Hazel sits on the edge of the bed, holding her phone tightly. She's tried calling several times, and finally—
mom: (answers, voice slightly rushed)
"Sorry, dear, I was in a meeting. Isn't this the first time you've called me here? What happened? Mmm… did you miss me?" She chuckles lightly.
Hazel stays silent for a few seconds, then speaks in a low voice, filled with frustration.
Hazel:
"Mom… I don't want to stay here anymore. Aunty Clara doesn't care about me. It's been a long time like this—I can't bear it. I was rude to her, and she's rude to me. There's no fun here… no talking… it's like she thinks I'm living off her money."
Seraphina pauses, sensing her daughter's pain.
Mom: (gently)
"Sweetheart, I know it's hard. But try not to take her words to heart, okay? Sometimes people act cold without meaning to…"
Hazel: (cuts in)
"No, Mom… it's more than that. It's like I'm invisible unless I do something wrong."
Seraphina sighs, then softens her tone.
Mom:
"Alright, fine. I'll arrange something for you—a room, a flat, maybe even a small house. Just give me one week, okay? I want to make sure it's safe and comfortable for you. Don't worry, dear. And don't mind whatever Aunty says, alright?"
Hazel: (quietly)
"Mmm…"
The call ends. Hazel lowers the phone slowly and stares at the wall, her heart heavy but slightly relieved.
Next morning
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the street as Hazel stood at the bus stop, her bag slung casually over one shoulder. She adjusted her cardigan slightly, glancing down the road.
Moments later, the bus pulled up with a loud screech. The doors swung open and people poured out before the next crowd pushed in. Hazel stepped inside, holding onto the cool metal pole as her eyes scanned the seats.
All taken.
She sighed quietly and moved to the middle, clutching the overhead handle as the bus jerked forward. The morning rush had packed it full, and she stood there silently—unbothered, composed, her expression calm as ever. Even without a seat, Hazel stood like she owned the place.
Hazel's brows furrowed as she tilted her head slightly—because there they were.
Drake and his gang casually stepped onto the bus like they'd been doing it every day of their lives. No dramatic entrances. No searching eyes. Just cool, collected, and perfectly in sync. Caleb fist-bumped Levi, Zayn yawned like he just rolled out of bed, Ben adjusted his hoodie, and Lucas leaned back like this was his morning routine.
Hazel blinked.
"Are they... pretending like this is normal now?" she thought, lips parting slightly in disbelief.
silence and swagger.
Hazel narrowed her eyes.
"What kind of reverse psychology is this?"
Hazel sighed and rolled her eyes with a quiet "Whatever " She turned her head slightly to look out the window, trying to ignore the strange turn of events.
But then—she felt it.
A presence. Right behind her.
She glanced back subtly… and there he was.
Lucas.
Standing way too casually behind her, one hand holding onto the bus rail, the other in his pocket, pretending like it was the only spot left on the entire bus.
Hazel stared at him for a beat, and Lucas gave the tiniest smirk, not even looking down at her—just vibing like he wasn't doing this on purpose.
Hazel: "…Seriously?"
Lucas (with a cool shrug, still not looking): "Bus is crowded."
Drake leaned against the side of the bus, arms crossed, watching Lucas standing behind Hazel with that same old casual smirk.
For a moment, he just stared—expression unreadable.
Then, slowly, the corner of his lips lifted.
A smirk.
Drake turned his head toward the window, hiding the rest of his grin as he looked out, his reflection barely visible on the glass.
Drake (thinking): "So this is how we're playing it now?"
He shook his head slightly, amused. Whatever was happening—it was starting to get interesting.
The bus screeched to a halt at the school stop.
One by one, the boys jumped out—Drake, Lucas, Zayn, Levi, Ben, and Caleb—walking ahead like they owned the ground they stepped on.
Hazel followed after, taking her steps carefully, eyes narrowed.
Her thoughts whispered: "If they're planning something, I better stay behind. Can't trust these weirdos."
She clutched her bag tighter and maintained her distance, watching the backs of the so-called gang as they walked like nothing had ever happened.
Hazel (thinking): "One wrong move and I'm kicking someone in the shin. I'm ready."
And like that, she followed… cautiously.
As they walked, the boys started laughing and teasing each other, voices just loud enough for Hazel to hear.
Zayn: "Bro, Levi still thinks Hazel's gonna forgive us because we looked cool today."
Levi: "I am cool. She's just pretending not to notice me."
Ben: "Yeah, just like how she pretended to ignore the bill last time—but swiped the card like a boss."
Lucas: "Don't remind me, my ego still hurts."
They all burst out laughing again.
Hazel, walking behind, rolled her eyes fully annoyed by them
Hazel (annoyed): "Idiots. Six donkeys."
Hazel reached her locker, spun the combination, grabbed her books, and headed toward class. Her face held that same unimpressed expression, like the whole world was a little beneath her attention.
As she walked into the classroom, Ethan—already seated—perked up.
Ethan: "Hey Hazel! Good morning!"
Hazel glanced at him, forced the fakest smile imaginable, rolled her eyes subtly, and plopped down in her seat without a word.
Meanwhile…
Out on the school ground, the so-called senior kings—Drake, Zayn, Ben, Lucas, Caleb, and Levi—were already chilling under the shade of a big tree.
Zayn: "So… we're really cutting class this early?"
Lucas: "It's tradition. First hour doesn't even count."
Ben: "Besides, who wants to sit through math when we could sit through Levi's weird conspiracy theories?"
Levi: "You're just mad because I'm right."
Drake leaned back with a lazy grin, arms folded behind his head.
Drake: "We're seniors. We've earned the right to skip."
And with that, they lounged back, enjoying their unofficial first-period vacation.
Suddenly, the peaceful chill session took a sharp turn when the sharp, unmistakable voice of the principal echoed across the ground.
Principal: "Excuse me! What are you boys doing here? The bell rang ten minutes ago!"
Most students would've panicked, scrambled, at least pretended to run—but not this gang.
Lucas casually leaned on the bench, whispering with a smirk: "Uh-oh, boss level unlocked."
Ben: "Should we fake a medical emergency?"
Zayn: "Too late. She's locked on target."
Levi, completely unfazed, pulled out a juice box from his bag and took a loud sip.
And Drake?
Drake didn't even blink. He just looked up, gave a slight nod to the principal, and turned his gaze right back to the sky.
Principal: "Drake.Zayn.Lucas. Ben.Levis.Caleb.Do you think the rules don't apply to you?"
Drake (without looking): "We were just doing a little… team-building exercise, ma'am."
Principal: "In my ground, during class hours?"
Zayn grinned: "Technically, it's your school. But the ground belongs to nature."
The principal narrowed her eyes, but they all stood there like it was just another Tuesday.
She finally sighed, rubbing her temples.
Principal: "One more stunt like this, and detention won't be optional."
Drake flashed a charming, guiltless smile: "Duly noted, ma'am."
And as soon as she walked away, they all burst into quiet snickers.
Lucas: "Still undefeated."
Ben: "She'll retire early because of us."
Levi: "Then my plan is working."
They stayed right there, chilling, like royalty who didn't need a crown.