Back in Hazel's room, Maude had her trying on some dresses. Hazel didn't want to wear a dress on the date, but considering that it was a date she decided to at least try some on.
Her mom used to force dresses on her when she was still in high school. But then, she was now a grown woman and can make her own decisions. And sure enough, she grew into liking dresses.
She loved how they made her look. Gentle and soft, whilst rugged on the inside. She didn't want to be seen as someone tough, so she could be seen like everyone else.
Maude insisted on her at least wearing something that was more her style. Hazel was crazy about the colour black, so she tried on some of her black dresses until Maude's eyes widened for the last one she tried on.
"I think this is it," Maude commented as she slowly scanned her from head to toe. "Definitely the one."
Hazel clapped in excitement. At the same moment, a knock was heard on the other side of her door. It was her mother.
"Hey, girls. When did you get back?" Her mother asked with a puzzled look on her face as she noticed Hazel was dressed up, "oh wow, what's the occasion?"
"We got back about an hour ago" Hazel replied while nervously scratching the back of her head.
"And she has a date tomorrow night with Kyle" Maude chimed in.
Hazel's mother looks over at her to explain what was going on.
"Oh, well he did this whole weird apology thing in class. And I was put on the spot so I said yes.." Hazel explained, laughing hysterically to kill the awkwardness she was feeling.
Her mother narrowed her eyes signalling that she was worried. Hazel nodded to assure her that she would be fine. Her mother sighed and smiled at them lovingly before walking out.
Maude noticed the awkward air and rushed over to Hazel's side. "What was that about? Did he do something?" She asked holding Hazel's hand.
Hazel sighed and sat on her bed, Maude followed suit and sat next to her. "He broke up with me the other day…something about me not being there..but I've just been caught up with my mom…"
"Did you tell him that..?" Maude asked worriedly.
"I tried to…but he just sparked up and broke up with me before I could properly explain what was going on…I don't think I wanna keep being with someone so quick to make conclusions..." Hazel sighed heavily as she started to fidget.
"Then why did you say yes to the date?"
"I was hoping I'd let him know that I wanted to carry on with the break up in person. And I felt the date would be the best place to break it up to him" Hazel replied.
"Well, I hope you're right. Everything will be okay regardless. Remember that" Maude assured, gently squeezing Hazel's hand to comfort her. Hazel nodded and smiled before hugging her tightly.
"It's getting late so how about you just sleep over? Then go back to your school tomorrow?" Hazel offered, hoping she'd agree. Maude laughed and nodded when suddenly her phone rang.
"Sorry, I have to take this" She stated and exited the room. Hazel lay on her back and stared at the ceiling as she began to get lost in her thoughts.
She wondered why Dove would purposely send her to that place. She knew that would happen, and still sent her there. And Malcolm, he was so scary. Her blood ran cold when she opened her eyes that night.
The gloomy look in his eyes was carved in her memory and his attitude. "What does he think of himself? So proud" Hazel said to herself as she scoffed.
Her heart started to race when the image of his huge body towering over her popped up in her head. Hurriedly, she sat up and caught her breath. "What am I doing?" She asked herself, putting her hand on her head.
Maude walked back in with a frustrated look on her face. "It was a friend from college. News just spread that our projects are to be submitted first thing tomorrow morning. Failure to do so will draw serious consequences. I have to head back now."
"What? But it's already 7 pm. It'll take you at least three hours to get back there. Can't you just leave super early in the morning?" Hazel asked shocked at the sudden change.
"Nah. I'm not even done with the project. I need to finish it tonight." Maude sighed and rubbed the temple of her nose.
Hazel pouted, sad that she had to leave. She had already thought about all the fun they would have had.
"I'll make it up to you when I come to visit again, okay?" Maude assured as she hugged Hazel. Hazel hugged her back tightly for a few seconds before offering to escort her out.
"I'll take the train. Should cut the journey down to about an hour and thirty minutes." Maude stated once they got to the door.
"Let me walk you to the station then." Hazel offered earnestly.
"Nope, what you need is to go back in there and get some rest. Your mom needs you at full strength" Maude insisted holding onto Hazel's hands and gently squeezing.
Hazel pouted in disappointment and wrapped her arms around Maude giving her one last tight hug before letting her go. They waved each other goodbye, and Hazel shut the door behind her.
She sighed and went back up to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the short black pleated dress hung up on a hanger in her open wardrobe.
She got up and gently ran her hands over the silver rhinestones elegantly placed all over the dress. Smiling as she closed her eyes and the image of herself in Kyle's arms surfaced in her mind.
She hummed and walked back to her bed to lie down and continue her fantasies in her head. Her phone buzzed interrupting her thoughts. It was Jordan.
Jordan: Got a job for you. Be here at 6 pm sharp tomorrow.
Hazel typed a reply back.
Me: Okay. What about my pay for yesterday's job?
Jordan read the message but didn't reply to her back. She sighed and laid back on her pillow. She decided to ask about it once she got there the next day.
Her phone buzzes again and her eyes lit up thinking it was a reply from Jordan but alas it was a text from Kyle. A faint smile appeared on her face as she opened the text.
Kyle: Hey, babe. I scheduled our date for 7 pm tomorrow. Got reservations and everything at a new restaurant in town. I'll send you the location. Can't wait to see you.
Her eyes shot open. 7 pm!? That's a little too close to the time of the job she had to take off the next day. But she was certain she could get it done and make it to the date in time.
She replied with an "Okay" before putting her phone down on her bedside table and pulling the blanket over her body and shutting her eyes to get some sleep.
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"Alright. She says she'll be here tomorrow night. You better have my money ready before then" Kyle states as he puts his phone back in his pocket.
An average-height Arabian man in a white garment with a red scarf tied to his head walks into the poorly lit room from the shadows. "Good. She better be as pretty as her pictures." The man replied as he drooled over a picture of Hazel on his phone.
"Yeah yeah, whatever. All I care about is my money. Before you get the girl you give me my money, got it?" Kyle stated before walking past the man and out of the room.
"Yes yes. Your money is already standing by for you. But, I'll only give it to you when I get the girl. I don't trust you."
"What? But I have proof that she'll be here tomorrow night. You can definitely trust me!" Kyle exclaimed as he slowly got infuriated.
"No. No exceptions at all. Deal or no deal?" The man stated as he stretched his hand forward gesturing for a handshake.
Kyle looked at his hand and ignored him. "Whatever" he uttered before walking out of the room and slamming the door.
The man rolled his eyes and dialled a number on his phone. "Yes, fuel the plane first thing tomorrow morning. I will not be telling you twice." He stated before hanging up the phone without waiting for a reply from the person on the other side of the phone.
Kyle sighs on the other side of the shut door. He picked out his phone from his pocket and stared into it, an emotionless look plastered on his face.
"Thought you could leave me so easily did you, Hazel?" He muttered under his breath as a smirk formed on his face before he walked away.
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