The morning light spilled through the kitchen window in pale gold, brushing over the countertops and catching faintly on Hazel’s dark hair as she moved quietly.

  The house was still — the kind of stillness that only came after a guest had left and the routine began to settle again.

  Steam rose gently from the small pot on the stove, the scent of cinnamon and brown sugar curling into the air. Hazel stirred the oatmeal with slow, deliberate motions, careful not to overcook it.

  She didn’t need food anymore, but the act of making it — of caring for Stel in small, familiar ways — kept her tethered.

  From the hallway, bare feet padded softly against the wood floor. Stel yawned audibly as she entered, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her blonde hair was a frizzy halo, and her oversized T-shirt hung slightly off one shoulder.

  “You’re up early,” she mumbled, voice thick with sleep. Then she paused, sniffing the air. “Oatmeal?”

  Hazel gnced over her shoulder, offering a gentle smile. “You need something warm. I added almonds this time.”

  Stel slid into her seat at the table with a sleepy grin. “You spoil me.”

  “I prefer to think of it as insurance. Keep you fed, keep you civil.”

  A few spoonfuls passed before Stel broke the silence. “So... are you really going back tomorrow?”

  Hazel didn’t answer immediately. She poured coffee into a cup, pcing it beside Stel before finally sitting down herself — posture composed, hands folded.

  “I’m enrolled,” she said. “I never technically left. Just... took a leave.”

  Stel peered at her over her spoon. “But are you ready? Like — emotionally? Physically?” She looked Hazel over with a half-ugh. “You’re not exactly blending in these days.”

  Hazel met her gaze, not unkindly. “I don’t need to blend in. I just need to keep moving forward.”

  Stel’s brows furrowed, her expression more serious now. “Just... don’t go alone, okay? If something weird happens—”

  “I’ll handle it,” Hazel said gently, cutting her off. “But thank you.”

  The silence returned, softer this time. A kind of unspoken understanding hung in the air.

  Outside, the wind stirred the trees. Monday was coming — and with it, the world Hazel used to belong to.

  Hazel stood as Stel scraped the st spoonful from her bowl. She took the dish without being asked, rinsing it in the sink with a steady rhythm. Over her shoulder, she said lightly, “Mom texted when she got home. Said she’d call next week to check in.”

  Stel leaned on the table, chin propped on her hands, watching her sister. “She really left te. Guess she didn’t want to say goodbye again in the morning.”

  Hazel didn’t reply immediately. She finished cleaning the dish, then dried her hands with a towel before turning back to face Stel. “She didn’t want to make it harder than it already was.”

  Stel wrinkled her nose. “I think she just didn’t want to cry in front of you again.”

  Hazel gave a soft smile — one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Maybe.”

  A beat passed. Then Stel perked up, her green eyes bright with sudden mischief. “Sooooo… are you going to message Alex?”

  Hazel blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “You know what I mean!” Stel grinned. “You said she gave you her number. She was pretty, and cool, and not freaked out by the whole vampire thing — which is already a miracle.”

  Hazel raised an eyebrow, walking past her with measured grace. “She was... persistent.”

  “You liked that.”

  “I found it effective,” Hazel said, grabbing her book from the side counter and settling into the armchair by the window.

  Stel followed her with relentless enthusiasm, sitting cross-legged on the edge of the couch. “Come on, just message her. You don’t have to flirt. It can be normal. ‘Hi, this is Hazel. Thanks for talking. You made my terrifying reality less awful. Let’s have blood and coffee sometime.’”

  Hazel tilted her head toward her sister, her tone dry. “You’re dangerously close to being insufferable.”

  Stel smirked. “But not wrong.”

  Hazel didn’t respond right away, but her thumb quietly hovered over her phone as she opened her messages.

  Hazel’s thumb hovered over the phone for a moment longer, then she sent the message, casual as ever.

  Hi, it’s Hazel. If you’re free this afternoon, there’s a park nearby. Quiet. Would you like to meet? I’ll be with my sister.

  She didn’t overthink it, letting the words flow without hesitation. A second ter, she dropped the phone onto the table and went to grab her jacket from the coat hook by the door.

  Stel’s voice came from the other room, eager as ever. “So, is it happening? Did she reply? What did she say?”

  Hazel gnced down at the phone, feeling the familiar tinge of anticipation from her sister’s curiosity. A moment passed, and then she saw the message come through.

  Sounds perfect. Been feeling a bit caged tely. Send me the location. I’ll bring something light. ;)

  Hazel didn’t let her emotions show — Alex’s response was light and easy, just like their conversation had been. Hazel typed out the address and hit send before picking up her jacket from the coat hook and slipping it on.

  Stel popped into the room, practically bouncing on her feet. “Wait, both of you? I mean, you know, I’m coming too, right? I have to be there to keep an eye on you.”

  Hazel gave her a teasing gnce. “You’re my chaperone, clearly. No one’s going to have any fun if you don’t come.”

  Stel grinned. “You’re just saying that because you know I’ll get you back if you mess this up.”

  Hazel’s lips curled into a smirk. “Sure, that’s exactly it. But yes, you’re coming. Get dressed, we’ll leave soon.”

  Stel, already with a hand on the doorframe of her room, narrowed her eyes mischievously. “I don’t know how I feel about Alex already, but I’ll reserve judgment for now.”

  “Good. Get ready. I’ll be waiting.”

  ...

  The park was quiet, as Hazel had hoped, tucked away just far enough from the busy streets to provide an oasis of calm. Trees shaded the winding paths, and the gentle rustle of leaves added a soft soundtrack to the afternoon.

  Birds chirped in the distance, a reminder of the world that hadn’t quite caught up with the strange new reality Hazel found herself in.

  She stood near a bench, letting the sun filter through the leaves, feeling its warmth on her skin, though it did little to make her feel anything more than indifferent. Stel was already scanning the area, her eyes darting from person to person.

  “Do you think we’re early?” Stel asked, her voice light with excitement. She bounced on the balls of her feet, unable to hold still.

  “No, I think we’re right on time,” Hazel replied. She checked her phone again, watching the seconds tick by as she waited.

  It wasn’t long before Hazel heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching — light, deliberate. She gnced up, and there, on the path, was Alex.

  Alex looked as effortless as ever, her dark hair cascading in waves down her back, her bck leather jacket a stark contrast to the greenery around them.

  She had a cool confidence about her, like she was unbothered by anything, yet there was a sharpness in the way she moved — a predatory grace that wasn’t lost on Hazel.

  “Hey,” Alex greeted with a small, knowing smile, her eyes immediately locking onto Hazel’s. There was something almost pyful in the way she regarded her, as if she already knew the answer to whatever question might arise.

  Hazel offered a simple nod. “You found it without trouble.”

  Alex gave a casual shrug. “I’m good with directions. Plus, the address you sent was clear enough.” She then shifted her gaze to Stel, who was standing a bit too still, watching Alex with a curious expression.

  Stel, ever the social butterfly, was the first to speak up. “Hi, I’m Stel, Hazel’s sister.” She extended a hand, fshing a smile.

  Alex shook it, her touch surprisingly gentle, yet there was an undeniable strength there — something that felt slightly off.

  “Nice to meet you, Stel. I’ve heard a bit about you.” She gnced at Hazel, her expression unreadable. “All good things, of course.”

  Hazel couldn’t help but smirk at Alex’s comment. “I’m sure.” She gestured toward the bench, a silent invitation for the three of them to sit.

  “So, what brings you to the park? I thought you’d be more interested in something... quieter.”

  Alex took a seat with a fluid motion, as though it was second nature. “I needed to get out. The walls are closing in a little, you know?” She looked between Hazel and Stel, her gaze softening slightly. “It’s good to get some air.”

  Stel sat beside Hazel, still eyeing Alex with a mix of intrigue and caution. “Yeah, I get that. Being cooped up inside gets... weird.”

  Alex chuckled softly. “Exactly. It’s like the world keeps moving, and you’re stuck trying to catch up.”

  There was a comfortable pause. Hazel leaned back slightly, watching the way the sunlight shifted across Alex’s features.

  The air between them felt oddly natural — not uncomfortable, but full of unspoken understanding. They were still figuring things out, but Hazel felt like Alex was someone who might actually understand.

  “o, how are things on your end?” Hazel asked, a subtle shift in tone. “Any complications since... well, everything started?”

  Alex’s expression darkened for just a moment, her usual pyfulness flickering out as quickly as it came.

  She let out a small sigh before replying, “You could say that. Still figuring out how to live with this... condition.” She let the words hang in the air, not looking at either of them. “But I’m learning.”

  Hazel nodded, her mind turning. “We all are, I suppose.”

  Stel, picking up on the change in the conversation, shifted uncomfortably. “So... uh, what do you do when you’re... stuck? I mean, for fun?”

  Alex’s eyes flickered back to her, and she smiled again, the charm returning in full force. “I usually walk. Sometimes I meet people. Go pces.” She gnced at Hazel, her smile widening. “You know, try to act normal.”

  Hazel smiled back, but the expression didn’t quite reach her eyes. She could rete — too much, maybe.

  The sun dipped slightly lower in the sky, casting longer shadows across the park. The moment of silence felt comfortable, almost peaceful.

  Hazel wasn’t sure where this odd connection with Alex might lead, but for now, it felt like the calm before whatever storm was waiting around the corner.