Page 44 of The Prospect

For the first time, I want to talk to Amira about my night out instead of listening to hers. I need another person here with me to completely freak out over this incredible night, it’s absurd.

Nothing can top this.

Nothing.

I reach back for my pillow, readjusting it, when I spot a single-stem-rose resting on top of a scrap piece of paper.

Green said he was getting Amira flowers, did one slip out of the bouquet? I sit up and look across the room, seeing the way her bouquet is perfectly securely inside a vase.

I scratch behind my neck. It can’t be. How could one just fall out? Flustered, I reach for the note, and Christ, if I thought I was a squealing mess before, I’m even more of one now.

I couldn't not get my favorite girl one too.

- Greenie

The blood drains from my face as I somehow fall back into the bed, meticulously rereading the note over and over and over until I grow exhausted.

His favorite girl.Fuck.

Isn’t it just insane how even despite just having the fullest night with Hart, nine words without even trying, manage to triumph it, circulating me back to the one person I can never seem to forget…

Green.

FOURTEEN

H A Z E L

“I need details, Miss Collins. Details!”Amira sinks into my bed, sitting criss-crossed as she leans back onto her palms. “And don’t be afraid to spare any orallof them...” She suggestively winks.

This is a first for me, having someone so invested and interested in my love-life. It’s an excitable feeling. I won’t lie, I want to talk about it. I want to share more, but a part of me can’t help but wonder if I tell Amira about my date with Hart, does that mean she’s going to tell me all about her date with Green?

I’m not sure the risk is worth the reward.

I was up late last night tossing and turning in between the sheets as the words of his note played on repeat in my mind.

It’s like I can hear his voice saying it to me. I mean, when you’ve known someone for so long you almost memorized exactly what they sound like, and last night, that’s all I heard. All. Night. Long.

I couldn't not get my favorite girl one too.

“Go on, Hazel.” Amira gently uses her foot to urge me to talk.“I want to know how your date went with Hart. Stop leaving me in suspense.”

I shake away the looming thoughts in my mind, tucking them far enough away even though I know that they’ll inevitably just come back to haunt me.

“The date…well,” I swallow, finding my confidence, “it was…amazing, Amira,” I tell her wholeheartedly. “Really, I—I can’t believe just how incredible it was.”

Amira clutches her hands against her chest in a cheesy stereotypical way to express her joy. “Hazel…” She clutches a hold of my hand, drawing out the last syllable of my name. “That is amazing. I’m so happy for you. That is just…ugh…isn’t love just the absolute best feeling in the world?”

Love.

Woah, it’s way too early to talk about love.

If Hart and I were in a film together, we'd have hardly made it through the first act by now. But if Green and I were in a film together, then we’d…

God. We’re not in a flipping movie, snap out of it.

“I want to hear all about this date. Where did you go? What did you do? What did you get up to after?” She winks. “Ah, Hazel, we’ve known each other for four years and I can’t believe this is only the first time we’re having one of these conversations!”

I blush. I know Amira means well, but her comment is the sad but honest truth. I suppose this is the first time I’ve had a proper date since being at uni. The first time I’ve opened up about my feelings for someone since that drunken night with Amira.

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