She's My Air

• chapter one

H A Z E L

I'm an orphan.

Okay, not really but it feels like it. I haven't seen my cousin in years, now all of a sudden I'm living with him? He's nice enough I guess. I don't think he's excited for me to be moving in though.

I hope he doesn't feel like I'll be in his way or anything. I don't want to be an inconvenience to my aunt, uncle, and especially Zack, my cousin.

He's my age, so that means we'll be going to the same school. I really need to stay on his good side so he can show me around.

He's the only person I know in this town. It shouldn't be too hard, I usually just keep to myself anyways. I don't really like to go out or party, unlike my best friend Sasha.

She was always dragging me to party's. It was exhausting and I hated it but it made her happy so I dealt. I miss her so much right now and wish I was still in Nevada, but no.

Now I'm stuck in Athens, Georgia. Who even lives here? I've never heard of it but it's a cute southern town, I'm just grateful I'm here. It was either this or foster care. Yeah definitely gonna have to pass on that one.

"Hazel. Hazel did you hear me?" My aunt Judie asked.

My aunt fits the southern lady stereotype to a tee. She's gorgeous and looks nothing at all like my dad. Aunt Judie has pretty auburn hair with green eyes and the sweetest smile.

Wait... was she saying my name? Shit, now I seem rude for ignoring her but I have no clue what she asked me.

"I'm sorry what'd you say Aunt Judie"

"Silly girl, you where always lost in your thoughts as a child, just like John always was" aunt Judie said with her thick southern accent.

My heart breaks as she mentions my dad and I can feel my eyes tearing up. My dad wasn't the best dad, okay he actually sucked.

He was an alcoholic and wasn't really around much but that never meant I wanted him hurt, let alone dead.

When she sees my eyes tearing up she pulls me into a warm hug. She whispers comforting words to me while I try to calm myself. Zack chooses that moment to walk in.

Great, now he probably thinks I'm some kind of wussy girl who just cries all the time. When I get my breathing back to normal, I move out of aunt Judie's embrace. I look up to greet Zack but something stops me, or more like someone.

It's like time freezes, like actually stops. This isn't normal... right? This has to be the hottest guy I've ever seen, I try to say hello, not wanting to be rude but I can't seem to talk. My mouth is suddenly dry and I can't seem to form words. God I must look like an idiot right now. Just get it together Hazel, he's just a hot guy. I mean, he may be the hottest guy I've ever seen but still. Just a hot guy. I start with the classic head to toe observation. I start with his hair, dark brown, and it looks so fluffy. It's made so that it's floppy but in a hot way. And his-

"Take a picture it'll last longer"

My eyes snap to mystery guys eyes. They're the warmest brown eyes I've ever seen. And his voice. Oh my god, his voice. Is it weird to be attracted to it? It's so smooth but raspy at the same time. Plus his southern accent, this kids got a lot going for him.
That's when what he said registered. Great, busted.

"I... I um"

Jesus could I make a bigger fool out of myself. I can feel the heat rushing up to my cheeks and I know I'm blushing like crazy right now. What the hell is happening to me. I've seen lots of hot guys in my life and I've never acted like this before. Okay I can come back from this. I just need to think of something to say.

"What are you, a mute?"

I don't know who the hell this guy is but I've officially decided he's rude and is on my list of people not to be friends with.

Scratch everything I said about him before, this guys a jackass. I really hope all of Zacks friends aren't like him.

"Asher Reed you apologize right now. I know your mother didn't teach you to speak that way, especially to women. Do I need to knock some sense into you young man?"

After Aunt Judie's little lecture I don't know wether to laugh or cry.

Either laugh at the fact that she just told jerkface off or cry because she had to stick up for me. How embarrassing is that? Cant even stick up for myself. When I hear chuckling I look over at Zack, guess he found his mom scolding his friend funny.

"Go ahead boy, I don't got all day".

What was she talking about now? Go ahead and do what? I was looking at her with a very confused expression on my face.

"I'm very sincerely sorry for my behavior"

Jerkface said sarcastically. Oh he was actually apologizing? That was... nice. Even though he got forced to say it and said it almost in a mocking tone. Yeah, I need to stay away from him. He's trouble, I can tell.

Oh shoot he apologized... okay so I forgive him, easy enough. Or not. It's not that hard to form words, Hazel. This is what seventeen years worth of shy gets you I guess.

"Oh um it's okay."

There. That wasn't so hard, I mean I said it kind of awkwardly and may have stuttered a little bit but big deal.

It's not like I'm ever gonna talk to this guy again anyways.

I look over at aunt Judie "I'm gonna go get ready for bed, thanks for dinner" I tell her while I kiss her on the cheek.

She beams when I do that. It really is the little things in life.

"Ma we're going to Brady's party, we won't stay out too late" Zack said.

Taking this is as my cue to leave I head towards the stairs.

"Why don't you bring Hazel, it'll be a perfect opportunity for her to meet all your friends that way she'll know some familiar faces at school."