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Chapter 9
On the first day of college. Hazel’s parents made a special trip home.
“Hazel, is all your luggage ready? Harvard is over 3000 miles away from here you mustn’t forget anything important,” her mother fretted, repeatedly checking the bags.
Her father added with concern: “Let me drive you to the airport, sweetheart. I’m nervous about you traveling so far alone.”
“That’s not necessary,” Hazel said with a smile, shaking her head. “I’m grown up now. You both have work–don’t worry about
me.”
Despite her reassurances, her mother still seemed anxious, wiping away a few tears. “Going so far away alone… how can we not worry? Stanford is right here in our city, yet you’re choosing to go across the country…”
Hazel hugged her mother affectionately. “Mom, if you’re crying just because I’m going to college, you’ll faint when I eventually get married.”
This reminded her mother of something, and she quickly pulled a piece of paper from her purse with a phone number written
on it.
“Hazel, actually, our family arranged a match for you when you were very young. But Julian and Maverick were always so attached to you that we assumed you’d end up with one of them, so we never mentioned it.”
“Now it seems they’re not right for you after all. This boy also attends Harvard–you’ll be at the same school.”
“Of course, arranged marriages aren’t really done anymore, but if you get along, you could date. If not, at least you’ll have someone to turn to if you need help.”
As she spoke, she placed the paper in Hazel’s palm.
Hazel was about to refuse when Julian and Maverick suddenly walked in.
“Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, don’t worry. We’ll take good care of Hazel,” they announced confidently.
Everyone present knew they had misheard, assuming the conversation was about them, but no one corrected their misunderstanding.
Hazel calmly pocketed the paper. “I got it, Mom. Don’t worry.”
Her mother nodded, dabbing at her tears, while her father’s eyes also reddened.
Julian and Maverick exchanged puzzled glances, not understanding why her parents were so emotional. “Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, Stanford is right here in the city. Even though Hazel will be staying in the dorms, she can come home on weekends. If she gets homesick, we can bring her back every day.”
Her parents sighed but said nothing.
Still oblivious, Julian and Maverick eagerly went to Hazel’s room to help with her luggage.
Taradel
6.3%
Once inside, both were shocked.
Julian asked in surprise: “Why pack so many clothes when you’re staying in the same city? You can come home anytime.”
“I’m a girl–it’s normal to have lots of clothes,” Hazel replied dismissively.
Maverick jumped in: “True, true! Get as many as you want. After we’re settled, I’ll take you shopping for more.”
Julian didn’t press further. He simply picked up a suitcase, his typically cool expression now tinged with barely perceptible nervousness. “Hazel, ride with me. I… I’ve prepared a surprise for you at school.”
After a brief hesitation, he added haltingly: “I… at school, I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”
Maverick immediately snatched the suitcase from his hand. “Ride with me instead! I’ve got a surprise too!”
The two tugged at Hazel from opposite sides when suddenly someone’s phone rang.
“Julian, Maverick, I… I got into a car accident on my way to campus,” Rose sobbed from the other end. “I’m so scared…”
Julian and Maverick’s expressions instantly changed to panic.
“Are you hurt?”
“What happened? Are you injured?”
Rose’s tearful voice replied: “I’m… I’m okay, just really shaken up.”
Julian made a snap decision: “Don’t move. Wait right there–I’m coming to find you.”
Maverick added reassuringly: “Don’t be afraid. I’m here for you. I’m on my way.”
After hanging up, they suddenly remembered Hazel, but before they could speak, she cut them off:
“Don’t worry about taking me. I’ll go to campus myself.”
Julian hesitated, finally managing: “Well, when you get to campus, call me.”
Maverick added awkwardly: “Hazel, you promised to choose between us on the first day. Don’t forget.”
Hazel stared at them coldly, neither nodding nor responding.
Both sensed something was off, but Maverick’s phone rang again with Rose crying hysterically on the other end, claiming she was terrified and her leg hurt.
They had no choice but to leave, though they made sure to load Hazel’s luggage into her family driver’s car first.
Both boys looked back repeatedly, reminding her several times to contact them.
However, Hazel never uttered a single word in response.
Finally, they each got into their own cars, and she got into hers.
Ae enon as she sat down, her phone vibrated. Opening it, she found a message from Rose:
Ilmarade!
6.6%
Hazel, see that? One phone call and they’ll drop you in a heartbeat. Even if you became their girlfriend, it would be the same. If you reinstate my sponsorship, I might consider letting you have one of them.]
Reading this, Hazel let out a derisive laugh.
Her fingers typed a quick reply: “No need. I don’t want either of them anymore. They’re all yours.”
After sending it, she promptly blocked Rose.
Then Julian and Maverick.
Finally, she snapped her SIM card in half, tossed it away, and inserted a new one from her bag. The first number she entered was the one her mother had just given her–her arranged match.
The driver stepped on the gas, and the car headed in the opposite direction from the others, toward the airport.
Watching the scenery blur past, Hazel smiled slightly. This time, she would truly begin a new chapter of her life….
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