The city was never truly quiet.
Even before the sun rose, the streets were already alive with distant car engines, murmuring voices, and the faint rustle of early morning life. But inside the small apartment tucked between two old buildings, Hazel had been awake long before the world outside began moving.
She sat by the small wooden table near the window, a dim lamp casting a soft glow over sheets of paper scattered in front of her. On those papers were sketches—dress designs carefully drawn with steady hands and hopeful dreams.
Fashion had always been Hazel's escape.
Where life had given her hardship, fashion gave her imagination. Where reality had given her responsibilities too heavy for someone her age, fashion allowed her to dream.
But dreams were a luxury Hazel rarely allowed herself to indulge in.
Behind the thin bedroom curtain, she heard movement. A soft groan followed by the sound of someone turning in bed.
Hazel quickly gathered her sketches, stacking them neatly before slipping them into an old folder. Just as she did, the curtain moved slightly and a sleepy voice called out.
"Hazel… are you awake already?"
Hazel turned and smiled gently.
Standing there with sleepy eyes and slightly messy hair was her younger sister.
Abi.
Hazel's smile softened immediately.
"Yes," Hazel said warmly. "You should still be sleeping. It's too early."
Abi walked toward the table, rubbing her eyes.
"You always wake up before me," she murmured. "Don't you ever get tired?"
Hazel laughed softly, though the answer sat quietly in her chest.
Of course she was tired.
She was tired of the long shifts she worked every day.
Tired of stretching every coin she earned.
Tired of pretending life wasn't as difficult as it truly was.
But she would never let Abi see that.
"I'm fine," Hazel replied gently. "You should get ready for school."
Abi sighed dramatically and sat down across from her.
"Sometimes I feel bad," she said quietly. "You do everything for me."
Hazel shook her head immediately.
"Don't say that."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
"You just focus on your studies. That's the only thing I want from you."
Abi was brilliant. Everyone said so. Her teachers praised her intelligence constantly. They said she had a future far greater than the tiny apartment they lived in.
And Hazel believed them.
Every late night shift.
Every sacrifice.
Every dream she postponed.
It was all for Abi.
Because if Abi succeeded, then everything Hazel had endured would finally mean something.
Abi looked at her sister for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Okay."
Hazel reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Abi's face.
"You're going to do great things," she said softly.
Abi smiled.
But something unreadable flickered in her eyes for just a brief moment.
Something Hazel didn't notice.
Because Hazel trusted her sister more than anyone in the world.
And sometimes…
Trust was the easiest thing in the world to break.
Hazel stared out of the window, unaware that the quiet morning would soon unravel everything she believed about her life.