Chapter 4- Hera

"I brought my cat." As I continued my search behind the wooden benches, I was beginning to see why the school had strict rules about bringing in pets. Apparently, it wasn't just the fact that the teachers couldn't handle more animals aside from the ones in class. Critters seem to have a natural fixation with exploration, often leading to varying outcomes, including but not limited to possibly escaping the protective cocoon of ownership.

As for Astrid, mischief had lit up her eyes like she didn't think I had it in me to be anything but a listless girl from private school. "You are definitely going to get in trouble if someone finds out. What's its name?"

"Ennui," I had answered. "Boredom. It characterizes my very existence. And while I could have called her Passion or Excitement, to change my fate through mere positive words, I do not believe in that nonsense."

Her lips had curved in amusement. "Me neither."

Soon after, she joined me to look for Ennui. Her shock at the size of the odd little feline when I slipped it back inside my backpack was obvious.

"That's the troublemaker?" She had asked as we got in stride, walking across the grass-covered field, headed for the block of two-storeys in the distance. "It's a fucking pygmy that must have recently escaped a research lab where scientists who were doped on crack had been messing with genetics."

I did agree. "She is definitely a rare breed." Expensive too, but I never mentioned this because it was unnecessary.

"I would call her 'Tiny.'"

"Too basic."

When we reached the patio doors and pushed them open, she had turned to watch me as we stepped into the warm, Iocker-lined interior. "Everyone seems to think you have haphephobia."

The irrational fear of being touched.

While I wouldn't have minded that, "I am more afraid of cockroaches, unfortunately."

Her chuckle had reverberated in the empty halls. "They're also convinced that you're a cold-hearted witch."

"A rumor I spread myself, because, why not?"

She had broken out in loud laughter. "That is insane."

"It definitely is."

"So, North Manor is not haunted then? Another self-promoted hearsay?"

"I still think it is."

"False information, noted." Her smile had been wide and warm. "I'm Astrid. What's your name?"

"Hera."

"Like the wife of Zeus?"

"Yes, that one."

"You are so fucking weird."

"I didn't name myself. I would have gone with Nemesis."

"My point still stands."

We both ended up in detention that day. And then when she had followed me home where I showed her my closet- because apparently, normal girls do things like that- her jaw had dropped.

She knew all the ludicrously expensive labels in there like the back of her hand, including when and where the companies were founded. She told me she wanted to become a designer after college graduation, so I immediately understood her enthusiasm.

She had a theory that one of the core ingredients to building a strong brand in fashion is having a nice-sounding last name, and while this was very simplistic an evaluation, to an extent, I agreed. My mother definitely wouldn't be caught dead or alive wearing a Caratacus or Archibald to a red carpet even if it was beautiful. A Prada or a Versace on the other hand…

In summary, Astrid plans to change 'Norwood' to 'Steele' once she starts her business. I will be her first customer and I definitely like the sound of wearing Steele to a party.

"I'm going to get a smoothie," Blaze says midway into his lunch, pulling me from my thoughts. "Do you want one, Hera?"

I shake my head, years of strict dieting rising to the surface, unaffected by Astrid's usual comments about how I survive practically on leaves. Like a four-legged herbivore. "Thanks. I will just take my water."

But my best friend has never held back when it came to her dieting. "I'll have one extra large cup of banana smoothie," she says, turning to Blaze as she munches on her burger. It is devoid of even the customary lettuce leaves. Now, is it oppressive that she eats like this but doesn't add a square-inch in weight no matter what? Definitely.

"What's that, Astrid?" Blaze asks, giving her a shrug. "I couldn't hear it over the prophecy that I won't get laid until I'm thirty."

And then he heads for the counter, a honey-sweet smile on his face. I grin.

Astrid throws a piece of meat at him. It misses. "You annoying virgin! You're so lucky I'm lazy." When Blaze is out of earshot, she turns to me. "He's definitely into you."

"Who?"

"Gravity. Humphrey, you dummy."

"He is not."

"How dense can you be?" She leans in closer, taking glances of the counter to ensure Blaze is not on his way back yet. "Sweet, pure Hera. You mean you don't see the signs?"

"What signs?" I sound genuinely bewildered and it obviously seems to aggravate her.

"He offered to get you a smoothie."

"I am on a low-sugar diet and he would have offered you same, but you cursed him to never find love until he's thirty."

Astrid rolls her eyes with a wicked grin. "You're the purported witch, not me. No one takes my bitchery seriously." She pauses. "Did you notice how he asked who was going to get you laid?"

Hmmm. "So what do I do?" Frankly, I have not the slightest idea how to react to this.

"Seduce him."

"Seduce him?"

"Humphrey can be very shy with his emotions. The only time he's not is when he's been pushed," Astrid answers. "Your job is to do that; make him confess his feelings."

I shake my head. Emotions definitely sound like a bad idea. "I don't believe in love."

"Do you believe in sex?"

That I do. I nod.

"So, invite him over tonight. Only the two of you. I'll be at home waiting for the good news. Trust me; this is conviction."

"Fine then."

I heave a breath, still unable to believe what I just agreed to. Naturally, my desire to test Astrid's theory out does not make any sense, but since this morning started, nothing seems to. Not the high-end car that came driving by, or the hooded figure I saw in the fog-covered distance or the 'signs' Astrid proves that I have apparently been too daft to notice.

I have a lot of questions.

But one nags at me relentlessly. Was Blaze the guy in the hoodie? They are both freakishly tall with lithe, strong builds, but while this mystery person does not have permission to come into my house, Blaze does. He is also a very good friend with whom I have an easy relationship. He has no need to stalk me. Yet someone did, and while it could be him, it may not. It is most probably an outsider. One who is not afraid of North Manor unlike the general Novadale population; a person who may in fact, be scarier than the sprawling stretch of antiquated real estate. I blow out another sigh, anxious for some reason. My skin tingles with the awareness that something is coming. For me. And it is certainly beyond the possibility of losing my virginity.

"I will ask him to tutor me on Math tonight," I finally say, turning to Astrid.

"You're good at it," she answers.

"I am not flunking. So, yes, I do not need the extra help. That is the whole point."

"He's going to suspect something is up, Hera." She pauses mid-bite, chews, then swallows. "Ask him to install your new shelf."

A very good idea, I will admit. But I know deep down... "This won't end well."

"Hera, will you just relax? Everything's going to be fine." She finishes her pastry and licks the crumbs off her fingers. "Just put me on voice call and use your airpod headsets so that when I listen in and advise you, you're the only one who gets to hear me. Personally, I know you'll do great."

When Blaze is back with his strawberry smoothie, oblivious to the scheme we have planned, I turn to him. "So, I'm setting up my new shelf tonight. Would you like to come over and help me out?"

"Sure thing."

"You both have fun," Astrid says. "I'll just finish last week's assignments alone. At my house."

"You're not coming along?" Blaze asks, mildly surprised.

"Nope. It's just the two of you."

I see slight hesitation in his gaze, and then his eyes travel slowly to meet mine. The breath ceases in my nostrils for a few seconds.

This won't end well. I know it.