Page 101 of The Prospect

Please let it be the latter.

“She said that you and your mates were messing about in the hallway. How many times, Daniel, have I told you, no football inside?”

Like a scolded puppy dog, I stare at the tile beneath my feet. “I know, Mum, I’m sorry.”

“You’re lucky that you didn’t break anything, or better yet, that the ball you kicked into the classroom didn’t hit that little girl.”

My heart skips a beat.

“Little girl?” I repeat back to her, though it’s apparent Mum knows exactly what she’s talking about.

“Oh yes, Ms. Murray told me about your little interruption today. How you stopped the new girl's introduction to the class with your shenanigans.”

My body aches with remorse. “I know, but it was an accident, Mum. I didn’t know she was presenting, I swear! Had I known, I would have never kicked the ball around there.”

Mum says nothing, instead, she reaches to sample the soup, nodding in amusement as she turns off the stovetop and places the pot to the side.

“So, what will it be then?” I accept my imminent doom. “No football for a week or no tele?”

Mum laughs softly. “Daniel,” she says my name once more. “I didn’t finish, did I?”

There’s…more?

Lord help me.

“Yes, Ms. Murray called to tell me about you in the hallway, which…” she emphasizes the word. “We’ll be talking about it again after supper, but…” She places both of her hands on my shoulder, prompting my eyes up. “She also mentioned what happened when you got into the classroom.”

I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks and know Mum can sense it.

What exactly did Ms. Murray say?

“That was nice what you did for that little girl you know, sticking up for her,” Mum remarks. It warms my heart to see her smile. “And if I’m not mistaken, Ms. Murray said she also saw you talking to her on the school grounds. Is that right, Daniel?”

“Maybe.” I don’t know why I turn so awkward but I do. I only just met Hazel Collins, and somehow, she’s already managed to cast this weird spell on me. I’m feeling things…things I don’t even know how to explain.

“Hazel, right?” Mum continues to pry. “Care to, uh—tell me a little bit about her?”

“Mum…” Now, I’m the one drawing out her name. “Please.”

“Alright, alright.” Mum raises her hands up in the air in defense. “You tell me when you’re ready to tell me, no rush. After all…” She smirks. “The look on your face tells me that this girl, she’s not going anywhere.”

HAZEL

“How come you’re looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” Green’s completely oblivious to the fact that for the past few minutes, he’s been daydreaming about something and has, in turn, been using my face as a resting place for his eyes.

I won’t complain, being the only thing in his view is truly one of the most comforting positions to be in, but now, the luxury is wearing thin. I need to know what he’s thinking… What he’s dreaming about.

“Like you’re on another planet,” I joke. “C’mon, tell me. What’s on your mind?”

“It’s nothing,” he says nonchalantly while running a hand down my back.

“Nothing,really?” I raise a brow expectantly, forcing a laugh out of him.

“What?” I’m even more desperate now to know what in the world he’s so chipper about. “What's so funny, huh?”

“It’s just…funny how history repeats itself, don’t you think?” He leans back onto his headboard, gesturing for me to lie back down on his chest.

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