A Badass

Hearing the sound of the door opening, they all raised their heads in the direction of the door, which revealed Hazel. She was precisely beaming with smiles but seeing the number of people in the house and the expression on their faces, the smile on her face couldn't continue any longer. Walking wholly into the room, she soon identified Freya as Ava's friend and thought Cole might probably be either Freya or Charlotte's, boyfriend. However, she could by no means understand the expression on their faces, most, especially Ava's, there were wet tracks of tears on her cheeks. “Hey, Hazel, you didn't tell me you would be coming here anytime soon” Ava spoke up, pretending to be calm, and was a bit glad there were no traces of tears on her face. “Okay, Charlotte, I'll get going now” Cole notified, and quickly trotted out before Charlotte could utter any word. Hazel watched Cole's receding figure and took her gaze back to Ava's face, who had lowered her gaze. She really wasn't expecting Hazel to appear in her apartment soon when she had inquired about her address. “What happened here?” Hazel spoke up after a long time, her gaze was now sweeping around Charlotte's face back, and forth, “It's nothing, Hazel, you're welcome” Charlotte responded curtly, beating Freya to it, who had parted her lips and ready to narrate everything to Hazel. Freya hadn't been able to come out of the shock of what she had witnessed, and it was until when she heard Hazel's voice she was able to return to her senses. And to her surprise, Charlotte was now looking very calm with a soft friendly smile playing around her face as soon as she saw Hazel as if nothing had truly happened, “No, Hazel, this girl is a terrible person” Freya blurted out her mind, staring coldly at Charlotte who in turn looked down at her feet. She was suddenly overcome by extremely uncomfortable feelings. “You need to hear all the horrible words she said to Ava only because Ava invited me to her place” she cried out hysterically, her expression was deathly solemn. Ava had no words, she only repressed her lips in a thin line, waiting for Hazel's next words. “Ava, until when are you going to keep tolerating this brat?” she asked patiently, however, burning with rage inwardly. “Hazel…” Ava lifted her head and was saying, “Just keep quiet, Ava” Hazel interrupted her firmly, she was looking quite sharp and Ava could effortlessly tell that she was furious. “This is where you're going to be until you learn how to fight back, am I clear?” Hazel clarified, and Ava could only nod, casting a reproachful glance at Charlotte. Freya seemed not to like Hazel's judgment. In her opinion, Hazel wasn't being fair, she didn't reprimand Charlotte but Ava, who had not done anything wrong. She twitched her mouth, giving off the impression of annoyance as she went to carry her bag from the settee. “I'll be leaving now, Ava” she announced, hanging her bag to her shoulder.
“Why so soon? I had thought you would like to join Ava and me for tonight's party” Hazel said calmly, putting forward some pace and then sat down, dropping her purse carelessly. Charlotte's eyes beamed in an instant, “Really, Hazel? Can I join too?” her tone was full of excitement. Freya's brows furrowed deeply, she stared at Charlotte in disgust, thinking in her mind that she had no shame whatsoever, and she couldn't help but hope Hazel shouldn't take her along. “Of course, Charlotte, but you'll have to apologize first and promise to quit being a bitch” Hazel blurted out her mind, crossing her slender legs and staring at Charlotte faintly. Freya and Ava too had their eyes on her, Ava knew she was going to apologize, thinking back to the last time they went to the party. Charlotte smiled brightly. Just to apologize? That was so easy. “I'm sorry, Hazel, such won't ever repeat itself” she admits guilt, facing Hazel. “Are you out of your mind? Why are you apologizing to me instead of Ava?” By this time, a smug smile had appeared at the corners of Freya's mouth. Charlotte's smile faded for a second as she took her gaze to Ava's innocent-looking face, she bites her bottom lip and continued to part her lips for several moments and muttered in the end, “I'm sorry, Ava. Forgive me” Hazel's lips curled up in a lopsided grin, she had learned how to make Charlotte obedient to her orders and she was damn glad it's really working. “Good” she rose to her feet, “Now come on, guys, let's shop!” Charlotte shrieked and jumped twice on her feet, “Wait for me, please, I just want to change my sneakers” her eyes were brimming with enthusiasm. "Okay, we'll be waiting outside,” Hazel said with a little smile. Shortly after, Charlotte scurried out of the house and passed through the gate. All this time, her smile remained undiminished. However, on getting outside, she saw Hazel's SUV speeding into the road. Immediately, the veins on her hands surfaced, and red blood shots gathered in the center of her pupils as it dawned on her that she had been fooled. A touch of disappointment flashed across her face, and she couldn't help but cursed loudly.
An epidemic of laughter erupted in Hazel's car while Hazel regulated the steering wheel with a hand. Dipping her head forward from the back seat, “That was so fun, Hazel. You're a badass,” Freya asserted amidst laughter and Hazel nodded in agreement, “I know right. She can run after the car, can't she?” Hazel taunted, having a broad smile on her face. Ava shook her head sideways, “She can't do that, Hazel” she said with a chuckle in her voice. Hazel rolled her eyeballs playfully, “Charlotte can be crazy, Ava, you know her so well” she disputed, heaving a sigh of disgust.
The time of the night was lively, the nightlife was just beginning. Ava, Hazel, and Freya walked into the high-end clubhouse and passed through to the big lounge on the second floor. It was spacious and had a great view, they could see the entire bar and the dance floor on the first floor. As they seated themselves, Ava watched as boys and girls danced recklessly around in the red and green lights. She sucked in a sharp breath, saying to herself inwardly that she can never get used to this kind of life. “Whoa, girl, you're killing it,” Hazel praised, smiling so big at Freya, who had gotten on her feet and swaying her butt to the loud music. Knowing too well she was under some lecherous gazes, but she seemed not to care as she pulled up her short blue dress which Hazel had bought for them before coming to this place. Ava pressed her lips to a tight line, seeing how some men around were looking in their direction, she felt extremely uncomfortable, and she thought in her mind how could Freya be dancing freely under their gazes. Promptly, Hazel too stood up and began to twerk to the beat. “Yay, babe,” Freya whoaed, Hazel was very good at it. Freya went as far as placing her hands on Hazel's, grinning. Ava could only watch them in secret, she hated to attract attention, but what Freya and Hazel were doing right now would only attract attention. Suddenly, Ava was pulled to her feet and dragged in their middle. "Now, do this, Ava” Freya instructed, positioning her hands on her knees. Ava looked at her in silence. 'Perhaps she and Hazel had some alcohol while we were shopping for the dresses' Smiling with uneasiness, “Excuse me,” she muttered and quickly escaped from their midst.
Staring back at her own reflection in the mirror, Ava didn't know how long she had stayed in the toilet, but she needs to get back before her friend and cousin begin to worry about her movement. She puffed out a rueful breath and spun toward the door, unlocked it, and then stepped out. She almost flinched when she was suddenly enveloped by the shadow of a tall, strong frame beside her. However, looking over at the figure, she immediately identified the man at a glance. Ava couldn't help but sneak a glance at the toilet door which had the sign of ladies inscribed on it before switching her gaze back to his impeccable yet rigid face, and she felt her heart miss a bit and quickly lowered her gaze. 'Did he mistake this place for the men?' Meanwhile, Zac's expression was tense, the flames in his heart almost sprayed out, burning the woman in front of him into ashes. Slowly, he scrutinized her outfit. A black sleeves short dress that barely reaches her knee, the neckline of the dress was slightly low and revealed the top of her breasts but not the furrows between them. The gown had a shining white spot that could only be visible in the dark. At the waist and hem were streamed with lace. The more disgruntled he was, the calmer he looked. All the muscles on his body were tightened, “Come with me now”