Three

Hazel could hardly believe it when her teacher announced that it was just two days left to the last day of senior year in high school.

She stared down at the desk where she had scratched her name months ago. The rough letters still stood

there, half hidden under fresh scribbles from her classmates. She traced her finger over them slowly.

It felt strange. She wasn’t sure if she was happy, scared, or something in between.

“Hey,” Charles whispered from the seat next to her. “Why do you look like someone stole your lunch?”

Hazel rolled her eyes but smiled a little. “I don’t know. It just feels… different. After this,

everything changes.”

Charles leaned back, resting his chin on his hand. His hair was sticking out again in every direction.

He never cared to fix it, no matter how much his mom scolded him. “Change isn’t bad,” he said with a grin.

“ We're grown-ups now, though responsibility may arise, but change is inevitable.”

Hazel laughed quietly. “You speak like someone who has an organ called a brain.”

“Fine, but still,” he continued, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. “It’s the start of

something new. You’ll see.”

Hazel didn’t answer right away. She thought about her family, Marie, Jackson, and Daniel. They were the

reason she had made it this far. She wasn’t sure she wanted things to change.

At lunch, Hazel sat with Charles under their favorite tree. The shade was thick, and the sound of students

shouting on the field felt far away. Charles unwrapped his sandwich, took a huge bite, then noticed Hazel

was just picking at hers.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his mouth half full.

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I’m just thinking.”

“You always think too much.” He nudged her shoulder. “Eat before I steal it.”

Hazel smiled and took a bite, but before she could say anything else, a familiar voice called from behind

them.

“Hazel! Charles!”

They turned to see Daniel running toward them. He wasn’t supposed to be in the yard, he was two years old

older and already in college which was in the same town as his family, but somehow he always found a way to sneak into Hazel’s world.

“You’re going to get in trouble,” Hazel said, though she was already grinning.

Daniel flopped down in the grass beside them, completely out of breath. “Worth it,” he panted. “I was bored.

Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you.” He shot Charles a teasing look. “Especially with this guy

around.”

Charles held up his hands. “Hey, I’m harmless.”

Daniel smirked. “That’s what they all say.” He grabbed Hazel’s sandwich and took a huge bite before she

could stop him.

“Daniel!” Hazel shoved him, laughing despite herself.

“Thanks, sis. You weren’t going to finish it anyway.” He leaned back, looking way too proud of himself.

Charles chuckled. “You two fight like cats.”

“That’s because he steals my food,” Hazel complained.

“And she hogs the blanket every night,” Daniel shot back.

Hazel’s cheeks turned pink. “I do not!”

The three of them burst out laughing. For a moment Hazel forgot all about change, school, and the future.

It was just them, the way it had always been.

Later that day, the whole school gathered in the yard for a little end-of-year celebration. There were no

balloons or fancy music, just teenagers ready to take a bold step of becoming an adult. The teacher

gave a short speech about “moving forward with courage,” but most of the students weren’t listening. Hazel

tried, though. The words pressed on her chest, reminding her again that something new was coming.

When the bell finally rang, Hazel and Charles walked slowly, not in a

rush to go home. The sun hung low in the sky, warm and golden. Charles kicked a small stone along the dirt

road, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

“You’re awfully quiet,” he said after a while.

Hazel shrugged. “I just… don’t want things to change too much.”

Charles stopped walking and looked at her. His grin softened into something more serious. “Things will

change. That’s how life works. But that doesn’t mean it has to be bad.”

Hazel kicked at the dirt. “What if we stop being friends? What if everything is different and we don’t

See each other anymore?”

Charles shook his head firmly. “That won’t happen. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, Hazel.”

Her lips twitched into a shy smile. “Promise?”

He held out his pinky without hesitation. “Promise.”

Hazel wrapped her pinky finger around his. The gesture felt silly, but also powerful, like it tied them

together in a way words couldn’t.

“You better not break it,” she warned.

Charles smirked. “I never break promises.”

They stood there for a long moment, their hands still linked, until Daniel’s voice broke the spell.

“Hey! Are you two getting married or something?” He came jogging up from behind,

“Mom’s going to yell if we’re late for dinner.”

Hazel yanked her hand away, her cheeks burning. “Shut up, Daniel!”

Charles just laughed, but his eyes lingered on Hazel a second longer before they started walking again.

That evening at home, Hazel sat by the window while Marie cooked dinner. The smell of fried onions filled

the small kitchen. Daniel was at the dining table directly opposite the kitchen..

Marie glanced over at Hazel. “You’re quiet tonight, sweetheart. Did something happen?”

Hazel hesitated, then shook her head. “No. Just… school’s over. It feels weird.”

Marie wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to kiss Hazel’s forehead. “Endings always feel strange.

But they make room for new beginnings.” She smiled softly. “And you’ll be just fine.”

Hazel leaned into her warmth, her heart easing. Maybe Marie was right. Maybe endings didn’t have to be scary.

That night, as she lay in bed, Hazel stared at the ceiling, replaying the day in her head, Charles’ promise,

Daniel’s teasing, Marie’s comfort. She hugged her pillow tight. Somewhere deep inside, she felt a spark of

hope. No matter what came next, she wasn’t alone.