ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦

♛♛♛

Later that night, Hazel found herself dressed up.

Trace and Gracie had the evening off and invited Hazel out for a stroll around town.

She decided to make the most of her evening since Julius was at work, especially since they only had two more nights in town.

The doorbell rang just as Hazel was about to finish tying her laces, so she grabbed her tote bag and dashed down the stairs.

Hazel texted Julius to let him know she'd be in town, knowing full well that he'd be there as well. So they could all hang out together once he finished his work.

This time Gracie stood at the door, a large grin plastered on her face.

"Hi, angel girl!" She squeezed her tightly around her neck.

"Hi, Grace." Hazel smiles back.

"Trace is in the car, let's go!" She gleefully tugs Hazel behind her, leading her towards the car.

Once both girls are in, Trace gives Hazel a fist bump and begins their way to town.

♛♛♛

Light surrounded the darkness. The streets were alive with chatter and growls from engines raging all over the place.

Hazel and the other two women were standing inside, watching the crazed town.

"It's prettier at night," Gracie mentions while taking a rather large gulp of her caffeine.

"Mhm, it is." Trace mimicked back, also revolving her lips around the straw of her vanilla milkshake.

"Do you know where Julius is tonight?" Hazel cuts straight to the point, the constant glances between the outside world and her phone drove her anxious.

Both women looked at her with confusion, a drawl of empathy passed through Gracie's eyes as she placed her cup down.

"He's fine, Hazel. He's out in one of the clubs, business meetings and stuff." She kept the answer short, the less information she knew was only for the best.

The woman sighs and sinks into her chair, the coffee shop festive with people, all the more making her discomfiting.

"As long as he's okay..." Looking back out the window, she somewhat hopes to see her favourite tousled brown hair somewhere amongst the many other colours.

Trace suddenly plunks down into the chair across from her, giving her a warm and exciting grin.

"How about we play a game to get your mind off him, yes?" She looks up at her girlfriend and tilts her head toward the other empty seat.

Gracie sits and allows Trace to take the lead.

"What game?" Hazel softly asks and takes a slow sip of her hot chocolate, the milky goodness soothing her anxiety.

"What about ISPY?"

Hazel smiles softly looking down at her Nike shoes. She remembers her childhood, memories flashing in and out of her consciousness.

"Sure," She replied, her voice as sweet as her warm drink.

The three grown women sat with their different drinks, looking around the cafe and outside of it.

"Trace will go first," Gracie smiles and raises her brows suggestively at her.

Trace'aline didn't have a problem with it as she had already started her search for something.

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with..."

She looks outside and then looks back at the girls with a larger smile than she had previously.

"P."

The girls instantly begin looking around, Hazel more specifically. She looks bottom to top around the cafe, seeming to find nothing that starts with a 'P'.

"Post Office!" Gracie yells rather loudly and Trace claps her hands enthusiastically.

"You got it, girly!" Trace kisses her cheek and looks over at Hazel. "Your turn, Haze." She smiles and Hazel looks around.

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with..."

Hazel looks around every nook and corner, trying to find something noticeable to the eye but tricky to guess.

She turns outside and finds people upon people, looking past them she looks over to the yellow car parked across the road.

Next to it was a statue, a statue of a random man that founded this town, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that she had found her subject.

"Something beginning with 'S'." She smiled and as she looks away, her smile drops as she does a double-take on a familiar male standing just outside the cafe.

Her heart stops suddenly, and a wave of anxiety breaks through her.

"Hazel, you okay?" One of the women asks, but she doesn't seem to hear which one it was far too focused on the male.

"Who is that?" Another asks and Hazel just stands in a trance, her eyes never peeling off of him.

He was dressed in his usual work attire, with his hair styled and the colour matching hers. In one hand, he held his briefcase, and in the other, he cradled his phone against his ear.

Hazel walks out of the store, letting the wind take her anxiety and disbelief aside as she realises what she's done.

But it was too late; her father had made eye contact with her and had also frozen in place.

The cafe bell tinkling behind her is the first thing she hears, indicating Trace and Gracie are approaching. Her father and she maintained eye contact despite the fact that she felt as though she could hear someone call out to her, yet couldn't.

"Hazel." He blinks and maintains his stoicism. Hazel couldn't believe it; he was still the same distant man after nearly two months. Her parents have been strangers to her since her sister died, though she shouldn't have expected anything less.

"Hi, Dad." She leans backwards, hoping to find solace in Trace and Gracie. She feels a hand on her arm, sudden jolts of electricity run up her flesh and she immediately knows who it was.

Her father makes another pained look, his eyes widening at the person standing behind her.

"So it's true," He gulps, looking down at his daughter. "You're with him."

Hazel doesn't do anything, she doesn't speak, she doesn't move. Instead, Hazel stares and remains just as motionless as her father was.

"How are you and Mum?" Her great concern lingers in her generous heart. She shouldn't be concerned, but she is.

He flicks his gaze to his wristwatch, a gruesome demonstration of his undivided devotion to his own daughter.

"We're fine, not that you call us to see if we're really okay." He tilts his head slightly and tightens his jaw, his red hair breezing out with the wind.

Hazel feels herself tighten even more. Julius comforts her by pulling her to his warm chest and wrapping his arm around her stomach.

"If you haven't figured it out by now, Hazel doesn't want you in her life." Trace narrows her eyes at the man, giving him a glare from hell.

Hazel's lips twitch the meekest after Trace spoke. Apart from her sister, she'd never had anyone to stand up for her.

The male simply seems taken aback by the truth spoken, those same words lingered in her mind all of the time, but she'd never say them.

"Neither does she have to call your alcoholic asses, maybe fix yourself up first before making her feel bad." Gracie pipes in, eyeing him in disgust.

He becomes clearly furious, his face turning a bright tomato red. His enraged gaze only falls on Hazel, causing her to shrink back into Julius' chest, where he holds her even closer.

It was Julius' turn to come in. As he takes a step closer, he wraps Hazel around his back and looms over the older man.

Fear collides with wrath as Hazel's father takes a step back. Julius' demeanour intimidates him, as he looks down at the male with his head bowed and his silver eyes fully gleaming with dilating pupils.

Julius makes a point of speaking quietly enough for just her father to hear; if Hazel overhears his unruly pouring whisper, he knows she would become afraid of him.

"Stay away from her, if you or your toxic wife come near Hazel, I'll make sure you don't live to see another day."

The man takes another physical step back, sweat breaking out on his neck and he shakes his head, "You wouldn't."

Julius suppresses his chuckle with a sly smirk, his tongue gliding cunningly across his bottom lip. Julius wasn't incapable of his words; he'd make it happen, turn it into an accident or a missing persons report.

"I would. Wanna test out the threat?" As a car pulls up to his side, he tilts his head at him and her father shakes his head, grasping his briefcase.

Hazel peers out from behind Julius' back, re-establishing eye contact with her father.

She knew this was going to be one of the final times she saw her father, the man who taught her how to ride a bike, smile and laugh, and learn what true parental love was.

Saying good has always been difficult, but it now feels as if a weight has been taken from your body, making it lighter.

"Stay safe, Hazel." He nods once, turning his back to her as he opens the car door.

"You as well, Dad."

He stiffens for a moment as if the word struck his heart and only made him realise then and there that his daughter was so far gone from his life. His only daughter left.

But it was far too late. Hazel had already given up on the chance.

So, he moved again and slid into the car and the driver drove them away.

After a few moments of silence, Hazel sighs and blinks a few times before she could register the others talking to her.

"Are you okay, Hazel?" Trace was holding her hand now, Julius standing beside her with his arm wrapped up around her body.

She nods and hugs Trace full of love. "Thank you both for that." Hazel looks at Gracie over Trace's shoulder, both returning warm smiles to one another. Gracie reaches for her hand and gently rubs her thumb over her palm.

"We're here for you, Hazel."

A hand travels up her hip and softly squeezes it, and she simply leans into him.

When he turns her around, her eyes meet his, and she feels her heart beat faster as it always does.

Julius wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to his body. He had a glint in his eyes that could be described as love.

"Hi," She says gently, with a smile that matches her voice's whisper.

His lips lean down and brush over hers, kissing them gently. "Hi, Angel," He whispers to her, making her giggle, and she wraps her arms around his neck.

"Okay...were gonna go now," Trace says awkwardly and Gracie follows with a laugh, "Bye, bye love birds. Love you, Haze!"

Hazel turns her head over her shoulder and offers them a small wave before returning to Julius, giving him a tight embrace around his neck.

"Did you get my message?" She murmurs into his neck, completely unaware of the fact that he had received the message as he was currently wrapped around her.

"Mhm," He hums pressing a kiss against the side of her head.

"You okay?" His whisper causes goosebumps to pour onto her skin, the phrase consoling her and reminding her that he was with her.

"Much better," She smiles and sluggishly pulls away from him, his gaze capturing hers as she rises to her feet.

"Do you want to stroll for a bit?" She waits for his response, her head tilted to the side. Julius remains silent but reaches for her hand, his gaze fixed on hers.

The beautiful warmth of love collides between them and overshadows any gloom as their hands meet and their fingers entwine with one other.

"Are you hungry?" He looks over to the cafe they're passing, oblivious to the fact that she'd already eaten, or perhaps he had and was wondering if she was still hungry. Either way, she wasn't feeling hungry.

"No, I'm fine Juls."

He nods slowly and continues to stay close to her, remaining emotionless and heavy around others.

Hazel found this interesting. He was completely different from when they met. Now he smiles easily and chuckles whenever he feels the need to.

But when out in public was exactly who he seemed to be when she met him. Cold, intimidating and closed off. Walls up and unbroken. But she found comfort in that, he was different around her, which meant he was only himself with her.

The blinding lights contrast reflections over their flesh, overshadowing their features and assembling sparkles in their eyes twinkling like the stars.

"When we get back from Paris, we should get a bunny." Hazel swings their hands between them, grinning like a child on Christmas.

"A bunny?" He questions, his deep voice echoing in her ears.

"Mhm, is that okay with you, Juls?" She looks up at him doubtfully. Maybe she should've asked him first.

"Of course." He assures, bringing their hands to his lips.

"Okay, only if you're okay with it. It is your decision too."

He shakes his head and gives her a specific look. Hazel backs off but remains thinking about the bunny and what they'd name it.

As they move deeper into Townsquare, they come closer to stores with open signs hanging from door handles, as well as dazzling street lights and fairy lights strung from roof to roof.

They walk by the bench where they met, as well as the busy club where he appeared that night. As she looks at their joining hands, memories pass through her thoughts, prompting a tentative grin on her lips.

It was amazing to see where they'd gotten themselves into. From being broken strangers in the middle of town, they've evolved into lovers full of warmth and healing.

"Are you thinking about it too?" His deep voice suddenly speaks, jolting her back from the past.

A lone smile appeared on her lips, taking his breath away once again.

"I was."

They stop walking, facing each other for the millionth time. Their eyes shine and he takes her by the waist, allowing the subtle street light to settle upon them both.

His lips were plump and rosy. His hair was dishevelled, and strands of his tresses fell beneath his brows. The sharp shadow of his cheekbones, as well as the faint scar that ran across his brow—her absolute favourite—were also brought to her notice.

Hazel leans in closer, her hands tenderly running up his chest and around his neck, mesmerised by his exquisite beauty.

A powerful ambience of their love surrounds them whole.

"I'm so glad I met you, Julius." The young woman whispers, peering up at his lips and then blinking up at his eyes. A shallow breath of vulnerability fell from his mouth, gradually shaking his head with nonsense.

"You're a blessing to me, Angel. A blessing amongst all the curses." His soft words were deliberately evolving her heart to enlighten further, a break of dignity and reliability falling upon her.

"Oh, Juls," She smiles sadly, cupping the broken male's cheek. The warmth of the angel cures him almost presently, imposing an effect of love.

"You're not a curse, not everyone can be the same. You can't control how you're brought up, who you're made into." She leans her forehead against his, allowing the lone tear to fall from her eyes.

"Sometimes bad people require good things to bring them light, to allow the darkness to eventually rest."

Not realising how much her words affected him, Hazel leans in and places her lips on his.

Julius holds her close, so close that their bodies collided. They kiss as passionately as they felt, their tastes harbouring and their lips swelling with each other. Butterflies and fireworks cross their bodies and entwine, the emotions poured from their mouths through their kiss.

Once she became almost breathless was when they pulled away and calmed against each other.

Their shallow breaths mingled with the cool air smiles breaking out on both their cheeks.

"I love you endlessly, my girl." He whispers darkly into her ear, he holds her against his body while coming to rest his chin on the top of her head.

Hazel giggles lightheartedly, as though she's light-headed, much like she is after eating too much chocolate.

"I love you even more Juls."

As Hazel rests her ear against the sound of his heart, she closes her eyes and breathes in his energy.

But like lots of moments, when one finally feels complete and utterly happy to their fullest, reality comes crashing down like a tidal wave.

Except it wasn't a tidal wave that drowned them out; instead, it was a single gunshot that pierced a heart.

Hazel screams in alarm, rigidly pulling herself away from Julius.

She stares with wide eyes as blood pools around his stomach, seeping through his white shirt and causing his emotionless gaze to drop as well.

He makes no attempt to look in discomfort, but when he physically stumbles, Hazel is quick to come to his aid. Her entire body and mind couldn't fathom what was going on, more than any suffering she'd ever experienced.

She hears voices riling this way but ignores them as she tries to take him to a bench to sit down on.

"Juls?" Her voice was filled with pain, ache and just so much terror.

"It's okay, baby. Calm down," He manages to grasp her arm, attempting to calm her but it only worsens her anxiety. His voice was rough, which set up a warning bell in her head.

Hazel sits him down, watching as he sprawls his body out and tightens his jaw as he places a hand on his bloodied stomach.

"Oh my god," She whispers as tears crawl down her cheek, she kneels to her knees and clutches his hands desperately. "Julius," Her hands fumbled for a phone, but sirens were attended already.

"Hazel! Don't go near him!" A familiar voice sounds from behind her, gripping her shoulders and pulling her away from him.

Her torn face cracks down even more in panic, her clearly worried state increasing as strong hands grab her and pull her away from Julius.

"Let go of me!" She sobs as she watches police officers surround Julius and an ambulance arrives unexpectedly as if predicting the situation.

Everything happens at once. Hazel's arms were stashed behind her back and then controlled by another body to prevent her from clawing her way towards Julius being taken away.

Her screams of terror and heartache burn the streets alive.

She finally collapses to the ground, her cries of sorrow hurting the strangers' hearts that pass by, leaving her own beating heart to be compressed of its pain.

As her body is released from the person's strong grip, her eyes begin to fall shut, her body begins to hyperventilate with shallow breaths of misery.

She wishes to hear Julius' comforting words to calm her down, though he was why she was in this state.

"Hazel, stay awake," A voice says, and when she looks up, she looks at the person who had put a bullet through her only love.

Daniel.

And her eyes fall close.