➶｡˚ part two of the RACING HEARTS series
Pierre Gasly had everything in his life he had wished for. A signed contract with a Formula One team, an amazing best friend. Every single girl wanted him. But suddenly, when his best friend's life...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Looking into the mirror, Hazel carefully tucked her curly, ebony hair behind her ear. Changing into her casual clothes felt like shedding chains. Even though she loved her part-time job at a small, charming boutique in the heart of Liverpool, she was excited to add her earnings from the shift to a jar labeled "London, baby!".
Her high school graduation felt more than liberating, as she couldn't wait to finally move to London. Being admitted to the course of Fashion Design and Development, she couldn't be more happy. And what was even more great, her best friend Adeline was going to London with her. Although Adeline's academic path led her to study law, fate had it that their campuses would be conveniently close to each other.
Hazel missed Addy. Even though they had seen each other a week ago at the graduation, and their upcoming reunion was in just two days, Hazel couldn't shake off the subtle feeling of Adeline's growing distance. Well, ever since she had started dating Hunter. Hazel felt almost as if Addy was hiding something.
Ew, Hunter.
Only a slight mention or thought of his name made Hazel's skin crawl. That guy was a walking red flag, and Hazel somehow felt that there was something she had no idea about. Something deeper.
Hunter had been trying to isolate Adeline from everyone. Even Pierre, Adeline's friend since childhood. Hunter would even try to distance Adeline from Hazel herself. Adeline basically talked to everyone without Hunter knowing because there was no way she would stop talking to her friends.
Hazel had shared her concern about Hunter with Adeline's parents, but it had been useless. They had always adored Adeline's older boyfriend.
The voice of Hazel's boss interrupted her thoughts. "Thank you for your help today, Hazel. Here's your money," she remarked, handing over a few paper bills to Hazel.
Hazel offered a smile to her red-haired boss, Alice, whose hair was consistently secured in a tight knot with a clip. "Thank you, Alice."
"I have no idea who's going to work here after you leave. I'll miss you. The customers will miss you," Alice's voice held a tinge of disappointment she couldn't conceal.
"I'm gonna miss you too," Hazel admitted, looking around the colorful boutique with one-of-a-kind pieces. Her love for fashion had always run deep, and finding a part-time job in a store was a fantastic boost for her CV.
She knew she would miss the boutique and Alice's friendly approach. She knew she would miss Ms. Taylor's jaffa cakes, a reward for always finding the perfect clothing for her. She knew she would miss the rhythmic tap of raindrops on the shop window. And the moments spent sketching her own designs during quiet stretches moments between customers—those were things she'd undoubtedly miss.
But London was waiting for her. And she couldn't wait to discover what the city had to offer.
Stepping out of the boutique, Hazel's immediate desire was to slip on her headphones and get lost in the music, along with the sun's caress on her cheeks. Yet, as her phone buzzed in her pocket, a sigh escaped her lips. Noticing an unfamiliar number on the screen, a slight frown creased her brow.
