The Pilot And The Dreamer

Chapter 6

We have been driving for about an hour when I turn down a cobblestone driveway off a little side road that is away from the main highway. I feel myself tense up as my childhood house comes into view. Don't get me wrong, it's a gorgeous house and beautifully lit up at night, but it was my mom's idea to have a flashy house. I hear Noah whistle lowly.

"Damn Hazel, you grew up here?" He asks just as I pull off to the side and park the car.

"Sadly," I say, getting out and opening up the hatch for us to get our stuff.

"Hazel, dear!" I look at Natalie, and we both have the same look. I force a smile on my face and turn to face my mother. I'm just a couple inches shorter than her, but she looks lovely in a maroon dress, with nude flats and her brown hair is braided off to the side. We look alike, which is sometimes scary, but I guess I get used to it.

"Hi, mom," I say, hugging her.

"Dearie, why didn't you tell me you were bringing friends?" She says, most likely disapproving their outfits.

"I tried to tell you, but when you get woken up early in the morning, it's not pretty." I snip at her, and she turns her famous glare on me.

"Watch your mouth, missy." She says before landing eyes on Noah, and I can tell that he's a little rattled. "Hello, who's this?"

"Mom, this is Noah," I say, looking at Natalie who then looks at Peter and he nods to go save Noah.

"Handsome fe-"

"Sorry, Mrs. Clark, we have to go get settled," Peter says, grabbing Noah's arm and follows us inside. My stepfather is sitting on the couch, watching the ballgame and look back at me with a wave, which I return. I drop off my stuff in my room before getting everyone else settled. The house is open concept, the television above the cobblestone fireplace and cozy. The kitchen has an island in the middle and stainless steel appliances, and off-white cabinets. It was an anniversary present for my mom from my dad a year before he died. I lead the group down the hall containing my room, two guest rooms, and a bathroom. 

"Natalie and Peter, this is your room and Noah, your room is across the hall." I say, before adding, "The bathroom is right here. Go ahead and get settled." I turn around and walk down the hall a bit to my room and shut the door. I look around at the drawings of planes as well as the pictures hanging on the walls. I also had a sunset color bedspread, and I flop down on it, holding back tears when someone knocks on the door.

"It's Natalie."

"It's open," I say, sitting up when she walks in through the door, closing it behind her. She takes her shoes off before hopping up on my bed.

"Wanna talk?"

"She was judging me. I'm scared I traumatized Noah." I flop down on my back, facing up while Natalie does the same thing.

"He's a tough guy, so I think he can hold his own." She says, causing me to smile. There is a knock on the door, and Natalie gets up to answer it. I see Noah poke his head in with Peter behind him, and Noah takes a look at my room. He changed out of his uniform to a button-up shirt with blue jeans and some sneakers.

"So there's a party in my room now, isn't there?" I chuckle then remembering my favorite place to get away. "Anyone up for a bit of a walk?" We all change shoes, and I grab my glasses and meet everyone in the dining room that is right off the bedrooms.

"Hazel?" I turn to see my mom standing in the kitchen with an apron.

"Yes, mother?"

"We have dinner reservations with my best girlfriend, and I'm afraid there are not enough seats for your friends." I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"Mom, I'm sure the restaurant will be okay with it."

"It takes two months in advance to get a reservation."

"It's fine. I can hang out with the gang."

"You are going, and that's final." My mom says, strutting back into the kitchen and I clench and unclench my fingers, turning back to see my three friends all looking at me.

"Hi, Hazel." Derek, my stepfather, says. My father passed away about ten years ago, and my mom married Derek about seven years ago. I get along well with him. I walk up to hug him.

"Hey, how have you been?"

"I'm okay, your mother, though." He chuckles. I turn to face my friends.

"Guys, this is Derek, my stepfather." I make the introductions as he shakes hands.

"Pleasure to meet you. Now, I can tell Hazel's about to take you guys on a walk. Have fun." He says, leaving and we walk outside. Natalie loops her arm through mine, and I put my shades on and start walking. Shortly, Natalie lets me go to hold hands with Peter, but I walk, noticing that Noah was beside me. I recognize the spot, and I dart off, stopping to find the river with a small group of trees and finding the chair swing still hanging. You can see the rocks under the water, green grass, and cliffs off in the distance.

"This is gorgeous," Natalie says. I smile, knowing how much I missed this place. I walk up to the chair swing, and after dusting it off and checking for any insects, I sit down. I look over to see Natalie and Peter walking down the bank, holding hands. I feel the chair move, and Noah sits down next to me.

"Noah, I'm sorry about my mom," I say, turning to face him.

"It's no problem. Honestly, you weren't kidding when you asked if I was sure I could handle your mom?"

"I'm gonna get us into that restaurant because when she does that type of thing, she's trying to set me up." I sigh, staring off into space, but I feel Noah's gaze on me.

"Are you..?" He asks, causing me to shoot up with fear.

"N-no." Shit, I hate it when I stutter. Thankfully, Nat and Peter come back, and Nat looks at me, and I dash off in their direction, grabbing her arm as I go.

"Hazel?" She asks me after we were a little ways away from the guys.

"I legitimately can't figure out a reason why Noah came with us." She wraps her arm around my shoulders.

"Friends, similar interests, and you just want to get to know him."

"Except my mom is planning to set me up on a blind date." She looks at me, shocked. "And I may have just asked Noah on a date."