Wildflower Wildfire (Hazel Callahan x fem! oc)

Cherry

     The next morning, Sophia woke up feeling a quiet excitement buzzing under her skin. After everything that had happened with Hazel the day before, she wanted to feel good, to look good, and maybe—just maybe—to feel a little more put-together than usual. She gave herself a small, nervous smile in the mirror, feeling an extra spark of confidence for Hazel's sake.

     Instead of her typical casual outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, Sophia reached into her closet, pulling out a soft graphic baby tee she hadn't worn in ages. It was a snug fit, hugging her frame and bringing out a softer, more feminine side she usually kept tucked away. She slid on a black mini skirt, feeling the cool fabric brush her thighs, and glanced down as she stepped into her platform Doc Martens. They gave her a bit of extra height and made her feel grounded and bold, yet effortlessly edgy.

     Next, she left her hair loose, letting it fall naturally over her shoulders. She ran her fingers through it for a tousled, casual look, but carefully smoothed down any stray frizz, hoping it looked intentional rather than messy. Moving to her makeup, Sophia took her time, applying it with a precision she didn't usually bother with for school. She dusted a bit of shimmer on her eyelids, lined her eyes just enough to make them pop, and finished off with a pink glitter lip gloss. It was subtle but eye-catching, catching the light just right and adding that little bit of shine. As she checked her reflection, she felt a twinge of nerves at how different she looked—at least different for her.

     Grabbing a protein bar from the kitchen, she tossed it into her bag and slipped out the door, her boots clunking softly against the pavement as she walked. Stella's car was already parked in the driveway, engine running. Stella raised an eyebrow as Sophia slid into the passenger seat, giving her a once-over.

     "Whoa," Stella said, a smirk creeping onto her face. "You've got a look today. Who's the lucky one?"

     Sophia just rolled her eyes, unable to keep back a small smile as she buckled in. "I just felt like dressing up, that's all."

     Stella didn't press, but Sophia could feel her watching as she took a sip of her iced coffee, one eyebrow raised in suspicion. Trying to hide her blush, Sophia glanced out the window, her fingers idly toying with the edge of her skirt. But she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips, knowing she'd be seeing Hazel in just a little while. As they drove to school, Sophia felt a mixture of nerves and excitement fluttering in her stomach, and for once, she didn't mind one bit.

     After parking, Stella and Sophia split off, with Stella heading toward the gym to meet her friends. Sophia adjusted her bag on her shoulder, taking a deep breath before weaving through the bustling crowd to find Hazel. She finally spotted her near the lockers, but the scene wasn't what she'd expected.

     Hazel was standing with Isabel, who looked beyond furious, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face flushed. Hazel, on the other hand, looked distressed, glancing around nervously as if she didn't want anyone to overhear. Noting the tense energy between them, Sophia approached cautiously.

     "Hey, what's going on?" Sophia asked, looking between the two of them.

     Hazel turned to her, her face softening briefly before the worry returned. "It's... kind of a mess," she said with a sigh. "Josie told Isabel about... Jeff and my mom."

     Sophia's eyes widened. "Wait, what?" She glanced at Isabel, who now looked more hurt than angry.

     "Yeah," Isabel said bitterly, her jaw clenched. "Turns out Jeff wasn't just cheating on me with my sister four times—he's added Hazel's mom to the list. Like, is he actively trying to be the worst boyfriend on the planet?"