^^^Listen While Reading^^^
Crying abt this song but anyway.
Chapter-themed
(I just realized I think I made Casey have stairs at one point but in my head, she has a one-story house so just ignore thatð)
~~~
I woke up with a start. Throwing my covers off, I rushed down the stairs, tears pricking in the corners of my eyes.
The day before, I had a sleepover at Leah's house for her birthday. We managed to trick her father into letting us watch a new Disney movie in his room. Of course, being the mature age of six, we found an old horror movie and watched that instead. Naturally, we scared ourselves out of our minds, and Leah's mother had to comfort us and listen to our incoherent bawling through the throughout the entire night.
The next day, I couldn't shake the movie from my mind and did everything I could to stay awake. But by midnight, I was too tired and drifted off to sleep. I loved how Leah's mother hugged and wiped our tears, so when I had a nightmare the following night, I longed for that same warmth from my own mother.
I was dumb to think that. She did nothing of the sort. She had a meeting early the next morning, and I was making her late for it.
I know I'm overreacting. She wasn't mean or anything; she was just busy and very clear about her intentions. With one look from her, I knew I had to leave. But it's okay. I know I have it better than most people, but sometimes, I still look at my mother and wish she would want to get to know me.
That's why I picked up soccer. Not only did I find I was quite good at it, but I enjoyed the sense of responsibility that everyone on the team had for each other. It felt nice.
~~~
I have a few practices over break, and this Thursday Is one of them. It also happens to be the day I get to go to the state fair with Hazel. And Leah and Brandon.
I wish Leah a temporary farewell before hopping in my car and heading home. I'm nervous for this little outing, and I admit, it is because of Hazel.
When I arrived home, Hazel was already there, talking to my grandmother at the kitchen counter.
"Oh, hey guys," I say as I kick my shoes off and enter the kitchen area. Stuffing my keys into my pocket, I hand my grandmother the plastic bag in my free hand. Grandma looks a bit confused, and I explain. "I picked these up at the supermarket on the way home. You said you needed them."
Grandma nods, then gestures to Hazel. "I caught her waiting outside the front door, so I had to let her in."
Hazel's cheeks are a bit pink as she smiles, which is f*cking adorable. "Sorry, I didn't want to be late, so I guess I'm early."
"No, no, it's fine. I probably stink, though, so I'm going to take a quick shower," I say, pointing behind me with my thumb.
They both nod, and return to their conversation.
After my shower, I quickly get dressed and rush out to avoid keeping Hazel waiting. As we make our way to the door, Grandma looks at us and smiles warmly.
"Have fun, you two."
I nod, and Hazel smiles. "We will," she says.
We turn to leave, and Grandma gives me a knowing smile and a little nod as we step out of the house. I roll my eyes.
~~~
Leah drives us to the fair, as the independent woman she is. I would have sat in the passenger seat next to her, but she insisted I sit in the back with Hazel so that she could sit with Brandon. I tried to use the "bros before hoes" argument, but she told me it didn't apply to her because she was apparently a 'hoe' herself.
It wouldn't have mattered, anyway, because I spent the entire car ride getting practically bullied by the three of them.
"One year we went on the rollercoaster and Casey spilled her drink all over me," Leah says, earning a laugh from both Brandon and Hazel.
"That was three years ago," I protest. "And that was because you were so scared that you dug your nails into my arm the entire time."
Brandon joins in. "You're afraid of roller coasters?"
"All heights, actually. She never goes near her bedroom window when it's opened," I say.
"That is not true," Leah argues back, lightheartedly. I take it back. I'm beginning to enjoy this.
The fair is lively when we arrive, and we ride a few roller coasters that Leah refuses to go on, further proving my point. We go on a couple more rides, and Leah finally agrees to go on the Ferris wheel with us.
Leah doesn't say a word as we stand in line, and is just as quiet as the ride worker ushers us into our capsule.
Brandon looks at me, then at Leah, who's sitting in the far corner of the capsule, staring straight ahead. "Leah? You okay?"
She slowly turns and gives him a tight smile. "Yep."
Hazel's sitting next to me. "I think she's scared."
"I agree," I say.
Hazel gets up and crosses the capsule. The capsule tilts a bit, and Leah, who was staring wide-eyed out the huge windows, snaps her head in our direction. "No, stop!"
Hazel stops in her tracks. "What?"
"It has to be balanced!" Leah hisses.
Hazel looks confused. "Uh--"
"It's fine, I'll just move to the other side," Brandon says, getting up and sitting on my side of the capsule. Leah watches with wide, accusing eyes.
Hazel leans into her ear, whispering something that makes Leah visibly relax. So I'm left alone with Brandon.
"Hey, so, I kind of have something to confess," I say, turning to him.
He studies me thoughtfully and crosses his arms. "And what would that be?"
"I kind of stole your idea and bought Hazel a coffee," I say, my eyes sheepishly returning to his.
He just looks at me for a second before reaching out and resting a hand on my shoulder. "Casey, we're friends. It's cool," he says. "Why was it so important to tell me that?"
"I don't know. The guilt from being a fraud was kinda just eating me alive," I say.
Brandon nods. "And did it work?" he asks. "Whatever your plan was with the coffee?"
"Yeah, eventually," I say. "Thanks, I guess."
"That's great. I'm proud of you." He gives my shoulder a reassuring pat before taking his hand off. "And I'll be even more proud when you do something original," he adds, smirking.
I roll my eyes.
The ride finally ends, and Leah walks off triumphantly.
Later, we get food, and I don't even remember if it was good or not because Hazel's leg kept brushing against mine.
~~~
When we get home, Leah and Brandon immediately go to the living room to see my Grandma.
Hazel sits on my bed, looking thoughtfully at my wall. "Thanks for inviting me today. I had a lot of fun."
I look at her. "You're welcome. I had fun too."
"Especially the roller coasters," Hazel adds, eyeing me. I roll my eyes. "You could have just told me you were afraid."
"I am not afraid, I just don't like them."
The corner of her mouth perks up. "Sure, sure."
I smile, looking away to hide the blush on my cheeks.
"You and Leah are like, the same person," she muses.
"Really?"
"Well, no, you two are very different. But you match each other's energy."
"Hm," I say. "Thanks for analyzing our friendship."
"Are you and your mom okay?" she asks.
I take a moment to answer. "I don't know," I say truthfully. "But I decided I'm going to try talking to her."
Hazel smiles at me, which warms me inside. Then she puts her hand over the one I have resting on the bed. I look at our hands, then at her. "Well, that's good."
She takes her hand off, and I turn to "Yeah, I guess. How's the shit in your life?"
Hazel snorts. "You mean my mom?"
"Uh--"
Hazel laughs softly. "I'm kidding," she says, then she sighs. "I feel kind of bad now. She's trying to improve, and I know it must be hard for her."
"And Landon?"
"He warmed up to her pretty fast. They're starting to spend a lot of time together now," she answers, looking at my bed cover and running a finger along it. Then her eyes meet mine. "You care too much."
I stare at her. "Is this another one of your 'you're too nice' accusations?"
"No," she says. I just look at her, and she presses her lips on mine.
"Mmm." I sigh as Hazel pulls away, eyes closed. Her cheeks are bright pink and she smiles shyly. "What was that for?"
"Nothing," she says.
"Can I have another one?" I ask.
Hazel looks at me, then turns away. "No."
She stands up and quite literally walks out of the room.
She's so weird.
I lean back on my pillow, covering my flustered face with my hands as I try to calm down.
A/N:
This chapter was super short and super late, but I hope the next one'll make up for it.
<3