Page 29 of Falling With a Spin

I don’t know why I’m crying. What Hunter did was thoughtful sweet. Maybe it's because I’m not used to it. Chad was a dick, and it didn't help that my father didn't even care enough to stick around, either.

I hear footsteps jogging behind me, and I continue walking. Maybe Hunter will leave when I walk through the doors.

“Emma!” He calls.

God damn it.

“What?” I shout back.

“I know you're not some damsel, but can I please walk you back to your room?” His lip quirks up in a smile.

Rolling my eyes, “Fine, let’s go my knight in shining armor.” I grumble.

I hear him chuckle as he jogs up next to me and I try to hid the smirk on my face.

As we stand in front of the elevator, waiting for it to take its sweet time, his hand lightly brushes mine, and I quickly move it to the strap on my bag. I take a glance at him, and there’s a small smirk on his lips. When he catches me looking, he quickly covers it with a cough and runs his hands through his hair.

“Does it normally take this long?” He pushes the button two more times.

A small laugh slips from my lips, “Unfortunately, yes.” After a few more vigorous pushes of the button, it finally opens.

“Look, I don’t want to pressure you, and if you really mean no, then I will leave you alone. But please think about it. I know you have the potential to get the grade you deserve on that test. Sometimes people need to hear something five different ways before they understand what’s being said.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and leans against my apartment door. “If you choose to let me help you,” he frees his left hand and grabs my phone, “here is my phone number so you can text me when you are free.” He finishes handing me back my phone.

“You know I could have just taken your number from the sheet?”

“Yeah, but now I have your number too.” He smirks

I look down to see that he sent himself a message, and the name he put for his contact makes me laugh a little. Hunter, your future tutor.

He really is persistent, isn’t he?

“Okay, fine. You can tutor me,” I say, throwing my hands up in defeat. “But only on one condition.” I cross my arms, looking at him with determination.

“Oh, and what is that?”

“Do not call me love. Ever. Again.” I say, poking his very chiseled chest with my pointer finger.

“I thought all girls liked that?” He questions.

I scowl at him, “I’m not all girls.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s true, you’re more of ‘No I can handle myself and wont accept anything from anyone. Even a cute nickname type of girl,” He smirks and I place my hand over my chest pretending to be be wounded by his words. A booming laughter leaves him, causing a small one to slip past my lips. It catches him off guard since he hasn’t heard me laugh and I abruptly stop, feeling self conscious. “I will see you tomorrow then?” He asks.

“Can’t. I have a girl's day with Taylor after class. But I can on Wednesday if that works with you?”

“Alright, then I will see you on Wednesday, Love.” Winking, he pushes off the wall and leaves me there shaking my head.

Chapter 13

Emma

After Hunter leaves, I walk through the door to see Taylor on the couch, scrolling on her phone. I look at the clock in the kitchen. Wow, it’s only 7:00 pm? I plop down next to her and lay my head on her shoulder, closing my eyes. I just need to relax for a minute.

“Hey,” She says, putting down her phone.

Sighing, I lift my head from her shoulder, “Hey, Tay.”

“What’s wrong? And why do you smell like that?” She turns to me, and worry crosses her face. That has been happening a lot lately. Guilt slams into me. It’s been a little over two weeks since the incident occurred, and I haven’t mentioned it to her.

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