FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Hunter pulled the chair for Evelyn while Eric did the same for Bianca. They were seated together in their usual spot reserved only for them in their school's luncheon bar. In the beginning, they used to join two tables so that they all could sit together. Now even the staff at their school's food court made sure to keep their tables connected all the time. It had become their regular spot over the years.

Michael took his seat and watched with a quirked eyebrow as Hunter pulled the chair for Samantha as well, and she sat between the brothers. Evelyn was on Hunter's right side while Danny took a chair next to her, accompanied by Bianca and Eric, respectively. 

For the first time, awkward silence occupied the air surrounding them as none of them knew how to breach it. Hunter was drowning in guilt because he couldn't protect his best friend. Michael and Danny were still seething with fury because Noel slipped away from their clutch without serving his part of the punishment that he deserved. Eric's fingers rapped against the table as he seemed lost in thoughts. 

Evelyn seemed to be in a shocked trance because of the day's event while Bianca wrung her hands, feeling helpless, anger noticeable in both of their blue eyes.. 

Clearing his throat, Hunter broke the silence and asked the girls to stay seated while the boys decided to fetch the food for everyone. Evelyn and Bianca smiled in appreciation and joined the conversation with small talk by discussing what they wanted to eat. They hadn't had their lunch yet, but no one was in the mood to eat, so they settled on fries and sandwiches.

"So," Samantha started to speak, catching everyone's attention. "Hera has to butt in and ruin everything," she stated, sounding upset. "Why does she have to have such a long nose?" she muttered, jerking her head in mockery and scoffed for the added effect. 

Evelyn bit the inside of her cheek in annoyance and dropped her phone with a thud on the table. Samantha looked at her and shrugged arrogantly. "What? Did I say something wrong?" Samantha asked in a bored tone. Evelyn only fixed her with a sharp glare. 

Clenching his jaw, Hunter pushed his chair back harshly and left to bring the food. Michael, Danny and Eric too left with him without acknowledging what Samantha said. 

"Can you stop being a selfish bitch for once, Sam? It's not the right time to use the situation to your advantage. So leave your obsession with Hera out for a while," Bianca snapped at her. Samantha seemed betrayed and stared at Bianca in disbelief. Placing her hands on the table, she leaned forward to look at Bianca. 

"Everyone knows, Bee, I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, then ask anyone. It's Ace who decided to let that jerk go because Hera asked him to," Samantha shot back bitterly, anger lacing her tone. "He chose Hera over his friends once again," she pointed out, observing Bianca's reaction. "As he always does," she muttered. Flustered and upset, she let out hollow laughter. 

Evelyn sighed in irritation. She knew what Samantha was trying to do, taking advantage of the situation by provoking Bianca against Hunter. She was about to lash out when Bianca placed her hands on Evelyn's, signalling her to stop as the boys returned with their food. Both of them warned Samantha to keep her mouth shut. The latter rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. 

Helping each other, they passed the plates around along with the cans of soft drinks. They shared the food, and slowly the awkwardness dissipated. 

The bell rang, warning that the lunch break was over. With the second bell, all the students hurried out of the luncheon bar. Hunter and his friends stayed in their seats, not bothered as they had the next period free. The place looked less crowded with all the freshers and juniors gone, and only high school seniors occupied it now. 

'Hera didn't have her lunch.'

Hunter thought as he heard the bell. 

Michael stopped chewing his food and peeked at the screen as his phone started ringing, kept next to his plate on the table. He grinned at Hunter while showing his phone screen to him. His best friend's brow arched up in surprise as he saw the name "Fairy Godmother" flashing on the screen while a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. 

Swiping his finger on the screen, Michael answered the phone. "Hey, Fairy mummy," he greeted in his joyful tone. All his anger and tiredness vanished instantly. Hunter smiled as he noticed how Michael's mood lifted once he heard their mother's sweet voice. 

"Why didn't you answer your phone in the morning? You got me so worried, baby," Felicity said, scolding lightly. Michael groaned in disapproval at the nickname and immediately reduced the volume of his phone. Judging by the way how everyone snickered behind their fists, it seemed they had already heard it. Frowning at his friends, he flipped them the finger. 

"Mom, I'm in school. Don't call me baby," he whispered into the speaker. "And I'm so sorry for worrying you. I overslept and was running late for school. My asshole brother didn't wake me up," he shot an unimpressed glare at Hunter before continuing, "I hardly had time to shower, and the phone was in silent mode," he explained, feeling guilty for making her worry. 

Michael sighed into the phone, telling her how much he missed her. He couldn't wait to go back home and feel the warmth of her embrace. "I can't wait either, baby. Come home soon," Felicity said, motherly love and affection pouring out of her soft voice. 

She reminded him to pack all the necessary things needed in the journey without forgetting them, such as their passport, boarding passes, money etc. "Mom, that's Ace and Eric's duty. Don't you know they don't let me touch or keep important things with me? They both think I'm careless and will lose them," Michael said, eyeing his said two best friends disapprovingly. It earned him amused laughter from them. 

It was true that Michael often tended to lose or misplace things. Whenever they travelled, Hunter or Eric would keep Michael's passport and boarding pass with them, only giving him at the time of checking in. Once the authorities at the airport completed all the formalities, Hunter would take it back from Michael. 

"You're partly to blame for that," Michael complained into the phone. "You always treat me like a baby, and they both bully me using that to their advantage," he whined while Felicity laughed fondly at him. She strictly warned them to charge their phones before leaving and not to eat anything unhealthy. 

Michael playfully teased her that they still had two more days before they left and that she would remind them the same thing again and again until they boarded the flight. "You brat, do as I say," Felicity scolded, but there was laughter in her tone. After Michael promised her that he would obey all her orders, she passed the phone to Alexander. 

"How are you, son? All good?" Alexander's deep, rich voice asked. Michael could detect the worry in Alexander's usually calm voice. "Dad, you started to sound like mom these days, you know worrying over nothing and all," Michael said, chuckling. "Two more days, and we'll all be together," he stated. 

The deep sound of Michael's laugh immediately reminded Alexander of Sebastian. His voice sounds exactly like Sebastian's, and Alexander couldn't hide the tremor in his voice when he hummed his response. Overcome with emotions, Alexander clamped his mouth shut, trying to swallow the sob threatening to erupt. 

Hunter noticed how Michael's brows furrowed as he frowned in confusion. 

Alarmed by the silence at the other end, Michael asked, "Dad, what's the matter?" He could hear the shuffling before he heard Felicity's concerned voice. "Alexander, it's okay. Everything's going to be fine," Michael heard her speaking to Alexander. 

Michael's heart raced as he felt a surge of anxiety. If Alexander sounded defeated, then it meant everything wasn't okay. Michael's thoughts immediately jumped to Sebastian, and he prayed that his father was doing fine. 

He glanced at Hunter before moving away from his friends, finding a less noisy place to speak. Hiding from view, he leaned against the tree and listened to Alexander. 

Hunter pulled his lip in, worrying between his teeth while waiting for Michael to finish his conversation with his father. The look on his best friend's face suggested the news was something big. He looked on the verge of crying. Repeatedly, he nodded his head as if the person on the other end could see him, and he hardly opened his mouth to speak. 

He was trying not to break down but in vain. Hunter was ready to run to him, but Michael looked at him and shook his head. He understood his friend didn't want attention on him right now and needed privacy. Michael ducked his head, his hand moved to cover his eyes, and Hunter exchanged a worried glance with Eric. 

Without alerting their friends at the table, Eric walked to his friend and caught him just before he could collapse. Hunter stayed seated at the table. He was trying his best not to drag attention towards Michael while Eric hugged him, supporting his weight as their friend silently cried his heart out. 

Eric retrieved the phone when it fell from Michael's hand and spoke to Alexander. "Mathew has already taken care of everything. Just take care of each other and return home safely," Alexander said before ending the call.

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