FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

"I love you, my boyfriend, slash best friend, slash lover, slash husband," Hera declared and kissed him on the lips through the screen, which displayed his handsome face.

She gasped and immediately scowled for two reasons, one, the call got rejected, and two, her lipstick left an oily stain on the screen of her brand new cell phone.

Cursing under her breath, Hera blew air on the screen from her mouth and wiped it with the soft napkin removing the lipstick stain. It took her a while to realise she had ruined the colour, coated on her lips as well.

She heard Evelyn's voice calling for her.

Taking off her chain from her neck, Hera dropped it inside her wallet and kept it safely in her bag. Though she wanted to wear it, she decided against it. It was very precious for her as it was the only token of her mother's memory she had with her. She couldn't risk losing it.

Hera took Hunter's black vintage long trench coat from his wardrobe and wore it, which completely hid her dress inside.. She grabbed the lipstick from the dresser and reapplied it on her lips before pocketing it along with her phone. Casting one last look at her reflection in the mirror, Hera left the room.

There was a bounce to her steps as she climbed the stairs down.

She felt happy.

Heads turned in her direction, and Hera pursed her lips and inwardly cringed as she realised her footsteps were loud enough to attract attention, or in this case, to disturb the quiet surrounding the breakfast table. It was only seven in the morning, too early for food. Hera noticed the large coffee mugs in their hands.

They were all staring at her, and it felt awkward. Shouldn't they wish her for her birthday instead of giving her stares that made her self-conscious?

She didn't like to be the centre of attention in general, especially among Hunter's gang.

'But of course, Hunter can be an exception because I would love to be the centre of his attention all the time.'

Hera thought, mentally smiling at her whipped heart while her eyes searched for her boyfriend. He was not there at the breakfast table. Hunter woke her up early so that she could get ready on time. She was contemplating whether to join them or wait in the living room or to go in search of Hunter.

Her gaze fell on her brother, but Danny looked away as soon as their eyes met. Taking the last sip, he gulped the liquid caffeine and got up from his chair as if he was in a hurry and walked away. Hera's heart dropped in disappointment.

He didn't wish her.

'Well, what did I expect?'

She sighed.

'Cheer up, Hera. It's nothing new.'

Wiping the hurt look from her face, she smiled as Evelyn came to her side.

"We're leaving in a minute or two. Do you want to drink or eat something before we do?" Evelyn asked. The sweet smell of the hot chocolate in her hand reached Hera's nose, and she could see the smoke coming out of the mug. Evelyn had her hands wrapped around it, probably to savour the warmth seeping into her cold hands.

Hera shoved her hands inside her pockets and shook her head.

"Your smile is your best accessory. Don't ever lose it, Hera. You look extra beautiful when you smile," stated Evelyn with a warm smile directed at her. Evelyn knew she was upset because her brother didn't wish her.

"Your every wish is going to come true," Hera heard Evelyn say, which sounded more like a promise. She didn't want to get her hopes high, but the assurance healed some of the disappointment already. The kind-hearted, beautiful girl standing in front of her had that effect on people. Hera was thankful to have her as a friend.

She felt arms snaking around her waist from behind and turned her head over her shoulder to see the handsome face of Eric. He placed a kiss on her temple before resting his chin on her head.

Hera smiled at the affectionate gesture.

"Hey, get off me. You'll ruin my hair," Hera said, scolding him.

"Hm, you're still so short," he observed. Hera turned her head to the side to scowl at him. She knew the moment he rested his chin on her head that he would tease her about her height. 

"Happy birthday, Pixie," Eric said, placing another kiss on her head. His grin was infectious, and Hera returned it instantly. "Thank you, Gabriel, my angel," she replied, earning a scowl in return from the said angel. Eric let go of her and shoved her away. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?" he asked, eyeing her disapprovingly.

Hera ducked her head before Eric could pull her hair and grinned mischievously.

"I'm so sorry. I'll remember it from now on, Gabriel," she said, amusement filling her tone. She ran out of his reach as he chased her around the dining hall, her giggles turning into laughter soon.

Samantha and Bianca had disdain painted in their looks.

"What an attention-seeking whore she is," Samantha muttered, only for her bestie to hear.

"I hate you so much, Pixie," Eric said, not meaning it at all. "I love you too, angel," Hera answered, running to the opposite side as he almost caught her. Eric grabbed a few tissues from the table to crush them into a ball before aiming them at Hera.

Hera dodged it for it to land on Bianca's face.

Bianca slammed the mug on the table, startling them both. She pushed the chair a bit too harshly when she stood.

"Stop being childish and let's go," she barked and left the dining hall, Samantha following right behind.

Hera and Eric burst out laughing as soon as Bianca and Samantha walked out.

"You made your evil captain upset on my birthday. Now she is going to kill me," Hera said, faking the anger. Eric scoffed in return. "Serves you right for hurting my feelings," he said, clutching his heart dramatically. Hera laughed and let him wound his arm around her shoulder as he pulled her closer.

Michael finished the coffee and grabbed his jacket draped around the backrest of his chair, ready to leave.

Hera groaned and pretended to choke while Eric encircled her head with his arm in a fake attempt to kill her.

"Save me, Mike. He is going to kill me," she pleaded Michael, which he rudely ignored. "Asshole, at least pretend to care for me. It's my birthday," Hera yelled at him. Michael rolled his eyes before punching Eric on the side for real.

"There, I saved you, damsel in distress," Michael said, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

Eric groaned, cursing Michael.

"You weren't supposed to hit me for real, you prick. We were playing," Eric stated the obvious. Michael smirked at them both. "How would I know you were playing? I thought you were going to kill her," he said, mocking them both.

Hera attempted to smack him on the head, but Michael dodged it and pulled her to his side, his arm locking around her neck.

"Happy birthday, sister-in-law. Welcome to the family," Michael said. Hera was surprised at her new title. He never addressed her by that label. It rendered her speechless. Hera looked at him with her widened eyes earning a pleased smirk from Michael. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek, surprising her again.

Hera blushed while he chuckled at her flushed face.

"I can't even say stop blushing like a bride," Michael said, rolling his eyes. He was teasing her. The birthday girl couldn't hold back and giggled shyly. She looked away, pretending to fix her hair.

"Hey, that thing on your hair, it looks nice, Pixie," Eric said, eyeing the floral hairpin. Hera grinned at that. "It's pretty, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically, her delighted eyes shining bright. "It's Evie's gift," Hera said, emphasising the last word. She meant to imply that the two boys walking on her either side didn't give her one.

When they didn't respond, Hera sighed in exasperation. It irked her more when the boys acted dumb.

"What are you boys so rich for when you can't buy me a gift on my birthday?" she asked unimpressed, scowling at them both.

"Huh, why would I waste my money on you? I don't even like you," was Michael's rude reply. Hera whipped her head towards him, eyes shooting daggers at him. Surprisingly, she didn't say anything in retaliation. She attacked him, neither verbally nor physically.

"Aw, you're generous because it's your birthday. How nice of you!" Michael said sarcastically. Hera's eyes narrowed into slits, and she bit her lip, still not fighting back. Eric chuckled beside her catching Michael's attention.

"She's mentally strangling your neck right now, Mike. She is avoiding the fight because it would ruin her makeup and her hair if she attacked you physically," Eric stated.

Hera looked at Eric, an impressed smile playing on her lips.

"Boy, how do you know me so well? Are you a mind reader or what?" she asked, sounding incredulous. Suddenly, Hera bumped into someone as she was walking backwards. Eric's hand flew out, catching her in time before she could fall.

Hera turned around to apologise and realised she crashed into Samantha, who was fuming at her right now.

"I'm so sorry," Hera said, eyeing Samantha's expensive sandals, which she stepped into a few seconds ago. Before Samantha could say something insulting, a deep voice interrupted.

"Be nice, Sam. It's her birthday," came the warning.