Stuck

Off We Go

The words rang in Hazel's ears as she waited for her mom to respond, her expression unreadable, which means this could go in any and every possible direction.

The coffee machine beeped, breaking the silence along with Ethan laughing. Hazel and Ms. Davies followed, while Hazel offered to give Ethan his freshly brewed coffee, keeping half of it for herself. "I meant there is a volunteer programme I have joined, and well it happens to be an amazing place with a lot of streams you could join- I mean it's absolutely the best place and I've been waiting for it for so long"

Ethan said sounding very believable, obviously he was genuinely excited for how his time was going to be spent over the holidays. Hazel looked between the two while Ethan continued to speak, trying to figure out what was happening.

Ms Davies listened open-mindedly to Ethan; she knew him. She remembered how he had been a charmer since a little boy, always wanting to impress people around him; most importantly she knew how he could go on talking forever for something he wanted. She knew that this 'volunteer' wasn't exactly happening, she read Hazel's eagerly expectant eyes.

Her daughter needed time off, to be reminded that she has her whole life ahead of her. That what happened between her parents was not her fault, that life goes on beyond loss and to learn to cherish beautiful moments. She wanted her to give her the time she needed, to help her come out of her shell.

"Yeah, yeah you don't need to go on and on about it" Ms Davies said, "I'm going off for a few weeks either way and by the looks of it, Hazel is already imagining her way through this volunteer". She smiled playfully, trying to indicate she knew. She loved her daughter and wanted her to know that despite her harsh exterior and tough-loving, she believed in her with all heart.

She trusted their friendship, even more so Ethan.

Ethan and Hazel couldn't believe it, they hadn't even fully executed their 'plan' and they were through. "Yaaaaasssssss" they yelled in excitement, smiling uncontrollably and ended up hugging Ms Davies. Elizabeth saw her daughter, her eyes looking as innocent as they used to before, conveying a thank you.

Hazel almost immediately ran upstairs, rushing through to get her backpack, packing everything she thought she needed. She still had a day left but was too hyped to take it slow.

Meanwhile downstairs, Ethan was being bombarded with questions, some that hadn't even crossed his mind.

"How will you two get there, are you driving?", "What about the fee, should I pay it now or give Hazel the money?" "Will you stay with her the whole time?" – Ethan opened his mouth, answering every question the best way he could. He ensured that he sounded reasonable, it wasn't his first time going alone. Once he answered all her queries, they continued to talk about other things, Ethan simultaneously eyeing the staircase every now and then.

Ms Davies looked at Ethan, being extremely careful to find the right words to ask him " You know, if you two are planning to do anything, I mean anything, please use protection cause that's the only time 1+1=3. On top of that your birthdays are soon - you guys are bound to drink and I don't think either of you are ready for that-"

In a desperate attempt to get out this Ethan interjected "Um- we aren't those kind of friends and I don't think either of us wants to do... that. I mean not just that; I am saying everything leading to it as well- I mean neither would she- it's just that I don't-I-" He felt as he had forgotten how to speak suddenly and thankfully to save both of them from this horrendous situation, Hazel skips her way down the stairs.

"I forgot we don't leave till tomorrow but ohmygod I can't wait to leave there's so much to see and do" Hazel hyper-venting about the trip conveniently helps Ethan and Elizabeth to move on from the painful conversation as Ethan follows Hazel out, gasping for some new air.

"Mom I'll be back soon, don't worry Ethan's with me toooo" Hazel says in a sing-song way while Ethan respectfully bows to Ms Davies, making her laugh at how awkward he had gotten before.

"You know your mom's really weird; she was talking to me to about using condoms like ma'am please no. I get it you've seen me since a baby but still a big NO" Ethan said surprised as Hazel looked at him wide-eyed.

"WHAT NOO, tell me about ittt" she jumped, holding Ethan's arm and laughing uncontrollably as he told her the exaggerated version of the conversation for added humour, but more to see Hazel laugh.

He had never wanted to be this stuck in a moment.

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