THE APPRENTICE III

9

Ever since her little break from magic, things have been going upward in terms of her physical health. Her body was stronger, more energized. Her skin had its flush back and her eyes were as bright as ever. Stephen didn't feel the need to regulate her anymore, she seemed to have everything under control.

It was when Hazel just finished manning the monastery, when she entered the sanctum. She walked into it with all the blinds closed, enveloping it in total darkness. She climbed up the stairs and found sheets of paper scattered around the floors.

Stephen was leaning by the sanctum window, a rigid expression on his face. She could feel his negativity from a mile away. She looked at Wong questioningly, and he bobbed his head to the table.

There were two invitations to Christine Palmer's wedding.

Hazel sighed and tensed up. She ran over all the ways she could approach the situation in her head; he was never really over her. Wong gave her a pursed lip and a quick bob of a head. He touched her shoulder to leave her with him and walked down the stairs.

"So are you actually gonna say something, or are you just gonna stand there?" He started. His tone was icy and stern, it never failed to bring shivers down her spine.

"Are you gonna go?" She asked and walked over to him slowly.

"I don't know." He shrugged and let out an exhale with a sound. His posture was slumped over.

"You know, you can talk to me." She began and reached for his shoulder. "You can tell me anything, I'm not here to judge,"

"What do you know?" He avoided her touch and gave her a glare. "All of a sudden, you're so concerned? You don't know what it's like,"

"No, I don't." She kept her tone soft and her patience thick. Hazel understood the way his mind worked. "But don't do that. You know people care about you,"

"What's your affection gonna do for me?" He raised a brow challengingly and turned his body to her. "I don't need to talk. I'm fine,"

"I'm not telling you that you have to talk to me, or anyone if you don't want to. You don't have to, if you don't want to. I'm just saying, you should let these things out, you know?"

A quick smashing sound made her jump. She couldn't even register it when a glass came flying across the room, hitting the wall behind her. She panted as she tried to stabilize herself, checking on her skin to see if it triggered any magical reactions.

"There. Happy?" He threw his arms up in the air. "I let it out. Is that what you wanted?!"

He began to hurl out vases and plates, pieces of ceramic and glass flying all around the place in a million pieces. She covered her ears once she got over the shock.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She hissed and dodged the shards that seemed to be coming from nowhere. "What, are you trying to intimidate me?,"

"No, I'm just airing things out, like you said!" He raged and kicked a chair down to the floor. She let out an exhale through her nose roughly, her patience wearing thin.

Never in her life, has she ever seen him like this. He was usually so composed, so mature. He was acting like a little kid. Though she didn't want to admit it, she was starting to feel scared of him.

Why was he taking it out on her? She's done nothing but look after him, nothing but be there for him. It was unfair. He didn't get to self-pity. He needs to learn how to deal with his negative emotions and not lash out on people.

There were so many things she wanted to say, but she only took one of the invitations for safekeeping.

"Stop. Look at yourself." Her voice was a little shaky when she said that. She suddenly felt weak in the knees.