With a discontent expression on her face, Hera watched while Adide smirked arrogantly at her before making her way towards Hunter.


    Hera''s sour mood turned into an amused one when she saw what Danny and Hunter were doing. They both counted from one to three on their fingers before they lifted their sses to their mouth together and gulped the in milk in one go. Faces scrunched in a grimace, the two best friends ced the ss on the table and wiped their mouths with the back of their hands. Their every move was synchronising.


    Danny and Hunter resembled the two cute little kids who disliked milk but would still drink it anyway so that they wouldn''t upset their dear mother.


    <em>''God bless them. Their friendship should stay intact and untainted, no matter what.''</em>


    Hera made a wish.


    "I''m exhausted, Hera.. I''ll head to bed early," Abby suddenly excused herself when she saw Danny and Hunter pushing their chairs back, ready to leave. She knew Hunter woulde to their table to speak to Hera. Abby didn''t have the guts to face Danny yet, so she left in a hurry without waiting for Hera''s reply.


    Even though Abby was out of earshot already, Hera still muttered a goodnight to her.


    Abby bumped into Eric on her way. Thetter was heading towards Hera with his ss of milk and barely managed from spilling it when the girl walked into him. "Hey," he yelled and was about to scold but changed his mind when he saw the distressed look on her face. "You look terribly ugly with that mourning expression. What''s wrong, Alligator? Is everything okay?" Eric asked in a concerned tone.


    Abby nodded frantically, eyes darting towards Danny now and then. "Too many assignments. Just tired and sleepy, goodnight," Abby bbered nervously and marched towards the exit. Eric frowned at her strange behaviour and walked to Hera''s table. "Pixie, I missed you," he said, pinching Hera''s cheek. Hera swatted his hand away and red at him when she saw his untasted ss of milk.


    "Don''t you dare, Eric!" Hera warned. "Firstly, the smell of honey in it makes me want to puke and secondly, I''ll suffer from loose motion if I drink two sses of milk at the same time," she said, whining and made Ericugh. "Ew, that sounds gross," Michael said,ing behind her. "Why do you fear when I''m here, baby girl?" he asked and winked at Hera. There was a big goofy grin stretching on his lips.


    Eyebrows arched in curiosity, Hera watched while Michael took her ss of milk along with his own. He went to the table next to Hera''s and ced one ss on it. The girls sitting in a group smiled at him excitedly. "For you," Michael said to no one in particr, but all of them thanked him in unison. Hera didn''t miss the dreamy sigh they all let out when he shot a flying kiss in their way.


    Michael moved to another table upied by junior boys and ced the other ss in front of them, ordering them to share it. None of the boys dared to disobey him. Hera remembered the days when Michael used to bully her. Now she didn''t find it offensive, maybe because she was not at the receiving end.


    Though Hera sympathised with the juniors getting bullied by him, she couldn''t help but smile fondly at Michael. He seemed to appear cuter day by day. He wasn''t a bully anymore but a naughty, mischievous kid in Hera''s eyes.


    Still smiling, Hera shifted her attention back to Eric. "See," she said, pointing at Michael. "Go find someone else to bully as he did and spare me," she said, throwing her hands in the air in a dramatic gesture. Ericughed at her cuteness and kissed her on the cheek. "Will do, Pixie," he said and left.


    Meanwhile, Adide blocked Hunter''s way. Biting her lips in distress, Hera wondered what the bitch was up to and watched the scene. She couldn''t hear what the girl was saying, but she was smiling too big, much to Hera''s annoyance.


    Adide was only thanking Hunter for the help he offered yesterday. She was dragging with the show of her appreciation, and it was visible on Hunter''s face how much she was annoying him. "Not a problem. I would''ve done it for any stranger," Hunter said. He was polite to her only because he was student council president. It was his responsibility to listen and remedy students'' problems after all.


    Testing the water, Adide leaned closer and dared to nt a kiss on Hunter''s cheek, offering her gratitude. Her hands held onto his arms for support as she was standing on her toes.


    "Fucking bitch! How dare she?" Hera cursed aloud and crossed the table to go to Hunter. She so wanted to rip the girl''s hair out and p her until her cheek would swell. Suddenly out of nowhere, a hand clutched her arm in a tight grip, restricting her from moving ahead. Hera turned to re at the culprit and met with Noel. "Not now, Noel," Hera warned, gritting her teeth. Her face was already flushed red with anger.


    "What''s the rush, Hera? It''s not like your boyfriend isn''t enjoying it," Noel said, taunting her. Hera fixed him with a death re. "You fucking bastard, let me go if you don''t want to die today," she threatened, forcing the words out through her clenched teeth.


    Behind Hera, Hunter fumed in anger. He yanked his hands away from Adide''s grip. Cowering in fear, Adide took a step back at the sudden change in his attitude. "First andst warning, don''t you dare cross the line again," Hunter warned threateningly. He was so friendly a while ago and suddenly became so intimidating within seconds, Adide regretted pissing him off.


    Inclining her head repeatedly, she apologised and faked a smile before walking towards the exit. She pretended to limp, hoping his wrath would diminish due to pity. She was burning with anger from inside. It was so humiliating. Everyone saw how Hunter put her in her ce, and she didn''t miss how Samantha''s eyes shot daggers at her.


    Adide was worried more about Hera''s reaction. She might''ve seen everything and would beughing at Adide now.


    <em>''A day wille, Hera. I''ll make him want me. Just wait and watch.''</em>


    She vowed while she took thest step away from the dining hall.


    Michael''s hand gripped Noel''s and forced him to release Hera''s arm. His fist rammed into Noel''s jaw, and thetter fell on the floor with a groan. "Didn''t I tell you not to touch her, you bastard," Michael spat the words at him. He was about to kick the boy in the ribs when Hera held his hand and pulled him back. "Mike, leave him alone," Heramanded and surprisingly, Michael obeyed.


    Eric offered his hand for Noel to take. Thetter hesitated but couldn''t dare to decline the help. Eric pulled him to his feet and straightened the boy''s shirt cor. Though Eric didn''t use the words, Noel read the silent warning his eyes conveyed.


    Hera turned around but found Adide nowhere. Sighing in anger, she looked at Hunter. Their eyes met, and they moved their feet at the same time. Samantha chose the moment to pretend to trip and grabbed onto Hunter''s arm. He moved in a sh to help her and prevented her fall by holding her waist in a tight grip.


    <em>''Ah, seriously?''</em>


    Hera rolled her eyes, and so did Michael and Eric. They all saw through Samantha''s purpose.


    "Be careful, Sam. Come here," Bianca said, pulling Samantha away from Hunter as soon as Hera reached them. Danny left with Evelyn while Michael and Eric followed, leaving Hunter and Hera alone.


    "You''re supposed to help me win Ace''s heart. I''m so grateful you''re helping so much by taking me away from him," Samantha grumbled sarcastically. Bianca rolled her eyes and dragged her out of the dining hall. "Try winning his heart when he''s away from Hera. You''ll only piss him off if you meddle when he''s with her," Bianca reasoned cleverly.


    Hera pressed her palms against Hunter''s front and back pockets while touching his thighs and his backside in the process. Surprised at her sudden bold move, Hunter moved away and held her wrists to stop her advancing hands. "What are you doing, Goddess?" he asked, sounding shocked. "Searching for my choctes," Hera answered with a shrug.


    Rolling his eyes, Hunter said he didn''t have any. Hera narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him and involuntarily checked him out. He wore khaki shorts and a white V-neck T-shirt. His pockets did seem empty except for his cell phone. "You don''t gift me enough sweets these days," Hera used, pouting at him.


    Hunter grinned and grabbed a few tissues from the table behind him. "You just ate an apple tart, Goddess," he stated, wiping the crumbs smeared around her lips.


    "Keep pouting, and you''ll only tempt me more to kiss you here in front of everyone," Hunter warned teasingly. Hera scoffed at him in disapproval and took a step back. "Firstly, we''re in public, so no open disy of affection, and secondly, you''re not allowed to kiss me after letting that bitch kiss you anyway," Hera said dismissively. Hunter clicked his tongue and moved closer.


    "And who''s going to stop me?" he asked, sounding too arrogant for Hera''s liking. "Since I own these lips," Hera said, pointing at her mouth, "I think I have the right to decline," she decided. Hunter smirked at her, daring her to stop him.