Hazel's POV
Hi, I'm Hazel. I'd say I'm the perfect description of a nerdy but beautiful girl — pretty cool, right?
My life is simple, mostly because I spend half of it trapped in a book. The rest of it? With people I love. My parents are easygoing — the type who never really sweat the small stuff. Then there's my brother Keith.
Keith's basically like a sugar-rushed kid trapped in a grown-up body. Overprotective, annoying at times — but also the best brother I could ask for.
When we were little, we did everything together. I used to follow him everywhere. He didn't mind, because he had this one best friend who came over all the time. That boy was my partner-in-crime. I had the biggest crush on him.
Funny thing is, I can't even remember what he looked like anymore — or his real name. I only remember that he called me Lily and I called him Charming. To me, we were perfect. But then… he moved away, and I never saw him again. Other than that, my life's been… quiet. I'm not bullied or anything, mostly because people don't even notice I exist. And honestly? I'm fine with that.
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Monday Morning
Monday. The most exhausting day of the week.
I rushed down the crowded hallway toward my locker, balancing books and trying not to trip over anyone's careless shoes. Lockers slammed around me, snippets of gossip floated through the air, and someone's laughter echoed obnoxiously down the hall. Typical chaos.
Just as I slammed my locker shut, I spotted Thea sprinting toward me like she'd just been told she won a million dollars. Her curly hair was bouncing wildly, and she wore her signature "I-have-news" grin.
"Hazel!" Thea shrieked, breaking into her goofy little victory dance right there in the middle of the hallway.
I sighed but couldn't help grinning. "What now, Thea?"
"Best. News. Ever!" she squealed, shaking my shoulders dramatically. "We've got a new student. A boy! And he's starting today!"
I raised a brow. "That's your best news ever?"
"Yes!" She threw her hands up like it was obvious. "Do you know how boring the guys here are? Finally, some fresh meat."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Since when were you this desperate for excitement?"
"Since… forever," she said matter-of-factly, then smirked. "Anyway, I bet he's cute. Maybe he's already in class. Let's go, before someone else claims him."
"Thea," I groaned, grabbing my bag. "He's not a prize."
"Correction — he might be. And if he turns out to be hot, I'm calling dibs."
I snorted. "You can't call dibs on a person."
"Watch me," she shot back with a wink, looping her arm through mine.
We made our way to class, Thea practically dragging me while I tried not to roll my eyes too hard.
---
Third Period
Two periods passed. Still no new boy.
By the third, Thea was dramatically pouting at her desk while I was hunched over my exercise sheet, scribbling away.
"You know," Thea whispered, leaning over. "Maybe he's imaginary. Maybe I just dreamed him up."
"Wouldn't surprise me," I muttered, eyes still on my paper.
But then, mid-sentence, I felt it — a presence. The faint shift of the chair beside me. Someone had slid into the seat.
A light tap on my arm pulled me out of my focus. Startled, I looked up — straight into the eyes of a boy I'd never seen before.
And wow.
He was… striking. Curly black hair that looked like it never behaved, smooth brown skin, dressed casually in a white shirt, denim jacket, and dark jeans. But it was his eyes that caught me — black as midnight, intense, yet strangely warm.
And then there was his smile. Not fake or forced, but real. Easy. Like it belonged to him.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"Hi," I managed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Uh… sorry, but who are you?"
"I'm Hunter. New here." His voice was smooth, confident, and carried the kind of calm that instantly drew people in.
"Ohhh. You're the new kid," I said, trying not to sound awkward. Which, of course, made me sound more awkward.
He nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, like he was amused.
"I'm Hazel," I added quickly.
"Hi, Hazel." He stretched out my name just enough to make my cheeks warm.
I laughed nervously. "So… why are you sitting here? Do you need something?"
"Teacher told me to," he replied with a smirk. "Hope that's not a problem?"
"Oh! No, no problem at all," I said way too fast, staring down at my desk as if it had suddenly become fascinating. My face was burning.
When I glanced up again, he was still watching me. His gaze wasn't rude or cocky — just curious. Like he was trying to figure me out.
Was this… a scene straight out of some cheesy romance movie?
I almost snorted at the thought. But then he chuckled lightly, and the sound was warm enough to make me laugh too.
"So," I asked, grateful for the distraction, "where'd you transfer from?"
"Walls High. Pretty far from here."
I tilted my head, studying him. "You look… familiar somehow. Do I know you?"
He held my gaze for a beat before shaking his head lightly. "Nah… I don't think so."
But something about the way he said it made me wonder if he meant it.