Doll House: Book One

eighteen | million

Hazel's photo album had a permanent home under her bed up until this moment.

Gabriel had inspired her to travel down memory lane because she wanted to get over her fear of confronting the past. Her identity was shaped by a time where she was shut out completely and she finally summoned an ounce of courage to at least try and face her memories.

They weren't all bad memories of course. Autumn's smile was contagious in these photos and it reminded Hazel of the good ones. She would only travel to North Carolina for her sister. If she could call Autumn and see how things were going, she would. But that couldn't happen.

A knock on the door sounded as Hazel closed the album softly.

"Yeah?"

Cecelia entered the room.

"Please go downstaires and tend to your visitor before Candy devours him."

"Gabriel's here?" She perked up at the thought and was sure that Cecelia noticed.

"You sound excited." Cecelia gave Hazel a twisted expression. "Is the dick that great?"

"I wouldn't know." Hazel stood up from her bed. "But on a similar note, how normal is it to have a non-sexual relationship in this business?"

Cecelia narrowed her eyes, "Don't do it Hazel." She shook her head. "Just keep it sexual. Feelings are fleeting."

"Is that advice for me? Or for yourself? Because it sounds personal." Hazel teased, shutting her door.

"It is personal."Cecelia turned around in the hallway and lowered her voice. "Do you feel like Doll House is your second family?"

The question took Hazel by surprise but she answered without hesitation.

"It's my only family." She admitted. "Even through all the bullshit I wouldn't give it up for anything. Why?"

She noticed Cecelia glance down then back up. "But if you didn't feel that way anymore, what would you do?"

Hazel considered the question. Hodges had given her so much through Doll House and even though she didn't have everything, she had something to look forward to and a life she loved. But if it all changed...

"Uh, I guess I would do what I did in North Carolina."

"What?"

"Leave." Hazel shrugged.

Cecelia cocked an eyebrow then chuckled and made her way down the hall. "Hazel, you're so dramatic."

Cecelia knew almost all the details of Hazel's former life so her response was uncharacteristic. Especially for the very doll that made Doll House the successful brand that it was today. If the Sweet Tooth deal with Dax was disappointing, then Cecelia could easily talk to Hodges in order to correct any issues. Something else was wrong, but Hazel knew her housemate would be reluctant to share whatever it was.

Both girls descended the stairs to the first floor where Gabriel was seated next to Chanel on the couch.

He looked up with a grin as Hazel came into sight.

"Chanel has some good news for you." He said.

"We have a million followers as of today." Chanel announced with her laptop propped on the coffee table.

"I told you 'Fuck Friday' was a good idea." Ivy raised her mug in a silent toast to herself.

"No," Chanel looked at Hazel. "I think it's the crossover. They want you two to release a video."