Page 79 of The Pact

I turn just in time to see chocolate milk flying through the air. It hits me, dripping down my face and hair. I stand there, my mouth open in shock as I look over at Britney, who has her hand covering her mouth to stifle her laugh.

“Oh gosh, I tripped with my milk bottle open. It was an accident.”

I lick my lips and the chocolatey flavor hits my taste buds. Summer snickers from beside her and takes a photo. I put my food down on the ground and shake my hair and clothes. Fuck, this is gonna smell bad with the heat today.

There are a bunch of students around, some are laughing, some staring. And I realize I didn’t bring my spare clothes today. I forgot in my rush to get to school and confront Jace, which didn’t happen, anyway.

“Shit, Mila.” Hunter comes running over. He looks to me then to Britney. “You threw your milk on her? God, how old are you? Six?”

Hunter is mad. I can’t fight Britney here. There’re too many eyes and cameras. I just smile and run a finger down my cheek and lick it.

“Mmm…sorry you wasted your milk. Tastes great.”

Britney snickers and calls me a whore under her breath. I ignore her as I let Hunter lead me past the crowd that’s gathered to see what’s happening and to my locker.

“I would give you something from my gym bag. But, yeah…” He scratches the back of his neck.

I scrunch my nose up at him. “You haven’t washed anything in there?”

He shrugs and gives me a goofy grin.

“Hunter, you need to wash those things. Chances are, things are growing in there. At least throw out the old food.” I grab my bag from my locker, I can’t stay here. Not like this.

“Do you want me to give you a lift home?” he asks, and I give him my best I’m okay smile.

“Please. I need a shower.”

I text Dad to let him know and sign myself out. The pitying looks from the office staff don’t help my souring mood at all.

The drive back to my house is filled with silence. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s been a weird day, and I need some time alone to process it. Jace isn’t talking to me, Roman seems angry at me, and Britney got me…finally. Wasn’t expecting milk, I’ll give her that.

The only one talking to me right now is Hunter, and I’m grateful for that. He doesn’t know how much I need him right now.

“I’ll stay if you want me to. But I gotta get to practice later.”

“No, go. I’ll be fine. I think a bath might do me good, anyway. I have some bad cramps.”

Hunter stares at me like I grew two heads. Oh, god, what’s with boys acting weird around girls with their periods?

“You have your period?”

I nod.

He cocks his head and smirks. “You want my shorts?”

I hold my belly and let out the biggest laugh of the day. The memories of that day at the lake flood in, and I hug Hunter as best I can without getting the sticky milk on him.

“God, that was an interesting day…and a more interesting first kiss. You’re the only one who took his shorts off.”

He laughs harder now, and I can’t stop myself either. It’s funny.

“Well, they didn’t know how to do a first kiss right. Shorts off is the best way to kiss.”

We finally stop laughing, and he pulls back to look down at me. His big brown eyes search my face as he gives me a sweet smile and kisses my forehead.

“If you need anything, call me, and I’ll grab it for you. Chocolate, ice cream, tampons. You name it, I’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you.” I choke back tears. He’s being so perfect right now, and my head is too fucked up to ask him to stay. I need to relax and think about how I’m goin to approach Jace over all this. And plotting how to get Britney back is something fun to do while in the bath.

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