"Okay ... you have got to up your game and find someone else to obsess about," Jan threw a pillow at her face.
She was flat on her back on Jan's bed feeling depressed yet again over Theo and his dreamy green eyes.
"You're in high school now ... there are a lot of guys out there that you can go out with, have a date with ... someone you can start smooching with ... Valentine is coming ... start dressing your age and not like that 12-year-old who drew hearts around Theo's name in her diary."
Hazel grimaced, "What's wrong with how I dress? And ... I still draw hearts around his name on my diary ... I mean ... he's hot!"
Jan put her index finger in her mouth and acted like she was going to vomit. "He is ... HOTTT ... I'm not gonna dispute that ... but 7 years is enough, okay? You need to move on with your life or otherwise, you'll end up dating your Harry Styles cardboard cutout in your bedroom if you keep doing this to yourself."
She let out a long exhale, it's not like she hadn't tried it. There was just no guy that was able to distract her from the charm of TJ Shanley, that was the name on his jersey, and what all the teachers call him.
"If I hear one more word about how hot TJ Shanley from you again, I will rip all your Shawn Mendez poster and steal your cardboard cutout ... okay? Enough! You're missing out ... and as your best friend of 7 years ... I'm gonna make it my mission that you ... my dear ... are going to get yourself a boyfriend this year!" she threw herself next to Hazel on the bed.
Janice's family moved to Chestnut when she was 9, right about the same time Hazel started developed her crush on Theo. Throughout their friendship, the only boy she ever talked about was Theo. As a good friend, she listened to all her ups and downs no matter how dull it was to hear about Theo over and over again like a broken record.
They giggled over the phone past midnight just to talk about what Theo was doing when he spent the night with her brother.
Ever since Theo turned 14, it was more downs than ups because that's when he started having girlfriends. Five girlfriends later, Hazel was still in the same place where she started.
"I tell you what ... we are going to spend the weekend on a makeover ... we'll clean out your closet and we'll go shopping for some essential items that you can mix and match with whatever you have left in your wardrobe 'cause by the time we're done with it ... this ..." she grabbed the strap of her overall, "This will not see the light of day ever again."
"What? This is my favorite piece of clothing," Hazel protested.
"I know ... you can keep it, you just don't have to wear them again ... not in public ... show off some skin and some of that sexy back, girl," she nudged her.
Hazel laughed, threw a pillow at Jan, "What sexy back? You really think that will get me a boyfriend?"
Jan jolted up on the bed, "No ... I don't think you need to do that to get a boyfriend ... hello ... you're one of the prettiest girls I know ... you're smart, funny, great to hang out with, anyone would be stupid not to like you once they know you ... but it might make you feel better, fresh ... like starting new ... you know? Maybe then you'll be open for options instead of being stuck with Theo all the time."
"Aww ... thank you, that's the sweetest thing you ever said to me ... although you might be the only one who thinks of me that way," she laughed lightly.
"I'm not! I swear! I know that for a fact ... there are a few guys that came up to me asking about you, they're too scared to approach you 'cause you never seemed to show any interest in anyone other than Theo ... that's why ... you need to open up, look at your options ... maybe Theo is the only guy who couldn't see how great you are, don't waste your time on him."
She covered her face with both hands and grunted, "Maybe you're right ... I need to get over him once and for all, he's leaving for college anyway ... I may never see him ever again ... fine ... let's do it!"
"That's the spirit! Let's make it a commitment ... we will find you, someone that will make you forget about Theo Shanley by summer ... you will not be that girl who's never been kissed, that wallflower that lurks around soccer practice to get a glimpse of the team captain ... because you are going to have your first boyfriend ever!!"
The thought of having a first boyfriend was really exciting. Jan had already broken up twice, she was already in pursuit of her third boyfriend. They were all giddy and squealing at their plan because come Monday, Hazel Williams was going to be a whole different person.
Tight jeans, long-sleeved crop top, because she thought showing off the middle part of her stomach was enough for her first day. She clutched her books in front of her as she walked towards her locker. She could see from the corner of her eyes, some students were turning their heads to look at her unusual appearance. Or maybe it was just her being self-conscious. But in high school, kids notice everything. "Looking good Williams!" someone shouted from the end of the hallway. She gasped silently, pretended nothing was out of the ordinary. She turned her head slowly and curved a knowing smile to the person who shouted. "Chin up, Hazel, own it!" Jan came from behind her and whispered in her ear. Her locker was
Lee Dennis Owens. 17. A sophomore. Friends with Kyle. Half Korean from the mother's side. Born and raised in Chestnut. A dance prodigy had been dancing since he was 6 years old."How do you know all that? I didn't know you were friends with him?" Hazel felt betrayed that she didn't know things about Jan when they were practically always together."I didn't, I knew that from Kyle ... anyway, you'd know a lot of stuff about other people too if you weren't so cooped up with Green Eyed Hottie at the soccer field."But lately, Jan had been ditching her to be with Kyle a lot, hence, she was stranded by herself trying to smoke a cigarette with Max's other friends, Joey and Stanley who were quick enough to run away leaving her behind and eventually sent to detention by Coach Garry.
Five: Dear TheoDear Theo,I really don't know what's the point of this ... but here goes ...I love you ... I'm obsessed with you ... I'm crazy for you ...There ... I said it, and it feels really goodNow you know. Although you don't know who I am, that's beside the point.I'm doing this for me.I've been holding on to these feelings for you and I'm tired because I know nothing is ever going to happen between you and me. Ever.I realize even though we sometimes feel so deeply about someone, it doesn't mean the feelings will be returned. It sucks and I'm learnin
He doesn't speak a single word of Korean, even though he was half Korean. Ever since his mother died there was no one who speaks Korean at home. His stepmother was French, so he knew a little bit of French.He danced to the number one Korean boy band without understanding a single word of the lyrics, except for the English parts. He said dancing didn't need an understanding of words but the emotions from the music. It was true for a lot of things.They followed each other on Instagram, he has around 5000 followers there and quite actively posted his dances in there too. While she has less than 300 followers, most of them were school friends and family.Most of her posts were selfies and wefies with Jan, sometimes she posted her journal entries in a blur, and also her favorit
At the end of Valentine's day, all the letters were distributed to their recipients. Most kids received at least one. Everyone made a pact with their best friends that they would send each other something.Theo got a whole bowl to himself. The committee even let him bring home the bowl as a bonus because his letters couldn't fit the largest envelope that was available. He was cheered along the corridor holding the large bowl in his hand.She wondered if he'll even bother to read them later because there were so many.Surprisingly, she got four letters herself. She tucked them into her backpack to read them later after dinner when she usually spends the rest of the day alone in her room.Lee was already gone to rehea
"How's school today?" her mom asked at dinner time the next day.She shrugged, "Fine," she answered almost simultaneously with Max.There was nothing eventful for her except spending the whole day with Jan celebrating her new relationship status with Kyle. He finally confessed to her and asked her if she wanted to be his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. How romantic.There's not much she could say about her own Valentine's Day. That last note she received was occupying her mind, but no one was sending her signals or trying to approach her about it. It was anonymous, it will probably stay anonymous. She didn't want to think about it too much."I have a surprise for you, actually," her dad said as he wiped his mouth wit
She spent the whole day trying on outfits to go to Lee's dance party. Fixed her hair in all the ways she could think of while Jan watched from the other end of their video call."Does this look okay?" she held a pink top over a white mini skirt she had sworn to never wear only a year ago. It was the sixth set of clothes she tried to mix and match.Jan grunted, "That looks adorable ... if you were going out for ice cream in the daytime ... it's a dance studio, everyone's gonna be wearing black, you don't want to be the odd one out.""Are you sure? Black? My first choice was black?""I know, I told you it was fine but you went through your whole closet anyway ... I think black is the way to go."
They grabbed something to eat at a Burrito place not far from the studio. It all felt very casual and not at all felt like a date. They were just two friends hanging out on Saturday night because they both didn't have anything else to do, no one else to hang out with.When they arrived at the dance studio, the day was already dark. He took his large backpack from the back of the car, he brought at least three sets of clothes for changing, knee pads, elbow pads, extra socks, shoes. She never realizes that being a dancer was similar to being an athlete.The entrance of the studio was like a gym, they went through a narrow corridor all the way to the back and went into a double door where the dance hall was. It was a wide room, it was maybe half the size of the whole floor of the building, the walls were lined with mirrors.