The next morning went like a flash. Again, I felt like I just came back from college and now it was time to go again.

We reached college on time today, for the first time in forever. Thank you, Rose.

As soon as we entered the hallway and made our way we found three boys waiting for us as they leaned on our lockers. They were Austin, Jake, and Jason.

I immediately wanted to run away but, alas, it was too late.

"Heeeyyyy," they said in a unison as soon as they saw us

"Hi," replied Rose

"Hey, Bazel, " said Austin standing back on his feet

"It's Hazel. My name is Hazel, stop calling me that" I said in annoyance.

"Awww, " he said as everyone laughed. Even Rose.

Is this what humans call betrayal? I thought to myself.

"So what are you guys doing here? " Rose inquired as we opened our lockers and plied our things in.

"Austin wanted to meet Hazel so we just tagged along" Jason replied.

"Me? Really? Why didn't you come outside my window at like 2 o clock in the night?" I asked in a sardonic tone.

"Wow. Did you really do that, bro" Jake asked as he placed his elbow on Austin's shoulder.

"Because I didn't want to disturb the Sleeping Beauty, you know as she really needs all the sleep she can get for today" Austin shot back, bending over his side making Jake's arm fall back.

"Oh yeah? Why? What's today? Also,  Thank you for you're kind thought, sir, how very generous of you, " I replied.

"You're welcome, ma'am," he said as he bowed down.

I rolled my eyes at him and others let out a hearty laugh.

"So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? " I asked

"Can I have a moment with you, alone?" he asked, raising his eyebrows as his face straightened.

"A moment, Huh? " Jake said as he poked his elbow into Austin's stomach.

Ignoring him, Austin and I walked towards the side, away from them all.

"Okay, I'm going to be really serious about this, " he said with an intense voice, "So after college, we have a basketball match. I want you to come. Jake is going to ask Rose and I know Rose would eventually ask you but I wanted to invite you myself. So, Hazel, will you come? " his voice echoed my ears. Holding my hands, his deep blue eyes looked right into mine.

I felt a chill down my spine. I was overwhelmed by his gesture. He knew if Rose would have asked me I would have had come anyway, yet, he invited me himself. That was sweet of him. I felt nice. I felt special.

"Yeah, sure," I said taking a deep breath as a smile shaped my lips

A genuine, sweet, and innocent smile formed his lips. His face lightened up. His eyes sparkled more than ever.

"Great. I'll see you there then, " he said

"Wait, it's history now, aren't you gonna come? " I asked.

"Can't. We have practice. I won't be able to make it up to any of the classes. I do have my permissions though. " he said as he made sure that I wouldn't think that he was cutting class or something.

"Oh, okay, good luck, " I replied as I turned to join the others"

"Hazel, " he called out

"Yeah? " I turned

"Thank You. It really means a lot, " he said with his sweet and innocent smile.

Would it actually mean something to him if I came? I wondered as we joined the others

"Did you have your 'moment' that you have been waiting for for the past 2 and a half hours? " Jake asked mockingly.

"Two and a half hours? " I restated in surprise.

"Yeah. We have been waiting here, next to your locker for the past two and a half hours. Austin didn't know what time you guys came, so this guy, for the first time got up early, dressed as fast as he could and reached college, so that he wouldn't miss having his 'moment' with you" Jake said as he motioned this index and middle finger of both his hands, together, up and down.

"You could have just called, " I said looking at Austin who was clearly feeling awkward. However, I was floored by his gesture now.

"I know right, I said the same thing to him but he said that he wanted to 'personally' invite you and not over the phone, isn't it? " Jake said as he slid his hands into his pockets.

"Yeah. Enough complaining now. We're getting late. " Austin stated as he motioned to move.

"You know, you could have just come before the first hour would start. "

"He would. However, there are two things, first, he said, that he's gonna be busy all day practicing and if he missed his chance of talking to you then his entire day would go bad and he wouldn't be able to put his mind at the practice, " Jake explained

Hearing those words just made my heart skip a beat. Austin Moon put in so much time and effort just to invite me to his basketball ball game. Well, He never fails to surprise me.

"Secondly, the fact being that we do not know what time the class starts," he continued

All of us laughed as Rose and I closed our lockers. My laughter soon faded as my eyes caught the sight of Jenna staring at me. I held Rose's hand, tightly.

But for some reason, her hand felt hard and muscular. I looked down upon it and to my horror, I had mistakenly held Austin's hand. I released my grip immediately.

"It's Alright Bazel. You can hold my hand. I don't mind" he said, giving his signature cheesy smile.

But his smile soon faded away as he saw the stress on my face.

I looked at Jenna again and saw her still glaring at me.

I wanted to dig my face in my locker but it was too late. I had already locked it and Jason was leaning against it as well. I felt like I had no way to escape.

"Hey. Is everything thing okay? " Austin asked as everyone looked at me.

I nodded in reply. Rose walked up to me.

"What is it? " she whispered

"She's right behind you. Glaring her eyes out at me. " I whisper-replied in her ear as I leaned closer.

She turned around to look and found that Jenna was indeed staring at us and she stuck her tongue out which annoyed Jenna and she turned her gaze away. I smiled at Rose.

"And now she is not, " Rose said

However, things didn't end there. Though I whispered to Rose, Austin had somehow trailed her sight when she turned around to look at Jenna. He immediately got suspicious.

As everyone proceeded towards where ever they had to go, Austin pulled me away to the side.

"Is there something your not telling me?" he asked

"No. Why would you ask that? " I responded hesitantly.

"You and Jenna were having an eye lock moment. What was that for? " he asked

"Nothing" I replied

"Hey. You don't have to hide. It's okay. You can tell me" he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder

"Austin. It's okay, I'm fine. And if there is anything to tell you'll be the first person to know, "I assured him.

He smiled at me and so did I and with that, we parted our ways.

***********
A/N
Hey guys, what's up? I hope you guys are doing well and I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far.

I know I have been away for a while and didn't post for about a month now for which I genuinely apologize. I have been busy with travelling and exams.

Anyway, I'm back now, and hopefully, I'll be updating more regularly hereafter.

Also, comment down below sharing your feedback about the story. I'd love to hear from you guys.

Have a good day

Until next time,
Toodles.