BitterSweet

CHAPTER TWELVE

AURELIA FARIS BLACK

I slam my laptop shut. How did I just do that badly on a test? I guess AP language isn't my strong suit after all. I should email my teacher to check if I can make corrections.

This entire week sucked. I don't have my phone, which turns out my life practically revolves around. At least I have the laptop though. I had to reason for it, I needed it for school. Which I think was a pretty good reason in itself. They let me keep my Apple Watch since it wasn't a big deal apparently. Well, I'm not complaining!

The tension between me and Hera is high. At first, we just avoided each other but of course that's inevitable so instead when we were in the same room she would decide to snicker about me. Well, I have changed a whole bunch from when I first got here. Before, I would've just let it go but now? Nope. I did the exact same thing back to her. Then she would go act like she was the victim to Nathaniel and Matteo and of course, the two softies of the house would believe her. The only reason why I haven't got in real trouble about it is because Alessandro was on my side. He believed me. Thank god for that. Everyone has been giving me the cool shoulder except Alessandro.

Alessandro is definitely my favorite brother. I flop down on my bed and grin at the memory. When he held me after I told everyone about my past. He was so level-minded and reacted in a way I wanted them to react. I feel my eyes prickle with tears. I don't think I can ever think about this without crying. This was the first time I truly felt loved and cared for.

I lay there for a bit, waiting for my brain fog to disappear. I sit up and dab my face dry with my sleeve. I need some water.

The house is silent right now, I walk down the hallway, heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

" -Aurelia is so dumb!" I pause. It's Hera, I put my ear against her door. " That trick we did! Amazing idea Tiff!"

It takes me a second to process her words. I frantically click buttons on my Apple watch until I hit record.

Tiff was Hera's best friend. I met her when Hera introduced me to her table. She did not give off the best impression but not the worst either. I listen as they blab on and on about their plan and I smirk. I make sure I record everything before I can walk away with all the "evidence" I need.

I continue my way to the kitchen. I won't let her dampen my mood again. I sit down, drink a nice chilled glass of water, and laugh. I laugh because this is hilarious, Hera didn't even think about someone overhearing her conversation. At this point, it is a confession. Her blatant stupidity is so.. so stupid. Maybe I can use this against her? Maybe I can blackmail her.

I frown. What the hell am I thinking? How could I have these thoughts? I sound so evil. How could I think about doing something so bad? Everything has been getting to me recently, its making my moral compass go crazy.

I leave my unfinished glass in the sink and I rush up to my room.

The rest of the day went by as a blur and before I knew it, I was sitting at the dinner table. Everyone chatting but I couldn't seem to focus on anything but Hera. I wish I didn't feel this way but I hated her. I wish I could just forgive and forget but I can't. The fire is renewed in me.

She looks over at me, her eyebrows furrowing at my newfound exhibited hatred for her.

" Why the fuck are you looking at me like that? You make it look like I did something wrong." She says rolling her eyes.

" I would tell you to go fuck yourself, but that would be too cruel of a punishment."

I hear a range of laughs going from chuckles to full-blown laughter but of course, there are some more serious than others. Also known as Nathaniel and Matteo.

" Aurelia! Do not speak towards Hera like that. Show some empathy after what you did." Nathaniel yells, making the table fall to silence.

The silence stays for a few seconds before I bend into laughter. It's official, I am going crazy. I don't know what I find so funny but this situation is funny. Everyone looks at me crazy but I can't stop laughing.

" Psycho.. A literal psycho." I hear Hera's voice emerge beneath my laughter. My laughter stops and I cock my head at her.

" You are so dull, you didn't think you would get away with it.. would you? You know, Ignorance isn't always bliss." I spit out at her and then, I start the recording and all hell goes loose.

The audio from the recording is all the proof I needed to prove I wasn't guilty. I smiled as everyone's brain processed all the new information now laid out. Hera looks absolutely horrified. 

I watch as everything unfolds and I grin, I lay back, eat oysters and just enjoy the show. I watch as Hera goes from panic, to crying, then to anger.

" AGAIN? AFTER LAST TIME, YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO DO IT AGAIN?" I hear Nate screams at her. That caught my attention and I stopped eating.

I run up to Alec and pull him aside.

" What did Nate mean by again? Fill me in!" I ask him as if we are gossiping middle schoolers.

He lets out a sigh, " Okay, not sure where to start.." he pauses " A year after Hera was adopted, she and Lucien were still never very close. Lucien was still in a dark place at this time. During a business trip, with all of us gone but Hera, Lucien, and me. I was out with a childhood friend but when I got back, I found Hera left with a dark bruise on her cheek. Naturally, I freaked out and asked her what happened. She told me Lucien got upset with her and slapped her. Lucien had anger issues but I didn't think he would hurt Hera but the bruise said otherwise. I called Lucien all night and I called him multiple times, but he never picked up. Turns out he went out for the night, partying. I was angry and I called Alessandro and Nathaniel. Lucien got into huge trouble and we all said stuff we shouldn't have.." He pauses, and I see his hands curl up into balls " We only found out days after that Hera lied. We scolded her so harshly, she ran away but we found her a few hours after. She promised to not do it again, but look what just happened."

I lift my jaw.  No wonder why Lucien said what he said about Hera when I first arrived. Well don't worry, I am for sure not another Hera.

I see Nathaniel storm past us and Alec rubs his neck. I think he needs to start meditating before he grows some grey hair. Alessandro walks past us next.

" Your stuff is in my room, bedside table" he calmly states. Yeah, he's not gonna get any grey hairs anytime soon, maybe he's already meditating.

I hear Hera's sobs and I just shrug my shoulders, pat Alec on his back, and leave.
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A/N- Ongoing readers: I'm going to be "republishing" chapters because I will be editing them, no major edits just grammar and punctuation corrections!

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