Ingradel
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Finally, on the day of her discharge, Julian and Maverick arrived to pick her up.
“Hazel, your parents are still away on business, so we’re here to take you home,” Julian explained.
Hazel didn’t even glance at them as she turned to walk in the opposite direction.
Julian’s expression darkened as he caught her arm. “Hazel, we haven’t seen Rose in weeks because we know you’re upset. I understand your feelings toward her, but why are you treating us like strangers too?”
Hazel couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his question.
Was she deliberately being distant?
Weren’t they the ones who had systematically pushed her away, forcibly creating this divide between them?
She just laughed without answering.
Maverick pulled his car up, blocking the exit. “Hazel, if you don’t get in, I’ll keep this spot blocked. I guarantee no cars will be able to pass.”
As if on cue, cars behind them started honking in protest. First one, then another… until a chorus of horns filled the air.
Maverick opened the car door. “Sorry folks, just trying to make up with my girl. Once she forgives me, I’ll move right away.”
Hazel didn’t want to cause a traffic jam, so she reluctantly got in.
Once inside, both boys began desperately trying to win her favor.
“Hazel, look! It’s that strawberry cake you love–I waited in line for hours!” Maverick held up the cake, eyes bright like a puppy seeking approval.
“I don’t want it anymore. Too sweet,” she coldly refused.
Julian then offered an elegantly packaged jar of ointment. “That’s fine, likes and dislikes change. This is a special healing cream from a renowned international medical professor. It’ll help your wounds recover better.”
She pushed the jar back toward him. “No need. The hospital prescribed medication works fine.”
No matter what they offered, Hazel rejected everything.
Suddenly, she felt something in the seat cushion crack. Reaching down, she pulled out a small note that read: “Rose’s princess shotgun seat.”
Hazel couldn’t help but scoff.
Maverick quickly snatched the note and tore it to shreds. “Hazel, don’t get the wrong idea. This was from a game I lost…”
His frantic movements betrayed his fear of her misunderstanding.
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5.5%
Chapter 8
Yet Hazel merely laughed lightly. “It has nothing to do with me.”
She closed her eyes with obvious disinterest, not caring about their reactions.
Maverick’s expression instantly changed. “How can it have nothing to do with you? Have you forgotten what you promised us? You’re supposed to make your choice on the first day of college!”
Julian’s cool demeanor shifted slightly as he couldn’t resist asking: “Have you… decided?”
Hazel gave them a sidelong glance. “That question seems more appropriate for Rose, doesn’t it?”
“Why would we ask Rose? We don’t have those feelings for her!”
“Hazel, are you misunderstanding something?”
Both boys suddenly became agitated, rushing to explain, but Hazel had no interest in listening. She closed her eyes, resting her head against the window, deliberately tuning them out.
Julian and Maverick dared not disturb her further, but exchanged a glance, both sensing that Hazel had changed significantly. She seemed increasingly indifferent toward them.
This wasn’t what they had intended, but they couldn’t find the right words to explain. So they comforted themselves with the thought that things would improve by the first day of college.
Just as Hazel arrived home, she received a call from her teacher:
“Hazel, you performed exceptionally well on your exams. You’re our city’s valedictorian, and the school would like you to give a speech to the underclassmen, sharing your study methods.”
Hazel hesitated briefly. If she gave the speech, her changed college plans would be exposed. But after only a few seconds‘ deliberation, she agreed.
Because they would find out eventually. She’d only kept it secret to avoid drama, but the decision was final–their reaction couldn’t change anything.
More importantly, she genuinely wanted to share her academic insights with the younger students.
With this in mind, she spent three days meticulously preparing her speech.
However, just before she was to go on stage, Julian and Maverick blocked her path.
Maverick awkwardly suggested: “Hazel, you don’t need to go up today. How about we go grab something to eat instead?”
“Or if there’s somewhere you’d rather go, we could take you there.”
Hazel looked at his nervous expression and shifting eyes with confusion. “What do you mean?”
Julian remained silent for several seconds before finally explaining: “Rose really wants to improve her public speaking skills, so I asked my father to arrange for her to give the speech instead.”
Mr. Blackwell had invested in several school buildings, so switching speakers was just a matter of his say–so.
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Chapter 8
At that moment, Rose’s bright voice came from the stage.
Hazel looked up and saw Rose had indeed taken her place.
Julian and Maverick anxiously watched Hazel’s stunned expression, bracing themselves for her anger.
They had prepared numerous ways to handle her outburst, but to their surprise, she remained coldly composed, showing no signs of distress.
All their prepared excuses went unused.
Hazel simply smiled, said nothing, and walked away.
What a shame, Julian and Maverick, you just missed your last chance to learn the truth.
3W
