FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

The texture of the strawberry jelly playing hide and seek between her teeth was silky soft on her tongue, and Hera was utterly upset, guilty that she couldn’t appreciate the sweet taste coating the inner walls of her mouth to the fullest. She couldn’t enjoy it while her concentration was fixed on Bianca’s fingers unwrapping the sweets.

They were sitting on the bed talking when Bianca had pulled out a box full of jellies from one of the drawers of Hunter’s study table. Hera knew it was for her, but she kept her mouth shut because though it was hers, Bianca undoubtedly enjoyed the privilege of being Hunter’s best friend. Hera guessed he wouldn’t mind if his sunshine ate Hera’s share of sweets.

Hera was not exactly blaming Bianca for stealing her sweets. How could she when the latter pulled the excuse of cheering up Hera’s foul mood? She brought the box to her when Hera was crying in guilt. “Ace said he gives you chocolates when you’re upset, and it seems to help,” Bianca had said while offering the jellies to her.

However, Hera couldn’t fully feast on the treats because she had something else on her mind. She was nervous and worried that Hunter must have left a messenger sweet, and she didn’t want Bianca to find it. Holding her breath, Hera watched while Bianca unwrapped another jelly.

Bianca had emptied the box by dumping all the jellies on the bed and started storing the wrappers in the empty box. Hera appreciated her thoughtfulness because they both knew how angry the neat-freak Hunter would get if she messed up his room by throwing wrappers here and there.

Bianca deposited another wrapper in the box while Hera sighed in relief and let her eyes shift to Hunter’s sketchbook.

Hera was already missing Hunter and wanted to run to him, hug him and comfort him, erasing all his dreads about losing her. They both were hurting and knew this distance between them only added more to their sufferings. Suddenly, Bianca snatched the book from her lap, drawing Hera out of her thoughts and stopping her from wailing in self-pity.

Deprived of Hunter’s love and attention for days, Hera couldn’t wait to see him, touch him and feel him. She was desperate to see and feel his smile against her lips. The beaming smile on his face was her sunshine that could warm her heart. She needed her daily dose of happiness, his arms around her, embracing her into the safety of his chest.

Though Hera didn’t want to thank Bianca for all the wise things she suggested, she was still grateful. The thought of exchanging pleasantries between them seemed weird, and Hera felt it awkward to show any unpretentiousness among them.

“Stop your mind from wandering around and eat,” Bianca said, seemingly annoyed with Hera’s disinterest.

“So, are we friends now?” Hera asked, sounding unsure. “Because we’re sitting here together, chit-chatting and sharing sweets,” she pointed out, arching her eyebrows up in stupefaction. Bianca scowled at her, unimpressed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Piggy. It’s not funny,” she said as if the mere thought of being Hera’s friend offended her.

Hera rolled her eyes at the other girl’s dramatic response. “Okay then. I’ll take my leave if this emergency meeting is over,” she said, getting down from the bed. Bianca grabbed her hand and glared at her, not liking the mockery in her tone. “Not yet, Piggy. Sit down. I need to talk to you about something important,” Bianca said.

“What were we doing until now, then?” Hera asked incredulously.

“Isn’t it obvious? I was trying to fill your dumb brain with some sense,” Bianca said, mimicking Hera’s incredulous tone. Faking a sweet smile, she pulled Hera back onto the bed. Hera huffed at the insult and crossed her arms, pouting in anger.

“You’re such a child,” Bianca said with a shake of her head, but the sweet smile playing across her lips was genuine this time. “Stop distracting me from the topic with your silly antics,” she scolded. Meanwhile, Hera tightened her arms around her middle to emphasise her angry mood.

When Bianca started to speak again, she sounded upset, much to Hera’s surprise. She revealed how much it bothered her whenever Hera blamed her for everything without knowing the context. For the first time, Hera had seen her soft side, and she didn’t seem one bit like the bully Hera had known all the while.

“You said I shouldn’t judge you since I don’t know you well enough. The same goes for you, Piggy. But you seem to forget that rule whenever you judge me,” Bianca stated. Hurt flashed across her eyes when she looked at Hera. Suddenly, Hera felt guilty though she was never at fault with Bianca.

“I know why Samantha hates you, and I can see it doesn’t bother you much. Fucking hell, she has even fucked your boyfriend, yet I don’t find you judging her,” Bianca said accusingly.

Hera cringed at what she heard. Thankfully, she didn’t have to reply as Bianca continued with her fuss. Hera had never thought a day would come when Bianca would complain about their cat and mouse relationship.

Surprising Hera, she brought up Eric, Michael and Evelyn, grumbling about how Hera was close to them despite them being her bullies once upon a time. It seemed today everyone’s issue was to remind Hera of all the bitter memories of her childhood, how they had made her life difficult then.

Bianca appeared to be remorseful.

Hera was about to say how they had nurtured the same feeling about each other. It was clear as day that the bitterness between them was their jealousy and nothing else. She had concluded that much after Bianca’s earlier confession about her insecurity regarding Hera’s prominence in Hunter’s life.

Now that she had listened to Bianca expressing her resentment about how Hera treated all Hunter’s best friends the same except her, she realised how deeply it had affected Bianca. There was more to the heartless evil captain she had assumed her to be. Hera decided it was time to come clean, but she was not about to apologise for returning what she had received from Bianca.

Patient and attentive, Hera listened and waited, letting Bianca conclude with her heartfelt confessions.

“You were saying it was easy to assume that I always cause trouble. Why do you think I’m the root cause of everything?” Bianca asked. An indignant expression painted on her face as if she already knew Hera would somehow find ways to blame her for everything again. “So, Hera, what’s your hidden agenda about me? Why so much hatred only against me?” asked Bianca.

“Because that’s what you do, Bianca. You bully people and play with their emotions. You create drama and lie when you get in trouble. You did it with Nate. You played him and lied to Hunter about him. So it was easy for me to assume that you have used the same trick with Noel,” Hera enunciated. She was calm and surprisingly collected when she replied.

For the first time, Hera was comfortable talking with Bianca. The emotions the queen bee displayed were genuine without any pretence or arrogance. Hera felt no malice in their interaction.