Just so you know

Chapter Three: Hazel

Chapter Three: Hazel

I ring the doorbell and Dylan’s mom answered. “Oh Hazel! Nice to see you”

“Hi Mrs. Gardner, is…” she didn’t let me finish instead she grabbed my arm and ushered me inside.

“Just wait here I’ll call Cody” she said.

Cady is Dylan’s older brother. We’ve known each other for twelve years now so if there is another person who knows me best other than my family, it’s him. He used to be my best friend but ever since junior high we never actually spend time together. I never actually see him that much in school probably because we’re not classmates anymore.

As he descends the stairs, he stops half way. I was star struck. He looks so different, taller and leaner. His blue eyes stare directly at me. His eyes were one of the things that catch my attention but I have to focus, I’m here for Max and not some reunion with Cody.

“I’ll leave you two alone” his mom said noticing the awkward silence between us.

“Hi” he said as he continues his way towards me.

“Hi, have you seen Max?” I said trying to avoid his eyes.

Before he could answer, I heard my ringtone. It was coming from their backyard. Oh my, Tracey is going to kill me if I don’t answer her call.

“Is that your…..phone? Because I’m sure that doesn’t belong here” he said confusingly. We both walk toward the backyard.

“Where is it?” I said as we got closer to the sliding door.

Max finally showed up with Dylan at his side. He was staring at Cody in a weird way. I dismissed the idea of why he was staring at him.

“What did you do this time?!” I didn’t notice I was shouting at him until Cody held me back.

“Come on, they’re just kids” he said to calm me down but it won’t work.

“Where is my phone Max!” I could definitely feel my temper rising.

“Well that is an excellent question” he said calmly but I could see he’s afraid. “Your phone, which is now ringing” I noticed it stop then ring again. “Is inside there” he points at the dog house. Before I could reply anything, he runs outside pulling Dylan along.

“Max!” I screamed until I could feel my lungs explode.

“Calm down, we’ll get your phone” he said as he pats my back. I can feel my energy draining from the anger. I just nodded. There’s no way I could answer my phone now and Tracey is going to kill me.

Cody’s plan was just simple, distract then get. Cody would lure Buck away from his home so I can grab my phone. It was the plan they always do when Buck would get there stuff and place it in his house.  Did I forget to mention that dogs especially this one is very territorial when it comes to his home? Even his family couldn’t get near his house without getting bitten.

The plan seemed to work until I accidentally step on one of Buck’s squeeze toy. He turned around to run towards me. I grab my phone but as soon as I got it I could feel Buck’s teeth sink into my ankle. Good thing Cody was able to release Buck’s teeth from me. I watch as Cody struggle with Buck. He was furiously trying to bite Cody but he was no match for him. Finally, Buck stopped struggling and calms down.

I was so stunned to move. In fact, I don’t know if I could stand up at all. I could see Cody running towards me. He has a scratch on his cheek and more scratches on his arm. Why didn’t I notice Buck scratching him? I thought he was unharmed because Buck wasn’t able to reach him, well his teeth perhaps.

“Oh my…Haze, I’m so sorry. It was stupid of me to let you…..” I cut him by saying “You’re hurt”. I don’t know why I was more worried about his scratches than my dog bite. Honestly, I didn’t feel anything. No pain at all, maybe because I was so stunned by his courage. If I was put in a situation like that, I would run away and leave the victim behind.

“It’s nothing. Let’s get you inside and get that cleaned” he said as he carries me inside.

Mrs. Gardner was cleaning the wound, fortunately it wasn’t a deep. The bite was just able to destroy the first layer of my skin.

“If Cody hadn’t got Buck, the wound would be deeper.” She said as she rests my leg on the couch.

She got up and said “don’t move your leg first okay? Let it rest for a while” then she left me in the living room.

I look at my bitten foot; it’s not that bad except that it’s pink. Because of all the sudden events, I forgot the whole reason why I desperately need my phone. I dialed Tracey’s number. She picked up after the second ring.

“Tracey! I am so sorry I wasn’t able to answer your call” I said pleadingly.

No answer. “Tracey please, I’m really sorry. Please don’t give me the silent treatment”

“You know I can’t stay mad at you so I’m letting this pass” she finally answered but she sounded calm, no anger tone at all.

“Thank you, thank you!” I replied happily.

“Just promise me you’ll be at my house at six so we can talk about my party”

“Sure, I promise” I said then she hung up.

After my conversation with Tracey, Cody appeared in the living room. His wounds were treated and bandaged.

“How’s the foot?” he said. He was trying to avoid my eyes.

“How’s the face and arm?” I said trying to make him laugh. He smiled then sits beside me. We stayed like that for minutes, not talking but it feels great knowing our friendship might be rebuild.

As I was leaving, he offered if he could walk me home. At first no one was talking until finally I got my nerves to break the ice.

“So where are you going to college?”

“Anywhere far away from here” he replied. “How about you?”

“California and I’m leaving in three months” we finally reached my house. I said my thank you and I was about to go inside when he said “Hey Hazel?”

“Yes?” he was now at our mailbox.

“I was wondering if you know….. If you’re not busy tomorrow, we could go out and watch a movie together?” He said it like he wasn’t sure what would be the right words.

“Sure, pick me up at around seven?” I said then he left happily.

Ever since I saw him down the stairs and his heroism, my feelings for him were different. I’m not sure yet what exactly it is but all I know is I want to spend more time with him. I could feel my face turning red but I snapped out of it when I realized I have two hours to prepare to meet Tracey.