Cadence.

It had become a routine for all of us sitting together at cafeteria by now. Even the seats were wordlessly decided. Monica and Caleb would seat together so did Ryder and Jasmine. Justin would either sit next to Hugo or me or anywhere available. I found it strange how natural it felt. It didn't take long for us to get along.



It wasn't so natural and pleasant for others of course. Students around us would discuss something in a low murmur looking at us simultaneously. Those girls don't deserve breathing the air around them. I heard a girl whispering quit loudly once. It's not like I wanted to breathe the air around them. I had to.



However, thanks to the boys being really friendly, it was a lot bearable.



"So about the party this weekend." Caleb started enthusiastically. Everyone turned to look at him. I felt my nerves twisting. As you must have figured out by now, I didn't do parties and when I go to a party something always went wrong. It was a pattern.



"I'm not coming." Hugo announced before Caleb could continue probably killing everyone's mood. Except mine. I felt kind of relieved.


If Hugo wasn't going to go, I didn't need to tag along either.



"What?" Caleb gave him a disappointed look shaking his head unapprovingly. "Are you going to miss an opportunity to be in a crowd of cute little freshman girls?"


Yeah, Caleb didn't exactly hide the fact that he was a lecher.


I saw Monica's eyes turning down towards the table. I thought she was smarter than falling for Caleb. He was obviously great as a friend, but everyone knew he wasn't the type who actually dated girls.



"I have things to do unlike some people, Caleb." Hugo smoothly stated giving Caleb a reason to get angry.


"Really? You think I have nothing-"


"Okay. Stop it you two." Ryder put up his hands between the two of them. "No fighting."



Hugo wrapped his hand around me. "Are you done?"


I nodded and tossed the last piece of French fries in my mouth. Both of us got out our seats Hugo still holding my hand. I tried not to give it much thought. He pulled me out of there in a hurry leaving me no choice but to follow him. I did turn around for a moment and quickly waved at my friends who were still eating, and they immediately waved back.



"It was unexpected to see Ryder acting like your mom." I snickered as I replayed the whole scenario in my head.


We were around the lockers. Hugo was loading his stuff inside and I was waiting for him to say something.



"People are way different than what they look like." He bitterly replied shutting down his locker.


What was it with him?


"Right." I mumbled to myself. It was hard to make a conversation with him when he was mad.



He took a deep breath before stepping closer to me. "I actually wanted to apologize to you."



My eyebrows immediately shot up I surprise. It was rare his highness himself apologized to someone. Especially me.



"What for?" I pursed my lips purely to stop the smile spreading on my face.



"About that kiss yesterday. I didn't know what else to do, and I had to make sure her doubt was cleared." He locked his gaze with me. "Anyway, that didn't mean I could just kiss you out of nowhere. So I'm sorry for doing that."


What did he say?


What did he just say?


"Cade?" Hugo waved his hand in front of me.


"Yeah?" I blankly asked.


"Are you okay?" His brows creased as he examined my face.



"Yes." I cleared my throat. What did just happen? Did he apologize for kissing me?



Why? Why would he act like this and make my heart melt again and again? I preferred rude and arrogant Hugo over this honest and sincere one. It was hard to keep my eyes off him now that he had come up with this unexpected gesture. It was rather simple with the other Hugo as he was arrogant. I could just get mad at him and forget all other emotions.



"There's something else I wanted to ask of you." He cautiously said looking in my eyes.


"What is it?"


"Can you skip a class or two today I really need to talk to you about Hannah and I don't have time after school today." He scratched the back of his head which was adorable, and I had to stop noticing the small things he did.



"Can't you explain tomorrow? We can meet as I'm not going to that party either." I hoped he agreed so I could get some time to clear my thoughts.



"Honey there's a reason why I'm not attending that party. I have an important place to visit to." He explained me slowly as if he was teaching a kid how to spell a difficult word.


"Fine. I guess." I shrugged. Internally I cried as I had to miss my next class which was AP Calculus. Kind of important for people like me who took the studying part of high school seriously.



"Great. Let's go over to my car we can talk in there without disturbance." He held my hand again as we headed for the parking lot.


I got in after him, and awkward silence lasted a few seconds before Hugo started.


"Hannah," his eyes were in front of him, on the steering wheel. "has retrograde amnesia."


Retrograde... amnesia?


"What, what is that?" I blinked a few times.


"It's a state where your brain goes into childhood state." He thickly spoke. I noticed his hands tightening on the steering.



While the new information sunk in my mind he continued.



"Hannah had an accident last year. Her head got hit badly in that car crash and..." His hands left the steering. With one of his hands, he rubbed his temple.


"Since the accident she hasn't remembered anything, not even me."



I couldn't bring myself to even imagine how it would have felt. I put my hand over his, and his eyes met mine. "She does remember having a brother but not the fact that it's me."



"That's why she needs someone around her all the time." He broke the eye contact and looked outside the window. "She gets worked up on little things and it's not good for her brain. According to the doctor stress might cause more damage to her brain. I can't be around her as much as I want as to keep up with the schedule my parents have given me."



I wonder why he had a schedule designed for him in such a young age. I understood being disciplined was a good thing but in his case it felt as if he was instructed how to live his life which bothered me.



"It's because I was trying to hire you for Hannah I got some slack these few days. It all ends when you move in. My schedule would resume. I would have to return to that." His voice was much more cold now as if he was somewhere else thinking about something else.



"I see." I muttered not sure what to say.


"You can ask anything about Hannah if you want." He took my hand in his and caressed it lightly.



"She'll get better right? There is a solution to her situation right?" I didn't want a beautiful girl like her to have no future because of just one accident.



His eyes widened but for just second.


"I don't know." He painfully admitted clenching his jaw.


My heart dropped deep in my chest. What was going to happen to Hannah?



"Anyway," He shifted in his seat." I want you to move in on Sunday so you get tomorrow to pack your things." His eyes never met mine again as he kept talking.



"I'll send someone to bring your stuff so don't worry about that and I'll send a car for you too." He continued.



"Okay." I nodded.


"Sorry for taking your time. You can go to class now." He glanced down at his watch. "You'll make it to the next class."


"Right." I touched the door to open it and stopped. "Hugo?"


"What?" He forced his eyes to move and glanced at me.


In all honesty I had no idea why I called out to him. Maybe because he looked unbearably heartbroken while he struggled not to meet my eyes. Maybe because I had a sibling, I understood his pain. Maybe because he didn't appear as the arrogant guy, he always did.


"Nothing. See you." Hopelessly I stepped out of the car unable to say anything. What was I going to say? I couldn't even think of anything that might have comforted him.


As I stroll towards my next class through the empty hallways of Woodford High my heart sunk deep into my stomach every time I thought of Hannah.

__END OF CHAPTER__

A/N: Sorry for updating after so long! personal things came up. I hope you like this chapter :) do vote and comment <3 Love you all!