FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Hera hid a smile when she noticed how Bianca kept her pace slow so that Hera could keep up with her walking speed, and they were heading towards the girls’ wing.

“So, now that we’ve talked about all our insecurities and cleared our misunderstandings,” Hera started conversationally, “Am I supposed to thank you for everything you’ve done for me?” she asked. There was a teasing tint to her tone. She giggled, seeing the way Bianca scoffed, scowling in distaste.

“Please don’t, Piggy, because if you do, I’ve no choice but to apologise for all the wrong I did to you,” Bianca said, shuddering in faked shock as if the thought pained her. Hera hummed, pretending to be thoughtful. After a few seconds of silence, they laughed good-naturedly and decided it was better to move past the apologies and thank yous. They were both savvy and mature enough to let go of their stupid jealousy and grudges.

Upon reaching the girls’ wing, Bianca halted her steps as if to say goodbye, but she was hesitating. Hera raised a questioning eyebrow.

“You know, that day when you returned from holidays,” Bianca started hesitantly; voice barely audible, and Hera furrowed her eyebrows, straining her ears to listen attentively. “I’m really sorry for what Samantha and I did to you at your welcome party,” Bianca rushed her words, casting her eyes down in shame.

Hera opened her mouth, but nothing came out since she hadn’t expected Bianca to address that matter. It was a nightmare she never wished to relive again. Hera gaped at Bianca speechlessly.

It was supposed to be harmless teasing, but Bianca never knew Samantha would take the teasing to such an extent. However, Samantha got carried away with her hatred for Hera, while Bianca had no choice but to comply because she had promised her best friend that she would support her. She was ashamed to admit that her jealousy had overtaken her senses when she decided to side with Samantha even after knowing she was wrong.

“I know I should’ve backed off, but I was petty. I used to be Ace’s priority before you came into our lives, but ever since he fell in love with you, I got pushed down to second place, and you occupied the first place.” Bianca confided, looking at Hera with a sad smile. The latter shook her head in disagreement. Bianca pursed her lips in disappointment and raised her palm to stop Hera from speaking.

“Let me take it all out,” Bianca pleaded. She wanted to wash away all the bitter feelings she had harboured over the years for Hera.

“Why does it bother you so much, Bianca? First or second, it shouldn’t matter until you are his priority. Hunter’s feelings toward you never changed,” Hera couldn’t stop herself from arguing.

Bianca clicked her tongue in disagreement with a shake of her head.

“I hate being second, Hera. Some wise person who knew the value of the first place has said, ‘There is no such thing as second place. Either you’re first, or you’re nothing’ (-Gabe Paul). I was so mad at you that I went with Samantha’s stupid plan,” Bianca laughed bitterly. She hated when she was wrong.

“Ace wanted to make you feel special. It irked me so much that he had never planned a welcome party for me,” Bianca complained. However, when the words left her mouth, they sounded so idiotic. It was a stupid party, and she was so silly for fighting a non-existent fight with Hunter.

“You two were always together. How the hell was he supposed to throw you a welcome party?” Hera asked incredulously.

Bianca looked away in embarrassment because she couldn’t disagree with what Hera said.

“Anyway, I know I was wrong, and I’m sorry for what we did at that party. Forgive me, Hera,” Bianca took Hera’s hand in hers and sincerely apologised. Hera smiled, relieved and happy, not because Bianca apologised but because they decided to let go of their differences.

“It’s okay, Bianca. Let bygones be bygones,” Hera said, initiating a hug, and Bianca gladly returned the gesture. They both had a relieved smile playing on their lips when they pulled away from the hug. “Please don’t fight with Ace anymore and don’t jump to conclusions before knowing the truth,” Bianca warned again, but now her tone was gentle, voice caring and her gaze affectionate. Hera nodded in acknowledgement.

Still smiling, Hera watched Bianca’s retreating figure. The latter was walking towards the back gate entrance of the premises, leaving Hera at the front gate of the girls’ block. Hera guessed she was probably going back to meet her friends.

Hera bit her lip, her mind replaying something from their earlier conversation. She wanted to ask Bianca but wasn’t sure how to address the topic. However, the question kept lurking back, and she couldn’t ignore it anymore.

‘Why is Bianca still single?’

The hottest girl, every boy’s fantasy, and Queen Bee of the campus never dated anyone. Hera recalled how Bianca used Samantha’s insight about sex life while addressing Hunter’s mistakes. It had confirmed that Bianca had no clue about intimacy between couples. She couldn’t rely on personal experience since she didn’t have any.

‘Fuck! Is she still a virgin?’

Hera’s mind exploded inside in utter disbelief.

She was curious, but it couldn’t be the only reason. Again she couldn’t deny there was still a little fragment of insecurity turning the wheel on, pulling and pushing in her mind.

‘Childhood best friends often fall for each other, don’t they?’

Her stupid brain supplied, not so helpful after all.

“Well, curiosity did kill the cat, didn’t it?” Hera muttered under her breath and decided to go for it as she couldn’t let it pass.

“Hey, Bianca?” Hera called, running after the girl.

Turning around, Bianca quirked a questioning eyebrow at Hera.

“Can I ask you something?” Hera hesitantly asked, nervously fiddling with the button of her denim jacket.

“We are cool, Piggy. Don’t look so agitated. Go on, speak your mind,” Bianca said encouragingly.

There was no use in beating around the bush, so Hera jumped straight to the point.

“So many boys asked you out, but you never entertained anyone. Why, though?” Hera asked, holding her breath while she waited for the answer. Bianca assessed her body language and apprehended the intention behind that question. They both shared one brain cell when it came to Hunter. Their jealousy, insecurity, priority, everything revolved around Hunter. Bianca knew what went through Hera’s thoughts.

Hera scowled, exhaling through her nose impatiently, gesturing for Bianca to answer her question. Bianca let out a breathy laugh, clearly reading Hera’s mind.

“Because I’m already in love with someone, Piggy,” Bianca revealed and looked away for a brief moment, chest heaving as if it hurt her to breathe.

“Who?” Hera demanded.

It couldn’t be. Everyone in the school would’ve known if it was true. After all, who wouldn’t want to flaunt the Queen bee as their girlfriend?

‘Unless it’s who I’m thinking of.’

After everything Bianca preached about not jumping to conclusions, Hera couldn’t help but assume. She was afraid Bianca would disclose Hunter’s name. Even if it was one-sided love, Hera couldn’t stomach the thought of Bianca being in love with her Hunter.

Bianca recognised the desperation swimming in Hera’s eyes. She smirked knowingly, much to Hera’s annoyance.

“I’ve been in love with him since day one. He’s my childhood sweetheart,” Bianca admitted. Hera’s heart raced anxiously.

‘No. No, it can’t be. Please don’t take my Hunter’s name.’

“Don’t worry, Piggy. You’ve nothing to be scared of because I understand the fear of losing your childhood love. I’ve lost mine, and I would never want you to experience that heartache,” Bianca said, smiling softly in reassurance. Yet, it didn’t cease Hera’s fear of losing Hunter.

“You didn’t say who, Bianca?” Hera tried again.

Bianca chuckled. Hera didn’t find anything funny, though.

“My unrequited love should stay hidden,” Bianca said, tapping the left side of her chest with her palm, “here in my heart, safely locked away forever,” she finished. Hera opened her mouth to demand she give her the name, but nothing came out. Her lips stayed parted like the fish in a glass bowl waiting for its food while Bianca smiled sadly.

Shooting her a wink, Bianca turned around, walking away from Hera.

“Ah, this bitch!” Hera muttered, feeling both relieved and disappointed at the same time. She let out a frustrated sigh. No matter what, she couldn’t bring herself to feel sorry for Bianca’s one-sided love. Hera was also a selfish bitch when it came to Hunter and wouldn’t trade him for the world. Bianca had to accept her defeat. She could never have Hunter.

Hera didn’t want to go back to her room yet. Seeing her roommates, especially Clara, would ruin her good mood. Now that Hera recognised the true faces of Nathan and Noel, she was almost sure Clara was part of the ruse, and so was Adelaide.

As all the misunderstandings and the grudges she held against Bianca got cleared, Hera wouldn’t want to sabotage her peace of mind until she talked to Hunter.

Hence, Hera decided to wander around for a while.

She saw Abigail sitting with her friends in the community hall, watching tv. It was clear that her cousin was avoiding her. Hera thought of confronting Abby but decided to give her the space she needed since Abby was having trouble facing her.

‘Poor girl must be drowning in guilt.’

Hera shook her head in pity and walked away.

She fished her phone out and smiled at the gorgeous face of her boyfriend displayed on the screen before typing a message for him.

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<strong>’Where are you?'</strong>