Later that night in Hunter and Rosa's small two-person apartment, Hunter's phone dinged in the middle of their episode of The Office. Hunter groaned, rolling over to find his phone, lost in the pile of pillows and blankets. He frowned when he saw that it was an unknown number, and hesitated briefly before clicking the notification, unlocking his phone.
Unknown Number: Hey, it's Tristian.
Oh. Hunter glanced down to the bottom left, where there were the three little dots, indicating that Tristian was typing. Hunter would respond later. He quickly saved the contact in his phone, before returning his attention to the screen.
"We're almost done with the episode." Rosa commented, and Hunter tilted his head at her. "Just to tell you, because I know you're not going to remember to text him back. Even if it's Shawn." Hunter flushed, scowling.
"I'm not that bad!"
"You are." Rosa laughed, and nudged Hunter playfully as the credits scrolled for the episode. "Now go." Rosa snickered, shoving at Hunter's shoulder playfully. Hunter flipped Rosa off, before he stood from the couch, snatching up his blankets before trudging to his room, flopping face down on the bed before he glanced at his phone.
Tristian: I can meet anytime this week but the weekend. What day works best for you?
He sounded so... proper in his text messages. Even from the few moments Hunter heard Tristian speak, it sounded quite proper, smooth and held an air of elegance to it. Hunter could practically hear it through the text.
Hunter: Friday works for me.
Hunter: but preferably in the early evening?
Tristian took a few minutes to respond, and Hunter spent that waiting time staring at the phone screen until the three little dots popped up.
Tristian: So we'll meet at 18:00 at the local library near the school?
18:00? Hunter knew that it was another way to tell time, but he'd never bothered with learning it. Why can't people just use AM and PM? Apparently, Hunter's lack of response prompted Tristian to elaborate.
Tristian: 18:00 is 6 o'clock PM.
Hunter: i knew that, you didn't have to tell me.
Tristian: Apologies on my behalf then, lol
Hunter's cheeks flushed as he realized Tristian saw right through his lie.
Hunter: anyways. is there anything in particular that i need to bring?
Tristian: Nope, just yourself, and your study supplies. I'll provide the rest.
Hunter: do i need to give you the curriculum of my course?
Tristian: No need. Ellie's in your class, so I can ask her.
Tristian: So we can agree to meet in the local library at 18:00 on Friday?
Hunter: sounds great, thank you so much again for. helping.
Tristian: I haven't really done much yet. I guess you can decide after our first tutoring session.
Hunter: oh wait! what about payment?
Tristian: There's no need to pay me, I'm glad to help out. As long as you can promise you and your friend will look out for my little sister at the university, that's all the payment I need.
Hunter: ofc!
Tristian: Thanks! Then I'll see you Friday, or perhaps another day this week if we happen to cross paths when I pick up Ellie.
Hunter: See you then!
For some reason, Hunter's heart had been thundering in his chest, hands slightly sweaty as he texted Ellie's older brother. It was familiar to the feeling Hunter got when he was around Shawn, but only when he'd just started to have feelings for him. Oh my God, am I falling for someone else? Someone that I literally just met?
Hunter wanted to scream, bury his face in a pillow and suffocate in it. Something was seriously wrong with him.
Um... Hunter wasn't sure what to do in this situation. He and Rosa had walked with Ellie out into the parking lot, and Shawn had joined them halfway. Now that they'd approached Tristian, there was some wordless spat between Rosa and Ellie's brothers. They were silently glaring at each other, and Hunter could practically feel the sparks of hatred and rivalry flying.
"What's going on?" Rosa whispered, and Hunter shrugged helplessly.
"My brother doesn't like when others sneer or look down on him." Ellie replied quietly. "Which... unfortunately, your brother did." She gestured towards Shawn, who had his chin lifted in defiance, whereas Tristan was staring back with a disinterested expression. The three younger students stared, wide-eyed, until Shawn finally broke the eye contact, muttering something beneath his breath.
Hunter felt Ellie stiffen slightly next to him, and she quickly slipped past to her brother's side, gripping his forearm tightly. She gave Shawn a sugary sweet fake smile, before she turned to Hunter and Rosa with a genuine one.
"Really sorry about that. Trist, let's go." Ellie urged, practically yanking her brother's arm out of the socket. Shawn sneered, and flipped Tristian off. Tristian didn't do anything, but his jaw gritted, and I realized that today he didn't have his sunglasses on. Those cerulean blue eyes are blazing with unbridled anger.
"Shawn." Rosa said sharply. "What the hell? You don't just pick fights with people you've just met." Shawn rolled his eyes, and turned, gesturing that both Rosa and Hunter follow. Rosa grumbled beneath his breath, and Hunter heaved a sigh.
"Sorry." Hunter mumbled at Tristian and Ellie, before he hurried after the quickly departing siblings, feeling two pairs of eyes burning into the back of his neck. Rosa was furious, but Shawn just shook her off, ignoring her. When he tried to engage in conversation with Hunter, the younger boy reluctantly acknowledged Rosa's pissed expression and gave Shawn the cold shoulder.
Shawn heaved a sigh, grumbling something beneath his breath before he left his sister and Hunter at the bus stop, walking down the sidewalk by himself.
"You can go after him." Rosa said, and Hunter shook his head. Although Hunter really did want to go talk to Shawn, he knew that there had been no rhyme or reason for Shawn's behavior towards Ellie and Tristian.
"I don't want to." Hunter replied quietly. "He needs to apologize." Rosa heaved a sigh, shrugging helplessly.
"We both know that he's not going to." Rosa groaned. "He's a stubborn ass, and he sees Tristian as competition."
"For what?!" Hunter asked incredulously.
"You."
"Me?" Hunter asked, lip quirking up in an unconvinced manner. Rosa gave Hunter a hard look. "Whatever." Hunter grumbled, waving a hand at her, before glancing down as his phone buzzed. "Oh." His eyes widened, and he immediately presented the phone to Rosa.
It was from Ellie.
Ellie: Jared and his friends were just arrested. Tristian and I saw them being led out of the forests by the police, and I think they were high.
Ellie: lol serves those fuckers right
Hunter: oh wow. well i mean they had it coming.
Ellie: True, true. Bet it's gonna be everywhere in the uni tomorrow.
Hunter: that's going to be interesting lol
Ellie: Very much so :P
Ellie: Oh! Also, give me Rosa's number so I can talk with her too :D
Hunter: sure thing. lemme tell her first.
Rosa was already holding up a thumbs up before Hunter could ask, and he snorted, before texting Ellie the number. Rosa grinned, resting her chin on Hunter's shoulder for the rest of the bus ride.
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