Page 45 of The Prospect

“Hart was amazing,” I blurt out, trying to block out my thoughts. “He was kind, funny, and such a gentleman. He planned the whole date out to a tee and made sure it was perfect for me. We laughed all night long and?—”

My alarm goes off, cutting my spiel short.

I look down at it.

Practice!

Shoot.

I always set an alarm to make sure I leave with enough time to make it before the end of Green’s practice.

We’ve got plans today to see his parents, and if I’m being honest, it’s not just something that I don’t want to be late for. I’ve got someone else I’m hoping to see today too.

“I’ve gotta run, Amira.” I stand up from my mattress, watching her face sink with disappointment. “Don’t worry,” I appease the pout of her bottom lip, reaching into my drawers. “I’ll be back tonight with more details to come.”

“Fine,” she settles on, reaching for her laptop. “You better not forget.”

“I won’t,” I tell her, securing a Crawfield sweatshirt over my head. It’s cold out today—the November chill has finally started to set in.

“You're not coming?” I ask, securing my hair into a ponytail. “I thought that maybe you’d want to see Green after your date last night.”

“Can’t.” Amira frowns. “I’ve got a big assignment due tonight and take a guess on how much I’ve managed to do.”

I don’t dare to respond despite knowing the answer—Amira’s a notorious procrastinator and if I know anything about her, this is probably the first time she’s opened up her laptop to start working on said assignment.

She’ll get it done. She always does.

“Well, good luck with your assignment.” I sling my bag along my shoulder. “And I’ll be sure to send you some pics on what you’re missing out on.”

Amira flashes me a smile, mouthing “thank you,” yet right before I’m about to escape out of the room she calls out my name, catching my attention.

“Hazel?”

I peer back over my shoulder—worried I might have forgotten something. “Yeah?”

“Quick question for you.” She sets her laptop to the side, crawling her way to the end of the bed. “What are you doing this Friday night?”

Mentally, I run my weekly schedule through my head. “Well, I’ve got a small paper to submit, but I’m like ninety-eight percent through it at this point, so as long as I finish it tomorrow, I’ll be?—”

“Perfect, so you’re down for a double date then?”

My eyes widen with disbelief as I can hardly process the request that leaves her mouth. “‘A double date?’” I’m like a parrot, repeating everything back to her.

“Yep, I already spoke to Green about it. Well…not the double date part given that that just popped into my head, but the two of us are going to a party on Friday and I totally think you and Hart should join as well. What do you think? It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t know.” Flashbacks from the last party and my subsequent night by the toilet come rushing back to me in a blur. “I doubt Hart would be down for that.” I toss the blame onto him when in reality it’s me. I’m the problem.

“Hazel,” Amira says my name through clenched teeth. “Don’t be such a downer. I’m sure Hart would be interested. Just…give it a shot, please? Or, at the bare minimum, ask him.”

I stand, contemplating the offer for a second longer before I peer down at my phone and scan over the time.

I really need to go.

“I’ll ask him, okay?” I settle on, hopeful it’s an easy enough response to break free from this conversation. “No promises, though!”

“That’s all I want.” Amira smirks, pleased with herself as she reaches back for her laptop. “Now, have fun, enjoy yourself and if you can, send me a hot picture of Green.”

I close the door behind me, leaning my body back against it for a moment to recoup myself.

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