---
Hazel arrived home, utterly exhausted. As she dropped her bag, a notification lit up her phone.
"How are you feeling?"
Zamiel's message appeared on the screen.
"Tired," Hazel replied with a small smile.
"You must be tired a lot. Go and rest. I won't be able to make it to school tomorrow because I have a shoot," Zamiel responded.
"Okay. Take care of yourself," Hazel replied. They ended the chat shortly after.
Suddenly, Amanda barged into Hazel's room.
"Your artwork is with me. If you want it, come and get it yourself in my room," Amanda said curtly, leaving before Hazel could respond.
Hazel did not hesitate. She climbed out of bed and went to retrieve her belongings from Amanda's room. Once there, she searched but could not find the artwork immediately. Amanda was notorious for hiding things, especially when it came to her habit of "borrowing" items without permission.
Hazel walked over to Amanda's drawer, opened it, and found both her artwork and a picture of her mother. Confusion and suspicion filled her mind. Why would Amanda have this photo? Hazel thought. Questions swirled in her head, but there were no immediate answers.
As she prepared to leave, Hazel noticed a red flower on Amanda's desk. This puzzled her. Amanda hated flowers. Holding the picture and her artwork, Hazel returned to her room and lay on her bed, her thoughts drifting to the past.
---
Hazel remembered herself standing with a bloodied knife in her hand. Amanda's mother lay on the floor, groaning in pain, surrounded by a pool of blood.
Amanda had entered the room carrying a red flower. Her face twisted in horror as she saw her mother and Hazel standing there. Amanda rushed forward, grabbed Hazel's gown, and screamed, "You murderer! If my mother dies, you must follow her!"
The words echoed in Hazel's mind, shaking her to her core. She clutched her head, trying to block the memory. "Snap out of it, Hazel. It has been ten years. Do not let the past haunt you. Let bygones be bygones," she whispered to herself. Hugging her pillow tightly, she allowed the darkness of sleep to embrace her.
---
The next morning at school, Hazel felt uneasy. Students stared at her and whispered as she passed. When she entered her classroom, the gossip stopped abruptly.
Jasmine waved Hazel over. "Sit here," she said, motioning to the seat next to her.
"What is going on this morning? Why is everyone talking about me?" Hazel asked, her voice laced with anxiety.
"Check your phone," Jasmine replied. "Go to the school platform."
Hazel quickly followed Jasmine's advice. Her heart sank when she saw a video of herself in Amanda's room, taking the artwork from her drawer.
"But it is mine," Hazel protested.
"I know it is yours," Jasmine said calmly. "But do you think others will believe you? Amanda told everyone her painting was missing. They think you stole it to win the competition."
Hazel's mind raced with confusion. She had no idea how to defend herself. Her thoughts were interrupted when Sarah entered the classroom.
"Hazel, Mrs. Smith wants to see you," Sarah announced.
Hazel's heart sank. This is the end, she thought.
---
In the staff room, Hazel approached Mrs. Smith's desk hesitantly.
"Sit down, Hazel," Mrs. Smith said kindly. "Is everything okay?"
Hazel was startled by Mrs. Smith's concern. She had expected anger, not sympathy. Lost in thought, Hazel barely registered what was being said. The only words that broke through her fog were, "You are free to go."
Relieved but still confused, Hazel left the staff room.
---
As she walked down the corridor, Amanda and her group intercepted her.
"Are you satisfied now?" Hazel asked with a smirk. "I cannot believe how childish you are."
Her voice was loud enough to draw the attention of nearby students.
Amanda stepped closer and whispered in Hazel's ear, "This is just the beginning of your suffering."
No one else heard Amanda's words, but the threat sent a chill down Hazel's spine.
Amanda's expression suddenly shifted to one of sadness. She spoke loudly for everyone to hear. "I trusted you, big sister. How could you repay me like this?"
"Big sister?" Hazel repeated, baffled by the sudden change in Amanda's demeanor.
Amanda grabbed Hazel's hands dramatically. "I never thought you would betray me this way!"
"Stop putting on a show! Stop acting!" Hazel shouted emotionally, pushing Amanda away.
Amanda stumbled but intentionally let herself fall to the ground, clutching her ankle as if injured. Hazel froze in shock.
Before she could react further, she felt a cold hand grab hers. The next thing she knew, someone was pulling her away, running with her through the school corridors.