The Girl Who Hates Me

What He Wants

Hebe thought a lot about Selina's words. But after how she behaved, how could she face Arron? He might hate her for real.

Well, Hebe was feeling so insecure about herself. Ever since middle school, she had had low self-esteem, because of being teased in middle school. She always thought that she wouldn't let the teasing get to her, but now....she realized she had really been hurt by those words.

But if she was herself, then would that mean Arron would love her still anyway?

Hebe was curled up in an armchair in Selina's living room, listening to the rain. It had been around two hours, and she had to wonder what Arron was doing. But he didn't call or show up.

Selina frowned. "Do you want to call Arron?" she asked Hebe.

Hebe shrugged. She was so worried to face him.

"Stop this moping around," Selina sighed. "You need to have some faith. Just be yourself."

Hebe sat up, watching her friend knitting a scarf very meticulously.

"I should at least give back to him," Hebe sighed. "He's given me so much."

Selina stopped knitting and looked at her friend.

"Tell me, Hebe," she said with a little smile. "Do you love Arron?"

"N-No way!" Hebe jumped up. "W-Wh-What are you suggesting?"

"Then why are you two dating, dummy?" Selina chuckled and rolled her eyes, as if she knew everything.

"B-Because it was w-what he wants," Hebe stammered.

Selina smiled. "I see," she said. "Denial."

"Selina! It's not like that...." Hebe's voice trailed off.

"Why are you so stubborn, Hebe? It's so obvious," Selina argued.

Hebe didn't know what to say. Maybe it was her insecurity with herself that made her convinced that she didn't love Arron.

"I'll go back to the dorm now," Hebe said, and got up, and headed for the front door.

"Hey! You should stay if that's what you want,:" Selina protested, eager for company.

"No, no, Selina, I have to see...." Hebe stopped when she saw a glimpse out the rain-sloshed window, what looked like Arron's car....but it couldn't be.

Selina opened the front door and peered out into the light drizzle with a gasp. "Arron?" she called.

Hebe felt her heart plummet, and also looked out into the cold wet outdoors.

Arron was walking around Selina's driveway with an umbrella, letting out cold puffs of breath. He stopped when he saw the two girls peering out at him.

"Arron! How long have you been there? Get in here at once!" Selina demanded. "You'll catch cold out there!"

Arron stared at Hebe only, however.

"Hebe, I'm sorry if you're mad at me for some reason," Arron said loudly through the light rain. He remained standing there he was. "But if you'll let me make it up to--"

In a flash Hebe flung herself out out of the house and ran at Arron and hugged him.

Arron was speechless for a moment, and he almost dropped the umbrella. "Huh?" he asked, looking down at Hebe, who was still tightly hugging him.

"I'm sorry, Arron," Hebe said mournfully. "I....I was feeling really bad when you treated me so nicely..."

"Silly little girl, that's my job," Arron said. "It makes me happy to do all this for you. In fact, you can treat me like dirt and I would still love you." He patted her on the head.

Hebe sniffled and said, "It's my fault. I got so worked up."

"In that case, I forgive you," Arron said. "But you have to agree to something first."

Hebe looked up at his grinning handsome face. "What's that?"

"You have to marry me in a few years," Arron said.

Hebe pinched his cheek hard. "What?! What kind of deal is that?" she exclaimed.

"Owwww." Arron pouted, rubbing his cheek.

"You guys, quit being lovey dovey and get in here before you catch cold!" Selina shouted.

"I thought we were going back to the dorm?" Arron looked down at Hebe, who was still clinging onto him.

"Selina's lonely, so she wants some company," Hebe said, looking up at the sky. The pattering of the rain was growing louder.

"Well, okay then. I could use something hot to drink," Arron agreed, and they both walked quickly back to the house.

"How long were you out there?" Selina asked, pushing the door open wider so that Arron could step into the house and shut his umbrella outside.

"An hour," was Arron's reply.

"What?!" Hebe said. "But...but...you must be tired....and cold..and you might get sick....and you might---"

Arron patted her on the head. "Don't worry about it, I don't mind."

Oh, he is so sweet, Hebe thought.

"What can I do to give back to you?" she asked Arron a few minutes later. The three were sitting at the table drinking some hot chocolate.

Arron pretended to think about it. "Hmmmm....lots of kisses."

Hebe made a face. "Be serious," she said.

"I am serious," Arron answered.

"You mean there isn't anything you want?" Selina asked.

"Well...." Arron thought some more. "Do you think I can go to meet your parents, Hebe?"

For one moment, Selina and Hebe both looked astonished, and turned to exchange uneasy looks with each other.

"Come to think of it, you never told me about how your parents are doing now, Hebe," Arron said, suspicious of the two girls' looks.

"Isn't there anything else you want?" Selina said anxiously.

"No, Sel, it's all right," Hebe sighed. "I suppose it's okay."

"Great," Arron said. "Tomorrow's Sunday. We'll go visit your parents and I'll ask for your hand in marriage."

He meant this to be a joke, but Selina didn't laugh, and Hebe didn't even whack Arron in the head.

"Well, I suppose...." Selina said slowly. "I suppose I'll go with you two."

"Why? What's wrong?" Arron asked.

"Nothing!" Selina snapped. "Can't I go along with one of my best friends?"

Arron looked at Hebe, but she was looking out the kitchen window. He was sure she wasn't telling him something.