Hazel's phone buzzed. It was her dad. She hesitated for a second, staring at the screen, then finally picked it up and walked out to the balcony.
She talked to him, but her words were few—short and quiet.
After the call, she came back inside and joined the boys on the couch.
A few hours later, they were all sitting around the dining table, having dinner. Hazel sat with them too, laughing, teasing, and making fun of each other like usual.
Just then, Drake entered, quietly washed his hands, and took a seat without saying a word.
Zayn glanced at him. "Who was on the phone?"
Drake, still focused on his food, replied calmly, "It's Ryle."
Levi raised a brow. "Anything serious?"
Drake sighed, "It's Mom… again."
Caleb groaned, "Bruh, when are you gonna get your freedom?"
Drake didn't answer. Just kept eating.
Hazel leaned toward Zayn and whispered softly, "Zayn, who's Ryle?"
Zayn replied under his breath, "His younger brother."
Hazel: "Ohh…"
Drake looked up sharply. "Whattt?!"
Hazel and Zayn, almost in sync: "Nothing!"
After dinner, Hazel stood up, smiling, "Good night, guys."
She crossed over to her room. Once inside, she opened the door to her bedroom—and found a pile of clothes t
hrown all over the bed.
With a tired sigh, she folded them neatly, placed them into her shelf, and then flopped onto the bed.
She grabbed her phone, scrolled aimlessly for a while…
And slowly, without even realizing it, drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, in class, Hazel sat quietly at her desk, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook.
Suddenly, a girl and her gang strutted over. One of them pulled a chair and sat right in front of her.
Cristy leaned forward. "I told you to stay away from him."
Hazel looked at her, saying nothing. Just stared silently.
(Oh… so this is the girl who threatened me with that folded paper, huh?) she thought, the memory flashing in her head.
Cristy's voice grew sharper. "I'm talking to you. Stay away from Drake. He's mine. I'll make him mine. A girl like you doesn't deserve him. He deserves someone better… someone like me."
Hazel simply replied, "Okay," and went back to her doodling like Cristy was invisible.
Cristy's expression turned sour. She clearly didn't like being ignored. With a sudden jerk, she snatched Hazel's notebook and flung it to the corner of the classroom.
Her two friends giggled and gave each other a loud high-five.
Hazel looked toward her notebook, then back at Cristy—her eyes cold, sharp, and full of quiet rage.
But still, she didn't say a word.
A boy from the class walked over, picked up the notebook, and gently placed it back on her table.
But Hazel didn't even notice—her eyes were still fixed on Cristy.
Cristy and her friends could see Hazel's face turning red—anger slowly rising in her like a storm about to break.
Sensing that, they quickly walked back to their seats without another word.
Hazel's eyes followed Cristy until she disappeared from view.
Then the bell rang.
Students began to pour in, one after another.
And finally, with the last bell, the teacher entered and started the class.
Hours passed.
When break time came, Cristy and her gang gave Hazel one last glance before leaving the room.
Hazel simply rolled her eyes.
And then Hazel walked towards the cafeteria and spotted them — laughing, teasing, throwing random jokes. She joined in, smiling and playing along.
But Cristy's words kept echoing in her head: "You don't deserve him. He deserves better girls like me."
She found herself staring at Drake until he caught her gaze. She quickly looked away and forced a laugh with the others.
Then she noticed Axel across the room and waved. Drake's eyes immediately followed her hand, and when he saw Axel, his jaw tightened, teeth gritting. Hazel stood and walked towards Axel.
Axel: "I was looking for you in class. Thought you'd be there."
Hazel: "No… I don't like staying in class these days."
Axel: "You're changing. Why are you always with them?"
Hazel glanced back: "They're my comfort zone."
Axel's expression tightened, a flash of jealousy in his eyes.
They ended up walking together around the ground — neither realizing they were just circling it.
Axel: "Can you help me with my assignments?"
Hazel: "Me?"
Axel: "Yes, you."
Hazel: "But I—"
Axel: "Just say yes, Haze."
Hazel: "Axel, don't you have practice?"
Axel: "Come on, there's still time."
Hazel sighed.
Axel: "When the break's over, meet me in the cafeteria. I'll be there."
And with that, he walked off. Hazel shook her head and sat down.
Cristy and her girls appeared.
Cristy: "Girls, you know she wants both hot boys."
Isabella: "Oh God, she's playing with them."
Julia: "But the funny part is… neither of them actually wants her."
They all burst into laughter.
Hazel looked up with a mocking tone:
Hazel: "Oh dear girls, I do want both of them… you know for what, right?" She winked. "And I'll never stay away from them — especially Drake. You can do whatever you want."
She gave Cristy's shoulder a little shove and walked away.
As soon as she was out of sight, her smirk slowly faded.