Our Every Heartbeat

Chapter 1 (Hazel)

It was a regular Monday morning and I was prepping myself for the long day ahead. While I am at it, let me give you all an introduction about myself.

Hi, I am Hazel Rose Donovan, an 18 year old college freshman (literature), in London. I am originally from Canada but moved to the City of Manchester at the age of 6. I then moved here for my college and I live in a dormitory. 6 months into college now. You will always see me penning down literally everything and anything that comes to my mind. It has always been my dream to become a successful writer and open my own literature publications someday. I gulp down tonnes of caffeine everyday. Okay, maybe not tonnes, but close. That's exactly what I was doing that morning. Gulping down a large cup of espresso to keep me energized.

I put on my outfit, I did my hair and makeup and packed my bag - with my PC, iPad, Notebook, pen pouch, highlighters, a couple of lip balms, pocket perfumes, sanitizer, wet wipes, moisturizer and sunscreen, a giant water bottle and sanitary pads. Yep, that's one heavy bag. Refrain from asking me how all those stuffs fit inside my bag. I have been wondering the same. But I like to keep myself organized and ready for anything to come.

I then face timed my dad to talk to him. He answered the phone and -
Dad: Good morning, my Hazie bunny.
Yep, he calls me Hazie Bunny.
Hazel: Morning, dad. What's up with you?
Dad: Nothing much. I was just about to feed Livvy.
Olivia (Livvy) is my pet cat, a full ginger tabby cat.
Hazel: Aw, man. I miss her the most. Show me what she is doing, please???
He then went up to Livvy and-
Hazel: How is my charming girl doing today? My sweet sweet baby girl.
Livvy meowed and began licking the screen and walked away.
Dad smiled and asked, "Are you coming home anytime soon, my Hazie Bunny?"

I let out a long exhausted sigh. "I don't know dad. I have been working on a project and I will have to wrap it up soon. By the end of this month, to say the latest. I am also working on to pen down a couple poetry works for the upcoming contests. Also, I have my part time work shifts. So, this month, I won't be able to go anywhere, but hell." Dad's smile soon wore off. I could easily tell how badly he was missing me, I do too. But, he still forced a smile and said, "That's alright bunny girl. It's all a part of life. I hope you get to wrap it up soon and come meet me and Livvy." I nodded. "Alright dad, gotta go. I have to head to the library before classes. So, see ya later."

I hung up and put the phone in my backpack and sighed. I then put on my bag and rushed to the university library. My classes start at 9.30 AM and I usually head to the library at 7 AM.

I went to my usual spot, sat down and opened my laptop and iPad. I began working on the project. I usually take notes - organized and structured before proceeding with anything further. A while later, "Hey, You mind if I sit here? Right next to you? My usual spot is occupied and I didn't wanna disturb them." asked a strong yet calming voice. I looked up to see a tall, dark haired and a well built and muscled guy. SO FRIGGIN HANDSOME. I stared at him in silence, blankly for a few moments until he broke the silence. "Hello?" he waved his hand in front of my eyes and smiled. "Hey, um, well..-" He chuckled. "You're thinking that I am a sight to see, aren't you?" I shook my head in denial. "I wasn't. Don't flatter yourself. And sure, you can sit here. But leave out a chair for me to keep my belongings. Will you?" He nodded in agreement. "Thank you." He pulled out a chair and sat down and opened his laptop and started studying.

I tried to shift my focus back to my work. I kept trying the same for 10 whole minutes. But, the "sight" was really distracting for me to work. I felt tempted to ask him his details. I somehow built up the courage to ask him. "Um, hey." I called out. He then turned his focus towards me and smiled a little. "Yes?" he asked. "What are you studying?" I asked. "Consumer behaviour and producer's strategy." He answered with a smile. I somehow found that boring and that was pretty evident from my facial reactions. He scoffed. "Boring, eh?" I opened my mouth to answer but then shut it right after, because I felt a little embarrassed for some reason. "What are you studying?" He asked. Before I could answer, I got a text from Natty- Natalie Grace Murphy, my best friend, my sister from another mother, my roommate and what not.

(You will probably wonder why I didn't mention her earlier. It is because Natty wakes up earlier than me and grabs breakfast for both of us along with some coffee in the cafeteria. Anyways, I met her while in my high school and we have been the best of friends ever since. We have always dreamt to go to the same university and that has come true. Natalie is now an excellent law student in the same university that I go to. She has always dreamt of becoming a successful barrister and opening her own law firm someday.)

I opened Whatsapp to read her text.
Natty: Where are you Haze?? Come to the cafeteria immediately. Have got us breakfast and coffee ;)
Hazel: On my wayyyy!!!

"Gotta go, it's my best friend. Hope I get to see you again, Mr. Sight to see." I said, smiling. He winked at me, "Likewise, Miss." That made my heart skip a thousand beats in a second. I stood there for a couple of seconds before I took off from there.

I packed everything up and headed to the cafeteria. I was very excited to tell Natty about the guy in the uni library or "Mr. Sight to see". After I reached, my eyes locked in on Natty who was waving her hand for me to notice her. I went up to the spot and sat next to her.

"Hey there, roomie! What have you got for breakfast?" I asked setting my bag aside. She grinned widely and said, "Belgian waffles and nutella pancakes and 2 espressos. I am calling dibs on the waffles. So you're left with no choice but the pancakes." I shook my head. "You're lucky I am in a good mood today, Natty." I said, dragging the pan cakes to my side. "That, I noticed. Sup? Saw someone you like?" I groaned and rubbed my palms against my face. "How do you always know?" She grinned widely again with pride. "I'm your best friend for a reason, Haze. Who is it?"

I explained what happened at the library to her. "Lord, Hazie. I could literally see you blush. I'm not even kidding. You've barely known that guy for 2 hours. And you're already in love." She said chuckling loudly. "Hey, hey. Hold it. Hold your thoughts. I'm not in love. Okay? He is just very attractive." She kept laughing. I stared at her with a straight face as she took a sip of her espresso. She then unlocked her phone to call Matt- Matthew Charles Thompson - our high school senior and my good brotherly friend since high school, Natty's current boyfriend. "Hey Matt, where are you?" She asked as she took sips of her coffee. "It's 8.15. It means I ju-" Natty and I interrupted. "Yep, it means you just returned back from gym." we said in unison. "Very funny." Matt answered over the phone. "Listen, Haze is here. Wanna join us in the cafeteria before you head to class?" Asked Natty. "I figured. Alright. I will try bringing Craig along with me. Meet you there in 10. Bye babe." He said and hung up.

"He is bring Craig with him." She turned to me. "Craig who?" I asked, confused. "He is Matt's best friend. You know, like us?" I nodded, processing what she said. "You know, Natalie, I have always wondered. Why haven't I ever seen him?" Natty shrugged. "Craig apparently is a private person. Being Matt's girlfriend, I have met Craig only a few times in the last 2 years. The only person Craig has ever trusted WITH HIS LIFE since he moved here from Birmingham for high school, is Matt. So, Craig doesn't always prefer meetups. We do talk over phone calls or text messages, seldom. Those calls and texts, if you notice, are mostly about general things. And you know how loyal and trustworthy Matt is. Once he gives his word, he never tells a soul. Not even me. He respects Craig's privacy a lot." I simply nodded without any expressions on my face. "Sometimes, I wish Matt tells me more about Craig. I mean I tell almost everything about you to him. Of course, I haven't talked to him about things that are personal and sensitive to you. But, he knows everything about our friendship While I know nothing about them." She shrugged. I said nothing but just gave a pat on her shoulder.

Matt then walked in with a face that I found familiar. OH, HOLY SHIT. JESUS CHRIST. My face locked in on him and his in on mine. His eyes widened as did mine. Natty saw the way I looked at him and nudged me. But I didn't move.

"Hey there, girls! Meet Craig - Craig Louis Winchester, Economics and corporate law major and my best friend. Craig, you know Natalie and that's Nat's best friend." Said Matt. Craig didn't respond. Matt then turned to him and nudged him with his elbows. "Hey, Craig. Greet them, Man. C'mon." He whispered. Craig shook for a moment and nodded. "Right, yeah. I am Craig. Currently, in my sophomore year of my integrated major degree of Economics and corporate law. And I'm Matt's best friend. Nice meeting you both." he said shaking hands with Natty. "Well, I suppose the only introduction pleasantry left is YOUR name and major. Right, Miss?" He turned to me and smiled. "I.. uh-" Matt then asked, "What do you mean? you two know each other?" Craig then let out a breath-taking chuckle and said, "Yep, we met earlier today at the library. I was sitting next to her." He then waved his hand in front of my eyes like he did at the library to snap me out of my mini fantasy. "Well, yeah. I... uh I'm sorry about this. I'm Hazel. Hazel Rose Donovan."