LOVE IS ALWAYS CLOSE BY

𝐓𝐰𝗼

✿ 𝐇𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐋

2012 ➷

I felt sudden shakes and loud noises. I pulled up the covers, thinking it would block anything but it didn't. "Hazel, get up." I whimpered as she continued to yell. "You have thirty minutes to change and get ready for school. Remember Xavier." She closes the door and leaves me. I began to slip into slumber until the door opened once again. "Hazel, if I see you fall asleep." She warned. The cover flew into the air as I slipped into the bathroom. I changed into a causal attire. A pair of jeans and a plain white T hasn't caused me any discomfort. I slipped into my black converse and took my jacket from the rack. I rushed downstairs to see my father walking to the front door. He lightly kissed my head and said goodbye before leaving.

I walked into the kitchen to see my brother sitting on the floor. He stood and waddled up to me. He tugged onto my hand. My mother gets my attention by placing a plate of breakfast in front of me. "Are these the chocolate eggos I asked for?"

I celebrated in a small victory dance as she nodded her head. I sat and ate a few bites before placing the rest into a paper bag. My mother handed slipped my lunchbox across the table. "Mom, I'm not a child anymore. You don't have to pack my lunch in my High school musical pouch." She laughed to herself before picking up my brother. "You've already gotten all grown on me." I sipped my orange juice before heading out the door.

"Remember Xavier." I reminded her that I acknowledged that from our conversation earlier. As I walked down my driveway, I could see Xavier sitting on his front porch. He held a comic book in his hand, reading quietly. I had disrupted his reading because of my footsteps.

"Xavier, you ready?"

His eyes widen at the sight of me. "Xavier."

"Y-Yes, I am." He says as his voice cracked. "Im sorry. My voice is hoarse from not really speaking." He stood on his feet, overshadowed me. "Well, come. We gotta get to the bus before it appears." He follows after me as I rush. We both had entered the bus, sitting right next to each other. I didn't mind it — knowing I don't really have friends on here.

"So, Xavier. Tell me about yourself."

He's silent for a while, avoiding my eye contact. "My family just moved because of job opportunities." I wanted to learn more about him and likings. "What's your age?"

"I'm 15."

He definitely looked older. " I'm 14. I wish I was older like you." He cracks a smile. There it was again — butterflies. "It doesn't feel like much t-to be honest." He scratched the nape of his neck.

I quickly think of another question. "Umm, favorite tv show?" He thinks to himself before responding. "I like Cartoon Network."

I laugh to myself. "My parents tell me I can't watch it because of the late night specials. I still watch it anyways." He let out a heartfelt laugh.

I realized I had put some of my breakfast in a bag. So, I pulled it out in front of me. "Hungry?"

He hesitantly nods his head. Before he slipped a hand into my lunchbox, he pulled away quickly. "We aren't supposed to eat on the bus."

"That's why I try to hide it." I whispered. His eyebrows raised and he quickly searched for anyone. "Thank you." He takes one of my blueberry pop tarts. I nodded my head as I reached for the pack of gripz (those small cookies.) in my bag.

✿

We arrived at the school. On the bus he had shared his classes with me. We had the same for everything except our electives. Luckily, we would be just down the hall from each other. So, he wouldn't get lost.

I guided him to our homeroom. Everyone stared at him and I could see the sense of fear radiating off of him. I cupped his hand and took him to the back of the class. I could feel his hand become sweaty again. "It's ok. You have a friend here, Xavier." He nodded his head and looked down at his desk. Kid must have anxiety.

My friend, Jenny walked up to me. She had a high pony tail and a pair of glasses. "Hey, I didn't see you this mor..." She paused when she  sees Xavier. "Who is this?"

"My neighbor, Xavier. I'm his tour guide and new friend." He looked up at her. I let out a giggle when I see them both raise up their glasses on the bridge of their nose.

"Well, Xavier tell her about yourself." He becomes a little more comfortable and becomes talkative.

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                         𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝗺𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝗺𝐩 𝐭𝗼 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝗼𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝗼𝗺.

-𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 ⭐️