FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

'The name Satan suits him better than Hunter.' 

Hera thought in displeasure as he seemed like he was out to hunt someone's soul. Dressed in loose black sweatpants paired with a black pullover sweatshirt with a hood and a baseball cap on his head, Hunter looked sinister in all black and black.

'Black like his cold heart and dark soul which doesn't give a damn about anyone's feelings.'

Hera scowled, giving him a once-over through her narrowed slits, unimpressed and pretending to be unbothered. 

His eyes seemed cold and distant, staring down at her in disapproval. The anger was evident in the purple orbs, and the scowl on his handsome face intensified, brows drew together in a deep frown. However, what irked Hera the most was the figure peeking from behind. 

Bianca tilted her head and smiled sweetly, but it seemed more like mocking as her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. 

"Peekaboo," Bianca mouthed before stuffing her mouth with the lollipop, the strawberry candy coating her lips and tongue in pink. At first, Hera couldn't see her walking behind him, hidden by his tall form and broad shoulders. 

Hera pursed her lips in distaste and turned away, ignoring the best friends. Hunter moved his black joggers clad feet, waking to the front with his hands shoved inside his pant pockets. 

"What were you saying, Goddess?" Hunter asked, standing in front of her, his voice of tone unfriendly, unkind, dripping with displeasure. Hera didn't like the cold vibes emanating from his demeanour. 

'Did he forget that we're not on talking terms yet?'

Hera scoffed inwardly. 

Not bothering to respond, Hera got up from her seat and walked across him to leave. Hunter was quick to grab her wrist and pulled her back to him. "Stop with this ridiculous silence already. Can we talk like adults for once? I'm tired of dealing with your childish behaviour," Hunter snapped, losing his patience. 

His anger attracted attention, and everyone was more than interested in their fight. Ace Hunter was angry, and his girl dared to defy him in front of everyone. The drama unfolding in public lured people around to lurk and eavesdrop, prying for more gossip. 

Hera glared, gritting her teeth and yanked her hand away from his hold, but his grip only tightened, much to her annoyance. 

They stared into each other's eyes, their chests heaving under the pressure of suppressed anger. The cold air stung Hera's eyes, yet she kept glaring until her eyes watered. Cursing in her mind, she turned her back to him, unable to bear the anger in his eyes. Hunter didn't let her hand go, though. His hold on her hand was firm. 

Hunter hated seeing her tears, and Hera hated displaying her vulnerable side in front of everyone. She wanted nothing more than to run away from him at that moment. As if he read her mind, Hunter gave a tug at her hand. Still holding her wrist in a tight grip, he wound both of their hands around her middle, pulling her flush against his chest. 

Hunter's left hand was still resting snuggled inside his pocket while the right hand pressed to her waist in a possessive hold. For any onlookers, the gesture seemed romantic or an affectionate back hug. His arm around her torso, her back against his chest, his hot breath brushing against her earlobe, everything ignited a warm feeling inside her. 

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Hera had always felt safe in Hunter's arms. It brought a sense of security no one ever had offered in her entire life. Yet, the hug felt like a rough rope tightening against her skin and brought unbearable discomfort. Hera knew he wasn't hugging her to show his adoration. He was merely claiming his stake, protective, possessive and dominating. 

Hunter was restricting her from running away, forcing her to listen or talk. 

'Always the manipulating mastermind.' 

Hera couldn't lift her gaze and look at Hunter's friends. She knew everyone had their eyes fixed on her. Her cheeks felt warm as heat rushed through her senses. Pink dusted over the shell of her ears and the tip of her nose. Goosebumps erupted all over her skin, the hair behind her neck stood on attention. 

It was both embarrassing and humiliating. Whenever Hera and Hunter fought in the past, Hunter would end up kissing her to shut her up, and the students in the dormitory were all anticipating their forthcoming free entertainment. Ever since Hunter proclaimed her as his girl, Hera detested it when he kissed her in public. 

Hera hated that his words affected her so much. It tore her heart every time he called her a child. Sometimes it did plant doubt in her mind whether their age difference would always put her at a disadvantage. 

'Doesn't he know the effect he has on me?'

'How can he say such hurtful things to my face?'

They were the perfect examples of opposites attract, but how long would they survive if they kept fighting over their difference of opinion? Hera just wanted to cut the tension, and in the spur of the moment decision, said something she knew she would regret later. 

"I can see that you're regretting asking for a second chance. Well, it's not too late to back off, Hunter," Hera said matter of factly. Hunter's hand around her tightened reflexively. She could feel the stiffness in his shoulders. Hera knew her toxic statement would serve the purpose. 

"If my childishness bothers you so much, then let's break up. Let's end this incompatible relationship and put ourselves out of our misery," Hera suggested, sounding too unbothered for Hunter's liking. His hold on her waist now loosened, and in the next instant, he withdrew his hand as if it burned. 

Hera knew she was his only weakness, and it was a low blow to use it against him. However, she couldn't bring herself to feel guilty. His jab of her being a child hurt her too. 

All the warmth disappeared, and she felt the cold seeping through her hoodie as Hunter took a step back, creating distance between their previously flushed bodies. Hera and Hunter both turned around simultaneously. Hera turned to face him while Hunter turned in the opposite direction, showing his back to her. 

His posture was too rigid with his stiffened shoulders while he breathed his anger out. He shoved both hands into his pockets as if restraining himself from touching Hera anymore. 

Silence engulfed their surroundings as no one dared to utter a word. Hera could feel their friends' eyes boring holes into her from behind. Students gathered around, placing bets about Hunter's next move. 

Hera shook her head and scoffed in mockery. She took a step back, ready to leave, a precautionary move, and Hunter looked over his shoulder before turning to face her directly. He removed his baseball cap from his head, fixed his hair, brushing his fingers through it. Throwing his head back, he positioned the cap back over it. 

His sharp jaw clenched and unclenched before he opened his mouth to speak. 

"Don't try your luck, Hera Hunter, because it doesn't work when it comes to me," Hunter said in a warning, eyes sharp as a knife, cutting through her core as he looked down on her. 

Hera had known that fact already, since forever. Hunter would never let her go. Not that she wanted him to, but she used it to manipulate him anyway. He had already called her childish countless times, so be it. 

She felt like a tiny rat trying to cross paths with the wild cat waiting to pounce on it, but she would die of shame if she let him know how scared she was of his intimidating stance. So she held her chin up and returned his glare, matching his passion perfectly. 

"Exactly. How unlucky am I!" Hera snapped, agreeing with him. Hunter's chest and his broad shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling through his nose. He took a step forward, and Hera took one backwards. 

Never breaking their staring contest, she stepped a few feet back until her back collided with Eric. 

Eric held her arms from behind, steadying her before she could lose balance. Hera's eyes narrowed into slits when Bianca stepped in, stopping Hunter. Hera couldn't see Bianca's face as she had her back turned to Hera. Hunter shot her a warning glare but didn't lash out at his best friend, much to Hera's displeasure. 

Hera shrugged Eric's hands off her, eyes shooting daggers at Bianca's head while Bianca and Hunter communicated through their eyes. 

Pursing his lips into a thin line, Hunter sighed. He looked away, moving his head to the other side. He didn't seem pleased with her interfering but obliged her command anyway. 

Hera grudgingly realised, whatever magic his sunshine woven, it seemed to work. 

Bianca turned to face Hera and fixed her with a hard stare. "I can see that you managed to pin everything on me like you always do, but I hate to be the cause of my best friend's distress. So, stop being a bitch and let's talk," Bianca said, cutting straight to the point. 

"Guys, can you leave us alone for a while?" Bianca asked her friends, her eyes moving back and forth, looking at each one of them. Hunter frowned, not approving the suggested request. Eric sighed, annoyed already, sensing another inevitable fight. 

"Bee, I don't think it's a good idea," Evelyn was saying, but Bianca cut her off. "Trust me, Evie. I'll fix it," she promised.. "Don't worry, Rick, I don't want to kill her yet," she added, playfully flicking Eric's forehead.

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