Chapter 5 5

Connor grinned, "Are you blushing , Clumsy?"

"No," I said too quickly.

His grin widened. "You totally are."

"Shut up!" A laugh bubbled out of him and I found myself unconsciously smiling. There was something about him that put me at ease, even when he was teasing, and I liked the feeling enough to want to keep it forever.

"Well, anyway, I need to get going to class, too," he chuckled, and reached out to ruffle my hair.

"Later." I watched him go, my eyes following as his broad back disappeared down the corridor before I shut my locker door and gathered my books against my chest, a smile on my face.

Maybe this school year wouldn't be so bad.

•-•-•

I take it back. This school year is going that bad. As soon as I arrived in the cafeteria, people bombarded me with questions. Most of them revolved around if I was okay or not, but a few of them hit my nerves.

"Are you and Connor dating?"

"No, they're not! She likes Hunter, remember?"

"But Connor was the one who beat him up for her!".

"Yeah, but Hunter was there when it actually happened!"

I decided not to respond to any of them, only shoving past people to get to my table, where Yasmin and Noah sat proudly with smirks on their faces.

"What are you looking so smug about?" I muttered, dropping my food onto the table as I sat down.

"Nothing. We just noticed how popular you've gotten," Noah teased, and I shot him a glare.

"Oh, shut up."

"Nah, don't be so mean," Yasmin chided, before a grin spread across her lips. "Look, your Prince Charming is here."

"Which one?" I asked sarcastically, before turning to see Connor shoving through the same crowd I had to deal with as he made his way towards us.

When he reached the table, he collapsed down next to me, throwing his arm behind my head with an exhausted sigh. "Man, sometimes I hate myself for my heroic actions."

I rolled my eyes, flicking a piece of lettuce at him, "Don't be so egotistic, sweetheart."

"Ah-ah," he flicked the piece back, hitting me square in the forehead, "it's self-confidence.".

"Not this again."

"Shh, don't be jealous."

"I am no–"

"Please, Mom and Dad, save the arguments for later," Noah intervened, a sly smile playing on his lips when Connor reached across the table and smacked his friend.

"Ow!" "Shut the fuck up." I laughed at Noah's pouty expression before my eyes zoned in on Hunter, who was walking towards us.

"Goddammit," I groaned, and quickly set my head down, "Quick, everyone pretend I fell asleep."

"Sure thing," Connor agreed.

"Hey, guys...what's with Kiara?"

"Oh, nothing," Connor responded cheerfully to Hunter, "She's just pretending to sleep so she doesn't have to talk to you."

"You goddamn traitor," I snapped, raising my head with a sharp glare to which he gifted a smile to.

Hunter looked confused, "What? Why? Did I do something wrong?"

I was about to respond when my eyes zoned in on a fresh bruise that was forming on the right side of his cheek, the dark purple stark against his pale skin.

"What happened to your cheek?" I questioned, and watched as he reached up to touch it, wincing in the process.

"Oh, that? I...smacked into the wall when I got drunk at my party." He laughed, forcefully. "Silly me."

I could've sworn I saw Connor's lips curve into a small smirk, but it was gone before I could confirm.

"Is there something you need?" Yasmin asked, her shapely dark brow cocking up as she propped her elbow on the table. "Because we were kind of busy before you got here."

Hunter's jaw set, "I just wanted to make sure Kiara was okay."

"I'm fine," I stated, for what must have been the millionth time today. "Thank you for the concern."

"Yeah," Noah piped up, before he gave a wave of his fingers, "So, you can leave now."

"Noah," Yasmin scolded, but the look on her face told that she wanted Hunter gone, too.

Hunter picked up the hint and forced a smile, "Right, of course. See you later, then." He turned to leave but at the last moment, glanced back, "Are you going to the game tomorrow night?"

I shook my head, "Can't. It's a school night."

"Aw, come on. Can't you sneak out?" I thought back to my rebellious phase, remembering the times when I would think that I'm the shit and could do whatever I wanted. And then I remembered the look of disappointment on my father's face when I would yell at him for always grounding me for no reason. I was selfish , I thought. So, so selfish.

"No," I said, firmly. "I have homework to do, anyway."

"But–"

Connor cut him short. "Fuck off, man. She said she can't go so why are you obsessing over it?"

There was an underlying tone of warning in his words and I knew Hunter had sensed that so he didn't reply. Instead, he flashed me a smile and walked away.

•-•

Tonight was trick-or-treating night, and you could imagine my surprise when I found out that Noah was excited to go get candy.

But then again, Noah was a child at heart. I could still remember when he had come running up to me during lunch to ask if I was going.

I hadn't planned to until he'd suggested that I join him and Connor in going with Noah's little brother.

Yasmin had said she would've come if she hadn't had to go to a family member's dinner party, but she'd told me that I should go and have fun.

Especially since my last Friday night hadn't exactly gone well. So, with a smile, I told Noah I'd join him. Now, I was in a hurry to change into my Egyptian goddess costume, which consisted of a golden crown wrapped around my head, a long, white dress encrypted with royal designs at the hem, and gladiator heels that strapped upwards to my knees.

I hadn't bothered much with makeup besides the kohl eyeliner that surrounded my hazel eyes in a dark, upturned way. Light glitter was sprinkled across my neck and face, allowing it to glow the way only a queen's would, and when I was finally done, I was beaming.

Best halloween costume went to - me. I quickly texted Noah that I would be at his place in 10 minutes, and then bolted down the stairs, about to step out of the house when I saw my dad standing in the living room's doorway, a picture of my mom in his hands. His cheeks were glistening, and when I softly said, "Dad ," he wiped his eyes and gave me a watery smile.

"Don't mind me, sweetheart. Just remembering memories..." His gaze fell to the car keys in my hand and he glanced back up, "Are you leaving now?"

. I nodded, "Yeah. Noah's about to leave in 5 minutes so I have to get there." I studied him.

"Do you want me to stay?" He abruptly shook his head, setting the photo down on the couch, "No, no, you go have fun. Be safe.". I walked over to him and kissed his cheek, "I will."

But as I left the house and got into the car, I felt my heart hurt a little.

•-•-•

When I pulled up to his driveway, Noah was waiting outside his house with a mini replica of him holding his hand. He was dressed in a white outfit, with a simple button-down shirt, white pants, and angel wings attached to his back with an additional halo floating above his blonde hair. A grin was plastered across his face when I stepped out of the car, immediately smiling back at him.

"Look at you, trying to look innocent," I teased, and he laughed. "Shut up, I'm adorable. "

"Whatever you say, bub," I murmured, before bending down to greet his little brother, "Hi. I'm Kiara." His little brother gave me a toothy grin, "Hi! I'm Ben. Are you Noah's girlfriend?"

I snorted, "He wishes. I'm just his friend. But, I love your costume."