Page 18 of Don't Puck Him

“That doesn’t answer my question.” He grabs my water bottle, taking a drink of it. I snap my head up to chastise him, but the way he looks at me makes me stop.

“It’s for English,” I answer, and he puts my water bottle back down in front of my book.

“With Chastain?” he asks. I nod again. He grabs my notebook and starts skimming through the notes. I reach to grab it back, but he holds it just out of my arm’s length.

“I need that to study,” I say, getting up from my chair. He shoves himself back with his feet, staying just out of grasp as his eyes move across the page.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re doing a lot of studying.” He chuckles as he holds up the book, pointing to the small drawing of a frog I made. I sit down, dejected.

“I didn’t have a chance to start before you came and interrupted me,” I say, the words coming out a lot harsher than I mean them to.

“Well Iwasgoing to help you, but I guess I can just take my book and fuck off,” Hunter replies with equal acidity, standing up.

“How would you help me?”

He shrugs. “I’ve taken the class before. I know what she’s looking for in her work.”

He does? Shit.

He tucks in his chair, getting ready to walk past me.I really could use the help.In a last-ditch effort, I quickly grab his arm as we come close. He stops, staring out for a second before looking down at me.

“What?” he asks. I silently plead, but I know he’s not just going to sit with assuming what I want. He casually raises an eyebrow at me, and I sigh quietly, swallowing my pride.

“Could you help me?”

He gives me a smooth, dark smile, my insides knotting at the sight. I instinctively let go of his arm, and he walks back over to his chair. Pulling it out once again, he tosses his coat on the back of his chair.

“Let me see that,” Hunter commands, leaning over the table as I turn the book to face both of us.

Before I know it, the librarian comes over to our desk. She presses both hands down onto the desk, and the two of us snap out of our conversation to look toward her.

“Sorry to interrupt, but the library is closing.” Her eyes flick between the two of us, and she backs away from the table. I immediately start cleaning up my books, and Hunter closes a few, stacking them for me. Once everything is back in my bag, I grab my empty water bottle and shove it into the side of my backpack.

Hunter waits for me, and we walk out together. Once outside, he stops, and I find myself stopping alongside him. I look up at him, an awkward feeling washing over me.Are we saying goodbye here?I wait for him to say something, and he does after a minute.

“Do you need a babysitter for the walk back or do you think you can manage ten minutes by yourself?” he asks, and I must have a shocked look on my face. Quickly, he shakes his head and starts walking.

Before I can think better of it, I jog up to him, walking by his side. It’s not a long walk back to my dorm, but it’s enough time for us to talk.

“Thanks for helping me out today.” I start, and he nods.So now he’s not one for conversation?I don’t press any further, instead, taking the silence as a good time to think.

The Hunter that I thought I knew before would never have spent all evening helping me.I almost feel bad for the bias I had.Even though he’s still an ass.I pull my phone out, checking the time.It’s too late to go get food, but maybe I can make something after my roommates leave.

When we get to the door, Hunter stops outside of it. We stand for a minute before I awkwardly push the door open. He clears his throat, and I tighten my grip on the door.

“Make sure you pay attention to the questions on Chastain’s tests.”

I bite my tongue, my first response to demand what’s gotten into him and why he’s being nice to me. Instead, I swallow it and nod with a smile.

“Thanks.” I am just about to push the door open, as it gets pulled from the other side.

“Wren! Oh – Hunter?” A female voice interrupts us. Hunter waves for a second, before shoving his hands back in his pocket.

“I was just leaving.”

10

HUNTER

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