(hazel's outfit for this chapter)

Hazel was getting the courage to sing at the open mic at the café today. She had been practicing up until tonight, and her heart was beating fast, but the excitement and nerves were mixed together. She was ready to perform in front of others. Well, at least for one song. Maybe. She hadn't preformed on a stage before, and the idea was nerve wracking. But her grandma was right, the audience wants to hear her, they want to connect.

Jo was helping her get ready, the two having a mini fashion show to pick out what clothes she should wear. She appreciated Jo being here to help her, especially when she had so many mixed emotions about everything. She did feel a little awkward though since Jo had admitted that she had a crush on Tuck, the boy she was in love with but Jo didn't know it. But, she knew Jo had no idea about her feelings, so she pushed the jealousy aside, and focused on the matter at hand: performing in front of a crowd.

"I don't know if I can do this, Jo. I'm so nervous, and what if I mess up?" Hazel confessed, the doubts and fears creeping in once more.

"Hey, hey, you'll be fine," Jo reassures her, squeezing her arm gently. "You've got this. You're a talented singer, and those songs ou've been working on are amazing. I know everyone's gonna love you."

Hazel bit her lip, her stomach twisting into knots. "What if they don't, though? What if I'm not good enough?"

"Sweetie, you're more than good enough," Jo insists, her tone gentle but firm. "Trust me, the moment you start singing, everyone's gonna be blown away. You've got this, and I'm gonna be cheering you on the whole time."

Hazel couldn't help but smile, grateful for her friend's support. "Thank you, Jo. It means a lot."

Jo gave her a big hug, making Hazel feel a little better. "Of course. That's what friends are for." Jo smiled.

As Hazel hugged her back, her heart fluttered in her chest. Despite the nerves, she was excited. She knew the risk was worth it. Even if it was just for one song, even if the audience didn't love her, she was ready to take the leap. To let her voice be heard.

****

Now Hazel was off to the side in the café, trying not to panic as the last performer was finishing their song. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her, heightening her senses. The café was dimly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere, but it felt like all eyes were on her as the last notes faded away. She was tempted to sneak out the back, her earlier confidence waning in the face of reality.

"Hey, Hazelbee." Her grandma's warm voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

"Hi, gran." Hazel replied, trying to sound cheerful despite her inner turmoil.

Zolani gives her a reassuring smile, her dark brown eyes full of understanding. "You've got this, honey. I know it's scary, but you're stronger than you think. Don't let the fear hold you back. It's time to share your gift with the world."

"But what if I make a fool of myself? Or I forget the lyrics, or—"

Zolani squeezes her shoulder, her voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry about the what-ifs. Just focus on the now. On this moment, and the beautiful song you have to share. You're going to do great, and I'll be here, cheering you on."

Hazel nodded, the words sinking in. Her grandmother's encouragement was like a soothing balm, and the panic began to fade, replaced by a rush of determination. She took a deep breath, the lyrics and melody of her song flowing through her mind. She knew the song inside and out, and she knew that her grandma was right. It was time.

The host called her name, and she swallowed hard as she walked onto the small stage. She could feel the eyes on her, the weight of the crowd's attention making her heart race. She tried to push past her nerves and focus on the music, her hands gripping her acoustic guitar she held. Her heart pounded at seeing everyone staring at her, waiting for her to sing. She felt like a deer in the headlights, the nerves making her stomach clench. The spotlight seemed blinding, the silence deafening.

She felt like the stage was closing in on her, the weight of her grandma's advice pressing down on her. She tried to remember the song she'd rehearsed, but her mind went blank. She stood there, frozen, unsure what to do next. She couldn't do this. What was she thinking, trying to sing in front of a crowd? She can't do it. She ran off the stage, heading to the back of the café, her heart racing as she pushed through the back door. The cool night air hit her like a splash of cold water, snapping her back to reality. She leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths, feeling the overwhelming urge to cry.

"Why did I think I could do this?" She mutters to herself, the weight of self-doubt crashing over her like a wave. "I'm such an idiot. Why did I even bother?"

She felt so defeated, the adrenaline fading, leaving her drained. Tears of frustration pricked at her eyes, the weight of disappointment heavy on her shoulders. She had built herself up for this moment, only to crumble the instant she faced it.

"Hey, Hazelbee?"

Zolani appears at the door, concern etched across her features. "I saw you run off. What happened?"

"I can't do it, gran," Hazel admits, her voice breaking. "I thought I could, but I can't. I just— I froze. I can't sing in front of all those people. It's too much. I'm not good enough. I knew I'd mess this up. I knew it." She whimpers, sliding down the wall to sit down. "And now I'm gonna be known as the girl who chickened out and ran away. Great. Just perfect."

Zolani shakes her head, walking over to sit next to her. "It's not over yet. You can still do this, sweetheart."

"I can't, gran. I'm not ready." Hazel sniffles and wipes tears from her eyes, the weight of her failure hanging heavy in her voice. "I'm never gonna be able to do it. I'm not cut out for this. It was a mistake to even try." She could feel the panic rising in her chest again, the fear and shame threatening to consume her. She didn't know if she could go back in there and face the crowd again. She feared what they might think of her, the way they'd judge her for her cowardice.

Zolani reaches over and squeezes her hand, her voice calm and reassuring. "Yes, you can, and no, it's not over. You've spent a long time working on these songs, and they're important to you. "You have a beautiful gift to share, and it deserves to be heard, even if it feels scary right now. Remember, everyone in there is rooting for you. They want to hear what you have to say through your music."

"But what if I mess up?" Hazel whispers, the weight of self-doubt still pressing heavily on her. "What if I forget the lyrics or hit a wrong note?"

Zolani smiles gently, brushing a lock of hair behind Hazel's ear. "Then you improvise. You take a deep breath and keep going. No one in that crowd is expecting you to be perfect; they just want to see you be yourself. That's what makes your music special."

Hazel takes a shaky breath, the encouragement from her grandmother beginning to pierce through her fog of anxiety. "But I thought I could do this. I really wanted to." She admitted, her voice trembling.

"And you still can. Just because you stumbled doesn't mean you can't get back up," Zolani said firmly, her grip on Hazel's hand steady and reassuring. "You're stronger than you realize. Think about why you started singing in the first place. It's about expressing yourself, not about impressing anyone."

Hazel closed her eyes, allowing Zolani's words to resonate within her. She thought back to the countless hours she had spent practicing, the joy she felt when she strummed her guitar and sang her heart out in the privacy of her room. The music had always been her refuge, her escape.

"I guess I do love it." She murmured, feeling a flicker of resolve begin to stir within her.

"There you go," Zolani encourages, her eyes shining with pride. "Now, channel that love. Let it fuel you. If you need to, imagine everyone in the audience is your family, listening to you sing in the living room. They just want to hear your voice."

Hazel opens her eyes, a new determination rising within her. "Okay," She said, her voice firmer now. "I'll try again. But...What if I still feel scared?"

"Fear is a part of it, sweetheart. Embrace it, don't fight it," Zolani advises. "When you feel the fear creeping in, remind yourself that it's okay to be scared. Just focus on the music and let it carry you. I'll be right there, cheering for you."

Hazel nods, a small smile forming as she felt the warmth of her grandmother's support wrapping around her. "I can do this. I want to do this."

"That's the spirit!" Zolani gushes, rising to her feet and extending a hand to help Hazel up. "Now, let's get you back in there. You've got a crowd waiting for you, and they can't wait to hear your voice." Hazel took Zolani's hand, standing up and feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She straightened her back and took a deep breath, grounding herself in the moment. Together, they walked back into the café, the sounds of chatter and laughter filling the air.

As they approached the stage, Hazel could feel the eyes of the crowd on her again. But this time, instead of feeling overwhelmed, she remembered Zolani's words and the love she had for her music. With one final deep breath, Hazel stepped onto the stage, clutching her guitar with newfound confidence. The crowd erupted into applause, and she could see her grandmother beaming proudly from the side.

"Hi, everyone," She said, her voice stronger now, resonating with the room. "I'm Hazel, I'm, uh, sorry about before, I got a little overwhelmed, but I think I'm okay. I'm going to sing a song that means a lot to me about someone who means a lot to me. The name of it is 'The Little Things'."

As she began to play, the familiar chords filled the space around her, washing over her like a wave of comfort. The nerves were still there, but they were now accompanied by excitement. The lyrics flowed through her, each note a reminder of why she was there.

Hazel lost herself in the music, and as she sang, she felt the crowd's energy lifting her higher. She wasn't just a girl who had run away; she was a musician, sharing her story. And in that moment, she realized that the fear would always be a part of her journey, but it wouldn't define her. She was exactly where she was meant to be. 

****

Hazel had just finished singing her last song, and was met with thunderous applause. The energy was palpable, and she could feel the euphoria spreading through her. She took a bow, then left the stage, her heart soaring. She barely left the stage when she was tackled in a hug by Jo.

"Hazel, you were amazing! You owned that stage!" Jo exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Really? You liked it?" Hazel asked, her own excitement bubbling over. She still couldn't believe she made it through and the crowd loved her.

"I loved it, everyone did," Jo assures her. "You're a star, girl!"

Hazel giggles, the praise sending a rush of warmth through her. "Thanks, Jo. I couldn't have done it without you. And gran, of course." She added, smiling fondly at her grandma when she saw her walking over. "Really, grandma, you gave me the courage to go back onstage. I'm so grateful for you."

Zolani envelopes Hazel in a warm hug, her eyes shining with pride. "You did this all on your own, sweetheart. I just reminded you of the light that's always been inside you. You're incredible, and you should never doubt that."

Hazel felt a swell of gratitude as she stepped back from the embrace, her heart still racing with the thrill of performing. "You helped me a lot, but thank you." She admits, shaking her head in disbelief. "But being up there, singing, it was like something clicked. Like this is what I was meant to do, y'know?"

"See? You just needed to trust yourself,." Zolani replies, ruffling Hazel's hair affectionately. "And look at the reaction you got! You captivated the audience!" As Hazel glanced back at the crowd, she caught sight of smiling faces, some even wiping away tears. A few people were still clapping, and she felt a rush of humility wash over her. It was one thing to sing in her room, but to share her music with others made it all the more meaningful.

"Hazel, we need to celebrate!" Jo declares, pulling her away from the stage and towards the café's entrance. "Let's grab some food, and you can tell me all about how you felt up there."

"Food sounds amazing!" Hazel laughed, her stomach grumbling in agreement. As they made their way to the café's food counter, she felt the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. The warmth of her friends and family around her made everything feel even more special.

As they waited in line, Jo leans closer and murmurs, "I'm so proud of you! I can't believe you faced your fears like that. You're so brave, Hazel!"

"Thanks, Jo. I still can't believe I did it." Hazel replies, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I feel like I've taken a huge step forward."

"You have! And I bet this is just the beginning," Jo said, her enthusiasm infectious. "You've got to keep performing. You have something special to share with the world."

They ordered their food, and as they sat down at a table outside, Hazel couldn't help but reflect on the night. The fear that had once paralyzed her felt distant now. Instead, she was filled with hope and anticipation for what lay ahead.

"I want to write more songs," She confesses, her voice filled with determination. "I want to share more of my story. I can't let fear hold me back anymore."

"Absolutely! You should definitely write about this experience." Jo encourages. "Imagine how many people you could inspire with your music!"

Zolani joins them at the table, carrying a plate of food. "What are you girls plotting?" She asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"Just talking about how Hazel is going to take the world by storm with her music." Jo replied enthusiastically.

"Exactly! No more running away." Hazel adds, her confidence growing with each word. "I'm ready to embrace this journey."

Zolani nods approvingly, her heart swelling with pride as she smiles warmly. "That's my girl. Remember, it's okay to be afraid, but never let that fear stop you from following your dreams."

They enjoyed their meal, the laughter and camaraderie enveloping them like a warm blanket. Each bite felt like a celebration of Hazel's triumph, and as they shared stories and dreams, Hazel realized that she had a supportive family and friends cheering her on.