Chapter 2

Hazel's POV

That night I barely slept, replaying Brent's cruel words over and over. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see that blonde girl's face.

Sienna.

I couldn't help thinking back to that afternoon three months ago when she transferred here - the afternoon that changed everything.

It was a bright spring day. I was organizing my notes in the classroom, planning to go to the library with Brent. Suddenly, the classroom door opened and a blonde, blue-eyed girl walked in.

The entire classroom fell silent. Every guy's attention was immediately drawn to her.

But what made my heart stop was Brent's reaction.

He just froze there, his eyes flashing with incredible amazement.

I'd never seen him lose composure like that. It filled my chest with an ominous feeling.

"Brent?" I called softly.

He snapped back to reality, but his gaze still followed that girl. "Is she... is she a new transfer student?"

Later we learned that Sienna's family had financial troubles and went bankrupt, so she transferred here from Los Angeles. Her arrival was like a brilliant star suddenly falling into our ordinary small town.

"Hazel, we should help her." After learning about Sienna's situation, Brent told me seriously.

Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, I reluctantly nodded in agreement.

How naive I was then, thinking she was just another transfer student who needed help.

But from that day on, everything changed.

Brent started frequently caring about Sienna's studies, helping her get familiar with campus, even actively inviting her to join our friend group. And Sienna - she always chose to appear when both Brent and I were together.

Like that day in the school café. I was discussing calculus homework with Brent when she suddenly appeared at our table.

"Sorry to bother you guys," she bit her lower lip with a pitiful look, "I wanted to ask about this physics problem, but if you're busy..."

"No problem!" Brent practically jumped up immediately. "Let me see."

She leaned close to Brent, her golden hair almost touching his shoulder. I clearly saw Brent's ears turn red instantly, his breathing becoming rapid.

"This is easy, I'll teach you."

"Thank you so much, Brent! You're so kind!" Sienna said gratefully, then turned to me. "And Hazel, I'm really sorry for interrupting your studying. You're so independent and strong, you know everything. Not like me - I'm so timid, I'm scared to do anything alone."

And every time Brent heard words like these, he would immediately say gently: "Sienna, ask me anything you don't understand."

That gentle tone - he'd never used it with me.

What was even worse was that whenever I tried to express dissatisfaction, Brent would always side with Sienna without hesitation.

What completely broke me was last month's chemistry lab class.

The teacher asked everyone to form groups freely for the experiment. I instinctively looked toward Brent - after all, we'd been partners since childhood.

But he didn't even glance at me, walking straight toward Sienna.

"Sienna, let's be partners. I don't feel safe having you do the experiment alone."

I stood there stupidly, watching them walk to the lab station.

Twelve years of understanding, shattered just like that.

Throughout the entire experiment, Brent carefully protected Sienna, afraid she'd get splashed by chemicals or cut by equipment.

"Careful, this is corrosive."

"Let me do it, this is dangerous."

"Stand back, I'll handle this."

Meanwhile, I faced the same dangerous lab equipment, bearing it all alone in silence.

After the experiment ended, I couldn't help confronting Brent.

"Why didn't you partner with me today?" I demanded.

"Huh?" He looked confused. "Sienna alone wouldn't be safe. Aren't you always independent?"

"But we've been partners since we were kids..."

"Hazel, stop being so petty, okay?" He frowned, irritated. "Sienna and I are just friends. What are you so jealous about?"

"I'm not jealous, I just think—"

"Alright, alright, stop overthinking." He waved dismissively, cutting me off. "I'm going to walk Sienna home. She's scared of walking alone at night."

He left me standing alone in the empty classroom.

But even then, I told myself that maybe guys just get attracted to beautiful women. Maybe once the novelty wore off, everything would return to normal.

How stupid I was.

Now, after hearing those words last night, I finally understood the truth. Beauty was the most powerful weapon, capable of destroying any deep feelings.

I dragged my exhausted body to work at the coffee shop, hoping being busy would help me temporarily forget the pain.

Around 3 PM, the door chime rang.

Looking up, I saw Sienna and her two girlfriends walk in. Seeing me, they exchanged a meaningful look.

They chose a corner table, forcing me to walk over to take their order.

"Hi, Hazel!" Sienna smiled sweetly. "What a surprise running into you here! So you work here? How... industrious."

"Yes." I tried to stay calm. "What would you like?"

"I'll have a vanilla latte, no sugar." She deliberately drew out her voice. "I'm watching my weight lately. Brent says he likes girls who are more... petite."

My hand gripped the order pad tightly.

"By the way Hazel, how are you lately? I feel like you seem a bit... worn down?" Her friends covered their mouths, snickering.

"I'm fine." I turned around expressionlessly.

"Really?" She tilted her head with an innocent look. "But I heard from Brent that you haven't been in a good mood lately. He's worried about you."

Brent discussed me with HER?

Rage burned in my chest.

"What did he tell you?"

Sienna and her friends exchanged a triumphant look.

"He said you might have sensed something, but he hopes you can understand. After all..." She paused, her voice turning cruel. "After all, some things are just meant to be."

"What... do you mean?"

She stood up and walked close to me, lowering her voice:

"Did you see the way Brent looks at me? That's real love. He told me that from the first moment he saw me, he knew I was the person he wanted to protect for life. And you..."

Her mouth curved into a mocking smile.

"You're just a habit."

Those words stabbed through my chest like a blade.

"He also said he'd never felt his heart race for anyone until he met me. Now he doesn't want to waste any more time." Sienna continued her cruel declaration. "Hazel, you're a smart girl. You should know when to let go."

I opened my mouth to argue back but found I couldn't say anything. Because Brent's words from yesterday still echoed: Without me, she's nothing.

"I know this is harsh," Sienna sighed fake-sympathetically, "but that's how love is, isn't it? You can't force it. But don't worry, we can still be friends. After all, I'm not the petty type."

She sat back down, returning to that innocent expression.

I mechanically prepared their coffee, my hands shaking violently. Her every word echoed repeatedly in my mind:

The person he wanted to protect for life.

Just a habit.

After they left, I sat alone in the corner of the coffee shop, numbly watching the sunset outside.

That's when I thought of Dad.

He'd been an engineer, always telling me about the beauty of engineering - using math and science to change the world, to create miracles.

"Hazel, you have talent. Don't waste it." That's what he always said.

Why should I ruin my future for someone who thinks of me as just a 'habit'?

I slowly pulled out my phone and found Northwestern University's admissions office number. My finger hovered over the screen for a long time.

I took a deep breath and finally pressed call.

"Hello, Northwestern University Admissions..."

"Hi, this is Hazel Martinez. I... I'd like to confirm that I'm accepting your admission offer."