(yes, it is that day indeed)

For some reason, I was feeling uneasy today.

It could be because of the fact that I haven't heard a word from the school's scholarship administrator, Mr. Kerner. The applications for merit-based scholarships started two months ago and many students started receiving their confirmed scholarships in the past three weeks. Except for me.

I was actually feeling fine until last night when I received a text from Nina saying that she got the scholarship via email. The fact that I'm the only one who has yet to get the scholarship in our friend group was making me anxious.

I walked up to my locker and leaned my back on it. Then, I took out my phone to check if there were any texts from Hunter. But as I expected, there were none.

Hunter has been acting strange these days. He hasn't been talking to me properly and I barely see him nowadays. He hasn't gone to the library in days and has been missing work a lot. Even Ray was worried about his unusual disappearing act. I wondered what was on his mind and if he was okay.

I really wanted to stop him and ask him what was going on, but I thought maybe he just needed space and time. So, that was what I was doing. I wanted to be an understanding girlfriend to him. After all, he is the best boyfriend I could have ever asked for.

Sighing, I turned and unlocked my locker. Just as I was about to place my textbooks inside, a white folded paper caught my attention. Oh my God, did Hunter leave me a note? A smile unconsciously made its way to my face at the thought of Hunter writing me a love note.

I quickly unfolded the note and read the contents of it. The words on the white paper made me frown in confusion.

'Dearest Hera,

The music room is where you'll find the truth behind your unconventional relationship with Knight. Head there right now if you want to save yourself from further humiliation.

xoxo,

from someone who you'll be thankful to'

What in the world is this someone on about? I don't know if I should feel offended that this person called my relationship with Hunter 'unconventional' or roll my eyes at the fact that this person thinks I'll be thankful to them. And what the hell do they mean by 'further humiliation'?

I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit curious as to what this 'truth' was. Should I go to the music room? I mean, what's the harm in doing so, right? Maybe, I can find out who this someone was and give them a piece of my mind.

I closed my locker and walked towards the music room while mentally preparing my speech to that someone. I finally reached my destination and saw that the door was slightly ajar. Just when I was about to open the door wider to enter, I heard a familiar voice, making me pause in my step.

"So, you're telling me that none of it was real?"

Melanie? Was she that someone?

"Yeah."

Did I hear that right? That can't be. There was no way Hunter would be talking to Melanie out of all people.

"I need to hear you say it, Hunter." Melanie prompted.

"There was nothing real going on between Hera and me," Hunter said nonchalantly.

What?

"I was playing her. She was just a game to me, like every other." He smirked. "It was so easy to manipulate her. I just had to shed a few tears and boom, I'm the good guy."

What. The. Fuck?

"You're so naughty." Melanie giggled. "But what I don't understand is why are you still with her? Isn't two years a little long for a game? Are you lying to me, Hunter?" She asked in a cunningly sweet tone.

"You really want to know, huh?" He smirked. "Well, since you're so curious, I'll tell you. She's a good fuck. That's why I kept her around for this long."

I covered my mouth with both my hands as I felt tears run down my cheeks involuntarily and uncontrollably. Is this really happening?

"It's always the unexpected ones. I'm even more disgusted by her now." Melanie said viciously.

"Don't be jealous, I'm sure you do just fine," Hunter replied.

"I'm not just fine. I'm mind-blowing. You can find out for yourself if you want." Melanie suggested.

"No, thank you. I have Hera for that." He said smugly.

My skin crawled at Hunter's sickening words. Being intimate with Hunter was something that felt unforgettably amazing. But right now, all I want to do is forget and erase every single intimate memory I shared with him from my head. This harsh reality was like a solid punch to my lungs, taking away all the air from it.

Melanie scoffed. "Let me ask you something, Hunter. Do you love her?"

"She means nothing to me," Hunter replies instantly.

My whole body was trembling, and I couldn't find any strength in me to move. To run the hell away from Hunter and Melanie and from everything that hurt. My heart was breaking into pieces and Hunter was the cause of it.

"I asked you if you love her, not what she means to you. Answer me properly, Hunter. Do you love Hera?"

"No. I never loved her." Hunter said monotonously.

Those five words felt like a sharp knife being propelled right into my heart, creating a huge hole in my chest. It felt like my soul had been hauled away from me in such a brutal force. I can't seem to feel anything anymore.

"That's great," Melanie smirked. "Did you hear that, Hera?"

My body went rigid at Melanie's call for me. Of course, she knew I was here. She was indeed the someone. The someone who put that piece of paper in my locker.

"What?" I heard Hunter say as I felt his footsteps making their way to where I was.

Hunter walked out of the music room and the look he had on revolted me. There were shock and guilt on his face which for some reason made him look innocent. I guess he mastered that innocent look because he managed to fool me for this long.

"I guess you no longer have a fuck buddy," Melanie said with a nauseating smile.

"Shut up!" Hunter said to Melanie and then turned to me. "Hera, I can explain..."

He tried stepping closer to me, but I backed away as fast as possible while shaking my head vigorously. I have to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I couldn't stand looking at Hunter's face for one more second. So, I started running away.

"Hera! Wait! Please just talk to me!" Hunter said running behind me.

Ignoring his words, I ran as fast as I could with tears still rolling down my face. But to my terrific luck, I tripped over my own foot making a very bad and mortifying fall to the ground. Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse, I looked up and found numerous pairs of eyes in the hallway staring right at me.

"Hera," said Hunter who caught up to me.

He tried to help me up but I pushed him away aggressively and got to my feet, ready to bolt again. However, Hunter grabbed my wrist and prevented me from moving.

"Hera, if you would just let me expla-"

"No. I don't want to hear your fucking explanation. I don't want to hear anything from you ever again. If you didn't get in your head by now, we're over. Don't fucking talk to me again."

That was the only thing I managed to let out because just looking at him hurt every single bone in my body. There is also the fact that I can't think straight because of him and the many students who were watching the whole thing to form any other savagery sentences in my mind. So, with that, I ran away yet again.

But Hunter wouldn't give up because he was right on my trail. What more does he want from me? I can't let him hurt me any further. I had to do something to make him stop running after me. But what can I do?

The moment I turned the corner, my eyes landed on the perfect way to get Hunter to understand that I didn't want to talk to him ever again. There was nothing else on my mind and frankly, I didn't care about anything else. All I knew is that I have to make Hunter get the hell away from me.

I speedily ran to the person who I knew will make Hunter stop in his tracks. Then, I grabbed his collar and kissed him right on the lips. Shock filled him as he just stared at me with wide eyes while I sloppily kissed him. All of a sudden, I was hastily pushed away. But it wasn't him who pushed me away. It was Nina who was beside Newt the entire time I attacked his lips.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Why did you do that?"

Ignoring Nina's accusive words and Newt's shell-shocked state, I tilted my head towards Hunter who was stood at a distance from us and burned him with a hateful gaze as tears still poured out of my eyes.

I couldn't detect any emotion on Hunter's face but I could definitely see his tightly clenched fists as if he was holding himself back. He finally seemed to have gotten the message I was sending him because he turned around and stormed off.

"Okay, what the hell just happened here?" asked Nina confused. "What is going on, Hera?"

That was enough for me to finally release my despair and heartache I was trying so hard to hold back. I dropped to the floor and cried my heart out, surprising the twins. "I'm sorry, Newt. I'm so sorry I did that. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The twins wasted no time in embracing me despite their confusion. I gripped onto them like they were my lifeline. I could only rely on them. I could only trust them. I only have them.

"Hera, what happened? Did Hunter do something?" Newt asked.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." I said in between sobs.

Those were the only words that left my mouth constantly as I wailed into the twins' arms. I couldn't bring myself to say anything else. I just couldn't.

Because I still couldn't believe that Hunter not only broke my heart but broke me.

Taking multiple deep breaths, I mentally prepared myself to walk into the bookstore—the one I came to love—for the very last time. Because there was just no way I was ever coming back here.

I texted Rudy and asked him for a certain Knight's work schedule as I didn't want to accidentally bump into him. I just can't face him right now. Not ever, if I'm being honest.

Rudy had informed me that he will not be working today. So, I took it as my chance to come here and inform Ray of my resignation and return my Nighty Night apron.

I pushed open the see-through door and got inside the bookstore. My eyes scanned the place and took everything in for one final time as I knew deep down that I was going to miss this place. I hate that he made me love this bookstore.

"Hera, hey! What are you doing here, dear?" said Ray from the cashier counter.

I smiled at him slightly and walked up to the counter. "Are you waiting for Hunter? He didn't tell me you were coming today though." Ray said looking confused.

I suppressed the grimace that tried to appear on my face. I thought he would've informed his family about our break-up by now. That would've made things so much easier.

"Uh, actually, Hunter and I are no longer.... together," I said softly.

I hate saying his name. I hate that I had to say his name. I hate how he made me hate his name.

Ray's eyes widened in shock. "Wh-What? How-Why- I mean you guys were doing fine. What happened?"

I avoided Ray's gaze as it got hard to breathe all of a sudden. "If it's okay, I really don't want to talk about it." I cleared my throat and met Ray's eyes. "I came here to quit this job and to give this back to you," I said placing the apron on the counter.

"You're quitting?" asked Rudy who walked down the stairs and towards us. "Is that why you asked me for Hunter's work schedule?"

I swallowed the rising bile in my throat as the urge to run surfaced. "I'm really sorry for the very short notice but I want to thank you both for letting me work here and for teaching me some valuable lessons. I'll miss the both of you." I smiled tightly at the two men as I felt my eyes watering. "I really have to go now. So-"

"Ray, Emma needs you to-"

No! Fuck! Why is this fucking happening to me? I swear I feel like I'm cursed or something. Of course, he would show up here even when I deliberately tried to steer clear of him. I avoided everyone's gaze and focused on my feet as if it was the most interesting thing around here.

"What is she doing here?" He asked using a bitter tone.

"She's quitting." Rudy answered him.

He scoffed. "Good riddance then. She was a liability anyway." He said venomously and stormed off to the stockroom.

I tried to stop my quivering by clenching my fists, but it was inevitable. I didn't dare look at Ray or Rudy after he humiliated me in front of them. So, I just bolted out of the bookstore that I was never going to step into ever again.

I hate him so, so much.

"Hey! Guess what? I've got good news!" Mom said the moment she entered my room.

But I didn't move an inch from my bed where I laid flat on while I was wrapped in my quilted blanket. I just stared blankly into space like I did before she came inside. The music that was faintly playing in the background was cut off abruptly by what I believe was my mother's actions.

"Hera, get up! I know you'll love this fantastic news."

Mom sat on the bed and pulled me up making me groan in annoyance. "What is it?" I asked, disinterested.

"Read this." She said excitedly as she passed me a letter.

"I got the scholarship," I said monotonously.

"I expected you to be more excited. What kind of reaction is that?" Mom said as she frowned at me. "I can't believe you're going to be going to college soon. It's just too fast."

Mom hugged me sideways, but I didn't return the hug. She then pulled away and stared at me. "Are you okay, Hera? You haven't come downstairs all day. Do I have to be worried?"

"I'm fine."

She sighed. "Did you know crying is a way of letting your pain out? It doesn't go away forever but you will feel a little free and your heart will feel less heavy just for a while. And that helps a lot." Mom held my hand in hers and squeezed it as if telling me that she was there for me. "It's okay to cry, honey. You're won't be crying over him, but you would be crying for you."

That was enough for me to drop my emotionless act and show my real feelings to my mom. Tears started to run down my cheeks, and she pulled me in a warm embrace. I took comfort in her arms and sobbed my heart out.

"Mom, it hurts. It hurts so much. Why does it hurt this much?"

"Love does that to people, honey."

"Then, why do we even love? Why do we set ourselves up for hurt and heartbreak?"

"I really don't know. You'll have to ask the person who created love. But what I do know is that the heart wants what it wants. Unfortunately."

"Well, I hate the person who created love and I hate what my heart wants."

Mom pulled away and wiped the tears off my face. "Honey, I promise you; it doesn't hurt forever. Your heart will recover over time. We all go through brutal life experiences for a reason. And we all learn something from it. Maybe you can find a lesson in yours."

"Yeah. It's to never trust men again." I deadpanned.

Mom chuckled. "You really are my daughter, aren't you? You will feel like that for a while now, trust me. I've been through that myself. But when you find the right one, you'll know you can trust him."

I did trust him. I gave him my full trust because I thought he was the one. But apparently, he wasn't, and he will never be. Because I meant nothing to him.

Because he never loved me.

"Okay! We're going to have loads of fun. And I mean loads! Today is going to be the most fun day you ever had! Do you hear me, Hera? You're going to have the most fun today!" said Nina with much excitement.

"Where is 'most fun' in watching movies and eating ice-cream?" I deadpanned.

Nina placed her school bag on my couch and glared at me. "This is not just a movie marathon, Hera. It's a girls' night!" She wiggled her eyebrows as if we were going to a club or something.

"You mean girls' sleepover."

"Hey! Stop being so negative! There is not going to be any negativity in this house." She said crossing her arms.

I snorted. "Yeah, alright negative police. I'm heading up to change. Help yourself with the snacks. I'll be right back." I said already heading up the stairs.

"You better!" Nina screamed.

Nina had planned this sleepover for us at my house after school quite randomly. But I know what she was doing. She was trying to help me mend my broken heart. Which—by the way—is just so adamant on not healing even until now.

Every day I try to forget about him. Sometimes it actually works. With the amount of schoolwork I had and my new job's intense amount of commitment and contribution, I was able to get him off my mind.

But the moment I close my eyes for a peaceful slumber, he sneaks his way into my dreams turning them into complete nightmares that would cause me to wake up bawling. And I would hate him for that every single time.

I was undoubtedly messed up. I was all over the place and I'm scared that I would be like this for a long time. Everyone in school keeps giving me these pitiful looks as if I was someone who stupidly ignored all the warning signs and got her heart broken. How am I supposed to tell them that there was not one single warning sign?

On top of that, my head keeps messing with me. There was so much pessimism floating around my mind that I felt like I was slowly losing my sanity. I questioned anything and everything. But there was one question in particular that haunted me day and night.

'Did he really not love me?'

I didn't want to believe him when he said he never loved me. Because that would just break me all over again.

Sighing, I walked into my room and placed my school bag on my desk chair. Just as I was about to go over to my closet, my eyes caught a light brown shelf filled with fictional books. I hadn't touched that since the break-up.

Staring at the bookshelf, I wondered if it's time I start reading again. I couldn't even think about reading because all it does is remind me of him. Which I clearly don't want to. But maybe I could convince Nina to read with me and that could become our thing.

I walked over to the bookshelf and picked out a random book. A grimace automatically appeared at the title of the random book. 'One of Us is Lying'. The memories came rushing back making me hastily put the book back in its original place.