Shadows of Love: Healed

1. Hazel

                             Hazel 's POV

Today is a weekend, so a day off for the university. Charlotte insisted on going shopping, and while I love spending time with her, I can't shake this underlying fear that our outing might lead to trouble.

It's morning now, and we plan to return before sunset or before the city transforms with its dazzling lights.

 Charlotte asked if we could take her car or a cab. Personally, I prefer a cab. While she's still learning to drive, I don't want to risk anything.

After graduation, I'll have to stay with Charlotte for a few days until I find the perfect apartment. I'm afraid my brother won't allow it, but I don't care. I refuse to let him control me.

 I am independent and free. Although my college is on scholarship, I work part-time jobs for extra money. I need it to spend on myself; to understand its value.

For as long as I can remember, I've never liked being close to anyone. People used to bully me, tease me for my aloofness, but I never cared. It's what I want. 

Nobody should get close to me, take care of me, or anything like that. It makes me nervous, as if they'll all leave me and I'll be alone again, or worse, my fate won't let them live long.

That's why I prefer to spend my time with plants and books. They won't leave me, and they help me fight against my problems and fears. Making me think how I met char and how things changed.

During the last year of high school,

 Something changed, despite my attempts to push her away, Charlotte refused to give up on me.

She continued to reach out, to befriend me, even when I was rude or hurtful. Her kindness was relentless, and even though she came from wealth, her compassion was richer than any material possession.

Our friendship began to blossom during those high school years. At the time, I was solely focused on studying, convinced it was the only way to distract myself from my fears.

But those fears were consuming me, eroding my personality and emotions. Nights were the worst—I'd cry until my eyes were swollen, and I couldn't sleep, leading to insomnia. But Charlotte changed everything. 

She refused to let me suffer alone. Her comforting presence eased my troubled mind, allowing me to finally get some rest.

 With her by my side, the nightmares became less frequent, the days a little brighter. Yet, despite her unwavering support, I still couldn't bring myself to fully open up to her. 

I built walls of fear around myself, barriers that nobody could breach. As much as Charlotte tried to get close, I remained guarded.

✿ ✿ ✿

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the bustling streets of Manhattan as Charlotte and I embarked on her favorite pastime: shopping.

While Charlotte's eyes sparkled with excitement, I remained a bit more reserved, my steps steady as I followed her lead.

I appreciated the energy of the city around me, but the constant noise and activity made me feel a bit overwhelmed.

As we made our way into a chic boutique on Fifth Avenue, Charlotte wasted no time diving into the racks of clothing, her hands moving deftly as she sifted through the garments.

 I, on the other hand, lingered near the entrance, taking in the displays with a sense of quiet observation.  After some time, we reconvened near the dressing rooms to share our finds. 

I held up a sleek black dress with a subtle shimmer, my expression thoughtful as I examined it.

"What do you think?" I asked, Charlotte's face lit up with admiration as she examined the dress.

 "It's stunning, Haze! It suits you perfectly," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with approval.
I offered a small smile of gratitude, "Thanks, Char," I replied quietly, my tone sincere.

Charlotte nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to the dress in her hands.
"And this dress is adorable! The colors are so vibrant," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

 I nodded in agreement, my eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "It looks great on you, Char. Definitely a keeper," I replied, my tone genuine.

As we continued our shopping spree, Charlotte and I exchanged light-hearted banter and shared stories from our past adventures.

"Do you remember that time we got lost in Central Park?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips.

Charlotte chuckled, the memory coming back to her in a rush."How could I forget? We wandered around for hours before finally finding our way out," she replied, shaking her head in amusement. 

I nodded, my laughter mingling with Charlotte's. "And then we treated ourselves to ice cream to celebrate our survival," I added.

Charlotte grinned, her gaze drifting to a display of accessories nearby. "Speaking of treats, let's check out those handbags.

 I've been eyeing one for weeks," she said, her excitement palpable.I nodded eagerly, my own interest piqued. "Lead the way, Char. I'm right behind you," I replied, falling into step beside my friend.

She said the bill was on her, and I agreed. However, when the bill arrived, I was shocked. "Don't worry, only a quarter is yours," she said with a laugh.

I sighed, realizing that she had barely bought a few dresses, yet the total cost was staggering. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city streets.

As Charlotte and I walked home, I started feeling really uneasy. It was like something was telling me to hurry up, to get away from whatever danger was coming.

The streets were dark, and I couldn't help but feel like they were hiding something scary. I didn't know it at the time, but our trip to the shops had kicked off something bad. I sped up, trying to shake off the weird feeling inside me. 

But just as we turned a corner, someone came out of the shadows. It scared me so much. Suddenly, I felt like we were walking into something really dangerous. With every step, I felt more and more like we were heading into trouble.

Then, someone grabbed my hand tightly, and I felt my body tense up. It was happening again—the same fear, the same sense of impending loss. Was history repeating itself? Was I about to lose the only person I had left?

_______________________________________

"In the shadow of uncertainty, I found strength in the warmth of our bond, knowing that together, we could weather any storm that came our way."

This must be a long chapter, because it's the starting chapter, it requires all the intros and etc..
(you guys felt sleepy right? 😂)
thank you guys.

See you in the next chapter