“I don’t know,” I muttered, running my hand through my hair.
“I’ve never seen you this worked up. Not even your parents get this kind of treatment from you, and weknowthey deserve it.” He was right, he was absolutely right. Hazel’s tattoo suddenly flashed in my mind.Choose to be kind. It made me feel even worse.
I gave up on breakfast and went upstairs. Lucky for me, she wasn’t there. I finally took a proper shower, the first since my midnight plunge into the ocean. Cold water ran over me, washing away the weight of this morning. I tilted my head back, eyes catching on the Christmas lights above, and thinking I’d love to see them with her.
I wasn’t a completely new person after standing under the water for 45 minutes, but at least my headache had eased. I stepped out onto the balcony, staying a safe distance from theledge as the breeze cooled my skin. I noticed some chatter and looked down.
The girls had changed into their swimsuits and were heading to the beach. I stepped closer to the railing to get a clear view, completely ignoring the fact that I was on the second floor. My eyes locked on Hazel. Gone were yesterday’s boxer shorts and black top. Instead, she wore a dark blue one-piece with a dangerously low-cut back. Her hair, braided into a bun, was tied with a matching ribbon. And a book in her hands, of course.
She looked so, so pretty. I sighed, relieved she wouldn’t have to deal with me today. I knew the girls would look after her.
I stepped back inside and noticed the bedroom door standing open. The freshly made bed with its white sheets called to me like a siren. I walked in slowly, letting my fingers glide across the fabric.
What was on your mind yesterday?
Or rather, who?
Was her scent still on the pillows?
I closed my eyes and breathed in the calmness. The questions swirled around my mind, but no longer caused panic. They floated in my head like colors in a kaleidoscope.
I made a conscious decision to lie down on the bed, just for a minute, and close my eyes.I will leave in a moment, I promised myself, but deep down I knew I wanted to stay here, trapped in my imagination, where the real world didn’t exist.
And believe it or not. That’s exactly what happened.
* * *
At least four hours had passed since I lied to myself about getting up from her bed, which I realized when I opened my eyes and saw the sun on the far side of the balcony. I closed my eyes again,savoring the cool sheets. Stretching, I spread my arms across the bed and noticed the blanket over me.
I didn’t have it when I fell asleep, I knew that for sure. I sat up and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place, except the glass of water and another aspirin on the nightstand. Someone had been in here, probably Summer or Norah. I took the aspirin and got up, fixing the mess I had made.
A noise outside caught my attention; it must have been the girls coming back from the beach. I should talk to Hazel and apologize. I felt better and much more in control of my body and mind. I just had to keep myself in check and avoid flirting.
I walked downstairs to an empty patio, the noise leading me toward the pool. There, Alex, Ava, Logan, and Ethan were playing cards, while Norah and Summer lounged in the sun. Everyone was there—except one.
“Well, hello, sleepyhead.” Summer noticed me first. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I replied, putting on my sunglasses and sinking into a bean bag chair.
“Where’s Hazel?” I asked, trying to sound casual but clearly failing, since it was all I cared about right now.
“Gone,” Norah answered.
“WHAT? Why?” I pulled down my sunglasses, alarmed.
No, no, no.I suddenly felt sick.
“Relax, Romeo. Hazel very politely asked if we needed her today.”Yes, I needed her.“She had some personal business in town. She was very mysterious about it,” Summer said.
“Let’s hope she isn’t buying a plane ticket or looking for an apartment so she doesn’t have to see your face,” Norah added. But it hit like a punch to the gut, painful and precise. It honestly felt like a real possibility.
“Personal business?” I murmured, quieter now.
“She didn’t elaborate.”
“Did she say when she’s coming back?” Maybe I should go look for her. Where would I even start? “She said she’d be back in the evening.”
Okay, so shewouldcome back. I nodded.
