FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

After hearing Clara's words, Hera was so shocked that she couldn't speak or think anything. Suddenly she seemed unaware of the language the other girl spoke because her words sounded alien to Hera. It took her time to process the actual meaning behind Clara's question.

A few seconds later, Hera lifted her lashes to look at Clara. A smug smile gleamed on Clara's face as if she won the war against the world. "Wow, Hera! I waited for so long to see this look on your face. Now I am at peace," Clara admitted with a satisfied smirk. She touched the undersides of her eyes, and her fingers brushed aside the tears. The moisture in her eyes vanished as if she never cried in front of Hera.

Clara's pain and discomfort also disappeared along with her tears as the earlier hatred, anger, and disgust returned to her eyes.

"Now you know your boyfriend's true face," Clara spat out the words through her clenched teeth.

Hera couldn't believe Clara, her once best friend, would stoop so low and lie to her face. The passion for revenge was so high on her head that she didn't even once feel hesitant before making such a big false accusation. The lie slipped through her teeth so quickly with such ease.

Whatever Hunter did with Nathan was wrong, and Hera would never deny that. Despite everything, she knew her Hunter better. He would never do such a heinous and hideous thing to any girl. She trusted him with her whole heart.

"Hate him all you want, Clara. I agree he deserves it for hurting Nate, but please don't let yourself sink so low. You're so blind with rage and revenge that you didn't even flinch before accusing him of rape," Hera said, sounding disappointed. Shaking her head in ridicule, Hera moved her feet to walk away only to get shoved back. Clara blocked her way and glared at her, chest heaving in anger.

"Did you lie about Andrew, Hera? Did you stoop so low to accuse one of our best friends of rape?" Clara asked. The tone of her voice mocked Hera. "That's a low blow, Clara. You know I didn't lie," Hera replied, gritting her teeth. Clara nodded and genuinely smiled at that as if she believed Hera.

"I know, Hera, and I believe you because I know my best friend like the back of my hand. You would never accuse Andrew unless it's the truth," Clara stated, her voice full of trust and support. "Just because you couldn't prove him wrong, it doesn't mean you lied," she said, and Hera watched her in silence when Clara's hand reached up and wiped Hera's tears.

Hera wasn't aware of her tears. She was beyond shocked to respond. Clara's admission made her speechless and vulnerable. She never thought Clara would believe her over Andrew. Hera was jolted out of her thoughts when Clara opened her mouth to speak again.

"But you don't know me enough to trust me," Clara said accusingly and her voice sounded so hurt that Hera felt a sliver of guilt prickling on her skin.

'How can I trust you, Clara? If I do, it would mean I don't trust Hunter.'

Hera didn't say that out loud. She knew it would only add more fuel to Clara's anger. "Hunter sent you away, Clara. He asked Eric to take you back to the dormitory in front of me," Hera spoke in Hunter's defence. She would defend Hunter till the end because she knew he was innocent.

"Yes, he did, and after that, you left. You don't know what happened next. He killed Nate in front of my eyes. I kept begging him to spare his life, but that monster didn't listen. Eric forced himself on me and violated my pride and dignity while his other friends watched in amusement, laughing and enjoying the free show," Clara said. Her voice was almost inaudible as though speaking itself drained all her energy out.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she wiped them instantly with the back of her hands as if crying in front of Hera would wound her pride. She seemed too tired all of a sudden and sat on her bed with a defeated slouch to her shoulders while Hera watched in helpless stillness.

"Ace said my voice annoyed him while I screamed for Nate's life, and it lessened his joy because he couldn't hear Nate's cry over mine," Clara kept speaking as if on autopilot. Her eyes appeared to be empty, face void of any emotion. Her fingers clutching the bedspread at the edges tightened around them, her knuckles turning pale.

Not knowing what to do, Hera slumped down on the bed next to Clara's.

'Could someone lie with such perfection?'

Doubt started lurking around Hera's thoughts, and she didn't know what to believe anymore. She couldn't decide whom to trust and whom not to.

Clara spoke with such determination and confidence, Hera almost believed her. 

"So he asked Eric to shut my mouth, and he did by shoving me into the back seat of Ace's car," Clara revealed. "He raped me, Hera," the girl hiccuped while trying to control her sob. When she looked at Hera, making eye contact, she seemed surprised at Hera's reaction.

Hera was glaring daggers at her. Venomous look plastered on her face, Hera clenched her teeth so hard to the point where it hurt her jaw, and Clara flinched at the anger rushing out of her gaze. "You don't trust me," Clara noted. It was a statement, not a question. Hera nodded her affirmation.

"You're right. I don't," Hera agreed. "Because I don't think I know you enough anymore," she admitted. Scoffing at her once best friend, Hera eyed the girl in disgust. "Out of all the people you could choose to blame, you chose Eric?" Hera asked, unimpressed. She leaned forward in her place to look at Clara closely.

"Firstly, Eric would never do it," Hera said in a firm tone. "And secondly, he doesn't need to force himself on you, and you know it, Clara. You would've willingly done it because we both know how desperate you have been all your life to get attention," Hera said, hitting Clara with the harsh reality. Clara had been crushing over Eric ever since she laid eyes on him. It was the secret she shared only with Hera.

Though Hera knew it was a low blow to use it against Clara, she couldn't find herself regretting it. The anger, the frustration forced her to say it because she couldn't digest Clara's accusation. Eric was a known playboy of their school. In Hera's own words, he was a manslut, but he never had to force himself on anyone.

Every girl in their school would willingly do anything to please him as much as they would do it for Hunter.

Clara tilted her head, returning Hera's heated gaze.

"But not after what they did to my brother," Clara snapped, words leaving her mouth in a harsh tone. "I'm not a slut as you think, Hera. Yes, I would've slept with him willingly on any other day but not when they were killing my brother and raping me in front of him," she said and spat at Hera's feet literally.

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