Reese rushed back to them, smiling widely.
"You know Vladimir Vaelmont?" Skylar asked in shock.
Reese nodded, her cheeks flushed red.
"He's the one I told you about," she said shyly. "The one I love."
Hazel stared at Reese, her smile frozen.
Something twisted sharply in her chest.
"Oh, wow. I didn't even realize it was Vladimir you were talking about," Skylar said coolly. "But you two seem really close. I mean... I saw the way he looked at you." She paused. "Like you're something precious to him."
Reese giggled, almost childlike.
"Of course we're close." she clasped her hands excitedly. "I can't wait to confess my feelings to him on my birthday."
"I'm giving you my full support, Reese," Skylar said warmly. Then she turned toward Hazel, whose face had gone faintly pale.
"You'll be there for Reese's birthday, right?"
Hazel jolted at the sound of Skylar's voice.
"Y-Yes," she replied softly.
So all this time...
