He turned off the engine of his car and checked himself in the rearview mirror. He wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion but he did his best with what he brought home. He bought her a bracelet instead of a corsage because it was all he could find. He took a deep breath and exhaled as he readied himself to get out of the car and walked up to see her.He was practically gliding his way across the dance floor in search of her. He didn't know what to expect. How her reaction would be when she sees him. How he would feel when he sees her. What she was wearing. Is everything still the way it was when he left?As he came closer to the figure he was sure was her, his heart pounded faster. He didn't expect to be that nervous. People started to notice him, they recognized him and whispered under the loud music. They giggled and smiled at him, he smiled in return. It was as he remembered it, the girls were blushing at his presence, but he only cared about one girl, and she was standing by the
"What?" her jaw dropped. "You couldn't tell me this earlier?" "I didn't want you to freak out in there," Theo said. "Well I'm freaking out now ... is he OK? Oh my God, does my mom know?" "Yeah, I told her already and your dad too ... I went to your house first to tell them the news," he inhaled deeply, "He's fine ..." he touched her hand to calm her down. His eyes focused on the road driving back to her house. "What happened?" "It was last practice before summer break and he got tackled a bit too hard ... they said he needed knee surgery, it's very common for athletes to get this type of surgery but it's a surgery nonetheless," Theo explained. "So he's not coming back for the summer?" she calmed down with a sad look on her face. "No ... he needs to go through therapy after the surgery, his campus is going to provide all the necessary treatment for him until he's good as new." She went quiet after that. Theo glanced at her, "Are you alright?" he squeezed her hand. She nodded
She felt eased after a video call with Max the next morning. He was his usual cheerful self in spite of being in a hospital with his left leg tight up and hung over the bed. He hated the fact that he was taken off the team for an upcoming tournament but was grateful that his injury didn't cause permanent damage. He said he had bought her some gifts that he wanted to give her himself. He promised to come home as soon as he can so they can catch up in person and hang out at their favorite places like old times. They have always been close, maybe because of their closeness in age. But they were also raised by two great parents who worked hard to build a solid family foundation where everybody loved each other in a positive and supportive way. And maybe because Max, as a big brother, always felt protective of his adorable little sister ever since she was born. They could talk for hours over the phone since Max had left for college. They updated each other with their latest development
"So ... Marlon ... are you ready to share with your parents what you told me in our private session?" Dr. Seymour asked. They were sitting in a semi-circle facing the Doctor with their heads down. None of them was eager to be there but they knew it was important for them so they can heal together as a family. Marlon nodded lazily, he kept his head down. "Shall I begin with a question?" Dr. Seymour continued. Marlon nodded again. Josh glanced at his son, he fidgeted on his chair. Belinda was motionless with her arms and legs folded. "Tell me how you feel about losing your brother," the Doctor began. Marlon took his time. He cleared his throat, "Really awful." Dr. Seymour was about to write down in his notebook but then he lifted his head to look at Marlon after hearing his response, "Can you be more specific? We want you to be more open about your feelings so your parents understand what you're going through." Marlon rubbed his palms up and down his pants, "I feel like ... I'
Marlon: Where are you? Hazel: I'm at the lake. Hazel walked away with her phone to a more secluded area. She sat on the wooden dock and tucked her hair behind her ear. She smiled at Marlon who was at the other end of the video call. He looked weary. His hair was all messy like he just got out of bed. Hazel: How was the family therapy? Marlon: Sucks ... (chuckled as he rubbed his eyes). Hazel: (Laughed lightly) What happened? Did anyone got sedated again? Marlon: Hah ... I wish I had ... it would've been better if they strapped me on a chair and injected me with morphine. Hazel: Oh my God ... that bad? Marlon was walking around fixing himself a drink. Hazel could see in passing how lavish his apartment in Goldstone was. Marlon: Who are you with? Are you staying there long? Hazel: (Looked over her shoulder) You know ... the usual ... Jan, Finn, Theo, his cousins ... some of his neighbors around here ... Marlon: (Squinted his eyes) Theo? The jock? Is he back for the summer?
He didn't plan it. None of it. Max is injured. Going home alone. His grandpa moved out. The family cabin was empty. No one was available to join him ... except Hazel ... his best friend's little sister. She was always his soft spot even before he left for college. But this time around is a little different. A little stronger. He was a little bit more eager. Impatient. He couldn't tell what it is, he just wanted something more. Maybe it's the way she blushed in fifty shades of red when he looked at her. When she turned away if he was staring at her too long. The way her touches felt on his skin. When she took his hand every time. His opened palm never goes unwelcomed. She laughed at his jokes, even the ones he didn't think were very funny. She lied to everyone about them being alone at the lake. She was feeling something too. He was sure. He didn't plan this. To feel the way he felt when he first saw her at the dance. The way his heart fluttered at the sparkle in her eyes when she
A kiss on the forehead. A kiss on the cheek. One arm around her waist, and then he let go. He held her hand when they walked into the woods, kissed it, and let go. It didn't seem like he was going to go any further than that.It was their last night at the lake together. She was going to spend it drunk. She had been scrolling down Lee's TikTok and Instagram and saw him with a girl. A very pretty Korean girl dancing a duet with him. She left a heart emoji on the post though she didn't mean it.But who was she to judge him when she was alone with her first crush ever and had been flirting her heart out with him since he arrived? The crush that Lee has always been jealous of and he always said that she will never get over Theo ... ever. And the last few days have been proof that Lee was right."How are you?" Lee sent her a private message. It was the beginning of a conversation she wished she didn't have.Lee was permitted to use his phone for a few hours before it was confiscated again,
They didn't talk about it the rest of the night, nor in the morning and all the way back to Chestnut. But they could feel the weight of it burdened their minds. Has she severed any chance of being with him? In hindsight, she realized what he meant when he said she had too much to drink. She regretted it now that she remember how brazen of her to have reached inside his boxer. She squeezed her eyes shut and touched her forehead when the image of him backing away from her flashed in her head. "Are you okay?" Theo asked. He lowered her bags in the foyer and took out the rest of her stuff from the trunk. "I'm fine," she didn't realize he was watching. The house was still empty, her parents were still in Gastonbury for another week or so. She just had the most memorable getaway at the lake and the quiet house felt daunting. "Are you going back home?" she asked. Theo paused for a moment, bewildered by her question, "Yeah ... do you need anything?" She shook her head, "Can you close
Okay ... let me wrap this up for you ... I decided to finish high school at Pinehurst Valley because ... well ... because I wanted to be close to Hazel for another year at least. I've never had a friend like her before and ever since Eli ... she's the one thing that made my life seem livable again. We spent the rest of the summer in Goldstone with my dad's charity program. We worked with under privilege children in the nook and cranny of the city. We volunteered at the nursing home. Hazel loved that one because I had to perform every week for the elderlies, they loved my singing, apparently, they think I was adorable and reminded them of their grandsons. Made me feel less special knowing there are at least 7 kids that looked like me. The whole program went well. She got extra points for her portfolio. So did I. Though it didn't matter to me because I know I'm not going to Uni after this. I'm concentrating on my new channel which Hazel had agreed to help with. She loved that to
She finally came out of her bedroom looking fresh out of the shower. Her mom felt a heavy burden just lifted off her shoulder. Hazel was feeling better. There was still deep sadness on her face but she forced a smile and said 'Hi' and gave her a long hug. The day was getting dark and Claire's relief was short-lived because Hazel was on her way outside to meet the boy in a designer hoodie in his white Lamborghini who looked like he hadn't had a good sleep in days."He's been waiting for an hour," Claire said.She had turned on the light on their porch so the two of them can have a good talk on their new balcony swing. Claire poured a generous amount of red wine into her mug and peeked outside their window and saw the two kids embracing each other warmly."Hey, baby ... how are you doing?" he said and kissed the top of her head.She shook her head and started to cry in his chest."Oh ... I'm so sorry ...""No ... I'm sorry ..." she said and held her tears back. "I'm sorry I missed your
Claire was leaning against the door frame of their entrance with her arms folded in front of her. He waved at Theo as he climbed into his car with all his stuff in the backseat. The boy had been crying, she could clearly see it on his face. She could still remember what it was like to be young and in love and heartbroken. It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Theo had told her everything. She appreciated his honesty though she was disappointed at the same time. But he was devastated, Claire knew that people sometimes underestimated how deep the emotional scar is for boys. Some men couldn't really recover from the hurt they feel in their younger years. It only goes to show how Theo really felt about Hazel. She wanted to understand the situation though she can see how much it had hurt her daughter too. She let out a sigh as his car drove further away from their house. Theo was going back to Gastonbury after many attempts to apologize to Hazel. She had closed her doo
The party was held at The Silver Tongue, the most exclusive club in Goldstone. As the son of an A-list celebrity, he spared no expense and went all out for the celebration. He booked the whole third floor for the event and invited everyone he knew in the city. Including Mandy and Dennis. As soon as Marlon and his entourage arrived, the party began in full swing. The music was loud and thumping, and the dance floor was packed with guests showing off their best moves. Marlon was the center of attention, surrounded by his friends, who were all dressed in the latest designer clothes and jewelry. The bar was fully stocked with top-shelf liquor, and bartenders were serving up creative cocktails in elaborate glassware. The party-goers were drinking and toasting Marlon's big day, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. He wasn't in a particularly good mood that day, a big part of it was because he hadn't heard from Hazel since she went back to Chestnut. As if she had disappeared from t
Theo sat on his bed, his head buried in his hands. He couldn't believe the mess he had gotten himself into. He loved Hazel with all his heart, but he had lied to her. He couldn't even remember how it had all started. He left his girlfriend in Gastonbury because he knew he wanted to spend the summer with the girl that got away. The moment he saw her at the dance, he was instantly back to where he left off and his girlfriend just disappeared in the background. Grace ... her name ... his girlfriend. It was never serious with Grace. It was never serious with any of the girls he had been with after Peyton. Subconsciously, he was trying to move on from losing Hazel because he was too much of a coward to fight for her in the first place. He knew it would have to be Hazel. He had taken their relationship for granted for years, but they were just kids. One year apart from her had only made his feelings stronger and he had ruined it for the both of them when he couldn't stop himself from fa
It was a nagging feeling. That's what she had. It was bothering her and she couldn't ignore it any longer. Sure ... she needed to get her stuff to better prepare herself for the summer program. But Theo will only stay for so long and she needed to be with him, at least to explain in person how her summer is going to be.She wanted to stay in Goldstone, it was her initial plan before Theo came along. The nagging feeling told her to go back to Chestnut to see if their new relationship was going to last beyond that summer.She didn't tell him she was coming back, she wanted it to be a surprise. The minute she arrived, she went straight to Theo's house.He was surprised or more like shocked to see her. The look on his face was not what she expected. His eyes bulged wide, his face was drained of colors, and his mouth gaped open."Micky?" his voice was almost inaudible.She laughed, "Yeah ... who do you think it is? I wanted to ask you if you're surprised ... but it's pretty obvious," she r
He had planned to ask Hazel at the end of her stay in Goldstone, but he found himself asking her on the first day she arrived. The thought had been haunting him for weeks since he left Chestnut for his family therapy. The only thing stopping him from executing his original plan was his unexpected friendship with Hazel. He would consider anything not to lose what he had with her. Having her around made him feel excited and energized to do whatever it is he was planning to do. Being with her made it easier for him to forget how fucked up his family situation was. Every day spent with her was joyful. Even Dr. Seymour told him that he made huge progress since the last time he was in therapy. Marlon knew it had a lot to do with Hazel. He introduced her to his YouTube team and let her hang out when they were working on their next project. He wanted her to be interested. He wanted her to want to be involved. He wanted her to change her mind though neither of them had made any decision, Ma
She remembered the first time she arrived in the city of Neon Lights. This time she arrived in style, in a white Lambo with one of the most eligible bachelors in town. He was high, she was laughing, and the music was loud but Goldstone was louder. Hazel had underestimated how famous Marlon really was. It's different in Chestnut where she was used to him being her 'buddy', her celebrity friend from the Big City but Marlon never felt too big for her. In Goldstone, he's a Rock Star. People recognized his car. There were literally fans asking for autographs and pictures with him. She could hear people calling his name while they walk on the sidewalk. Eating out in fast food restaurants was not an option, they would have to go to Hotels or fine dining or have food delivered to his penthouse. "You should try going out in public with my dad," he said and put on his sunglasses at 8 PM. "Worse?" she assumed. He shook his head a little, "You can't," he tilted his brow. "He has bodyguards
Marlon took a drag of his cigarette while leaning on his car. He glanced at the pair after a while and muttered, "For fuck's sake." It's been 15 minutes since they said they were saying goodbye to each other and every time he looked over his shoulder they were kissing passionately on Hazel's porch. They finally stopped when Hazel's mom stepped out of the house. They hugged and her mom said something about not drinking, don't do anything illegal, and calling her once they get there. Things his parents never said to him. He dropped his cigarette on the ground and put it out with his Givenchy sneakers. "Drive safely, young man," Claire said to him when walking Hazel toward his car. "I mean it ... it's a fancy car, and I know what it can do ... but not while you're driving my baby," she tapped on his Lambo. "Yes ma'am," he gave her a two-finger salute. "How about we video call you all the way to Goldstone so you can see how slow I drive?" he teased her. "That's not a bad idea, actua