THE APPRENTICE III

8

After training, Heskit came to pick Hazel up for a day together. Especially since the clone-war, it's been next to impossible for Hazel to be out in public. For some reason, the press conference only boosted public relations. She still remembers the day the monastery watched the video of the release.

He held the door open for her as they exited the coffee shop, Hazel with a tray of drinks on hand. She continued on walking the street when she realized he was gone.

She furrowed her brows at the sight of him holding the door open for an old lady, then a group of women, then waiting for a middle aged couple, unable to leave. She smiled to herself and looped her arm with his, then cocked her head.

"What?" He asked as he gently pushed her to his right, covering her from the street as they strolled on the sidewalk. "Why are you smiling?,"

"Nothing." She shook her head and she leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's nothing, it's just for me."

Heskit raised a brow at this and led them to a magazine stand. He picked one up that had Hazel's face on it and waved it to her face.

"Look, Hazel Wolfe!" He said to her and she rolled her eyes. She could sense the smug look on his face under that mask. He looked at the vendor and showed him the page. "Isn't she beautiful?,"

"Quite a looker, yeah." He nodded, his thick accent almost comical. "Too young for me, though,"

"Isn't she beautiful?" He asked the man beside her and he gave him a polite nod. Hazel let go of his arm and shook her head in annoyance. "You know, I have a crush on her,"

"Hey, listen, Toots, you probably shouldn't be saying that in front of your girlfriend." He gestured to Hazel who nodded dramatically. "You'll make her feel bad!,"

"Right, yeah. I'll keep it in mind." He slid the magazine back to the booth and gave a wave. "Thank you, sir!"

He chuckled at her thinning temper and gave her hair a ruffle. She gazed at her drink longingly and frowned under her mask.

"I really wanna drink it, but they'll see my face." She pulled her lips down and sniffed at it, the rich chocolate smell penetrating her nose.

"We're nearly there. What'd you get?" He asked and took her cup and read her order. "Hot chocolate?,"

"What?" She questioned and shrugged. "I don't like caffeine, I don't drink it. Finally!"

She chirped and rang the doorbell aggressively as they approached the sanctum door. The doors creaked open, an instant chill traveling down their spines.

"I got you a coffee and a sandwich." Hazel said as their clothes turned to their regular ones.

She took the sunglasses and mask off. Their feet crunched against the heaps of snow. She sipped on her hot drink.

"Thanks, kid, but you should probably get going." Stephen abruptly said to her as he brought out his mug and poured it inside. He was slightly on edge and flickered his eyes around the place.

"What? Why?" She frowned, clearly hurt by this. "We just got here. I've been in Pentadilune all week,"

"I know, I know, but I've got some business to attend to." He let out a sigh and rubbed his neck.

How was he supposed to tell her that Peter Parker was just underground? Running into him, especially with Heskit, would be even messier than what was happening now. Sure, helping him out was way below his area of expertise, but he was a friend, and a kid.

"Fine." She placed the tray down on the table. "I'll be there all week, anyways. Let me just get my stuff,"

"Stay there." Stephen told the prince firmly, put a finger to his chest, and he followed her up to her room.