Chapter 2 Cold Shower

HAZEL'S POV

My dreams were interrupted by the annoying alarm clock and I glanced at my cell phone, it was only 5:30 a.m. I could have slept for hours. If only the alarm hadn't gone off. What a bummer.

Especially when you have a hot guy in your dream.

His kisses aroused me. I melted under his every touch, his mint green eyes looking at me lovingly as if I was the only person he paid attention to in the entire world.

It's clear that I've woken up, but I can't shake the dream.

Inhale - exhale, inhale-exhale.

I promised my aunt that I wouldn't masturbate, hoping that this man would get out of my mind in a hurry.

Oh shit! This is not working. I felt the sweet nectar soaking the seat of my underwear.

I think I should take a shower.

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After the shower, sleep left me.

I was going to go to the art room to continue painting from last night when my best friend Gabrielle texted me.

*Gabz* Morning Haze, I'm coming over, I need to talk to you about something, it's important.

*Haze* Morning Gabz, what could be so important that it has you up at 6:30 in the morning?

*Gabz* I can't explain this shit over the phone, so I'll be there at around 8:30.

We haven't seen each other in only 4 days, but I already miss her terribly.

She promised to spend more time with her grandpa this summer.

*Haze* OK babe, see you at 9 then. ?

*Gabz* Bitch you know me so well. ?

I rolled my eyes and chuckled in amusement.

I know this girl all too well because we've been best friends since we were kids - she's never on time for anything.

Even though I've been home schooled since I was eight, we still see each other every day - except for the past few days.

Even our moms are best friends. They met in high school. They even went to college together, where they met our dad.

Dad told me all of this. Mom died while giving birth to me.

Dad was there for me for eight years, and he was the best dad in the world, giving me everything he thought was best.

But two months after my eighth birthday, he died in a rock climbing accident.

Strangely, his body was never found.

I then lived with my mom's sister, Julie, and her husband, Pastor Abraham.

I checked the time on my cell phone and realized that I had two and a half hours until She arrived, and breakfast would be served in an hour and a half. So instead of going to the art room, I decided to go to the family gym.

My aunt and uncle are very rich. They take very good care of me and support my art.

Abraham's father is from old money, he owned a few chains of restaurants and hotels all over the United States, and his mother owned and operated a well-established real estate company, and as their only child, he took over for his Dad while Julia took over for his Mom after they retired.

I didn't know how uncle Abe still found time to preach on Sundays.

When I finished my workout, I felt so hungry that I didn't change out of my gym clothes and went straight to the dining room.

Uncle Abraham was sitting at the table reading the newspaper. Aunt Julia looked at my clothes with displeasure.

She was a tea-drinking, pinky-out, pearl-wearing, handheld paper fan, white glove-wearing kind of lady.

In the ten years that I had been living with her, I had never seen her let loose and really laugh or even cry.

Her hair was invariably styled in a bun, and she always wore skirt suits. Even then at breakfast, she looked like she belonged in the company of Queen Elizabeth.

I didn't know if that's how she was raised or if it's something she adopted later in life, because she never spoke about her past.

Whenever I asked her about my mom or what they were like as children, she would shrug it off, so eventually, I stopped asking.

"Good morning." I said cheerfully. Gently pulling out the chair, I sat down.

"Good morning, Hazel," they spoke in unison.

"How was your workout, Sweet Pea?" Abraham lowered his morning paper to get a better look at me.

"It was great, thank you for inquiring," I nodded my head politely.

He went back to reading his paper when I felt Julia's piercing gaze on me. I took a glance and our eyes instantly connected.

Julia barked as she squinted her eyes in exasperation, "What in heaven's name are you wearing?" she asked, gesturing with her hands at my sports bra and gym tights.

"For God's sake Aunty, it's just my workout clothes," I answered, rolling my eyes involuntarily.

"Just your workout clothes? JUST YOUR WORKOUT CLOTHES?"

"Now, now honey, let's not get angry at the breakfast table," Abraham pulled himself closer to her. He then started to lightly caress her back. He gave her a peck on the cheek, all in an attempt to soothe her.

Julia instantly relaxed.

"You're right, darling," she sighed and gave Abraham a butterfly kiss on the lips before she shifted to me and offered me an apologetic smile.

"So does that mean you're not angry at me anymore Aunty?" I questioned, offering her my most angelic pout.

"You know your aunt loves you and just wants the best for you - right?" her voice cracked at the end, as she struggled to blink back the tears that now threatened to fall from her eyes.

I quickly got up from her chair and knelt at her side.

I lay my head on Julia's thigh, "I know that Aunty, and I love you too, so please don't cry - I will go and change - I will cover my body from now on. I'm very sorry I upset you."

Julia took my face in her palms and planted a modest kiss on my forehead. I looked her dead in the eyes and for the first time, I saw emotions dancing behind her chocolate-coloured ones.

"It's not about the clothes - Even though I do not approve of such attire," she sniffled, "It's just that you're leaving us in the next couple of months, and we're just going to miss you, we're going to miss you so much."

When I heard those words coming from aunt's mouth, I couldn't stop the waterworks that were now plunging from my eyes.

"I'm not leaving you guys, it's just college and I promise I'll visit every chance I get."

"I know you will, honey," Julia sniffled. We stood and embraced each other tightly. Julia stroked my cheeks lightly with the side of her thumbs, "I also know that it's a way for you to feel closer to your mom since it's the same university she attended."