chapter-30

Suddenly… he pulled her by the waist.

Hazel gasped, eyes darting up at him.

Drake smirked: "Well, well… caught red-handed. What are you stealing this time?"

Hazel: "Excuse me? I'm not stealing anything."

Drake raised a brow: "Then why are you sneaking around like a guilty raccoon?"

Hazel pushed his hand off and crossed her arms: "None of your business."

Just then, Zayn's voice echoed from inside the room: "Bro, did someone open the fridge?"

Hazel panicked and whispered fast: "If they find me, I'll never get it."

Drake leaned closer, suspicious: "Get what?"

Hazel narrowed her eyes and hissed: "My cake."

Drake blinked: "Your what?"

Hazel: "My cake, okay?! Your fridge is babysitting it because mine's dead. And if they knows it's mine, they'll eat it like hyenas."

Drake burst into laughter, trying to keep it down: "You risked your life for dessert?"

Hazel whispered: "Shut up. Help me or move."

Drake still laughing: "Alright, cake thief. Follow me, I'll cover you."

He tiptoed to the fridge like a spy, opened it slowly, took out the plate with the slice, and held it like a crown jewel.

Hazel snatched it and whispered: "Thank you, now vanish."

Drake: "Say please."

Hazel: "Dream on."

She slipped out the door just as Lucas came into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.

Lucas: "Did I hear cake?"

Drake: "Nope. Must've been your dreams, bro."

Lucas: "Weird. I swear I smelled betrayal."

Next Morning

The flat was buzzing with chaos as everyone rushed to get ready for class. Shirts flying, books missing, and someone's toothpaste mysteriously stolen (again).

Levi shouted, brushing his hair in front of the mirror: "Lucas! Go call Hazel!"

Lucas reached for his helmet

Before he could move, Drake threw on his jacket and stepped in, calm and casual: "I'll go."

The moment he left, the room erupted into teasing noises — exaggerated kiss sounds, fake footsteps, and someone humming a wedding tune.

Levi: "Drake and Hazel sitting on a tree…"

Ben: "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Zayn: "Grow up, losers."

Lucas: "Says the guy who sleeps with a stuffed panda."

________________________________________

Meanwhile

Drake knocked on her door.

From inside, Hazel called out: "Come in!"

He opened the door to see her sitting cross-legged on the floor, munching on a slice of bread like it was gourmet cuisine.

Hazel (mouth full): "Oh… it's you."

Drake smirked: "Wow. I feel so welcome."

Hazel rolled her eyes.

Drake glanced at the time: "It's getting late. Can you speed up the bread romance?"

Hazel stood up with a sigh: "It's over, okay? Let's go."

She grabbed her bag, locked the door behind her, and they headed downstairs.

Outside, in the parking area, the rest of the gang was already gathered — standing beside a lineup of gleaming motorcycles. No cars today — just roaring engines and reckless rides.

Levi twirled his key: "Hazel! You're coming with me."

Ben scoffed: "In your dreams. She's riding with me."

Lucas raised a brow: "Both of you shut up. Hazel knows I'm her favourite."

Zayn stepped forward: "Guys, I think she should ride wi—"

Hazel threw up a hand, cutting them off: "Stop. I'll decide who I'm going with."

Everyone held their breath.

Hazel pointed calmly at Drake: "Him."

Dead silence. Mouths dropped.

Caleb: okay then let's go.

Drake smirked, clearly enjoying the stunned silence.

He handed Hazel a helmet, got on the bike, and as she climbed on behind him, he revved the engine with a cocky grin.

Then without another word, they sped off.

They reached the school campus and Hazel hopped off the bike, handing the helmet back to Drake.

Drake raised an eyebrow: "So… no thanks?"

Hazel rolled her eyes and replied in a mocking tone, "Thank you so much for the ride…" Then she smirked and added, "Dream on. I will never say this." And before he could respond, she dashed off inside.

Drake chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

Just then, the gang arrived — parking their bikes one after another. The moment they spotted Drake's smile, they knew.

Levi: "Ayyy loverboy!"

Ben: "How was the ride, Romeo?"

Lucas: "Next time take a rose for her, you fool."

Drake just kept walking past them with a smirk while they teased him all the way to class.

—

Inside the School

Hazel placed her bag into her locker and started walking toward her classroom. On her way, she noticed a commotion — a bunch of students gathered in a semi-circle near the corridor.

Curious, she walked closer and saw Axel and his gang — Liam, Mike, and Steve — cornering a student. Axel had his collar gripped tight and was landing a punch while the others laughed.

Hazel's smile faded. She didn't like this side of Axel. Her expression sharpened, eyes narrowing in disapproval.

Just as Axel raised his fist again, he caught sight of Hazel watching from the crowd. For a brief second, their eyes met. Something in his face shifted — instantly, he let go of the student, stepping back like nothing happened.

The injured boy's friends rushed in, helping him up and walking away. Hazel stared for a second longer, then turned silently and walked toward her class.

Liam nudged Axel: "What's wrong?"

Axel muttered, "You guys go. I'll come later."

—

In the Classroom

Hazel took her seat and noticed a folded piece of paper lying on her desk.

She unfolded it casually, her expression blank at first — until her eyes scanned the messy handwriting:

"Stay away from Drake, you bitch."

Hazel blinked once.

Then she sighed, muttering under her breath:

"Seriously? Who said I want him? Blaa."

She crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.

"Threatening notes? Wow. Interesting."

With a calm face and a slightly raised eyebrow, she leaned back in her chair like nothing happened...