Chapter 1
Hazel Foxx
"Oh my gosh!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "What are you doing?" What did I just do? I started running, but at the same time my foot hit a pot hole. I fell onto the pavement. They came closer. "Somebody help me, please!" I screamed, but nobody was around to hear me. They were much closer now. This is the end. It's over.
"Hazel! Wake up," a familiar voice called to me. "Wake up." Moments later I awoke to see my mother standing over me.
"W-what happened?" I asked.
"Another nightmare," she said. "Want me to get you anything?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks anyways."
"Okay, but if you need anything let me know." With that said she left me.
I hate that nightmare. It's always the same. I got out my diary and pen that I kept in the drawer of my nightstand beside the bed. I began writing.
Dear Diary,
Well, I had that nightmare again. What is it now? 3rd night in a row? I think so. I should stop eating so many sweets before bed. I think that's what's giving me that nightmare. No. I'm sure it is. But enough for tonight. I have school in about two hours. I'm going to take a shower, get ready, and probably look up a couple of things. That's all for now.
Hazel ^ ^
I put my stuff up and got out of bed. I started walking to the door then stopped. It felt like someone was staring at me. I turned and went to my window. Nobody was there. Hmm. I think I'll take that bath now.
Ah, much better. What is that noise? I guess I should go check it out. I walked out the front door and into the street. It sounded like someone was getting beat up. I went back inside and got my bat. I started searching for the direction the noise came from. There it is. The noise was coming from the alley beside the house. I went into the alley and saw it.
Two images were clashing back and forth, but it was hard to tell who they were and what exactly they were doing. It looked like they were fighting. One flung the other into the side of the dumpster and started attacking him full on. The other one caught his arm in mid air and threw him into the air. He then jumped on the poor guy and the attacks came. The dumpster was bent, and the street was destroyed. They were still going at it.
It was exactly like my dream. I couldn't help from shouting. "Oh my gosh! What are you doing?" Just like in my dream they stopped fighting and started coming after me. One was really pale from what I could see in the light that came from the street. It looked like he was fighting with a giant dog. They were really close to me now. "Somebody help me, please!" I screamed, knowing that this was like my dream and nobody would hear me. I saw them smile at each other and then they lunged at me. I felt two sharp pains: one on the left side of my shoulder and one on the right side of my neck. This is it. I'm going to die. It's just like my dream, but this time I won't wake up. Soon, everything went black.
I woke up to the smell of anesthetics, and I knew where I must be. I looked around in the cold, white room. It was completely empty. It gave me the creeps, but all hospital rooms gave me the creeps. I tried not to think about it. I really had to use the bathroom. I could barely move when I started to get off the bed. It took a lot of strength to do so. I got up slowly and made my way to the bathroom. After I went to the bathroom, I went straight for the mirror.
I wasn't entirely surprised when I saw how I looked. My long blonde hair was all matted up, and my bright blue eyes had bags under them. I was covered in so much dirt that I actually thought I was tan. I desperately needed a shower. It won't take that long. I guess a quick shower won't hurt, but first I gotta brush this nasty hair. I went over to the bed and found a little beige bag. It was packed with a brush, extra clothes, soap, razors, deodorant, hair stuff, books, and shampoo and conditioner. Thank you mom. I knew it was her. Who else would bring this stuff? I bent down to get the bag and felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. I had forgotten all about it.
I looked in the mirror again. I lifted up my neck and found a bite mark, probably from the boy. Then I pushed my hospital gown a little off my shoulder and inspected the giant dog bite. They both looked pretty bad, but they had already started to scab over. I hope it doesn't get infected. Then I remembered I needed a shower. As I went to get into the shower I slipped and my shoulder hit the wall. The dog bite started bleeding. I hurried into the shower to wash it off. There was a lot of blood, and I wondered why my luck was so bad. I watched the blood mix in with the water and go down the drain until eventually the water was clear again. The hot water felt really good. I was in the shower a good hour and a half before I started to shrivel up. It's time to get out.
I stepped out of the shower carefully. I didn't want to slip again. I took my time putting on my eyeliner and fixing my hair. I never really fixed my hair or put on anything more than eyeliner. I usually just straightened it and went on my way, but for some reason I had decided to spend a little extra time on my hair. When I was done blow drying and straightening my hair, I put on the rest of my clothes and opened up the bathroom door. I suddenly knew why I had spent a little extra time. Taylor Cross was sitting on my bed.
"Took you long enough," he teased. Taylor had been my best friend for seven years, since third grade. We did everything together. When we were little, our parents let us have sleepovers, but we had to stay in the living room with people watching us like hawks. I didn't really mind, and I don't think he did either. We just enjoyed each other's company. Lately my feelings for him had changed. Being his friend simply wasn't good enough anymore. I wanted us to be something more than just friends, but I knew he didn't feel the same way.
"How long have you been here?" I asked as I ran to give him a big hug, ignoring my pain.
"Well, I dropped you off some stuff and got hungry. When I came back, you were in the shower."
"You brought my things?" I asked, embarrassed. "I thought my mom did. Thanks Tae." He looked at me with solemn eyes. "What's wrong?" I was worried.
"What happened last night Hae?" he was worried. He tried look calm, but his eyes betrayed him.
"I- nothing."
"Hazel Elizabeth Foxx. You tell me what happened," he was really upset.
"I had that nightmare again, and when I woke up, I heard noises. I went to investigate and came upon two guys fighting. When they saw me," I swallowed hard. "When they saw me, they came after me. Nobody was around to help me."
"Why did you go outside in the first place?" his voice was harsh.
"I don't know really. Something just pulled me to them. I don't know what it was or why it happened but it did. I can't change what happened Tae."
"You don't think I don't know that!" he exploded. I had never seen him this mad before. "You could have been kill Hazel! You could have been killed, and I wasn't there to protect you! You're my best friend. I don't know what I would have done if I would have lost you." He was trying to hold back tears, but in the end he gave up, and a lone tear trickled down his perfect face. That's one of the things I liked about Taylor. He wasn't afraid to show his emotions to me, but I had never seen him cry before. I started crying too.
"I'm so sorry Tae." I embraced him, and started stroking his dark brown hair. "I'll never go out at night without someone ever again. Please stop crying. You're making me cry."
He looked up at me and started to laugh. His laughter was infectious. I started laughing with him. For some reason we couldn't stop laughing. Then he got serious.
"I don't ever want anything bad to happen to you Hae. I love you."
My heart jumped at his words. "I love you too, Tae." I knew we meant it in two totally different ways. Maybe we were meant to be friends only. I would have to learn to accept it I guess.
"Hae?"
"Yeah?"
"I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" Maybe he wants to be more than just friends too!
"Well I uh-" he was interrupted by my mother.
"Good afternoon you two," she said smiling. "The doctor said you can come home now Hazel. You need a ride Taylor?"
"No thanks Nina. I brought my truck with me. I guess I'll go now. Talk to you guys later."
"Bye, Tae," we both said.
"Alright. Are you ready to go Hae?"
"Yeah. Just let me get my stuff and we can leave."
"Hae! You're back!" a couple of girls screamed as Taylor and I pulled up into the parking lot. I got out of his truck and was engulfed by three girls: Scout Ross, Emilie Ross, and Leah Peterson.
"I know! I'm so glad to be back at school so I can see everyone again."
The girls looked at Taylor. Girls were always looking at Taylor and I didn't like it very much. I wonder if they knew I liked him then they would back off? The way they were looking at him told me the answer. I'm jealous. Wow. I never thought I would like Tae like this, but apparently I do.
"Oh my gosh Hae!" Emilie interrupted my thoughts. "We have a new student named Levi Clark."
"He is totally gorgeous," Leah said.
"He might be even better looking than you, Tae," Scout said, winking at him. Scout liked Tae and she made sure everybody knew it. That was one of the things I hated about her lately, but I knew it was jealousy. I couldn't let anyone know about my crush. Not even Tae. The bad thing is is that I wanted to tell him so badly.
"Let's go to class Hae," he said, ignoring Scout's comment. We walked away from the girls, and I was glad to be alone with him. "Woo! Am I glad we got away from them. Scout Is starting to freak me out."
"She's freaking everyone out," I said coldly. He sensed something was wrong because he put his arm around my shoulders. He was trying to get me to tell him what was wrong with me. He always did that when he thought I was keeping something important from him. Of course I always ended up telling him everything, but not this time. He doesn't need to know that I like him and that I am upset that Scout is always flirting with him. So I just kept walking. He eventually got the hint that there was nothing to tell so he dropped his arm. "I gotta get to class. I'll see you at lunch." Then he left.
I walked into the classroom just as the bell rang. Everyone was looking at me. I felt like I was the new kid again. I began to feel self-conscious. "Nice to have you back Hazel. We've missed you," said Miss Apple. The kids finally looked away.
"Thanks. How long have I been gone?" I asked, taking my seat. The kids turned to stare at me again. Great.
"You've been gone a couple of weeks. Since Hazel is back today then I'm going to let everyone have a free day. We can have the test tomorrow." Everyone was excited about a free day since Miss Apple rarely gave them. That was the only class we never had free time in, and today we got a whole day to relax.
"Maybe you should come back from the hospital more often," one of the boys teased. I turned to see who it was, but I had a clue. Nobody's voice was like his.
"Ha ha ha. Very funny Aaron," I said looking up at the tall blonde haired, blue-eyed boy. "Miss me?"
"Nope. Miss me?"
"Nope." We both started laughing.
"I'm just playing with you Hae. You know I missed you, and I know you missed me. School just hasn't been the same without you around."
"Awe. You're just saying that." We started laughing again. Aaron Phillips was one of my newer friends, but we got along like best friends. Someone interrupted our laughter.
"Hi. I'm Levi Clark. You must be Hazel," he said with a huge grin.
"In the flesh," I said trying to sound cool. Aaron busted out laughing, and I tried to hold it in. I failed. We were all laughing now. Nobody knew why exactly, but we were. "You're the new kid, huh?"
"I sure am. I heard a lot about you. Everyone seems to like you. They all said you were gorgeous, but I didn't expect you to be this gorgeous." I was blushing. Levi was a total hottie. He had light blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. He was tall, but not as tall as Aaron. "I was wondering if it would be okay if I sit with you guys at lunch today?"
"I don't know. Our table is usually pretty full. If it is then you'll have to pull up a chair."
"That works for me. See you guys at lunch." He walked off to join his other friends.
"I think he likes you," Aaron said, smiling. "I think he likes you a lot."
"Really? You think so?"
"Yeah. You should forget about that crush on Taylor and go for Levi."
"I do not have a crush on Taylor." My face was turning red.
"Uh huh. Sure you don't. See you at lunch." The bell rang. I was so glad to get out of that class.
I hurried out of the class room, anxious to get away from Aaron. "Hey. Where are you going?" someone asked. I turned around and was relieved when it was Levi and not Aaron. "Mind if I walk you to your next class?"
"Uh, sure. Why not."
"I don't have to if you don't want me to you know."
"Yeah, I know. I was just thinking."
"What were you thinking about?"
"Just what Aaron said."
"He told you I like you, didn't he?" He was blushing now.
"Um, no, actually. You just did," I said, laughing. He started laughing too.
"I was actually wondering if you would go to the spring dance with me?"
"Oh, uh, well you see, uh-"
"It's okay." He looked so disappointed. "I understand."
"It's just that I always go to school dances and events with Taylor."
"Taylor? Taylor Cross?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I thought he was going with Scout to the dance."
"What do you mean?"
"Well she told me she was going with him."
"Oh, okay. Then I'll be glad to go with you. Now let's get to lunch. I'm starving."
"Hazel wait up!" Taylor was yelling from across the parking lot. "You're not going to wait for me to give you a ride home?"
"Oh, no. Levi's going to give me a ride. Why don't you take Scout home instead? Since you're taking her to the dance."
"What do you mean? I don't even like Scout."
"But Levi said you were going with her."
"Nope. I always go with you."
"Not this time. When I thought you were going with Scout, I kind of told Levi I would go with him."
"Oh, that's okay. There's always next time right?"
"Yeah. You want to pick me up in the morning?"
"Sure. But will you let me give you a ride home today? I really need to talk to you."
"Sure. I'll be right back." I gave him a big hug and ran to Levi's car.
"Hey Hazel. Ready to go?"
"Actually Taylor wanted to talk to me so I'm going to ride with him."
"Okay. Well before you go can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What?"
"About that day in the alley before you were in the hospital-"
"Hurry up Hae!" Taylor yelled.
"I have to go. See you tomorrow. Bye."
"Bye."
I made my way back to Taylor's car wondering what Levi meant. Could he know what happened to me? I haven't told anyone. He couldn't. Could he?