prepclarington·:
The smile that stretched out the corner of his lips loweredjust a bit at the girl’s words. She was right, it was the decisions they made –and some that were thrust onto them – that put them in this position. He couldn’tdeny that he did hide her. After all, they were at this semblance of a date faraway from anyone else – where no one from their respective groups could eversee them and expose their friendship. It wasn’t fair to her and in a way, itwasn’t fair to him either. To have to hide someone who made him happy just sohe wouldn’t face any consequences, it was fucked up. “I know.” Hunterpractically whispered as he let her words sink in for just a moment longer.
Then came the excuse of having to get going. “Right, right.We should probably head on over there then.” It was easier to just ignore theawkwardness, to pretend that things hadn’t taken a bit of a turn between themand instead just continue on as if nothing had happened. “I’m going to – I’mgoing to go take care of the check and I’ll be right back, then we can headout?”
Eventually he would have to face this, face his own feelingsthat had been welling up inside of him whenever he saw the girl. No. That couldn’tsee the light of day. There were just some things that weren’t mentioned andthis was one of them. As Hunter made his way up to the counter, he shook thethought off, instead choosing to focus on paying the bill and even asking forthe place’s best selling dessert to go. This wasn’t a date, he was just outwith a good friend, having a good meal and maybe buying a slice of whateversold best there to share later – not a date. Returning to Marissa, dessert inhand, Hunter smiled slightly. “Alright, I think we’re ready to go.”
“Oh - are you sur--?” she began but somewhat cut herself off, ‘cause honestly could have offered to split the bill like a millisecond earlier but now there was a slight awkwardness and tension hanging in the air and she was totally ready to be outside in the cool breeze where they could shake it off. “Thanks. I’ll get the next one.” she offered, genuine with a soft smile before letting him head towards the counter.
Sending a quick text to her foster parents to let them know that all was well and they were on the way to the concert while he was away, she slipped her phone back into her pocket when Hunter came back with dessert in hand. Now a wider smile brightened her features. “Sweet tooth?” she quipped dismissing any discomfort a bit playfully as she pressed her back against the glass door to hold it open for him.
The sun had just about set while they were inside the restaurant, so while there was a faint glow cast along the skyline, the street lights were now needed to light the way. The blonde found her place close beside him. The walk to the lot didn’t take long but the moment they approached, Marissa could tell she had vastly underestimated how many people showed up to these folk-indie outdoor concerts. Surveying the crowd, she bit her lip softly as she turned to Hunter to offer him a look. She wasn’t exactly one for crowds, not that she was claustrophobic or anything... but taking the lead and navigating her way through close knit people was not something she was prepared to tackle on her own. “I...may have underestimated what this thing was going to look like,.” It was unlike her, she was a planner, to her core. But what could she say? She was excited to hang out with Hunter, and it through her off her game.
