like I was being torn to pieces. It hurt too much.

"Why?" She asked again her voice was louder this time.

My eyes snapped open.

Maybe it's better if she hates me.

Maybe that's all that I deserve. Her hatred.

"Stop following me around in school and stop coming to my house uninvited or next time it will be the cops who drag you out." My voice was hard.

I started walking away.

"If you leave me I'll hurt Scarlett." Her desperate voice called out.

I spun around to face her. The look on my face must have scared her because she took a step back.

"You'll have to kill me before I let you lay a finger on her." I sneered.

I needed to go to Scarlett.

I knew it was too late but I had to try.

"Where are you going Hunter?" Nichole's shrill voice called out.

"To apologize to the girl I love." I responded without turning back.

~~~

I was out of breath by the time I reached Scarlett's house. My legs were aching but I didn't care.

"Scarlett! Please open the door." I banged at the front door with my fist.

The door finally flung open and I opened my mouth to speak but stopped when I realized it was Mr. Hundson who had answered.

"I need to speak to Scarlett." I told him breathlessly.

He looked at me blankly and my heart dropped when I noticed how bloodshot his eyes were.

"She's gone. They both are." He whispered.

My breath was coming out in pants. I was starting to hyperventilate.

"Gone? Where? When will she be back?" My voice was desperate.

"She's not coming back!" He shouted before slamming the door in my face.

No.

This isn't real.

This has to be a nightmare.

She can't be gone.

My legs gave out as I sunk to the ground.

"I'm sorry Scarlett. I'm so sorry." I choked out a whisper.

Tears blinded my vision. They ran down my cheeks and soaked my shirt.

I didn't think it was possible for a person to feel this much pain.

I clenched my hand into a fist and brought it over my heart