Our school had this weird yearly pre-Halloween tradition called Confession day. True to its name, confession day was a day when all students were given the chance to confess everything they wanted to confess.

It was always scheduled one day before Halloween break and almost everyone at school looked forward to it because aside from a whole day of no classes, confession day always brought juicy gossips that made coming back to school after halloween a bit bearable.

During confession day, students were given free reign of the school. We could send our confession anonymously by writing it on a piece of paper and dropping it inside a box set outside the radio booth. The student DJ would then read them and it would be broadcasted in the whole school.

Some chose to confess in private resulting to an influx of couples right after confession day.

But the main event was always the one that happened inside the auditorium.

During confession day, the school officials would put a microphone in the middle of the stage in the auditorium as a way to tempt students to confess. It was like a challenge. Who would have the courage to confess in front of the whole school?

Almost all of the student population hang out inside the auditorium during confession days for the sole purpose of being witnesses to the best confessions of the day.

After all, the best confessions were uttered by the bravest people.

I had always admired the people who stood on that stage during confession day. It took a lot of courage to say the truth. Lies were comfort but truth was freedom.

I didn't know it at first, but on Confession day, one confession would suddenly turn my whole life upside down.

***

Pen dropped her tray on the table with a bang.

"I'll sit here from now on." She announced.

Shawn and I exchanged glances.

"Uh..." I said, not entirely sure what to say.

Shawn and I decided it would be best for everyone if we go back to our usual seat at the backmost part of the cafeteria. After what happened on Friday, it would've felt wrong and awkward to sit in with them during lunch and act like their bestfriend didn't just announce to the whole school that he toyed with me for a hundred bucks.

We didn't account for Pen joining our lonely club.

I glanced at their table right in the middle of the room.

I felt a pang of loss when I saw Hunter's empty seat. Maybe it was just me, but school suddenly felt dull and boring without him here.

Parker, Rush and Cal remain sitted on their usual seats. Natalie and Heather, however, stood up and walked towards our direction to follow Pen. The three boys watched them with neutral expression on their faces.

"We're also sitting here." Heather announced when she arrived.

"You don't have to do that." I murmured under my breath. It wasn't my intention to divide their clique. I didn't want to be the cause of misunderstanding among their group.

I just needed time to heal, that was all.

"The boys are being such assholes. We girls should stick together." Natalie simply said.

She sat beside Shawn and shot him a weary look. Shawn gave her the cold shoulder.

"Well, I guess I'm not needed here." Shawn stood up and walked towards the exit. Natalie's eyes followed him, anxiety clearly reflected on them.

I knew the two hadn't made up yet and I felt guilty that I was part of the main reason why they fought.

"This is such a mess." Pen commented, sighing.

I reached out and touched Natalie's shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to cause any trouble between you two."

Natalie shook her head and smiled.

"No, it's me who should be sorry. I'm very sorry for what Hunter did." She sounded genuinely troubled that I almost felt bad for her.

"It's not your fault." I told her. It was true. I wasn't angry at them. If it was anyone's fault, it was mine. I was the one who was so gullible enough to fall for an obvious prank.

I felt a lump settled in my throat. No matter how many times I told myself that I was fine, the truth was, it still hurt like a bitch. I wished I could just unlove Hunter, turn off my feelings for him like a water faucet. But I couldn't. The more I loved him, the more it hurts.

"God, Hunter is really such an idiot." Heather exclaimed, looking like she wouldn't hesitate to judo flip him if he ever showed his face to her again. She shot Rush an annoyed look. "I guess stupidity runs in those boys' veins."

"Are you and Rush fighting too?" I asked Heather.

I saw Heather's grip on her tray tightened.

"They're siding with Hunter." She simply said.

I didn't know what to say about that so I chose not to reply.

Pen took my hand and gave it a squeeze.

"We don't have any excuse for what Hunter did..." She said. "But hear me out, Sky. I know for a fact that every single thing Hunter said in that broadcast is a lie."

I shook my head and let out a sad smile.

"And he chose to lie to me." I said.

Even now, my cheeks still felt heated from the looks other students were throwing at me. I could imagine what was running through their minds whenever they look at me:

"Hey, that's the girl Hunter toyed with for weeks!"

"She must've been insane to think she'd snag Hunter for herself!"

"As if Hunter would fall in love with that weirdo!"

My self pity session was interrupted by Maria's high pitched voice.

"Where is Hunter?" she demanded. She stood in front of our table, arms crossed over her chest while giving us a haughty look, almost as if saying we should feel honored she joined us here.

All of us girls exchanged weary glances until finally, Pen decided to speak up.

"He received a call from DC. He had to go back there for a mission."

"Mission?"

"CIA basically owns Hunter now, thanks to you Moriartis." Natalie sneered.

Maria's expression softened slightly. I thought I even saw guilt in her eyes but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. I guessed Cain already told her what Archer told us on Friday.

She raised one eyebrow at me and let out an indignant huff.

"I'm still not giving up on him." She told me.

I let out a sigh.

"Go for it." I simply said. Come to think of it, maybe she was really Hunter's love. Maybe he just used me to make her feel jealous. Maybe he needed the hundred bucks for their date or something. I didn't care anymore.

She turned her back at us theatrically then marched towards the exit but not without throwing Cal an annoyed look.

***

I crossed paths with Cain on my way to Philosophy class. I was running late so all the other students were already inside their classrooms. It was just the two of us there.

"It's you." I said in the most unenergetic tone I could muster.

Our date didn't exactly end up in a high note. After Archer left, there was no reason for me to stay there any longer so I asked him to bring me home. He didn't refuse. It was obvious Archer's revelation really affected him. He was quiet the entire drive home.

Cain's lips twitched into an amused smile.

"Wow. You sounded so thrilled to see me." He said.

"I wear my heart on my sleeves." I replied in a sarcastic tone.

He took a step towards me and stared straight into my eyes. He looked exhausted based on the bags below his eyes.

"I no longer want to fight Hunter about the past." He declared in a careful tone.

I kind of expected that to happen. He had no reason to hate Hunter now that we know he only betrayed them to save them from bigger troubles.

"Great decision if you're asking me. He already gave you more than what you wanted from him. You won." I breathed.

There was a small part of me that felt upset about the whole thing. If I would be honest, I would admit I was still on Hunter's side in this war. I was kind of bummed he surrendered just like that. I knew it was so petty of me, but I just couldn't help feeling that way.

"Hunter still has one thing I want, though." Cain's voice was soft and smooth. His heated gaze was almost making me blush... almost.

He stepped even closer to me. He took my hand and snaked his arm around my waist.

"Forget him and choose me, Sky." He murmured against my ear. "I promise I will not hurt you like he did." His hot breath fanned my skin, making me shiver from where I stood.

God knew how much I wanted to say yes. I wanted to forget Hunter. I wanted to stop hurting and move on. I wanted to wake up and not think about him anymore. But I knew that was wishful thinking. Hunter already made a mark on me. He was like a permanent tattoo that I would probably never get rid of.

I gently pushed Cain away from

me.

"I'm sorry." I said in a soft voice.

Cain didn't loosen his hold on me.

"Why? Do you still believe I'm using you to get my revenge on him?" For the first time since I've known him, Cain Moriarti sounded desperate. "I swear, Sky, that's bullshit. I... I li..." I put a finger over his lips before he could continue whatever he wanted to say.

"No. I don't think that." I said calmly even though my heart was hammering like crazy. "I just don't want to give you false hopes. I know you already know this... but I'm in love with Hunter. I can't forget him."

He took my finger from his lips and kissed my fingers one by one. I couldn't help the small gasp that came out of my mouth.

"I'll help you forget him." He looked at me with pleading, silver eyes. "Just please give me a chance."

It was so easy to say yes, to use other people to forget, to play around with feelings and forget the consequences. But I would not do that.

I pulled my hand out of his hold and took a step back.

"I can't." I said firmly. "Just because he hurt me doesn't mean I'll go around running to other boys now. I will move on from him at my own pace. And if I ever forget him, I'll do it because of my own free will."

Cain was quiet for a long time, staring at me as if he was finally seeing who I really was for the first time. I thought he would be angry, I expected he would walk out of my sight and never talk to me again. But he didn't. Instead, a stunning smile slowly tugged on his lips.

"Skylar, baby, you just made me want you more."

He walked past me, smiling from ear to ear.

I remained standing there, confused and shocked about what he said.

"And oh, by the way..." I heard him say, making me glance back at him. "I'm still not giving up on you, Sky."

***

"Hunter will be back on Friday." I almost fell off my seat when I heard Pen break the news.

"W-what?" I asked dumbly. "How do you know?" I suddenly felt so nervous.

"Well, Hunter told Rush who told Cal who told Parker who was dumb enough to tell Roe after she tortured him. Then Roe told Maria when they were at the restroom. Rachel overhead their conversation and told the other cheerleaders while they were in the locker area and that was when I heard about it." Pen explained.

Whoah. That was a long thread of gossip right there.

"Is that news even reliable?" Heather asked suspiciously.

"Why don't you make up with Rush and ask him yourself?" Pen suggested.

Heather's gaze flew to their old table where the boys were seated. She stared daggers at Rush who was completely ignoring her hostile looks and was staring back at her like a lovesick puppy.

"I will not make up with him until he say sorry to Sky for taking Hunter's side." She declared even though a simple locking of gaze with Rush already turned her cheeks tomato red.

"He doesn't need to do that. He didn't do anything wrong to me." I told Heather.

I really appreciated Heather supporting me but her fight with Rush was stupid in the first place.

"Oh for goodness' sake, why are we even relying on gossips when we can just call Hunter to confirm?" Natalie said. She took her phone, dialled a number then click the speaker icon.

My heart stopped beating when I heard his voice.

"Hello."

I felt like crying. His voice sounded husky as if he just woke up.

"Is it true that you'll be back on Friday?" Natalie said without any greeting whatsoever.

Hunter chuckled and I felt the hair on my nape stood up in waves. I couldn't believe how just his mere voice had this power over me! I struggled to look unaffected.

"Yeah..." He answered in a lazy drawl.

The three girls all threw me worried looks. I forced a smile to let them know I was okay. I wasn't.

"Okay, bye!"

I felt waves of sadness when Natalie ended the call. I so badly wanted to hear more of his voice. Fucking hell, I missed him so much.

"Well now that it's confirmed, we need a plan." Pen said immediately after Natalie ended the call.

Natalie, Heather and I frowned.

"Plan? What plan?" I asked, confused.

"Come on, guys! Don't you see the brilliance of it? Hunter will finally be back and not just on a normal day! He'll be back exactly on confession day! Isn't that wonderful?" Pen clapped.

I didn't exactly get why she was so happy about it so I just shut my mouth. The thought of seeing Hunter again after what happened was honestly causing me extreme anxiety.

I saw Heather's eyes rounded in excitement and understanding.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Pen said when she saw Heather's expression.

Heather nodded vigorously.

Natalie and I were still at a lost.

"I don't get it." Natalie voiced out what I was thinking.

Pen gave both of us a mysterious smile.

"Let's just say, the perfect time has come to prank this school's greatest prankster."

***

I missed Hunter.

I missed his contant whining about being hungry.

I missed the sound he always made when he sneakily eats food in class.

I missed the different expressions on his face whenever he flirts with me.

I missed being poked by his stupid pen.

I missed his horrible singing voice.

I missed his weird haikus.

I missed his stupid jokes.

I missed his playful pranks.

I missed his kisses.

I just missed him.

And I hated myself for feeling that way. I hated myself for allowing a small hope to blossom in my heart after meeting his brother.

It made me look back to the one month I spent being close with him: How gently he treated me, how he protected me, how he cared, how he made me laugh... were all of those nothing but lies?

It had been almost a week since he suddenly disappeared. He left me broken hearted and humiliated and I should feel nothing but anger at him but I couldn't. I still constantly found myself thinking about him. And I hated it.

He told me he liked me and I already knew it was a lie but why did it feel so real to me?

***

I was going to vomit.

That was what I felt the whole ride to school. Shawn kept throwing me worried glances as if he was afraid I would pass out and die on my seat... which was very likely to happen given how nervous I was.

"Are you okay?" Shawn asked as we were near the school.

"Of course!" I said, hyperventilating.

"Don't wanna sound dramatic and all but you look like you've just shit your pants."

I threw him a sharp glare that made him laugh.

"That's better." He said.

I couldn't help but smile.

"You're the best friend ever, do you know that?" I told him in a voice full of gratitude.

He gave me a sheepish smile.

"I am very much aware."

We walked side by side as we entered the school building. Pen came running towards us with a big smile on her face.

"Are you ready?" She asked excitedly.

"No." I said truthfully. I didn't know what her plans were exactly. She just told me to go in the auditorium and wait for things to unfold... which was very frightening in itself.

"Come on!" She took my hand and dragged me towards where the auditorium was.

"See you later, Sky!" I heard Shawn shouted. I didn't have the chance the even wave back.

"I-is... Hunter here?" I couldn't help but ask Pen.

Pen looked at me with a playful grin on her face.

"Yup."

Pen opened the door to the back-most part of the auditorium and pushed me inside the room jam-packed with students.

"Hey!" I protested but before I could say anything else, she already closed the door and locked me inside.

What the hell?

"Pen! Open the door!" I shouted, banging my hands on the door.

"I won't do that if I were you."

I felt myself freeze upon hearing him, my breath suddenly caught in my chest.

I turned around slowly, as if someone clicked on the slow motion button of life. I spent all night last night preparing myself for this but nothing could've prepared me for all the strong emotions that took over me the moment I saw his gorgeous face again. My heart was beating so fast, it physically hurts.

Suddenly, everyone in the room disappeared. Why would anyone else matter when he was standing in front of me?

He was leaning on the back of an auditorium chair, arms crossed over his chest, tongue playing with his lips.

He didn't say anything. He just looked at me intently, as if I was a fragile glass that would suddenly break at contact.

Was it possible for a heart to break and unbreak at the same time? Cause that was exactly what I was feeling while looking at him at that moment.

Hunter straightened and began walking towards me but before he could close the distance between us, the sound of the microphone echoed throughout the room.

Both of us stared at the stage in front.

Standing in the middle of the stage, in front of the microphone was Pen.

"Hey, Hunter! It's time you get a dose of your own medicine!" She announced with a big grin on her face.

The auditorium went completely still when a bunch of senior students stood in front. The first one to step in front of the mic was Collin.

"We'd like to take this opportunity to reveal the biggest secret of the senior class." He started. He flashed Hunter a mischievous smile and I saw how Hunter turned white. "Honestly, bro, the whole senior class is so sick and tired of seeing and hearing you so whipped."

All of the senior students in the auditorium cheered in approval. I felt my heart beat loudly inside my chest. What was happening here? Our class had an open secret? Why wasn't I informed about it?

"Ahem." Collin cleared his throat. "I confess that back in seventh year, Hunter announced to the whole football team that Skylar Davies was off limits. He basically threatened all of us that if we laid a finger on her, we would be dead."

My eyes widened in shock.

What?!

Collin stepped back and Sophie replaced him in front of the mic stand. Sophie looked at Hunter and gave him an evil smile.

"Payback time, asshole." She said, giving Hunter an evil grin.

"I confess that I got rejected by that asshole when we were in sixth grade because he said he was already in love with another girl. Guess who that girl was?" Her gaze travelled to me. Our eyes met and she gave me a conspiratorial wink.