Page 29 of Hunters and Prey

I didn't understand why or how, but whenever I sped along the main trails of the forest, the wind would practically push me along. It was as though it wanted to help me get to Aaron faster. During the times I wanted to enjoy the scenery, the wind would calm.

It wasn't magic or anything, but I always thought of it as nature’s way of welcoming me to the forest. As a kid, I thought the forest was enchanted and nature loved to protect it with the different elements. A silly vision of mine, but even today, it sometimes felt real.

I buzzed by the trees, appreciating the various scents and the sun that peeked through the thick branches, brushing along my skin as I made my way to my usual chill spot.

Meeting up with Aaron had become a tradition to me. After I "opted" out of school, he was the one friend who'd stuck around. He didn't call me evil, possessed, or a bitch.

He considered me as a friend, though sometimes I wished we were more than that. Aaron was the geek type. The kind of person everyone underestimated and picked on. He always wore his glasses, which really made him look like those bookworms you'd see in movies, but he was hiding good looks underneath those spectacles.

My eyes caught onto the 6'2" male, who was ruffling Daisy's fur and giving her all the attention in the world. He noticed my arrival, rising up to his feet to greet. me.

His glasses were off, revealing those stunning green eyes that complemented his own short ginger locks. Some people thought we were siblings, mocking us for being the pretty and ugly twin. It was one of the many things I hated about this town, which added to my reputation as a pretty girl with a heart of coal.

If only they saw the hot, smart Aaron I got to see every day after homeschooling. Or maybe I didn't want people to notice. I could selfishly keep my eye candy to myself.

It wasn't like I didn't have the guts to tell him how I felt, but there was always this feeling as though we were in two different worlds, which made no sense in my head. Then again, a lot of things never made sense in my life.

Like my mom's ritual of reading the same ancient prophecy story every single week.

"Hey Alice," Aaron greeted me with a dashing smile.

"Hey. Did you wait long?" I asked, knowing he'd never admit it.

"Nah. Just got here." He grinned. I circled around him with one leg, as if the ground was now an ice rink. Coming to a stop in front of him, I raised my hands up for a hug.

"Thanks for waiting."

His eyes twinkled. "You missed all the drama that happened in the cafeteria." He wrapped his arms around me, giving me a tight hug.

This was the part I loved the most. Just being in his arms and enjoying his cupcake scent. His parents worked as bakers and Aaron always tried to help before going to class. Before I opted out, people loved to tease him for it, but I always complimented his sweet scents.

It was one of the many things I loved about him. Now if I could take it one step forward and past that barrier between us.

Pulling back, I gave him a wide grin. "Oh really? Who got into a fight this time?"

We pulled apart and began to move to the tiny circular clearing we hung out in. It was still on my property, so we'd decorated it into a miniaturized chill spot. There was a huge tree house above us, but we didn't chill there as often as when we were younger.

I'd known Aaron since kindergarten and he was basically what you'd call a ride-or-die friend. Even if people verbally bullied me, no one dared to do anything crazy like lay a hand on me. Either they were scared of what I'd do — or in their words "summon" — or they were afraid of pissing off Aaron.

Not because he'd kick their asses, which I knew he would, but because his parents were best friends with the principal of our school, making him pretty impenetrable. We couldn't avoid verbal bullying, but that was easy to ignore.

"Two fashionista girls fighting over a boy on the football team, again," Aaron stressed as he reached the usual rock he sat at. He put his bag down and I unstrapped my rollers, slipping them off and enjoying the softness of the soil beneath my feet.

Maybe it was weird, but I enjoyed walking barefoot through the forest. I never once got hurt or stepped on anything. No matter rain or shine, the soil rose above to cushion each step I took.

Aaron was used to it by now, not minding that I walked barefoot. I moved to sit on the large stone next to him, having enough space to cross my legs and pull out my Switch to play in a few minutes.

"Can't they just both date him? I don't understand what their deal is." I shook my head. "I swear we’re in the day and age where you can date more than one person. Instead of fighting, they could just share him."

"You make it sound so easy." Aaron chuckled, shaking his head as he pulled out his own Switch console and a book for later. "Would you share your boyfriend with someone?"

"No," I replied with conviction.

"See," Aaron replied.

I grinned, giving him a wink. "I'd let them share me."

"Wow," Aaron emphasized. "I do not see that happening."

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