"Emilia do you mind if I speak to you?" Theo asked after Ivy left.

Hunter was currently inside on the phone speaking to who knows.

"Sure? Is everything okay?" I asked slight worried since Theo hadn't used my nickname.

"Great actually. I've got some news for you... From Juilliard."

"J-Juilliard? As in my dream school Juilliard?" I stared at him.

"That's the one," he laughed. "They asked me to give you this." He took out a letter from his bag and handed it to me. He motioned for me to read it.

I ripped open the letter and my eyes scanned those words faster than they'd ever read anything before. Thinking I had read too fast and misread something, I went back to the beginning and reread the letter.

"They want me to study there. Fully paid scholarship. For a year." I managed to breath out.

Theo nodded, "You read the part about the 'deal'; if I could even call it that."

"Their final decision will be based on my final performance." I repeated the words from the letter.

"Unfortunately, and why they chose me to tell you this I don't know, but they want you to put in more practice hours. They're hoping you'll - you'll -" He closed his eyes for a while before exhaling and looking at me, "They are hoping you will drop out to put in more hours."

I gulped, "They want me to drop out? But I'm not even guaranteed a position with them..."

"I understand. That's why they also told me to tell you that if you do decide to drop out they'll give you a six month internship there. You'll be able to stay another year after that if they choose you."

"Wow." I managed to say.

"Hey, I know it's a lot to process. Just think about it okay?" Theo hugged me and then left.

When I entered the apartment Hunter was still on the phone. Unless he was annoyed with someone else. I could hear the restrained anger in his voice and decided to try calm him down by wrapping my arms around him from behind. Instead of relaxing into the embrace as he usually did he tensed even more.

"Fuck." He mumbled, "No, I'm going back to my girlfriend. Yes, she's with me right now. No dad you can't speak to her. I shouldn't have even mentioned her! Bye!" He ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket before turning to face me.

"Why are you so angry with your dad?" I whispered after a few minutes of just holding Hunter. "Hunt, is everything okay?"

"Perfect." He grumbled and stormed away.

"Your dad's already met me. You wouldn't need to mention me." The joke was meant to lighten the mood but the way Hunter stopped suddenly or how every muscle in his body contracted, I knew something was wrong.

"Hunter..."

"Just leave it please, sweetheart."

"We promised we'd trust each other more."

"I know; I just need to calm down before I snap at you for no reason."

I frowned and managed to stand in front of him, "I'll forgive you if you snap, but I think you need to tell me what's happening between you and your dad."

"Emilia, please. Not right now. I don't want to fight with you as well."

I didn't want to drop it but the doorbell rang and I offered to answer it. Ivy must have forgotten something.

"Ivy if you're looking for - " I answered the door but couldn't finish because a force knocked the wind out of me. I opened my eyes to find Skylar holding onto me for dear life. I gently moved her head away to look at her.

"Oh Sky! What happened!?" He eyes were red and puffy and her nose was running. Her make up was smudged all over her face and she looked like a mess. And not a hot one.

"Is everything - Woah... Skylar? You okay?" Hunter's voice entered the passage.

"Do I look like I'm fucking okay you asshole!?" Skylar screamed at Hunter who looked taken aback. I mouthed a sorry to him and told him I'll look after her. After he entered his bedroom, I lead Sky to the couch and held her in my arms.

"What happened?" I finally managed to ask.

"He- he- he- " She said through breathes and tears.

"Slowly... Tell me what's wrong?" I rubbed her back like my sister used to do to me when I cried.

"He ch- ch- eated o-on me." She wailed as I sat in shock trying to process what she said.

"Tyler cheated on you?" I asked which only made her cry more.

"And ye- yester- d-day he told me-e he lo-loved m- me."

"Oh Sky." I held onto her so tightly trying hold her together.

"I'm so- sorry for ju-just ba- bar- ging in."

"No, don't apologize sweetie. You're welcome here anytime. You sure he did and it wasn't just a rumor like mine?"

She shook her head, "I caught him in the act. I wanted to surprise him after class but instead he had some red head had chemistry instead!"

I couldn't help and smile at my best friend who still managed to crack a joke even when she could barely talk.

"I'm going to get you some ice cream and you can watch whatever you want." I said as I got up.

"Is everything okay with her?" Hunter was waiting for me in the kitchen.

"Ty cheated on her." I spat.

"He what? No, he wouldn't." Hunter looked confused and shocked.

"I also didn't think so, Hunt but she caught them."

"I don't believe it! I'm going over there right now!" Hunter raced towards the door.

"Don't do anything stupid please." I managed to grab hold of his arm and kiss him before he could leave.

When I came back Skylar was curled up on the couch crying.

"Oh, Sky." I kneeled in front of her and played with her hair.

"Have you told Hunter you love him yet?" She whispered.

"What?" I was taken aback by the question. I had never really though of that.

"I know you promised never to say it until you whole heartedly meant it but, do you love him?" She asked instead.

"I don't know, Sky. But I'm not talking about my relationship when yours has just ended."

"He's a good guy, Em. Did he leave to go see... him?" He eye started to droop and her voice filled with sleep.

I nodded.

"Good. I hope he beats the living day lights out of him. Although, I think you might be able to do a better job."

I laughed and watched my heartbroken friend fall asleep while left wondering: Do I love Hunter?

•

Hope you're all having a great day! Remember to comment, follow and vote xxx