FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Hera raised her eyebrows in surprise. A new post popped on the screen. Hunter just liked and reshared a picture Bianca posted on her homepage. It was their group photo on the bleachers after their soccer game practise. The boys were soaked wet with sweat and had arms around each other's shoulders. Girls looked pretty and happy. 

Hunter had a wide grin plastered on his face. An involuntary smile made its way across Hera's lips. Hunter's smile was always contagious. Hera closed the app and sighed, pursing her lips. He didn't make any other posts to disclose his day's events. Hera still couldn't figure out where he had been all day. 

Setting her pride aside, she decided to text him first.. She typed a short message. 

Where are you?

Hera waited for the reply and counted seconds while her heart banged against her chest. She resisted the urge to smash the phone against the wall. Hunter was taking too long to respond, and she lost her temper after ten minutes. 

A good thirty minutes later, her phone finally pinged with a message notification, but she was disappointed to know it wasn't from Hunter. Noel had sent her a text asking if she was doing fine. He was worried because she seemed off today. Hera smiled at the gesture in appreciation. 

Hera:

I'm fine, don't worry. Thanks for asking. 

Hera typed her reply and sent it. Noel replied instantly, and she couldn't help scoffing at Hunter's lack of response. 

Noel:

Come and find me at the community hall if you're free. I'm bored.

Hera closed the chat window without replying. She didn't want to see anyone in the grumpy mood she was in, but she wasn't comfortable with the idea of declining people. Noel was trying to be nice, and she didn't want to come off as rude. Grabbing her water bottle from the table, she flipped the cap and gulped a mouthful of water. 

After a few seconds of contemplating, she made up her mind. When she opened her wardrobe to find something warm to wear, she couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. The tall piece of furniture had more of Hunter's jackets and hoodies stored in it than her clothes. 

'Asshole, you're not allowed to enter my thoughts until I permit you.'

Cursing Hunter inwardly, Hera chose his black hoodie and threw it over her pyjama top. Pulling the hood over her head, she pocketed her phone and walked out of the door after slipping her feet into her comfortable flip-flops. 

The hoodie covered her up to her thighs, and she had the zipper pulled to her neck. Her hands soaked the warmth inside its pockets. She inhaled deeply and welcomed Hunter's scent engulfing her senses. It was so comforting, as though Hunter had his arms wrapped around her. 

'I miss you, Hunter.'

Her heart fluttered at the admission. 

Suddenly, Hera regretted getting out of her bed and almost turned around to return when something caught her attention. She noticed Hunter's name written in bold capitals on the bulletin board fixed on the outer side of the library wall. 

"The heartthrob of our school, our beloved president, ACE HUNTER, has graced the gossip column this week." 

The headline was enough for the girls to crowd around the bulletin board like a swarm of bees around their hive, and Hera sighed in utter exhaustion. Whenever she was trying to avoid thinking about him, the universe seemed to have other plans. Like the jacket covering her, his existence would mercilessly encompass her from everywhere. 

Hera couldn't resist the urge and made her way through the crowd of Hunter's fangirls. Of course, she had to read it. It was intriguing, alright. 

Today's gossip column reveals, 

Ace couldn't make it to the assembly today. 

Are you wondering what important business kept him entangled?

Do you think the president of the student council ever gets detention for not attending the assembly? 

I guess not. The rules are made only for us. It seems the teachers and the authorities only question us, the regular students in general. Anyway, let's get back to the main issue. He not only missed the assembly but was also late for his class. 

An important point to be noted here is that a high school fresher, the Not so new girl anymore, Adelaide Fischer, also missed the assembly and skipped all her classes today. 

My sources say that she left the school premises with our president in the morning. AND, When she returned to her dorm, she was struggling to move her feet. 

Why was she limping? 

Where did Ace go with her, and what did they do together? 

I'm worried for the girl's safety, to be honest. What happens when Ace's girlfriend Samantha finds out about their secret escapade? Where was Samantha when it happened? 

Also, 

I would like to know what Ace's girl, Hera's thoughts are about it. 

For more updates, wait and watch. 

I'll be back soon. 

Hera gritted her teeth and pushed her way out. She wanted to punch Hillary's face so bad. Everything the bitch wrote and the questions were too accurate to what Hera felt and thought the whole day. She heard the girls sharing their views over the gossip, which was ridiculous. Some pitied Samantha, and some laughed at Hera, while others envied Adelaide thinking how lucky she was. 

Hera scoffed at Hunter's stupid fangirls. No matter how much she tried to ignore and act nonchalant, their words still stung nonetheless. 

'Huh, if only I could rip their tongue out.'

Increasing her pace, Hera quickly turned into the other corner and reached the community hall. She searched for Noel and returned his smile when he waved at her. 

"Ah man, you're still sulking," Noel said when she took her seat beside him. Hera showed him the middle finger in reply, and the boy chuckled, closing the book in his hands. Hera's eyebrows arched up in surprise. He was reading Hamlet by William Shakespeare. "Didn't think you were interested in English literature," she said. 

"Yeah, I believe if one wants to impress or pursue the girl of their dreams, they must read these instead of the practised cheap pickup lines," he stated in a joyous tone. Hera snorted, not at all seeming impressed. "Neither would work on me," she warned him. "We'll see," Noel whispered into her ears, leaning closer than she liked. Hera scowled and shoved him away. They ended up sharing amused laughter.

Hera noticed she seemed more comfortable with him these days, and their friendship slowly started developing into something meaningful with time. She laughed more freely with him now. "So, what's written on the bulletin board? Is it the cause of your sour mood?" he asked. The sudden question caught Hera off guard. 

Hera pursed her lips and moved her index finger back and forth. Noel took the hint, and it effectively silenced him from asking anything further. Nodding in understanding, he changed the topic. Hera was surprised when Noel offered her a bar of caramel chocolate out of the blue. "Sweets always help in subduing the bitter mood," he stated. 

Hera reluctantly accepted it. For some reason, it didn't feel right. Her instinct warned her but about what, she had no clue. 

She jumped in surprise when her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was a message notification and kept coming. She could guess who the sender was, so she didn't make any attempt to check it. 

'I'm busy, Mr Heartthrob.'

She thought bitterly and ignored his late reply. 

As if her day wasn't bad enough, Samantha and Bianca entered the hall. Hera saw Bianca speaking to the boys who were watching TV before she interrupted them. They exchanged books while Samantha lazily moved in front of the TV as if swaying to the soft jazz music. Her legs clad in skin-tight leather pants seemed never-ending. 

Hera cursed when their eyes met, and Samantha's perfectly shaped eyebrow rode up when she noticed the boy sitting beside Hera. It irked Hera more once she saw the pleased smirk playing on her lips. In the next second, Samantha ignored them as if she never saw them. Blowing air on her nails, she resumed with her slow pacing, masking her face with a bored expression. 

Bianca shook hands with the boys and jerked her head at her best friend, signalling they were good to go. Hera thought Bianca couldn't see her as they were seated in the far corner. But Samantha decided to ruin Hera's peace and held up two thumbs up in her direction before exiting the door. The cunning witch seemed too pleased, and Hera could only curse under her breath. 

As soon as her eyes landed on Hera, Bianca walked back into the hall, and much to Hera's surprise, her legs guided her towards Hera. 

'What did I do now? What the hell does the Queen Bee want?' 

Hera straightened her back and refused to look away when Bianca glared at her. 

Meanwhile, Samantha frowned in utter confusion at her bestie's reaction. 

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!