Weight of The Untold

Chapter 32

"I said I'm sorry already, Kyla. Come on." I glanced over my shoulder and saw Hazel lingering by the door, her expression hesitant but determined.

"And I already told you I'm not mad. Actually... I'm grateful you barged in like that." I watched her eyes narrow in confusion.

"Wait. If I'm hearing you right," she laughed softly, shaking her head, "you're saying you're grateful I walked in on you and Zach when you were about to have sex?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying." She shrugged, trying to act casual, but there was a quiet warmth behind her words. I walked over to the bed and let myself flop onto it, staring at the ceiling.

"Why?"

"Because... I'm not sure if I'm ready yet," I admitted with a soft giggle, sitting up straighter.

"So I saved you," she said. She laughed, a little louder this time, the sound bouncing off the walls like music.

"It's not funny. I mean, I do love him-but he's not the committing type. I'm not sure I want to be just... a booty call." The words tasted bitter, but honest.

"Kyla," she said, reaching out to touch my shoulder gently, "stop. You're not a booty call. Don't ever say that about yourself."

I sighed dramatically. "Hazel, he told me himself-commitment isn't really his thing. Caleb was right."

Her hand lingered, warm and reassuring. "He loves you. Yes, he has a past that made him wary of love and commitment-but that doesn't mean he can't change."

I stared into her soft, ocean-colored eyes, seeking certainty. "You really think I could make him change his mind?" I scoffed at the ridiculousness of the thought.

"You already have him madly in love with you," she said softly. "So... why not?"

"Why do you know him so well?" I asked, half-amused, half-impressed.

"Because... you're looking at your future clinical psychologist, Ky," she said with a mischievous giggle, reminding me of all her varsity dreams.

I smiled, shaking my head. "Okay, fine. I get your point, but-"

She shushed me with a playful finger to my lips. "No buts. Just go with the flow. You're only seventeen, for heaven's sake. Why are you even thinking about marriage?"

I laughed, imagining the absurdity. "You know you're one weird teenager."

"Well," she chuckled, "Zach said the same thing when we first started hanging out."

"So I'm not the only one," I laughed again, louder this time. "I hope your cute friend Megan isn't as weird as you."

Hazel smiled faintly, looking away when she caught my gaze. "Actually... she's not."

I leaned forward. "Hazel, don't you think it's about time you finally told me?"

"Told you what?" she mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"That you're attracted to Megan. Every time I mention her name, you light up. Sometimes I even think you're... madly in love with her."

Her throat bobbed nervously. "Well... I'm not."

"You don't have to lie to me," I whispered. "I won't judge."

She gave me an uneasy look, biting her lip. "Is that why you moved from your parents' house?"

"They felt like I was an embarrassment. My uncle... he was the only one who understood me." Her words cut deeper than she realized.

I felt a pang of guilt. "I'm so sorry."