Moving in with Roman, came with a deal. Dad made a deal, that if I were to move in with Roman, I had to attend therapy for atleast a month.

Of course I agreed.

I wanted more than anything to get out of the academy and to live elsewhere. It's not that dad didn't trust Roman or anything, but he wanted to ensure that I would be safe, as well as safe. To me, Roman was the word safe.

I've always felt safe around Roman because I know that he would protect me as I would him. Protecting each other just became a natural thing for us, eversince we were young.

With today being the day that I moved, I had everything packed and ready to go and was simply waiting for my dad to show up. I don't know how he managed to sort everything out so quick with the school, but he did and now in a few moments, I would be out of here.

Avery was both saddened by the fact that she was losing a roommate but she was happy for me. She helped me out with packing and stuff and now, we were just chilling in my now old room.

"What about this box, should I throw it away?" She says, gesturing to the small box that contained all of Danny's things.

From the things he bought me to the sweater that I once loved to wear.

"As much as the idea sounds rather nice right now, but I think returning everything to him will be much better."

" I can do it for you. You don't have to talk to him."

" I know but I want to do it. It's a small step to moving forward and I know that many may say it's too soon, but I have to start doing it now. I don't want anything holding me back." I say with a sigh.

"You really loved him, everyone could see it." She says.

" I did and yes, a part of me still does. I can't just switch off those feelings so soon but I can't get back together with him either. "

A ping sound comes through my phone, distracting me.

"My dad's here." I say, after checking my messages.

"Are you ready for this step?" She asks as we rise to our feet.

" Avery, I'm not going to get married but just moving in with my best friend. But yes, I'm ready. I need this."

She nods with a small smile.

Sam pops his head in after knocking.

"Need a hand?" I nod with a grateful look.

He enters with two of his guy friends, Evan and Chris, if I remember correctly. I thank them for their help before they head on to take a few of my things and all of them following after Avery, who exited the room first.

Sam turns to me once we are left alone.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah." I nod.

He too nods before we head out, after my last look to the room. I bid goodbye to it.

" Hazel!" I stop in my tracks, turning around to face Danny, who's jogging my way.

I do a quick glance over my shoulder, just to check on my dad, who I worry will freak out if he were to see Danny talking to me. I relax a little when I see him distracted with packing in my things in the car.

" You're leaving?" Danny asks when I turn back around.

" Yes I am. "

" I didn't believe it when I heard..." he trails off when he glances at the box in my arms. " Hazel -"

"These are yours." I hold out the box to him.

" I didn't make a mistake when I gave you these Hazel. " He says with a frown.

" These belong to you Danny, so please take them. " I push the box into his chest, where he has no choice but to take it. " You could throw it all away or give it to someone else if you have no use for any of this stuff. Maybe you can give these to someone who wouldn't mind owning something that belongs to you." I say when at a distance behind him, I notice Amber, standing with her friends, watching us.

He too glances over his shoulder and sees her.

" I should go." I say, walking away.

"Wait Hazel." I turn once again to face him.

" I know you don't want to talk to me right now but please, believe me when I tell you that I'm so sorry for what I put you through."

" Danny please don't do this now."

" I love you!" He cuts me off. " It might be hard to believe but I do love you. I didn't think I was capable of doing it but you made a way, you made it so easy for me to love you. "

All I can do is just look at him, feeling tongue tied by his words.

" Hazel!" I snap out of my staring and glance over my shoulder, to see my dad calling me over.

" I have to go." I say to Danny before walking away.

" Are you okay sweetheart, he wasn't bothering you or anything right?" Dad asks when I reach the car.

" No dad. I was just returning a few things. Can we go now?" He nods, heading on to the driver's seat.

I turn to Sam.

" Well, you've been wanting to change sceneries."

"But I'll still be in this school."

" Unfortunately."

" I know it's not officially goodbye since we'll be seeing each other in class, but I want to thank you for everything you did for me here." I say as I hug him.

" It's no problem Hazel. You know I don't mind being your life coach."

" Life coach huh?" I raise my brow while he chuckles.

" There's quite a number of things that qualify me as one." I shake my head at him, smiling in amusement.

" Well there is one thing that seems to be missing?"

" What?"

" You're not making a move on Avery. I mean she wont be on the market for ever. You know, I heard that a guy from chemistry has his eyes set on her and -"

" Okay, time for you to go." He says, opening the door for me.

" But I was still telling you about him."

" Yeah I don't think I want to hear anymore." He gestures for me to get in and I roll my eyes at him, but getting in.

He closes the door after me.

He bids us goodbye before we watch him walk away.

"Oh hopeless love." I mumble.

" What?" Dad asks.

" Uh nothing." I tell him, a grin taking over my face.

******

I'm here.

I send the message to Roman as we arrive. I am beyond excited, especially knowing that Roman is out of the hospital and back and now we were about to live together.

" Hazel?" I face him.

" I have already set up an appointment at 3pm with Doctor Mendel. She is really good and I think you'll like her. She's different from the other two."

" Okay dad." I tell him before glancing down at from Roman, telling me that he will come meet me downstairs, so he can lend a hand.

" Hazel, I don't want you to think I'm imposing this on you or anything, but I'm doing this out of your best interest. "

" I know dad."

When I glance up at him and find him looking at me with concern in his eyes, I sigh and give him my full attention.

" Dad, believe me when I say I'll give this another try, if it'll put your mind to ease. Oh Roman is here." I say excitedly, quickly getting out of the car.

" Roman!" I wave at him.

" You know that I can see you right?!" He says as he comes my way.

I playfully roll my eyes, already walking around back to take out my things.

" Aren't you forgetting something Hazel Grace?" He says, joining me at the back.

"No." I shake my head, suppressing my grin, pretending to not know what he is talking about. " Now come on, help me with this stuff."

" Really Hazel Grace?"

I sigh dramatically before turning to face him with my brows raised up.

When it seems that I'm not caving, he turns on a sulking face as he takes out my suitcase and box, before leaving me standing there. He takes my things inside.

I chuckle, shaking my head behind him.

" What's wrong with Roman?" Dad asks, getting out of the car.

" Hmm, he must be on his man period." I shrug, walking away with a box in my arms.

" Hazel!" He lightly scolds from behind me, making me laugh.

Walking into the apartment, a smile takes over my face, when I see pink balloons all around the living room and a big Welcome sign on the wall above the fireplace.

" Roman!" When I hear no answer from him, I place the box down and go on to search for him.
I find him taking out something to drink from the fridge.

" Roman, did you do all that in the living room?"

He doesn't answer but silently walks on to open the cupboard and take out a glass.

I mentally roll my eyes at his actions. He can be so sulky when he wants to.

Deciding to finally put an end to his mood, I walk on over to wrap my arms around him, from behind.

" Thank you for welcoming me to my new place." I say.

" Home." He grumbles.

I roll my eyes.

"Okay, thank you for welcoming me at my new home."

He turns around to face me and I step back, smiling at him. He rolls his eyes before a hint of a smile takes over his face.

" Am I forgiven now?"

" You're impossible." He shakes his head, before pulling me into his arms.

" Welcome home Hazel Grace." He says.

" Yeah yeah yeah, let go of me Roman O'Connor, I can't breathe." I gasp for air dramatically until he lets me go, ruffling up my hair and messing it up.

I swat at his arm, making him chuckle.

" Hazel!" I hear my dad call me.

I walk out of the kitchen to meet my dad as he comes through to the living room with the rest of my things.

" So what do you think dad?" I ask, gesturing around the place.

"It's good." He nods, looking around.

" Good? - it's more than good. It's spacious, beautiful and worth living here." I say excitedly.

"What I mean to say is, it's got security and space. That's important to know. I want you to be safe." He says, placing his hand on my head and giving me a small smile.

" She is safe." We turn to face Roman, who stands leaned by the kitchen doorway. " Hazel Grace is important to me and I would protect her with my life."

I see him staring at my father as he says these words, making me to glance over to my dad. I notice that a secret message is shared between the two males, making me feel left out a little.

" Let me show you to my room dad." I speak up, interrupting their little mental conversation." Roman, lead the way."

He nods, walking ahead of us.

As we head upstairs to my room, my father has the chance to get a look around the whole place, where it's got two rooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, living room with a cool balcony. I had approved of the place the first time I had set my foot here and still I do.

When we reach my new bedroom, I sigh in relief when I take note of the look of approval on his face as he takes everything in. It doesn't take us long until we are back downstairs in the living room, waiting for Roman to come back from the kitchen, since he said he's got something for me.

" So I was thinking that maybe I should get a part time job."

"No." Two voices say at the same time.

My lips part when Roman returns with a deliciously looking cake written Welcome Sweet.

"Aww, Roman, you really didn't have to do all this." I say, feeling touched by such a nice gesture.

" I wanted to. You deserve a good welcome Hazel Grace." He places the cake on the coffee table before sitting on the opposite couch.

" Thank you for this son." My heart jumps when dad says this and when glancing at Roman, a certain emotion flickers in his eyes before he closes them for a minute and it disappears.

A small smile takes over his face.

" Sorry to mess up the cute moment, but about the part time job -"

" Not happening." Both say at the same time again, making me to roll my eyes.

"You don't expect me to live here for free do you?.....No, I need to contribute and that can only happen if I can get a part time job."

" I never said that you have to pay Hazel Grace." Roman says.

" I don't want you distracted. I need you focused on school and on yourself. I don't want anything stressing you Hazel." Dad says, touching my shoulder.

" I'm sure I can handle it, why don't you believe I can?" I ask frowning as I glance between them.

" Don't misunderstand us Hazel Grace, we only want the best for you."

" I get that dad but-"

" I propose that I take care of your share until you graduate highschool and then, we can have this conversation again. How about that?"

" And in the mean time, you can focus on you and healing." Roman adds.

I take a moment thinking over this and everything they say just makes sense and is more convincing, that I'm left with no choice but to agree.

" But after graduation, we'll have this conversation again right?" I ask dad.

" Ofcourse." He nods.

" Alright, now lets eat some cake shall we?" Roman says.

Getting right into eating cake and celebrating this move, we enter into light conversation where dad reminds us of the trouble we always seemed to find ourselves under as kids, and he had to come to the rescue.

Relief takes over when watching the two most important people in my life being carefree and talking.

" Pink, really Roman?" Dad asks in amusement, glancing at the balloons.

" It's a colour fit for a girl. It made sense to me."

" I can be a girl and like another colour Roman, I might even like Black for all you know."

" Thank God you don't." Dad mumbles.

" Pink is a safe bet." Roman argues lightly, making me to roll my eyes at him.

" So Roman, I heard that your dad is in town." My dad says.

This is the time I want to disappear because Roman's temper seems to boil at the mention of his father.

"Not for long." Roman responds.

By that answer and sudden tension in the room, you'd think my dad would decide to not go deep into this topic but no, Mr Lovett just had to continue.

"He's been gone for such a long time. At some point we all thought you two will never be reunited but here he is. He came at the right time, when you needed someone most. "

" I have Hazel. " I swear that you wouldn't even hear a pin drop because of the silence follows after.

Peering at my father, I notice a small frown on his face. He opens his mouth to respond but then he is interrupted by his cellphone ringing. Excusing himself, we are soon left alone.

I take the alone time we have to my advantage, already turning to face Roman and wanting to apologise to him about what my dad had said.

" Roman, what dad said - "

" He was simply curious Hazel. It's normal."

I nod, though still feeling a little bad for Roman.

" I just don't want you to be upset. Especially today." I say as a smile takes over, thinking about the fact that we are officially roommates.

" I'm just glad that you are away from that little shit Danny."

" Roman." I sigh, not wanting to get into this topic.

" I can't hide the fact that I'm relieved you two broke up. He never deserved you from the start and I can't understand how it was possible for you to let him into your life."

" The same way I let you into my life. I gave him a chance, simple as that." I rise to my feet and start pacing about, not even glancing his way. " I guess things didn't work out as well as I thought. So please, can we not get into this right now- I know that the relationship failed. So I don't need a reminder please."

" Yes the relationship failed, but not because of you or what you didn't do."

I dont say anything.

"Woah, woah, woah. Wait a minute. Do you think this is your fault?" I dont answer, trying to push back the haunting feelings, that have been surfacing in me for quite some time now, right after what happened.

I gasp when I'm suddenly spun around by arm to face him. " You are not to blame, do you hear me?"

He cradles my face and makes me to look straight into his eyes. " Do you hear me?" He repeats on gritted teeth.

The sound of footsteps break me out of my staring and I take a step back, looking everywhere but at him.

" Hey Hazel, I was thinking that maybe we could go buy a few things for you and your new room, before we head on for your first session."

" O-okay." I nod.

" Roman, wanna come with?"

" I can't sorry, I've got a few things to do right now." He says, sitting back down again.

A ping of disappointment hits me but I accept his decision. He's upset.

" Alrght then, sweetheart lets go." Dad says, making his way out the door.

I look at Roman for a moment, wanting to say something, just anything yet words fail me. I choose to remain quiet and walk out, leaving him alone.

With not much to need for the room because the room itself is just right, dad and I dont spent too much time on shopping for things, but we do have a bit of lunch and we end up strolling along the mall. Soon it is time for therapy and my nerves surely skyrocket when I step into those offices.

Dad, being my supporter stays behind in the waiting room, giving me words of encouragement before I head in.

"Good afternoon. Hazel Lovett." The mid 30 looking caucasian lady with light blonde hair tied in a bun, light green eyes with glasses, pale skin and inches of advantage in height difference says in an almost soft toned voice.

She looks pretty and professional in blue dress pants and white blouse.

"Hi." I murmur, feeling rather shy.

I shake her hand nonetheless and take a seat on the single couch, when she gestures for me to.

She takes a seat opposite me with this book in which I cant see what is written inside.

She takes a seat opposite me.

" I am doctor Mendel as your father may have mentioned to you. He is the one who had set an appointment for you but the question is, do you know why you are here right now?"

Right there and then, I go blank.

*****

The trip back to Roman's apartment or better yet our apartment, was silent and a bit suffocating, due to dad's many glances my way and him trying to get me to open up about my first session. But I cant.

I literally went blank for most of the time and felt shy and awkward. It was so much harder to just let it all out when in honesty, I didn't know where to begin or how to express myself.

I literally bolted out of there when the session was over, releasing a sigh of relief right after. I hated the feeling of pressure in that room, it feels like the walls are closing in on you.

At most times, doctor Mendel would advise me to take calming breaths and let me know, that I was safe and everything was strictly between us but I felt none of that. Oh gosh, how am I suppose to last a month when I cant even last an hour?

It's like being that little girl again.

" Hazel, I know that this was your first session after - I am glad you took this first step. "

" Hmm." I quickly get out of the car before he can say anymore.

I don't look his way or say anything when we take things out of the car and head to the apartment. I notice Roman nowhere in sight and this reminds me about earlier.

I left while he was still upset.

It's all too soon when he comes out of his room, just at that moment I re-enter the apartment with the groceries, my father not far behind me with more of my stuff.

I mumble a ' hey ' as I walk past Roman, heading to the kitchen. He doesn't respond but simply follows me to the kitchen, taking a seat on the barstool, looking at me.

" Hazel, I'm sorry but I will have to go now. I've got somewhere to be right now." Dad says by the doorway, glancing at the watch.

I force a small smile, waving my goodbye to him. He frowns a little and enters the kitchen, coming over to pull me into a hug and kiss the top of my head, making me blink in surprise.

" I'll call you later okay?" He says and I nod.

He soon leaves right after and when I hear the sound of the front door opening and closing, I release a small breath. I tense up slightly when I make eye contact with Roman, who is still watching me.

" What's wrong?" He asks.

" Nothing." I mumble, avoiding eye contact and busying myself with unpacking the groceries.

I hear the scraping of a chair and then hands cover mine, stopping me from what I was doing. He turns me around to face him but I quickly drop my eyes to my feet, biting down on my lip nervously.

Please dont ask anymore Roman. I mentally say.

" Hazel, what's wrong, tell me." He says, trying to meet my eyes.

" Nothing is wrong."

" You're lying to me." He says, tilting my chin up.

Our eyes meet." Did something happen?"

I don't answer but just look at him.

" Was it therapy?"

My chest tightens and my eyes sting when I think about my session with doctor Mendel and how it went.

I bring my hands up to his wrists." I don't think I can do it." I say, removing his hands from my face, quickly wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head against his chest.

No, I don't think I can do it all again.

"What happened?" He asks above my head, embracing me.

" I-I blanked out!" I say before small hiccups of cry slip out. " I felt suffocated and couldn't say more than a few words. I - I cant do this." I cry, shaking my head.

" Hazel Grace -" he sighs, kissing the top of my head." It was your first session, it's okay if it didn't turn out as easy as you thought."

That's the thing Roman, it's not.

"Don't simply make a decision because of this, besides- you promised us that you would give this more of a try. Didn't you?"

I nod.

"Good." He says, leaning back.

He tilts my head up and wipes away the evident tears on my face." You can't just quit on your first try Hazel Grace." He says chuckling.

I swat at his hand, pouting at him.

" I'd like to see you spend an hour in that office." I grumble, turning away from him and continuing with packing things.

" I have."

My head snaps to him.

" You did?" I say in surprise.

"Hmm, made it all the way to the door that is." I roll my eyes, chuckling at him.

" Come on, there's something I want to show you." He says, taking my hand and dragging me out of the kitchen.

" What is it?" I ask as he leads me upstairs.

"Patience Hazel."

I roll my eyes.

Surprisingly he takes me up to my room and what I see has me widening my eyes. Entering further into the room and looking around, I feel like that little girl who had been feeling bad and discouraged because of what other children used to say to me, but then one day I came back to my room being decorated with little notes stuck around my room, papers filled with encouraging words.

He has done the same again and I cant help but to walk around, letting my eyes read some of the words.

You are enough.

You are beautiful.

Smart.

Smile.

" Oh my gosh Roman, this is like when we were little." I say, a smile taking over my face.

I turn around to face him.

" I can't believe you did this again, thank you."

" You know, I knew what I was doing back then and even now. It wasn't just me scribbling random words just to make you feel better, but it was me trying to tell you back then, what I am trying to tell you now. That I will be your support through anything and everything. The world may turn against you but I will always be here. I am here for you."

***********************************

Awww, Roman is such a supportive friend.

We all need motivation in our lives. Roman has just reminded Hazel that he will always, be there for her. She doesn't have to feel alone.

Her best friend is back into her life.

Who's relieved that she broke up with Danny?
❤❤💕💕❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤