Lies of a Witch

9

Griffen's POV (part 1)

if someone told me pigs could fly, could i confidently say no?

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HAZEL'S EYES drift from mine, looking off in thought. Sitting up in bed, a strained look crosses her face as she straightens out her sprained ankle.
She clears her throat, fingers lacing together in her lap, "Soo, he said it was just a coincidence?"

"Yep, exactly that." I reply, "To think he's just standing by silently! Not to mention it's all because he doesn't want to tell us something!"

I regret yelling at him, but god I've known him long enough to recognize that face. To think he assumes we forgot how distanced he was before this. Maybe such thoughts are my own selfishness talking, or maybe it's my sense of consideration for him but the others didn't say anything. Why? They all could see it, why pretend not to?

Hazel's soft touch breaks my thoughts apart and I look up as she shuffles closer. Hazel understood. She always does, and she listens, unlike the others.

A smile tugs at the bottom of my lips and I find myself staring. Over the years, I've come to admire how her eyes never settle on a single shade. It was just a moment ago they were as bright as a sapphire, now they mimicked the clearest ocean, shimmering with dots of indigo and deep blues.

A soft sigh leaves her lips and my heart finds it fit to respond with a loud hammering in my chest. My nerves bubble as she leans in and all I can do is pray I'm not making a stupid face. "Griff... I understand your anger," Her words are a soft whisper and despite myself, I smile sheepishly.

"We have to understand that he will tell us in his own time." Hazel continues and I nod, half paying attention as my eyes wander across her face. It's then that her freckles form into the shapes of stardust clusters, each one a different constellation to name.

For an impossible breath, I just stare. Then, her eyes twitch and I advert my eyes, mentally scolding myself. This is no time to be dumb Griffen. But...

Sparing a glance back, her eyes flicker across my face, looking. Do I have something on my face? Oh god, that would be embarrassing.

Instead of saying anything, she pulls away, no longer meeting my eyes. I frown, the faint smell of blueberry shampoo lingering as her hand slips from mine.
"What's wrong?" I ask. Was it something I said? Or maybe, didn't say? She opens her mouth- about to reply when the door rattles, slamming open.

"SUP LOSERS-" Kyle declares, the room shaking from the force as his eyes land on us. "Oh..." His smile shifts into something more mischievous and I can feel heat creeping up my neck.

"Did I interrupt something?" He quips, eyebrows raising and I move back at the same time as Hazel, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.

"What do you want Kyle?" I say and he puts his hands up in defence, smirk lingering. He reminds me of my brother, Rashai. Irritating but you gotta love him for it.

"What? Am I not allowed to see Hazel?" Kyle jeers, door shutting, "She's my friend too, Griffy."
"Shut up," I mumble and he grins, plopping on the bed, resting back on Hazel's good leg. I roll my eyes, room lapsing into silence.

"On another note, how's your leg doing Haz? Any updates?" Kyle asks.
"Huh? Yeah, this lady came in an hour ago, she says my leg should be healed tomorrow." Hazel shrugs and after sharing a look Kyle and I break into grins.

"Tomorrow? Really?" I say. It hadn't even been a week yet. Damn.

"Yeah, I know. They're pretty good at the whole healing thing," Hazel shrugs and Kyle nudges her, smiling, "That's so great Haz! Can't wait to see you walking without the cast again." Hazel nods, smiling. Then it slips away, her lips forming a thin line.