---
Hazel was taken aback when she noticed Zamiel sitting beside her.
"Why are you outside at this hour?" Zamiel asked, his gaze fixed somewhere ahead, not meeting hers.
"I just did not feel like staying inside; it is boring. What about you?" Hazel replied, fiddling nervously with her fingers—a habit she had whenever she was uneasy.
"Same here," Zamiel answered simply.
Hazel nodded at his response.
"Then, can we find something interesting to do together?" Zamiel asked, this time turning to look directly at her, his expression subtly hopeful.
Hazel was quiet for a moment, her mind racing.
"What the heck? Did he just ask me to do something fun with him? OMG!" Hazel thought, her cheeks flushing. She nodded shyly.
"Should I take that as a yes?" Zamiel teased.
Another thought crossed Hazel's mind. "Wait, what? Did he just ask for confirmation like someone proposing?!" Before she could spiral further, Zamiel's voice pulled her back.
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked.
"Of course, go ahead."
"Why do you and Amanda not seem like siblings?"
Hazel stiffened at the question. "Why is he so curious?" she thought. She hesitated, debating whether to tell him. Something deep inside urged her to open up. If she did not, she might never get the chance to share her burden, and it could haunt her forever.
Before she could fully decide, Zamiel spoke again.
"It is okay if it is a secret. I am sorry for being so nosy. You can tell me something else about yourself if you prefer."
Hazel shook her head. "No, it is okay. I will answer your question," she said softly.
"Amanda is not my real sister. She is my stepsister, and—"
Zamiel interrupted her gently. "That is enough. You answered my question. Thank you. Now it is your turn to ask me something."
Hazel nodded, then asked, "You are a model, right? How do you feel whenever you are shooting?"
Zamiel smiled faintly. "Modeling is something I have loved since my teenage years. Every time I am shooting, I feel genuinely happy."
The two continued chatting happily for a while, laughing and sharing stories. By the end of their conversation, they promised to remain friends and headed back inside together.
---
The Next Morning
The students woke early, preparing for an exciting day. Hazel finished getting ready and searched her bag for the drawing she planned to present. To her dismay, it was missing. She asked her friends and others in the room, but everyone claimed not to know where it was.
Hazel felt a mix of confusion and anger as she thought to herself, "This must be one of Amanda's tricks. So this is how she plays her games?"
On her way out, Hazel ran into Zamiel. After greeting her, he noticed her troubled expression.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
Without hesitation, Hazel explained the situation to him. Zamiel offered to help.
---
Meanwhile, Amanda's Scheme
Amanda sat in the back of the room with her friends. Kristen leaned in and asked, "Do you have any plans for your sister today?"
Amanda smirked faintly. "Of course, I do. Why would I not?"
She recalled the day Hazel had gone to Mrs. Smith's office to inform her that she could draw.
After Hazel left the office, Amanda had entered, pretending not to know her stepsister had been there earlier.
"Ma'am, can I draw something about independence to present to my classmates? I think it could spark an interesting discussion," Amanda said sweetly.
Mrs. Smith raised a brow. "Your sister was just here saying the same thing. Are you both artists now?"
Amanda dodged the question with a sly smile. "Well, we are lazy in our own ways."
Mrs. Smith laughed lightly. "Alright, you can do it. Let us see what you have got."
"Thank you so much, ma'am," Amanda said, walking out with a devilish smirk.
Later that night, while Hazel was outside talking to Zamiel and Jasmine had stepped out to use the restroom, Amanda seized her chance. She rummaged through Hazel's bag and stole her drawing. Amanda's friends stood guard, threatening to harm anyone who told Hazel or Jasmine about what had happened.
---
Zamiel's Help
After hearing Hazel's story, Zamiel made a call and asked someone to create a digital version of the drawing Hazel described. The two then headed to a nearby café to print it out.
As they waited, Hazel looked at Zamiel with gratitude. "I owe you so much," she said sincerely.
Zamiel simply nodded in response.
With the printed drawing in hand, they hurried back to the hotel, ready for the day ahead.
---
The Presentation
Mrs. Smith stood on stage, addressing the students.
"Good morning, everyone! As I mentioned yesterday, today is going to be a very exciting day, and I stand by my word," she said enthusiastically. The students applauded.
Meanwhile, Amanda sat at the back with her friends, fuming silently.
When it was time for the presentations, Mrs. Smith called Hazel to the stage.
"Stephen Hazel!" she announced.
Hazel stepped forward proudly, her hair catching the breeze as the students watched in awe.
---