The Girl Next Door: Chapter 9 (Hazel Callahan, Bottoms)
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You hadn't been close with your neighbor Hazel for years. But you find her beat up in the locker room after fight club and all of that changes
Chapter 9
The aftermath of bombing Jeff’s car causes chaos to ensue
Word count: 3k
CW: Profanities, canon level violence
*Not beta read
There had been an expectation of tension the day after vandalizing Jeff’s house and blowing up his car.
However, and quite fortunately, it was business as usual, though everyone in the fight club was anxiously waiting to suffer the consequences for aiding and abetting Isabelle's revenge. The absence of recognition of the previous night's events didn’t stop everyone spiraling in the fight club meeting after school.
“Some of us have a different definition of egging,” PJ rolls her eyes. “But if we keep our mouths shut and stay calm we will be fine.”
“They are going to shut us down, aren’t they,” a disparaged Silvie points out.
“We don’t know that…” you try to reassure her.
“Principal Myers will believe anything that Jeff and Tim say. I don’t really see how we recover from this.” Brittany sighs.
Silvie groans, “man, fuck!”
“It’s been real guys” Hazel sounds so defeated, it’s heartbreaking to hear.
“Okay, let's not jump to conclusions. With the… goodbyes.” This comes out as an urgent request.
“I'm going to miss you guys so much,” Hazel says, looking around at each and every one of us, though without acknowledging PJ.
Silvie starts to hype Hazel up for her use of the bomb last night but PJ interrupts. “Wait! Stop!”
PJ tries to plead without showing any weakness. “We don’t- wait no. We don’t know that for sure.”
“PJ, don't be sad because it's over,” Annie tries to reason with her. “Be happy that it happened.” She looks towards the rest of us for reassurance and we all smile and nod in agreement.
“Alright, can everyone calm the fuck down? Please?” PJ demands, having only added ‘please’ to save face. “The club is not over. Josie, right?”
PJ looks expectantly at Josie who just looks down to the ground in defeat.
Isabel decides to put a positive twist on things like she always does. “No matter what, this club has brought me so much. I feel so much… powerful and- mmm- protected.” She had been looking right at Josie, as if she were the only other person in the room.
Josie gulps and says “me too.”
PJ starts to make a snarky comment but Hazel stands up and interrupts, which is extremely attractive. Maybe even more than she had been before, which you didn't even think was possible.
“Oh my god, PJ.” She calls out with clear intention of confrontation. “Ok, I’m sorry that you didn't get what you wanted out of this group, but I think the rest of us did.”
“Good for fucking you, Hazel. ” PJ taunts her. “I’m glad you finally wrote one email, accomplished a lot.”
“I actually did! I practically ran this club for you and Josie,” Hazel shoots back with a fire that you’ve never seen in her before, and damn is that fire hot.
PJ looks like she is about to pounce, so Josie pleads for her to calm down in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
“You really think that you're the reason that we have this club?” PJ sneers, ignoring Josie.
“Is it? No. But I could tell everyone that if you want,” Hazel threatens, implying that there is some sort of secret she is keeping for the group.
Josie attempts to relieve some of tension but is once again ignored.
“You're really ungrateful. You're so lucky that we even let you be a part of this,” the curly haired brunette snears.
“PJ, you're a liar.” Hazel's statement is assured, not an accusation.
PJ hesitates for a moment trying to find the right comeback. “Yeah… well… you have no friends and a skank for a mom, so.” PJ fires at Hazel, shrugging her shoulders.
Everyone is in utter shock.
Hazel runs out in tears and though you want to comfort her, a rage so strong it could only be created by your love for her takes over.
You bound down the bleachers straight for PJ.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
PJ crosses her arms, trying to look tough, but you can see the fear in her eyes. It’s a good opportunity to capitalize on that and get up in her face. That only increases her anxiety.
“I was just being honest,” she scoffs, trying to act like you aren’t scaring her. Her lie is easily seen through by everyone in the room.
But now you are mere inches away from her face, and you ignore the fact that she looks a little turned on.
“Honest? You want to talk about honesty? I’ll be fucking honest with you PJ. First of all, I think you are jealous. Jealous of Hazel. Because she is a good person, people genuinely like her. Jealous of Josie because even though you are a duo she’s more likable than you. Jealous of me! Because I’m gay, but not ugly or untalented, and have been with more girls then you will ever be with in your life. And I’m sure you’re also fucking mad that you can’t have me. I’ve seen the way you undress with me with your eyes. You are a raging bitch, and to be quite frank, a fucking cuntskillet.”
PJ is at a loss for words and your lips curl into a devious smile watching her try to collect herself. She’s never been so caught off guard in her entire life. When PJ looks like she’s about to say something you shove her to the ground. She looks up at you in terror but also a sick satisfaction from receiving so much attention, so you kick her in the stomach to get rid of that shit eating smirk.
PJ curls up in pain. You lean down to grab her face and look her in the eyes. “Don’t you ever talk to Hazel like that again. Or anyone for that matter. I’m capable of far worse than this.”
With that you storm out of the gym, leaving an eerie silence hanging over it.
You start to look around for Hazel with no luck until you hear her voice around a corner. As you approach you hear that she is talking to… Tim?
“So you are one of the founding members of the club?” Tim questions with an unsettling friendly tone.
“Yeah. I didn’t want to start it for the same reasons as Josie and PJ. Wasn’t my idea, I just helped bring it to life.” You can hear in Hazel's voice that she has been crying. It feels like a twisted knife to the gut.
“Now that I think about it, I am very curious why they wanted to start a club like this.”
“To get with the popular girls,” Hazel shares after a moment of hesitation.
This catches Tim’s attention, his eyebrows raising. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
“Josie and PJ wanted to fuck cheerleaders,” Hazel sighs, as if embarrassed by them.
“Fuck ch… fuck cheerleaders? That’s so distasteful,” Tim scoffs, though a cruel smirk is on his face.
Hazel's big eyes are like a sad little puppy. “It is, I just wanted to empower the girls at this school.”
Tim crosses his arms with confidence. “I’m sure you did, Hazel. How about I help you with that? What if you fight PJ at the pep rally tomorrow, show the school how powerful females can be.”
That lights Hazels face up a little. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
When you hear footsteps you act casual, pretending to scroll on your phone, so that your eavesdropping isn’t obvious.
“Hey,” Hazel calls over when she sees you, relieved by your presence but still distraught. She approaches you with her head hung low and she throws her arms around you and grips you tight. You hold her right back, running your hand through her hair soothingly.
“I’m so sorry Haze. I promise that PJ won’t ever bother you again.” That is an oath you’ll never break.
“I hope not,” she sniffles a little and you squeeze her even tighter.
“I’m sure of it.”
Hazel pulls away looking confused and you smirk.
“Did you say something to her?”
“And then some.”
“Oh.” Hazel is nervous but intrigued.
“I’ll tell you later.”
Hazel doesn’t want to deal with her mom seeing her all upset, she doesn’t want to explain anything so you take her back to your house.
She takes a nap next to you in your bed and she just looks so cute when she sleeps.
During her nap you text Isabel and Brittany to discuss PJ’s behavior today.
But Isabelle is… at Josie’s?
And Britany… HAS PJ OVER?
Isabelle and Josie, weird but fine.
But Britany hanging out with PJ, after how she treated Hazel? You are seriously questioning her moral compass, but you will deal with that the next time you see her in person.
When Hazel wakes up you hold her in your arms while watching funny movies.
Around 6:00 PM Tim texts you to get Hazel’s number to coordinate for the pep rally. You can’t wait for Hazel to put PJ in her place in front of the whole school.
Hazel leaves when it’s time to go to bed. Her scent lingers on your and it makes you miss her presence even more.
At the pep rally the next day you sit with Hazel towards the top of the bleachers away from everyone else from the club.
After the cheerleaders do their thing Tim and Jeff take the floor.
“There’s been some exciting things happening at Rockbridge recently. How many of you know about that little… girl fight club?” He sounds so condescending that it gives you a bad feeling.There was something mischievous about his disposition yesterday, but this is more sinister.
There is some mild applause before he continues. “Well we have a surprise for you!” He starts to search the crowd in the bleachers. “We are going to bring…” he spots her and says “Hazel down.”
People start to clap and he continues. “One of the founding members, to show us everything the club has taught her!”
What happens next is straight out of your own personal hell. Watching Hazel get beat up and you are powerless to do anything about it.
After Hazel receives the final blow you sprint down the bleachers, with the rest of the girls in the fight club, over to her.
When you get to here you drop to your knees and hover over her. She’s hardly conscious.
“Hey, Haze, can you hear me?” It’s a plea for her to be able to hear you.
“Yeah, hi, thanks for checking on me,” Hazel says in pain, yet sounds so casual.”
That earns her an exasperated scoff. “I thought you might be dead!”
Thankfully you had driven to school today. Stella helps you get Hazel into the car. Before you leave you tell Hazel that you are going to send her mom a text.
“I can text her,” she insists.
It takes a strong urge from you to get her to listen. “You might have a concussion, you should probably stay off your phone.”
“Can I pick the music?” Hazel looks at you with those big angel eyes and you melt a little.
“Of course you can Haze, just let me know what you want and I’ll put it on for you.”
After putting on the music she requests, at a very low volume as not to make her head hurt even more than it already does, you text Mrs. Callahan.
“Hazel got beat up, she’s in really bad shape. We are coming home now, I’ll need some help getting her inside. I’ll explain in person.”
You drive extra carefully afraid that the smallest movement could cause more harm. You keep her talking, you aren’t supposed to let someone fall asleep if they might have a concussion.
Mrs. Callahan is anxiously waiting outside and she nearly starts crying when she sees Hazel’s condition. Together you bring her into the house and lay her down on the couch.
You get her ice and then go to the bathroom for first aid supplies. You deliver the ice to Mrs. Callahan so she can hold it to Hazel’s head and get started on cleaning her up.
After all her wounds are cleaned and patched up Mrs. Callahan tells Hazel she wants to take her to the emergency room.
She groans.
“You could have a concussion! Or internal bleeding!”
“Fine,” she huffs and then looks at you. “Can you come with us?”
Intertwining your fingers you squeeze her hand. “Of course I can.”
You spend the next 3 hours waiting for Hazel to get in at the ER. The two of you share headphones and she leans on your shoulder with your arm around her.
You don’t talk much, she’s pretty dazed. You periodically check that she is still conscious. And breathing. You are a little paranoid.
When she finally gets called you wait while her and her mom go see the doctor. Mrs. Callahan gets the full explanation of what happened, and you explain the context of the fight with PJ but don’t go into detail.
Hazel’s gone for what seems like forever. You fidget in your seat. You count the tiles on the ceiling. You even look at a few magazines.
When Hazel is back she announces that all she has is a concussion and a broken nose.
You go back to her house and Mrs. Callahan gets started on dinner. You help Hazel get into some more comfortable, and not bloody clothes. The deep concern for her wellbeing is strong enough to deter your mind from going in an inappropriate direction.
Hazel lays down with her head in your lap.
You run your hands through her hair and you feel her relax into her touch.
“I’m happy you are here.” She sounds so sleepy.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” You place a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“It’s like when were kids. I used to be so clumsy. I was always falling and getting hurt. Like that time I fell out of the tree house. And the time that I broke my arm trying to skate board. And the time that…”
“Shhhh Hazel, I remember,” you finally find it inside yourself to laugh a little.
“Sophomore year I tried to do parkour. That did not end well.”
It’s impossible not to tease her about that one. “I remember seeing you on crutches.”
“I wish you could have been the one carrying my books around for me,” Hazel says softly, laced with vulnerability.
“Me too Haze. PJ would literally trip you when she was helping you.” It makes you roll your eyes at the mention of that punk ass bitch.
“Yeah. PJ. Kind of got me into this whole mess didn’t she.” The betrayal in her voice shows just how kind and forgiving she is, anyone else would have so much more animosity in this situation.
“That’s PJ for ya. She won’t get away with this.”
“It’s fine. I just want all this to be over with. If she apologizes, things can go back to normal. If she doesn’t I’ll just avoid her.” Hazel says it all so casually.
“What do you mean back to friends? You’d forgive her after this?” Fury starts to fill you up from head to toe. PJ doesn’t deserve that from Hazel.
“I don’t see why not…” Hazel pouts a little.
“That would imply she’s going to love to see another day,” you scoff. Not at Hazel, but at PJ being such a cunt.
“Can we talk about something else?” Hazel asks somewhat feebly.
“I will be ending Tim.” It’s not a threat, it’s a promise.
“That one’s fair. Anyone else on your hit list?”
“As of now just PJ and Tim, but I’ll keep you updated.”
Mrs. Callahan comes back with dinner up and you all eat together,listening to music, because there are no screens for Hazel until her concussion is gone.
You notice Mrs. Callahan checks the time every few minutes.
“Is everything ok?” You ask gently, already having been worried about her because of Hazel’s injured state.
“I have a huge presentation at work tomorrow. I need to put a few finishing touches on it and it’s getting late. I also don’t know what to do with Hazel tomorrow. I have to go to work but I don’t want to leave her alone.” The internal conflict is evident in her voice.
“I can stay with her.” That should have been obvious but the statement is still gentle.
“You can’t miss school,” Mrs. Callahan insists.
“Nothing is going to get done this close to the football game anyways,” the reminder is paired with a chuckle.
“That’s true.”
“Why don’t we take Hazel upstairs. She can go to bed, you can get your work done and I’ll come back in the morning.”
Mrs. Callahan squeezed your hand and whispers “thank you honey.”
The two of you take Hazel upstairs and get her into bed. Mrs. Callahan says goodnight and goes to her office.
Before you can say anything Hazel asks “can you please stay?”
“Yes. I’ll text my mom. I already told her what happened. I don't think she will care.”
Your mom tells you to take good care of Hazel and sends well wishes.
“You should probably get out of those clothes,” Hazel suggests.
Your mind goes in the wrong direction at first, it’s hard not to, but then you remember that Hazel’s blood is on your shirt and pants.
“Put on whatever you want.” She tells you and closes her eyes.
By the time you find clothes and change Hazel is already fast asleep. You crawl into bed next to her and give her a kiss on the cheek before dozing off yourself.
You had gone to bed earlier than usual last night, yesterday's events had worn you out, which is a shame, you like watching Hazel sleep. She’s just so damn cute.
What’s not a shame? Hazel cuddled up to you.
Her head rests in the crook of your neck, one arm draped across your chest to hold onto your shoulder, and one leg wrapped over yours.
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