They did as they were told. Hazel picked up all the bags and walked inside.
"Hazel, where have you been?" Dior asked, rushing over. "What's all this? Did you go shopping?" She grabbed one of the bags, her eyes lighting up. "Wow… this is the latest design—and it's original. These clothes cost thousands!"
Hazel watched her quietly. Maybe I should tell her… she might help me find a solution, she thought.
She dropped the bags and walked to her bed, sitting down heavily. Dior followed and sat beside her.
"What's wrong, Hazel? You don't look happy."
Hazel hesitated, then spoke. "Would you believe me if I told you Liam Greco bought all this for me?"
Dior laughed at first. "You're joking, right?" But when she saw Hazel's serious expression, her smile faded. "Wait… you're serious?"
Hazel nodded.
"So… you're dating him? Is that why you were asking about him?"
"No. I'm not dating him. It's… far from that. He asked me to marry him." Hazel sighed. "I don't even know him. We've only met twice. My career will be ruined… and our dream of forming a girl group will be crushed."
Dior frowned. "You've only met twice… is he insane?"
"I thought he had mental issues too."
"No, no—his health is fine. No record of anything like that," Dior said quickly. "But did you try talking to him?"
"I did. He only gave me one day to decide."
"Well, that's something. Just tell him no."
"I would… but he said he'll marry me whether I say yes or no."
Dior blinked. "Okay… that's a bit crazy. But at least he gave you a day. Some people would just drag you straight to court and register the marriage."
Hazel nodded slowly. "I was thinking about that too."
Dior crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Hmm… we need a plan."
"You're right."
A moment of silence passed before Dior suddenly spoke.
"How about… you give him a chance?"
Hazel frowned. "What are you talking about? Marry a man I barely know?"
"No, not marriage," Dior said quickly. "Tell him you want to date first. You know… boyfriend and girlfriend."
Hazel paused, considering it. "That… might work. But he's famous. I don't want people thinking I'm using him to gain popularity. I want to build my own fanbase."
"Then make it a secret relationship," Dior suggested.
Hazel's face lit up. "That's actually a great idea. You're the best!" she said, hugging her tightly.
"Alright, alright," Dior laughed. "Enough talking. Let's try these outfits. Tomorrow, everyone in school will be staring at us."
They both rushed to the bags, picking out clothes and trying them on, laughing and enjoying themselves.
After unpacking everything, Dior stretched. "Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, I ordered food earlier."
"Good. I'm feeling sleepy. I'll take a shower."
"Okay."
After bathing and changing into her pajamas, Hazel lay on her bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning…
They woke up early. Dior went to take her bath while Hazel headed to the kitchen. She prepared a light salad with coconut vinaigrette—a recipe she had learned from Vorden.
After setting the table, Hazel went to bathe. When she was done, she dressed in a short purple skirt and a purple crop top that revealed part of her waist, paired with short socks and white sneakers that matched her bag.
Dior wore a yellow skirt with a matching crop top, long socks that reached her knees, and white sneakers.
Hazel tied her hair into a ponytail and applied lipstick. Dior left her hair down, wearing only lipstick as well.
They ate quickly and headed out.
Hazel called a taxi. The ride to school took only five minutes—ten if they walked.
When they arrived, they saw Vorden leaning casually against his car. He wore a blue outfit with white sneakers, matching theirs. Since tenth grade, they had always liked coordinating their outfits.
"Dior must have told you to wear that," Hazel teased.
"Yeah," he admitted with a grin. "Let's go."
They walked into the school together.
"I've got soccer practice," Vorden said. "See you at lunch." He waved and walked off.
Hazel and Dior continued forward until they spotted Mia, Amber, and Anita, along with Amber's boyfriend Bryan and his friend. They were bullying a girl.
Hazel's expression hardened as she approached them.
"Amber, leave her alone."
Amber laughed mockingly. "Well, look who it is. The girl who suddenly thinks she has style." She glanced at Hazel's outfit. "I don't like to lie—you look terrible in that skirt. And what's that? A Chanel skirt? Fake, right? Trying to impress everyone?"
The group burst into laughter.
Hazel calmly opened her bag. "Is anyone going to call her out for bullying?"
Silence.
She smirked slightly and pulled out a receipt, shoving it in Amber's face.
Amber grabbed it—and froze.
Mia and Anita leaned in, their eyes widening in shock.
The total read: 3 million dollars.
"I hope that proves something," Hazel said coldly. "Now, if you'll excuse me—I don't talk to trash."
She grabbed the bullied girl's hand and pulled her away.
Behind them, Amber stood trembling with anger, jealousy burning in her eyes.
Hazel stopped and turned to the girl beside her. "Are you okay?"
The girl nodded quickly, her face bright with relief. "Yes… thank you so much!"
Hazel studied the girl carefully, her wide eyes still trembling from what had just happened. She looked small… fragile… like someone who had gotten used to being stepped on.
"Are you okay?" Hazel asked again, her voice softer this time.
"Yes… yes, I'm fine," the girl replied quickly, nodding too fast. "Thank you… I didn't know what to do…"
Dior crossed her arms, eyeing the girl. "You should start learning to stand up for yourself. People like Amber? They smell fear."
The girl lowered her head slightly. "I'll try…"
Hazel gave her a reassuring smile. "What's your name?"
"Lina."
"Alright, Lina. If they bother you again, come find me," Hazel said before gently patting her shoulder.
Lina's face lit up as if she had just been saved by a hero. "Thank you so much!"
As Lina hurried off, Dior turned to Hazel with a smirk. "Look at you, saving damsels now."
Hazel rolled her eyes. "Please, I just hate bullies."
"Mm-hmm… or maybe you're just in a good mood because a certain mafia lord bought you half the fashion industry," Dior teased.
Hazel's expression immediately dropped.
"Don't remind me," she muttered.
—
Lunch break came faster than expected.
Hazel sat quietly, poking at her food while Dior and Vorden talked about practice. But her mind wasn't there… it was stuck on one person.
Liam Greco.
His cold eyes.
His calm voice.
The way he said he would marry her… whether she agreed or not.
It didn't feel like a proposal.
It felt like a decision already made.
"Haze."
She snapped out of her thoughts.
Vorden was staring at her. "You've been quiet. That's not like you."
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
Dior gave her a knowing look but didn't expose her.
"Anyway," Vorden continued, "we have rehearsal after school. Don't forget. The competition is close."
Hazel forced a smile. "I won't."
Their dream.
Their girl group.
She couldn't let anything destroy it.
Not even Liam.