Chapter 4

I walk into first the next morning, getting there really early because she drives like a manic. I set my stuff down at a desk and turn to leave and find some people to hang with until the bell. I turn right into Chris, who is smiling.

“Oh, hey.” I say, flustered.

“Hey.” He laughs back.

“You startled me!” I accuse.

“I did? Oh I’m so sorry.” He says sarcastically. I glare at him and he laughs again. “Lighten up.”

I crack and smile. There was no way I could be mad at him! Not when he smiled anyways…

“Much better. A face as cute as yours shouldn’t frown.” He says, still smiling playfully.

“Awe, thanks.” I say in a totally cheesy lovey-dovey voice, smiling and putting a hand to my chest. “That’s so sweet of you!”

He busts out laughing. “Hilarious Hazel.”

I laugh as well.

“Hazel?” Chris asks suddenly. I stop laughing and look up at him. “I had a lot of fun yesterday…”
“I did too,” I smile.
We stand there in silence until the bell rings and we sit. Through out the hour he pokes me and gives me funny looks. It makes our teacher not happy and she glares at us from time to time. We just laugh. Suddenly the bell rings and class is over. Fastest class I have ever been to.
“I think our teacher hates us,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh really why would he say that?” He laughs.
“Well she kept glaring at us.”
“Well, she is no fun. You have to go to your locker?”
“Ya”
“Ok, I will walk with you.
We come to my locker laughing along and Edwin is at his locker. I sigh and prepare for the worst.
“Well, hello Hazel. I missed you this morning,” He tells me, looking disappointed.
“I know I am sorry. I came early to study for a quiz in my first hour,” I lie.
“Ya that quiz was so gay,” Chris says playing along. Thank goodness.
“I don’t think we have met. My name is Edwin, I am Hazels…. Boyfriend… and you are?” Edwin asks in politeness.
“I am Chris.”
“Well nice to meet you Chris,” Edwin puts his hand out and Chris shakes it.
“I must get to class. See you later Hazel.” He takes my hand holds it and then lets go.
When he is in a safe distance away, I look at Chris.
“So that is him?” Chris asks. He is being really cool about it.
“Ya… That is Edwin… The guy I am supposed to… marry…” It is still hard to say that.
“He seems… stiff…”
“He is really stiff. He has a hard time even looking at me.”
“Wow, who wouldn’t want to look at you?”
We both laugh and close my locker. We both walk to our next class like nothing had just happened. Like Chris didn’t even meet Edwin.
Second hour went by just as fast. Chris walks me to my third hour and promises he’ll meet me at the door as soon as this hour ends. I smile as butterflies erupt in my chest. I can’t focus at all during my class. Luckily the teacher doesn’t call on me.

As promised, Chris is standing outside my third hour when the bell rings.

“Hey.” He says when I walk out.

“Hey yourself.” I answer and continue walking.

“Whoa!” He says, jogging slightly to catch up with me. Once he has, he falls into step with me. “Where are we headed now?”

“Lunch…” I say with disgust.

“What’s up? Why don’t you like lunch? It’s like, my favorite class!” He says, shock layering his voice.

I sigh and turn to look at him, now at my locker. “Edwin has lunch with me.”

“Ouch…” He says.

We walk to the lunchroom together in silence. “Guess I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah, definitely.” He says before rushing towards his next class.

I take a deep breath and push open the Cafeteria doors. I scan the tables until I find Edwin, Ashton, and Amber sitting together at a table near the back. Everyone was glancing at them and then lowering their heads together with their friends and whispering. It was easy to tell we were the most talked about people in the school at the moment.

I smile when Amber sees me and motion to the lunch line. As I head over there, I can feel a lot of eyes burning holes through my back. Once I get to the line, a freshman who obviously got there first lets me cut. I never got special treatment.

I get my lunch and hurry over to the table with the boys and my sister.

“Hey.” I say, setting my stuff down next to Edwin and sitting. “What’s with everyone starring and the special treatment?”

“Some how people heard that the Edward’s own a huge business in England… and that they are very high up in British statues. They think that, because we’re with them, we must have something they want… making us instantly popular. Well, and that Edwin and Ashton have become the to die for guys at our school.” Amber explains nonchalantly.

“Wait, when did this happen?” I say in a shocked voice. “This is only their second day here!”

“I know!” Amber says.

“Sorry we can’t help it that we’re hot.” Ashton says. I stare at him. I definitely never thought I’d hear him say that. I glance at Edwin and notice he’s uncomfortable. I sigh and decide to drop this topic.

There was a silence then I see Amber nod to Edwin.
“Hazel, would you like to accompany me to dinner tonight?” Edwin asks, still avoiding eye contact.
I can’t say no. “Sure,” I say and pretend to be happy.
“It will be a double date,” Amber says overexcited.
“Oh ok,” I say and fake a smile.
I am quiet for the rest of lunch and when it is walk quickly out of the cafeteria without even saying goodbye. Pushing the cafeteria doors open, I see Chris leaning on the wall, waiting for me.
“Hey,” He greets me.
“Hi…” I say a bit distracted.
“What is wrong?”
“I am going on a… double date with Amber, Ashton, and Edwin tonight…” I say with a frown
“Oh…That sounds fun…” He says with so much sarcasm is makes me laugh.
“Ya…”
“Well, do you have time before then?”
“Ya, I should.”
“Well I will take you somewhere after school before your… date…”
“Oh really, where?” I say, nudging him.
“How about we just go to the lake?” He suggests.
I love how he says the lake. It is like a secret only we know.
“Sure,” I genuinely smile.
“Ok, walk you to your next class?”
“Ok”
We walk down the hallway. I am happy and sad at the same time.
I have my last hour with Edwin. All he can talk about, for a change, is how excited he is to be actually taking me on a date. I can’t believe how excited he is. It is like he has suddenly let go of his past love, or at least decided to try and move on.

After class, I tell Edwin I’ll catch him at home because I’m staying after. He says okay and then kisses my cheek quickly. I felt nothing, as if he were a grandma who has kissed my cheek a thousand times.

Seconds after Edwin was out of sight, Chris walks up. He smiles that million dollar smile of his and I feel my insides melt. Immediately warning bells go off in my head. It is not good that Edwin does nothing for me with a kiss and Chris does everything with just a smile.

“Ready to go?” He asks. I can’t remember how to talk so I just kind of stare at him. “Yo, earth to Hazel.”

“Oh, uh. Yeah, let me just stop at my locker.” I say, blushing in embarrassment.

Chris laughs and makes a sweeping gesture, “After you, milady.”

I laugh and start walking towards my locker. Chris falls into step besides me. When we reach my locker, I put my books away and turn towards Chris. “Ready!” I say.

“Let’s go then.” Chris says. I follow him out the doors and to his car. He opens my door for me and helps me inside.

_Crush_ came on half way to the lake and I immediately reached and turned it up. I start singing the chorus and then notice Chris looking at me.

“What?” I laugh.

“Is it bad that I think you’re cute when you sing?” He says sheepishly and shrugs.

“It may be. You’re messing with a very complicated girl, remember? Technically, I’m a married woman.” I say laughing.

“Not yet you aren’t.” Chris says as we pull up to the lake. We get out and he takes my hand. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Really?” I ask. “What?”

He starts walking to a big oak, “I’ll show you.”

“Ok.” I say. When we get to the oak I laugh. “A swing?”

“I put it up just for you… Last night after I took you home.” Chris says. “Wanna get on?”

“Sure.” I laugh as I sit down on the swing. Chris walks behind me and gently begins to push.
I laugh as the swing picks up speed. He laughs back. It is like we are two kindergartners at a playground. I feel my hair fly and I close my eyes. I am now flying. I feel free as a bird and suddenly I feel Chris stop pushing. I open my eyes to see him standing in front of me.
“Jump!” He yells to me. “I’ll catch you!”
“Your crazy!” I yell back, giggling.“Oh comon. I wont let you fall, I promise.”
I give in and jump. He runs and catches me around the waist. His hands a gently grasping my hips like he is lifting up a father. He smiles at me and puts me down.
“I told you I would catch you,” He says in a I-told-ya-so voice.
“That was really fun!” I say laughing really hard.
“I am glad, wanna do it again?”
“Sure!”
I hop back on and do it two more times and he catches me just the same every time.
“I should be going,” I say after the thought hits me after the third jump.
“Oh… ya…” He frowns.
“I wish I could stay,” His face brightens at my statement.
“Comon, I’ll take ya home. Wouldn’t want you to be late for your date with Eeedddwwwinnnn.”
I laugh at how he says Edwin’s name. Chris takes my hand and leads me to his car. I wish this could never end. Maybe Edwin will do ok. Just maybe he will.
I is ride back full of music and singing. It almost makes me forget that I am actually going on a date with someone else after this. When we arrive, he stops the car and stares at me intensely.
“What?” I say, looking at him back.
“Nothing,” He snaps out of it, “Bye.”
“Ok, bye,” I say and get out of the car.
It hits me as I fumble the keys for the door. If I was dating Chris he would have… Kissed me… or would he have. I keep this thought going as I walk into the door.
“Hazel!” I hear my sister calling from the living room.
“Yeah?” I call back, slipping out of my flats.

“Come here for a sec, kay?” She answers.

I walk hesitantly into the living room where my sister is surrounded by books in the middle of the floor. “What the…”

“I need help.” She says in a huff, throwing the book she had been paging through on the ground.

“What are all these?” I ask looking around. “And where are the boys?”

“The boys are upstairs doing who knows what. And these are wedding dress catalogues.” Amber says, gesturing at the many books and magazines around her. “Help me find one? Oh! I saw the perfect one for you.”

I wince when she says this and I just stand in the doorway watching her shift through the pile around her.

“Here!” She yells excitedly. She looks like a child on Christmas morning. “Hazel, it would just be gorgeous on you! Come look.”

Slowly I walk over as she stands up. She points to the big picture in the center of the page. “The halter top you show off your shoulders beautifully Hazel! And look at the bodice! Aren’t the amber stones embedded in it just gorgeous?! The tight fitted top would show off your flat stomach perfectly! Oh and look at the back! These three bows down the back are to die for.” Amber exclaims.

The dress was beautiful, but I couldn’t stand to think about it! “Cute. Uh, shouldn’t we be getting ready though?”

“Crap!” Amber says. She throws the book on the table and rushes upstairs to our now combined room. I laugh at her and follow her upstairs. I walk in on her saying “What to wear...” and digging through her closet.

I shake my head and go to the bathroom to start my hair, knowing once Amber picks an outfit she’ll own the bathroom. I can do my make-up in my room, but all my hair stuff was in the bathroom. I pull my hair out of its ponytail and shake it out. I grab a clip and section off my hair. Taking out my straightener I wonder what I should wear. I wasn’t even sure where we were going.

I plug in my straightener and turn it on. While I wait for it to heat, I walk back to my room. Amber is just getting dressed in a mini skirt and button down pink blouse. “Hey, where are we going?” I ask.

“They’re taking us to some fancy restaurant I guess.” She replies.

“Okay, thanks.” I say before returning to the bathroom and straightening my hair.

After my hair is all perfect, well almost perfect, I come into the closet and choose my blue dress. I have been saving this blue dress for formal date and I guess now is the time to bring it out. After putting it on, I look at myself in the mirror. My dress had a tight waist and flowed to the knees. The top has spaghetti straps and comes to a V. I put on my make up and do one more check in the mirror.
“Hazel!” My sister calls, “Your man is waiting for you.”
I roll my eyes at what she just said and make my way down the stairs. Edwin is waiting at the bottom with a huge smile on his face. He is wearing a nice white shirt and blue tie. His pants are black.
“You look great,” He says and grins.
I blush a little, “Thanks.”
“You do look great sista,” Amber says.
“You do too,” I show a glint of a smile.
She is wearing a pink dress that is strap less and flows just below the knees. We picked these dresses out together one time. It was a fun shopping day. Edwin takes my hand gently and we walk out the door.
I see a black cadelliac in the driveway that I did not notice on my way in earlier.
“Who’s car is this?”
“It is me and Ashton’s. Our father sent it for us today.” Edwin explains
“Nice,” I say in ashtonishment.
I guess they must be really rich. We get in and drive off. Amber picks a radio station, rap of course, and blasts it. The whole ride is just filled with the blaring of rap. I just stare out the window and think of the fun I had today. Hopefully this will be fun too.
We pull up at _Andiamo_ and Amber glances back at me. This is one of the fanciest restaurants around here. Ashton gets out and walks around to open the door for Amber. Once she is out, Edwin hopes out. He leans back in and helps me get out of the backseat. We follow Ashton and Amber up to the restaurant hand in hand. I am so nervous. I have really high expectations for the night and don’t want to be disappointed.

“Edwards.” Ashton says to the girl behind the counter. She nods and motions for us to follow. She shows us to a table in the back near a lit fireplace. Edwin pulls out a chair for me and I sit, smoothing my dress.

“Your waiter will be right with you.” The girl says before leaving.

“This is amazing guys!” Amber gushes.

“Fer sure!” I say.

“It’s just a little something.” Ashton replies, looking a little embarrassed.

Just then a very professional looking waiter walks up to our table. I stifle a laugh as I see a white napkin draped over his arm.

“Hello.” He says, a strong British accent in his voice.

“Ah, Jeffery!” Edwin says, taking Amber and me by surprise. “So nice of you to come here for this.”

“Of course sir.” Jeffery responds.

“Jeffery is Edwin’s butler at home.” Ashton explains. “He came over to show the cooks our favorite dish. And, well, to butler us.”

“Hello Jeffery.” Amber and I say simultaneously.

Jeffery nods in our directions, “Hello Ma’am.” He says to each of us. “What we discussed then, Sir?” He asks turning back towards Edwin.

“That’ll be splendid!” Edwin says, clapping his hands together.

Jeffery nods and then heads off towards the kitchen.

“That’s so cool you have a butler!” I say childishly.

“I guess. I forget most people don’t.” Edwin says, shrugging.

“Same.” Ashton agrees, slinging an arm around Amber’s shoulders. Inconspicuously, he nods toward Edwin. Edwin then wraps an arm of his around my shoulders, totally taking me by surprise.

“So, what are we having?” I ask, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling that is in my stomach from Edwin’s touch.
“We are having lamb. Lamb is traditional in England, but our chief at home spices it up,” Ashton says.
“Cool,” Amber says, still mesmerized by Ashton.
We talk, well, Amber and Ashton and talk. Edwin and I just put words in when needed. I become bored and start to think about Chris. What a real date with him be like. It certainly wouldn’t be this uncomfortable and boring. My thoughts are interrupted by salad. The salad is delicious, even though it was just a salad. I don’t eat much of it, waiting for the main course.
“The salad is good,” I complement.
“Yes, never gets old,” Edwin says
Once again I become bored. Well, this date isn’t turning out as well as I thought it would. What is going wrong? Maybe I should include myself in the conversation.
“So, what is the stuff you guys usually do at home?” I smile at my awesome question.
“I was always out with my friends. Edwin was at the books.” Ashton answers and nudges Edwin.
Edwin smiles nervously.
“You were always the one to get into trouble,” Edwin says and nudges Ashton back.
“I remember this one time,” Edwin starts, “I had to cover for Ashton. I was staying at their house for a couple of days. He didn’t come home till two in the morning and I had to work my way around his parents so they would not realize he was not home. He comes in through his window and all the sudden I hear a thud and someone yell bloody hell. He had came into the window and his foot tripped on the sill. Fell flat on his face.”
We all laugh at this. So Ashton is the fun one. They are such opposites.
“One time Amber did the same,” I tell a story, “but she didn’t fall she just came in right when I was talking to our parents. She was so busted.”
We all laugh at this. Even Amber laughs at herself.
“It’s true!” She giggles, “I was grounded for weeks!”
We laugh until the main course finally arrives. I try some and it melts in my mouth. Is this really what the food is like in England? If so, it’s amazing.
“This is really good!” I say with much enthusiasm.
“I thought you would like it,” Edwin says.
I smile. Was he really thinking of me when he picked our dinner?
“Really, that’s so sweet,” I gush back.
We all eat in silence, enjoying the food.
We finish the dinner and all lean back in our chairs, completely full. I notice Ashton glance at Edwin.

“We have one more surprise for you girls.” Edwin says, smiling wickedly. Ashton has a identical grin on his face.

“What?” Amber asks.

“Come on.” They say, standing up. “It’s a surprise.”

Amber and I shrug and follow the boys out to the car. They help us in and turn up the radio in the car, eliminating any chance of conversations on the way to where ever we are going.

“Oh, my God!” Amber and I gasp as we pull into _Tonic Night Club_.

“But, we’re not old enough to get in here?” I say slowly.

“Yeah, well. We’ve got connections.” Ashton says wickedly.

The four of us walk up to the bouncer at the door who nods to the boys and lets us in. We walk in like we own the place.

“Wanna dance?” Ashton asks Amber. She nods and they walk off to the center of the dance floor.

“Want something to drink?” Edwin asks, then hurriedly asks, “Nonalcoholic of course!”

I laugh and nod. “Sure, a Coke please?”

“I’ll be right back then.” He says and walks off. I wait and watch Ashton and Amber dancing. When Edwin returns, it startles me. Nodding towards Ashton and Amber, he asks, “You like dancing?”

“Yes. Very much. Do you?” I ask.

“Actually… yes.” He says. “Want to?”

He’s got me curious now. He hasn’t been very touchy feely and I was a little reluctant to dance with him, but one never knows.

We get to the floor, and he puts his arms on my hips. Immediately I feel myself letting go. I fall into his rhythm and let the music take me. I feel him do the same and we continue dancing the night away. Around one A.M. Amber comes up to us on the dance floor. The music is still pulsing and sweat is pouring off Edwin and my faces from having danced so close for so long.

“It’s curfew Hazel!” Amber yells over the music.

“What?” I yell back.

“It is curfew!” She says again point to her wrist where a watch should be. I glance at a clock on the bar and gasp.

“Crap!” I say and drag Edwin off the floor. “I am never late!”

The three of them laugh at me and I scoff. “What?”

“It isn’t a big deal, Hazel.” Edwin says.

“You’ve been late before?” I say incredibly.

“Yeah, no biggie.” He shrugs.

“Well, can you go now though? I still don’t like it…” I say, shifting uncomfortable. They laugh again but we all walk out to the car, the air now nipping at my bar arms.
We walk in the front door quietly.
“Well, look who’s home.” I hear my dad say.
We’re so busted. I look at Edwin who puts his hands on my shoulders.
“Its one thirty in the morning. We have rules in this house, I hope from now on you boys respect our rules.”
“Yes sir,” They both say in unison.
“No as for you girls,one more straw and your grounded for a month to start.”
“Ok dad,” We both say in unison.
“Now go to bed. Good thing it’s Friday or you guys would be dead asleep for school.”
We all walk up stares and go to bed. I am surprised that we didn’t get grounded.