Chapter 2

Hazel's POV

That night I barely slept, Brent's harsh words replaying endlessly in my mind. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see that blonde girl's silhouette.

Sienna.

I couldn't help but think back to that afternoon three months ago when she transferred—the afternoon that changed everything.

It was a bright spring day. I was organizing notes in the classroom, ready to head to the library with Brent. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a blonde, blue-eyed girl walked in.

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

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

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

I had never seen him lose his composure like that. An ominous feeling surged through my chest.

"Brent?" I called softly.

He snapped back to reality, but his gaze still followed her. "Is she... the new transfer student?"

Later we learned Sienna's family had fallen on hard times due to bankruptcy, so she'd transferred from Los Angeles. Her arrival was like a brilliant star suddenly falling into our ordinary small town.

"Hazel, we should help her," Brent said seriously after learning about Sienna's situation.

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

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

But from that day on, everything changed.

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

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

"Sorry to interrupt," she bit her lower lip pitifully, "I wanted to ask about this physics problem, but if you're busy..."

"No problem!" Brent practically jumped up. "Let me take a look."

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

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

"Thank you SO much, Brent! You're amazing!" Sienna turned to me, eyes full of gratitude. "And Hazel, sorry for interrupting your study time. You're just so independent and strong, you know everything. Not like me—I'm so timid, can't do anything alone."

That tone was like praising a tool. And every time Brent heard words like these, he would immediately say tenderly, "Sienna, feel free to ask me anything."

That gentle tone—he had never used it with me.

What was worse, whenever I tried to express dissatisfaction, Brent always took Sienna's side.

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

The teacher asked everyone to form teams freely. I instinctively looked toward Brent—we had been partners since childhood.

He didn't even glance at me, walking straight toward Sienna instead.

"Sienna, let's be lab partners. I don't feel comfortable with you doing experiments alone."

I stood there dumbfounded, watching them walk to the lab bench.

Twelve years of partnership, shattered just like that.

Throughout the experiment, Brent carefully protected Sienna, afraid she might 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, silently bearing it all alone.

In that moment, I truly understood what "heartbreak" meant.

After the experiment, I confronted Brent.

"Why didn't you partner with me today?"

"Huh?" He looked confused. "Sienna wasn't safe alone. You're always so independent, aren't you?"

"But we've been partners since childhood..."

"Hazel, don't be so petty, okay?" He frowned impatiently. "Sienna and I are just friends. What are you jealous about?"

Friends. Were we just friends too?

"I'm not jealous, I just think—"

"Alright, don't overthink it." He waved dismissively. "I'm walking Sienna home. She's afraid of walking alone at night."

He left, leaving me standing alone in the empty classroom.

Even then, I told myself maybe guys were just naturally attracted to beautiful women. Maybe once the novelty wore off, everything would return to normal.

How foolish 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 relationship.

I dragged my exhausted body to work at the coffee shop, hoping busyness would help me 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 glance.

They chose a corner table, and I had to walk over to take their order.

"Hi, Hazel!" Sienna smiled sweetly. "What a surprise! You work here? That's so... industrious of you."

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

"I'll have a vanilla latte, no sugar," she deliberately drew out her words. "I'm watching my weight. Brent says he prefers slender girls."

My hand gripped the order pad tightly.

"By the way, Hazel, how have you been? You seem a bit... worn out?" Her friends stifled giggles.

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

"Really?" She tilted her head innocently. "But I heard from Brent that you haven't been in a great mood lately. He's really worried about you."

Brent discussed me with her?

Anger began burning 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 becoming soft yet cruel, "some things are just meant to be."

"What... what do you mean?"

She stood up and walked over 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 pierced through my chest like a blade.

"He also said he had 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 but found I couldn't say anything. Because Brent's words from yesterday still echoed: Without me, she's nothing.

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

She sat back down, resuming that innocent expression.

I mechanically prepared their coffee, my hands trembling violently. Every word she said kept echoing in my mind:

The person he wanted to protect for life.

Just a habit.

When to let go.

After they left, I sat alone in the corner, watching the sunset outside. Golden sunlight scattered across the street, but it couldn't warm my frozen heart.

That's when I thought of Dad.

He had 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," he always said.

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

I slowly took out my phone and scrolled to Northwestern University's admissions office number. My finger hesitated on the screen for a long time.

I took a deep breath and finally pressed dial.

"Hello, Northwestern University Admissions Office..."

"Hello, this is Hazel Martinez. I... I'd like to confirm my acceptance of your admission offer."