- HAZEL -My eyes open when a knock on my door wakes me up. Confusion is the first thing I feel and I roam my hand on my bed to look for my phone. I check the time. It's six thirty pm. I still feel so fucking sleepy. Another knock draws my attention to the door. With a groan, I climb down from my bed and sluggishly make my way to the door. "Yes?" I yawn while opening the door. My eyes widen when an unfamiliar face visits me at the door. Sleep left my eyes faster than it came. "I don't know you..." My brows furrow. I look around in my room but no one is inside. She's definitely not a guest of any of my roomies. They never invite anyone over without being present in our room. "Did you get the room wrong?" "Hazel..." The lady looks at a jotter in her hand then looks up at me. "Summers?" I swallow, staring at her skeptically. "Yeah?" I raise a brow. That's my full name. She scribbles something down on the jotter and hands over a white gift bag to me. "You have an order. From a frien
- HAZEL - We just arrived. I'm making my way inside the hall while Kaiden is outside talking with some gentlemen. It's hard to miss the event center. Even from the entrance, I can hear the sound of soft saxophone music. And everywhere else is empty. I hold a portion of my dress up between two of my fingers while delicately making my way through the corridor. I'm so close to the event center and I know it. My eyelids flare up for a second and a smile forms on my face. Like the red sea parting, tall, white flower vases filled with variety of pretty flowers line up, leading to the door. Floor lights, in line with the vases, illuminates the ground. Despite having the location for the dinner on our phones, the school definitely out did themselves to aid us find it easily. This is so sweet. I feel like royalty. Maybe a glove wouldn't have been bad after all. I roll my eyes at the thought. I gently push the door open and freeze. The interior design hit me like a wave and I need to cat
- KILLIAN -"Liam, I sent you a file with some codes. It's a lead on the whereabouts of the murderer. Do your research." I say, standing in front of the table in my office while redoing my tie. I shouldn't have this conversation here, school is not a safe place to talk about something this delicate but here I am with no care in the world, leaving my phone on loud speaker on my desk while on a call with my brother. "Noted. I'll get back to you in the morning." Liam says. A grin masquerades my lips. Good. I just finished knoting my tie and I stick it underneath the inner layer suit then button my tuxedo. "That will be all for now." "Enjoy your dinner." Liam utters. Even without looking at him physically, I can see the sly grin forming across his face and hear the mock in his words. I abhor interactions and I hate school celebrations. Apparently, I have to participate with a smile or at least show interest. "You won't be laughing for long." I scoff. He bursts out laughing. "You sure
- HAZEL - I shouldn't be thinking of doing this. I'm used to getting drunk but not high. I've never smoked weed before nor sniffed or swallowed coke or crack. I've always had the fear of damaging my lungs. Maybe I should look for someone who snuck vodka or alcohol instead of drugs. "Hazel! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Someone screams. I would recognise that voice anywhere. It's Kate. I examine the hall to find her and sight her walking to me. I turn back to see Kaiden and quickly avert my gaze. I told him I was going to use the bathroom. "Let's get out of sight first, Kate." I say to her the moment she's by my side and pull her forward with me. "Okay." She says to me without hesitation. "I'll catch you later Heather. Don't finish up without me." She says to the lady she came with. I wasn't even polite enough to smile to her. Heather was gone by the time I turn to the side so I continue walking forward. The moment I was sure I am out of sight from Kaiden's view, I sigh.
- KILLIAN -Shit! I can't find Hazel inside this hall. She probably ran out. This is so fucked up. I haven't been an ideal person to consider being with but I'm trying to be for her. Then this happened. I don't want to be that guy who confesses one minute and is caught doing something contrary the next. I did not do anything wrong, but from her angle, it didn't look like it so I have to clear it up.If only I could go back in time to when Kate met me, I would let her fall. I rush out of the hall. My eyes scan the entrance. There's no sign of Hazel. "Fuck!" I curse under my breath. She could've gone anywhere. This is something I hoped didn't happen. The time I would use to search every door in this building will be enough to get her to her dorm. Although I doubt that's where she'll head to first if she wanted to run away from me. If I was in a bad mood and needed to clear my head, I'd want to be alone where no one would find me. A place where I can have a breath of fresh air to ca
- KILLIAN - I send a message to Kate while on the steering. A sad sigh elude out of my lips and I close my eyes for a second before averting my gaze back to the windscreen. I feel better. Knowing she's safe in my car makes me feel better. I trail my eyes to the rear mirror to gaze at her. Hazel is in the back seat, curled like a worm, underneath my suit which serves as a cover. I made her stay there in case she wants to lay down. "Should I turn up the heaters?" I ask, keeping my focus on her and the road. She nods. "Yes please." Her voice sounds so hoarse. My hand shifts to the side, adjusting the heater temperature. She should've just said so earlier. I understand Hazel is still brazen from the incident and I will cut her some slack. Right now, she doesn't need to be bombarded with questions but needs rest and comfort. I called my doctor to come over the moment we got to the car. The doctor will be home soon to take care of Hazel. She'll feel better soon. "Where are you taking
- KATE -My eyes meet the messages pasting on my phone screen in front of me and an annoyed sigh rattles out of my lips. I'm offended. I know I shouldn't be but I am. Who the fuck rejects the advances of a woman he's in an engagement with? That jerk Killian! I stamp my hand on the car seat and regret it instantly. My fist hurts. A humourless scowl escapes my mouth and I stare at my phone screen again. Killian's messages gets me angrier. 'I'm leaving first.''I also invited someone home. You might enjoy the company.'This makes me roll my eyes. Of course he thinks I'll enjoy the company of a random person when I have no say in this. When he shoved me away to do God knows what! I scoff. It could've been my fault though, My anger wavers by the thought. After all, I was out of balance and high. Very high. Even now, the effects of the drugs still rummage in my head like a breeze. I still don't think that was a good enough reason to discard me like that. "Turn around. Take me to my d
- HAZEL - "Hazel, I need you to trust me and if not my words, my actions." "Trust the things I do for you that I won't for anyone else."Killian's words replay in my head the moment the doctor leaves the room.I think I have trust issues. I'm sure I've had it since my incident with Tristan and that's why I've been backing away from the good thing right in front of me to the one I thought I had. I'm referring to Killian and Kaiden by the way. I chose Killian. Heck, he has made his mark and I will choose him again over any man I meet at the moment but I never imagined my stalling was linked to the fact that I'm afraid. Afraid of being broken again. Afraid of what may happen if we indeed end up together. Afraid of what will befall my friendship with my best friend when she finds out. Afraid of being vulnerable with someone and falling deeper than I already have. I purse my lips to the side, trying to think. I rejected his proposal so thinking about it now, I had no right to be hurt