Chapter 6
Cryptic contrast
Hazel gave me a confused, childlike expression.
"Hehe… 'The freedom to play to your heart's content'? Why did you say it like that? You sound so fucking edgy and cringe. Haha."
Selene
"Go die in a ditch Hazel."
Hazel
"Oh, baby girl. No need for such vulgar, barbaric threats. Or was that an insult? Well, I guess it's kind of both, actually. You know what? It doesn't matter."
I let out a long, tired sigh, the kind that made my chest ache on the way out. My hands were trembling slightly as I shoved another shirt into the suitcase, crumpling it more than folding.
Selene
"You're insufferable," I muttered, voice low and uneven. "You know that?" My throat tightened. I didn't look at her. I couldn't. "You know what?
I fixed it before, Hazel. Do whatever you please, because I guess I'm the only one who doesn't have that luxury."
The room went still, like the air itself had decided to hold its breath. Hazel didn't say anything just stood by the door, staring with the blank expression, I could hear her heart. Loud and steady. Strong. Bracing.
She was working something up. I could feel it, almost like the rising pressure before a thunderstorm.
I didn't want to hear it.
Not now.
"Listen," I said, turning sharply, my voice cutting like glass. "I'm not in the mood.
So if you're going to say another one of your stupid manipulative BS...."
She raised a hand, not in defense, but in quiet surrender. Then, slowly, she stepped forward. Her boots barely made a sound against the worn wood floor. For once, Hazel did not have as big of a smile on Her face She looked... a little older, somehow. Wiser and more focus.
Hazel
You know I'm not like the rest of you. I wasn't born into this life I wasn't trained from birth or anything.
I had a pretty All right childhood before I met you.
I went to a regular school. I wasn't ever really poor; In my household it wasn't particularly abusive The only bad thing I can say is that my father and one of my brothers disappeared.
This normality I have probably why I'm always so happy, even though I'm surrounded by a bunch of traumatized, emo people Jesus.
My house is only 1 or 2 blocks away. I could just go home, live with my mom, and my remaining brothers get a decent job, and live a normal life.
No threats, no worrying about killing someone, or being killed by someone. But I don't want that. That's boring, and that's not for me.
The reason I keep coming back to this orphanage well, I'm not suited for normality. You can probably tell by how crazy I am.
Growing up, I always had this violent impulse in me. I always wanted to hurt something, or someone.
And now, I finally have a place and people I can let all that stress out on.
I'm not suited for normal life. But this... this is the only place I can truly be myself.
I Love it here. I like the people. I like how every day is loud and messy and alive.
you did have to train me a bit," Hazel said with a sly grin, stretching her arms behind her head
"And I'll always appreciate you for that… well, you did have to beat the crap out of me like an abusive husband fresh out of beer."
She snorted at her own joke, leaning back on the broken desk with her legs crossed casually.
"But don't worry," she added with a teasing smirk, tilting her head toward me. "I'm kind of into that, pookie."
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're a weirdo, Hazel," I replied, shaking my head as I tied my hair back into a loose ponytail.
"You're a sociopath, Selene," she shot back instantly, wagging her finger at me with mock accusations.
I couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"But anyway," she continued, softening her tone as she leaned forward, elbows on her knees, "I can teach you some stuff too.
like fitting in as a 'normal' girl our age.
I mean, I remember back in the day you didn't even know what a meme was. I almost cried when I found that out."
Hazel laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder dramatically before pointing at me.
"Now you're at least somewhat normal… as far as a trained killer goes, at least."
Where was I going with this Oh yeah girl "I'll follow you, Selene," she said, her voice quiet but unwavering.
" She smiled barely but it didn't reach her eyes. "But yeah.
There's no chance in hell I'm going anywhere."
I blinked at her.
The edges of my vision blurred a little. My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag.
"First of all," she continued, holding up a finger, "my grades are not the best. So this...this whole thing? This is literally my only shot at getting into college. I'm not dumb enough to pass that up."
She laughed softly, a humorless sound that flickered and vanished like a dying candle.
"Second of all... what kind of heartless person would I be to leave someone with abandonment issues?" Her eyes met mine, unflinching.
I felt like she was mocking me.
Hazel
"I'm not trying to add on to the trauma."
Selene
My chest tightened. I looked down, trying to busy my hands again with the zipper. Anything to stop the burning behind my eyes.
"Okay, I think that's enough," I whispered, voice cracking. "I seriously do not need to hear any more of your bullshit."
But Hazel wasn't done. She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against my arm gentle, grounding.
"And last... You are my lifelong best friend, Selene."
Her tone shifted, quieter, like something sacred.
"Because of my cool charisma and unmatched sense of humor, it's hard to tell but you mean a lot more than you know to me."
"And yeah, I know I'm probably going to live a complicated, dangerous life going to that sketchy Eleanor Academy with you.
And I can freely leave and live a normal life… but even if I had a hundred lives, my choice would still be to stay with you."
End of chapter