?WINGLESS AND BEUTIFUL
?
?EPISODE 72?
“I think he was really threatened with Hunter. He didn’tlike the fact that you and Hunter were left in the cabin byyourselves,” Denise said. Then she stared at me carefully,making me feel uncomfortable.
“What?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t blushing too much.
“You would tell me, right?” she asked. “If something happened between you and Hunter… you would tell me.”
I took a deep breath and gave her a slight nod. I didn’twant to lie to her. But I can’t tell her about Hunter either…not yet.
“Speaking of Hunter, how is he? I don’t see him aroundeither.” I tried to sound cool so Denise would not suspect anything. But deep inside, I was dying to know her answer.
I hoped she wouldn’t say that he returned to Jacksonville… to see Tania or to come back there for good.
“I have no idea what goes on with him.
He’s taking up alot of extra school work to catch up on the year he wasaway from school. He’s like a ninja on stealth mode.
He attends school and aces his makeup tests and school work but we don’t really see him around,” she said dryly. “I barely see him at home. He’s always out at night.”
“Really? Where does he go?”
“I really don’t know. We’ve gotten so used to it at home.
Hunter is always out at nights since he returned from hissurgery. Many nights, he doesn’t even come home. I don’tknow where he sleeps, or if he sleeps at all.
He’s like avampire,” she replied. “I wish I knew what’s going on in thatbrilliant mind of his. Anyway, I need to go. Catch you later.”
“Okay. See you later.”
I sighed in frustration after Denise left. Guess I’ll have towait another day to hear from either Chaise or Hunter. I hoped to see Chaise soon because I wanted to set things straight.
Though, I wished I could see Hunter, even just a glimpse of him… because I simply missed him.
When I got home that day, Meredith had some news forme.
“I got promoted!” she squealed.
I jumped for joy and gave her a hug. “I’m so happy foryou, Mer!”
She stared at me for a moment. “And because of this…you don’t really have to work at Alibri.”
“Meredith, you were the one who got promoted. Notme.”
She shook her head. “My promotion means I could sparemore for your college education.
If you get a scholarship,then we will be just fine. There is no need for you to risk going home late at night.”
“But Meredith, my college fees are not the only thingswe need to worry about. And besides… it’s your life I’mworried about too.”
Meredith gave me a gentle smile. “And you are my lifenow, Alice,” she said. “At first, I admit I hated your mom for forcing this on me.
I was devastated when she took her ownlife. I thought it was very selfish of her to do that. I wasyoung… I couldn’t even take care of myself.
I was scared!And knowing what happened to you… I thought you were going to be difficult, Alice. I thought I would have to dealwith depression or rebellion.“But no. You were quiet. You tried to smile and joke a lot.
You acted like everything was gonna be just fine. And that…scared me even more. I thought you would lose it… or blow up anytime.
I looked at you like a… walking time bombready to explode any minute. But you didn’t. And then youmet Hunter and fell in love. You were just fine. I realized howstrong you really were.
You were far stronger than I was. Iwould never be able handle what happened to you.“I found it difficult to come to terms with losing my sister.
But for you… it was your mom and stepdad. I don’t think I’ve seen anybody stronger than you were. And younever wanted anybody to take care of you… or worry about you. You don’t demand special attention or sympathy just because of what happened to you.
In spite of your history,you still thought about the feelings of the people around you. You were very considerate, thoughtful… selfless.”
She sighed. “If Hunter or Chaise were both trying to winyou over, fighting over you… or breaking their hearts overyou… don’t even ask yourself why, Alice. You are awonderful young woman.
You’re wise beyond your years and stronger than any storm that came your way. You were beautiful to begin with… your scars only added strength to your beauty.
Those boys were right to be crazy about you.”
I looked down at my fingers as I listened to Meredith. I never really knew what she thought about me.
And hearing her say those words, I understood a lot about myself. It waswrong of me to think so low of myself, just because I had adark history and damaged skin to remind me of my nightmares.
Meredith smiled at me again. “I asked CRC if they havea job for you. Turns out they were looking for an assistant inthe library to work there on Saturdays.
I know the pay maynot be as much as you receive at Alibri, but it would help you save if that’s what you want.
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