"'smart girl' only gets a girl so far," Hazel
Hazel was never the best at parties. Her anxiety mostly held her back from being able to form a complete sentence without getting nervous and her introvert status caused her to become easily tired by the crowds of people. That was why when Selena forced her to attend the school dance, Hazel had rejected the idea outright. However, Selena was really tricky, so now here she was; in Launchpad’s limo, in an uncomfortable dress and her mind pondering what exactly could do go wrong in one night.
“Hazel, you gotta relax,” Selena noticed her cousin’s tensity.
“Easy for you to say,” Hazel rolled her eyes. “You act like the ‘Food Fight Disaster of Last Friday’ never happened.”
“That was a week ago. Nobody is even talking about it anymore, trust me. Especially not after what happened this Wednesday with Mrs. Goldenmire,” Selena snorted.
“Yeah... I guess you’re right,” Hazel played with the fabric of the dress.
“I am right,” Selena elbowed her, which made Hazel laugh. “Let’s just have some fun, that’s all I ask of for tonight.” Hazel nodded.
“I think I can do that,” She gave a small smile.
“Good, because we’re here,” Selena opened the car door and dragged Hazel out. “Thanks for the ride LP! See you in two hours!” Selena waved at the limo as it drove off.
“Sooo... now what?” Hazel asked.
“Let’s go and scout out the vibes first, then we’ll decide,” Selena assessed the area before nodding. Hazel agreed and the two of them went to the dance floor.
The dance floor was outside, under a clear starry night. The floor itself was about what you’d expect. The theme of the dance was “ocean” so there were plastic seashells and blue streamers everywhere. There was a DJ (the 8th-grade pre algebra teacher, Mr. Marcus) playing every cheesy party song from the 2000s imaginable and a bunch of kids dancing like madmen in the middle in a giant circle. There was also a cheap “photo booth” set up in one corner, and a table with food along one wall. There were also a few tables set up, with centerpieces of blue balloons and sea shell confetti on them.
“What do you want to do?” Selena said over the music. Hazel pointed to the table and they sat down. The loud music was already beginning to tire Hazel, but she promised Selena she’d come so she wouldn’t be complaining and leaving yet. Plus, despite everything, she thought she kinda looked cute tonight, and she wasn’t one to waste a good outfit. Plus, if she closed her eyes, it felt like she was in a movie and that helped.
“I’m gonna dance, wanna come?” Selena offered. Hazel shook her head, pointing to the food table.
“I’m gonna get myself a soda,” She said, and the cousins went their separate ways.
Hazel poured herself a rootbeer and went back to the table, trying to see if she could see Selena in the crowd, but she couldn’t. She shrugged and started playing on her phone when someone tapped her shoulder.
“Hey Hazel,” The familiar face of Evelyn Covey smiled at her. Hazel felt her face flush bright red, but it was probably hard to tell under all the party lights. “Mind if I sit there?”
“I-i uh- okay,” Hazel granted.
“Thanks, I was getting tired of dancing,” Evelyn laughed as she took off her heels and rubbed her feet.
“Where’s your brother? Isn’t he always with you?” Hazel asked.
“I think he found your cousin, Selena and is now chatting with her, though squabbling is probably the more correct term,” Evelyn chuckled again. “What about you? What’re you doing by yourself?”
“Oh- I don’t dance. Too draining, I could never join that,” Hazel said.
“It’s not for everyone, I get that,” Evelyn nodded. “Why come though? This is a dance after all.”
“Selena kinda forced me, though I didn’t put up much of a fight. It’s not like I totally hate dances. I love getting dressed up and doing my hairs it’s just... everything else I don’t like,” Hazel chuckled a little. “Plus, the night air is always refreshing, and if I close my eyes I can pretend I’m in a movie and not actually here.” Evelyn laughed at that. “S-sorry, that’s stupid-” Hazel apologized.
“No, it’s not. Sorry, I laughed because I think that’s cute- er... cool. I totally get that though, I’m not one for parties either. I usually end up by the food or in the corner half the time,” Evelyn explained.
“I’m totally the same way!” Hazel agreed. “It’s like- well I don’t know how to explain it, but like what you said. I’m just not made for the dance floor I guess,” Hazel said. Evelyn nodded in agreement.
The conversation drifted from there, and they talked about life and other stuff for what felt like hours. Eventually, their throats got dry from all of the talking, so Hazel offered to go and get them some soda, which she did.
However, as she made her way back, someone stuck out their foot and she tripped onto the floor, soda spilling all over her. Hazel could hear giggles and it didn’t take a mastermind to figure out it was Odette and her crew.
“Hazel! Are you okay?” Evelyn ran to her aid. Hazel muttered under her breath. Evelyn tried looking for a culprit, but Odette and her goons had scattered. “C’mon, let’s get you to the bathroom,” Evelyn took Hazel away. The girls did their best to wash out the stain and eventually, they mostly got it out.
“I’m sorry you have to deal with them, those girls are jerks,” Evelyn sighed.
“It’s not your fault,” Hazel said softly.
“I know, but they still suck. You’re a really smart girl,” Evelyn looked away.
“‘Smart girl’ only gets a girl so far,” Hazel shrugged. “Let’s go,” she said, and they walked out into the cold night air.
“Odette has no idea what she’s talking about, she’s spoiled and pampered beyond belief,” Evelyn kept assuring, which Hazel’s face flush with both appreciation and embarrassment.
“Th-thanks... you really don’t have to do all this though,” Hazel looked at the ground.
“I don’t feel obligated, I like you, Hazel,” Evelyn looked her in the eyes. Hazel blinked.
“I... like you too, Evelyn,” Hazel said, though she knew she liked her more than Evelyn probably did.
“Yo! Hazel!” Selena waved across the way, moving towards them. “What happened to your dress? Was it Odette again? I swear- if I find them-”
“It’s fine Selena, we dealt with it,” Hazel chuckled, embarrassed.
“Oh! Hey Evelyn, didn’t notice you,” Selena gave a similar laugh.
“No biggie. Have you seen Eric? I was supposed to make sure he didn’t do something stupid like try to breakdance or dunk a basketball in the punch,” Evelyn said.
“He was just talking to me. I think he went that way. Shame you missed him, Hazel,” she elbowed her cousin playfully, blissfully unaware that Hazel had absolutely no interest in that twin at all.
“Cool. Nice seeing you Hazel,” Evelyn waved goodbye and headed off.
“Bye,” Hazel gave a small wave, a smile creeping on her face.
“Are you sure you’re good? I can still curse Odette if you want, I brought my jewel tonight,” Selena winked and took it out of her dress pocket.
“Selena! You’re absolutely crazy,” Hazel pushed her cousin. Selena laughed and put it back.
“I prefer the term ‘prepared’,” She smirked. “Well, it’s getting late, we should head home. Sorry for ditching you. Looked like you still had fun though.”
Hazel thought about her time with Evelyn. She nodded.
“I did... I really, really did.”