A Wind Of Change [1] || EXO ✓

045: Castles In The Air

***

It was an early autumn evening and the sky was gray. Upon arriving home, she immediately wandered upstairs to her room. She didn't run in a hurry like how she would when excited. She didn't greet grandma with smiles. Or she didn't stomp her feet like how she would when angry. Instead, she paced lifelessly with droopy eyes.

"Want to eat the special dish that I've prepared for you, dearie?" Grandma asked, a tinge worry lacing her voice. For the past few days, Hazel had been gloomy, dull; something so unlike her. She didn't have an appetite for food and lacked her usual child like enthusiasm.

She garbled words randomly. I'm tired, later, were the words Grandma heard from her indistinct mumbling. Sighing, her grandma walked to and fro in the hallway wondering what she could do. No, she couldn't wait any longer. She picked up the telephone handle and called up Kyungsoo who reached her house immediately.

"Date? " Kyungsoo questioned back in surprise.

"Didn't you and Hazel go on a date?" Grandma asked in suspicion.

From what he'd understood, Hazel had apparently lied to grandma that she had gone on a date with him on the day she had arrived home late night.

"Oh... That date. Yes, granny and what about it?"

But grandma didn't seem to be that convinced.

He quickly added, "We've gone on too many dates that I just couldn't remember which one" He faked a laugh.

This is so stupid, he thought to himself.

He felt bitter on the inside. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't bear to see Hazel fall into the pit of trouble. Playing along with her meant nothing but trouble. If something were to go wrong, the family would hold him responsible. He knew it well. Even so, he never knew why he found himself to be so giving when it came to matters concerning her.

She was still his little princess after all.

"Ah! That's relieving dear," the worry in her wrinkled face relaxed. "So, it's just matter of lover's quarrel," she chuckled pinching his squishy cheeks.

Kyungsoo did act his part by forcing a grin.

"Pretty sure that Hazel was the one to pick a fight. She must be wearing you out...But you both need to make up fast..." And so she went on to tell about Hazel's recent change in demeanour and also methods to end fights with a lady in an impressive manner while he listened to her continuous blabber with patience.

Hazel shut her bedroom door and slammed her back against the cold wall. She slid herself to the ground, pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around it.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror and felt like she was looking at someone else.

This was not her. At least, not used to be.