Milan woke with a flutter in her chest, the remnants of a dream clinging obstinately to her mind. Hazel's laughter resonated in her thoughts, warm and unpremeditated, the gentle swing of her hair, the wild way she'd run along the beach. Her body flared softly as she shifted beneath the sheets, the recollection of their sunscreen moment lingering like an unseemly whisper. She pressed her hands into her face, slowly exhaling. Focus, she instructed herself. Hazel was innocent. A nun in training. Off limits. All of that which she felt now was hers, alone, to herself, something she needed to keep inside.
There was a phone on the nightstand, and it vibrated in the silence. A message came up and it's Hazel.
"Hey… I'm so bored. Everyone left me at home. You up?"
Milan's chest gave a small, involuntary skip. Of course. Hazel had been left alone while her brother and his girlfriend went out. She smiled softly, fingers hovering over the screen before replying.
"I'm up. Want to come meet me at the fair? It's sunny and there's a lot going on."
A few moments later, a reply buzzed back: "Yeah… I'll come. Can't just sit at home all day."
Milan had a secret thrill. Hazel, seeking her, just like that no agenda, no stress. She shook her head, cradling the phone against her chest. Why did she have to be so. magnetic? She took a breath, reminding herself once again to keep her eye on the ball. Hazel was innocent. Untouchable. To be admired from a distance, for now.
She headed to the kitchen, the smell of freshly made coffee blending in with the sounds of the town waking up in the distance. Breakfast was quiet; she munched on her toast, her thoughts wandering to Hazel. How does a person seem so effortless, so innocent, and still captivate you wholeheartedly? She scowled, pursing her lips. No. Hazel was innocent. She could enjoy, relish, care and that was as far as it went.
The sky was clear and sunny, perfect weather for the town fair. Milan walked alongside Hazel as they approached the very bright stalls, the air thick with the scent of popcorn and candy floss. Hazel smiled at the sight of the ferris wheel alone, and Milan couldn't help but smile despite the pounding in her chest. Look at her. She's just… alive. Pure and radiant. How do I even…? She suppressed the thought.
Hazel tugged playfully at her hand. "Come on, Milan! Let's play the ring toss first!" Her voice was light, singing, untroubled. Milan hung back, letting Hazel go ahead, watching the way she concentrated, the slight wrinkle of her brow trying. When Hazel threw and missed the ring and laughed at herself, Milan's chest constricted gently, taken in by the innocence, the honesty of her reaction.
They strolled around the fair, playing silly games, trying treats, laughing at silly prizes. Hazel's joy was contagious. Milan found herself running her fingers over Hazel's hand lightly as she fed her a snack, the gentle touch lingering much longer than it ought to have. Hazel didn't even notice, so absorbed was she in the moment and that only served to make Milan's fascination all the greater.
"Remember when I tried baking for the convent? Disaster," Hazel suddenly said, giggling and taking a bite from a candy apple. "I'm sure I burnt the entire thing. The bread included."
Milan laughed. "Not surprising. You look. fussy. Careful. That's kind of cute, really."
Hazel rested her head. "I just try to follow the rules… I wish I could just be messy, you know? Not have everything neat." She paused, looking at Milan with an open face. "But… I like being with people like that. Like you. I feel like I can… just be."
Milan's chest seared. "You are just being, Hazel. And that's. perfect." She hung the words, aware of how much greater they were to her than to Hazel.
The afternoon was exuberant chaos: they romped barefoot in the surf, splashing at one another, building sandcastles with melodramatic turrets, and badgering each other ruthlessly. Hazel laughed so unreservedly it hurt Milan's chest softly, that sheer happiness igniting a fierce, protective energy.
In the sandcastle competition, Hazel leaned over Milan, asking for advice on building the highest spire. Their fingers touched in the damp sand. Hazel laughed at the sloppy result, and Milan felt a rush, savoring the innocent closeness all so natural on Hazel's part, completely captivating.
As the sun dipped towards the west, the group collapsed onto towels, gasping but satisfied. Hazel's hair clung to her damp shoulders, her cheeks flushed with sun and laughter. She stretched out, leaning back on elbows, and Milan stood there in silence, taking in every little detail. Hazel's innocence, her honesty, the ease she had with Milan was mesmerizing.
As the fair was closing, Milan glanced over at Hazel. "It's getting on, how are you getting home?"
Hazel chewed her lip, looking a little ashamed. "Honestly everyone's still out, and I'm kinda stranded. My brother and his girlfriend are off doing their own thing." She hesitated, saying quietly, "I don't mind staying over if it's alright with you."
Milan received a quick buzz, but she kept a cool demeanor. "Of course. It's fine. I just want you to be comfortable."
Hazel sat up. "I'll call my parents first, just so they're not worried."
A couple of minutes later, Hazel's phone beeped in confirmation. She smiled at Milan. "All good. They're okay with it. Guess I'll be crashing here tonight."
The lights were dim in Milan's room, soft shadows dancing on the walls as Hazel settled. She glided with that effortless beauty, unaware of the power she had over her. She couldn't help glancing, racing heart , speeding up with each small move. Hazel's hair fell down her shoulders, and she distractedly brushed a stray lock behind her ear. Milan's fingertips itched to reach out, to brush it behind her ear gently, but she didn't. Hazel was pure, off-limits, and she respected that.
"So, what's the best part of the fair for you?" Milan asked matter-of-factly, trying to keep her voice even.
Hazel smiled shyly, folding herself into a blanket. "Really? Just existing. Here. With you. I didn't think it would be so. pleasant."
Milan's chest tightened. "Good. I like watching you happy." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but Hazel leaned forward, smiling quietly, happily oblivious to the hidden meaning behind the words.
They curled up side by side, blankets draped about their shoulders. Hazel crept over to reach for a snack and brushed against Milan lightly, a fleeting, innocent touch but Milan's heart was racing, nerves ablaze. She pressed her lips together, shifting her attention elsewhere, but her eyes kept drifting back, drawn like a magnet to Hazel's warmth.
Hazel peered into hers. "Thanks for today. I don't get to just hang out like this very often. It's nice."
Milan swallowed hard. "It's nice for me, too," she admitted quietly, leaving the words hanging in the quiet room. Hazel smiled, a fresh, trusting smile, and Milan's chest ached both for longing and restraint.
As Hazel drifted off to sleep, Milan remained sitting, staring at her, enthralled by the innocence, the simplicity, the beauty that seemed to radiate from her. She pressed her lips together, reprimanding herself in the silence. This is prohibited. Hazel is a nun. She's inaccessible.
Milan wrapped up alongside her, making sure to leave space, allowing Hazel to feel protected, cozy, and oblivious. But the draw the stillness had, the quiet, magnetic pull, it remained, weaving in and out of her mind well after dark, creating tension for what would come around tomorrow.