Chapter 13

'Where's Ed?' Hazel asked looking at her watch. They were waiting outside the amusement park for Ed.

'He's supposed to be here half an hour ago' Ava said tired of waiting.

'Well he told me he already got the tickets online and had started from his home. He will be here any second' Charlotte told them searching her way through the crowd trying find her brother.

'Look! There he is' Ava pointed out towards the direction Ed was coming.

'Bro, you are late' Charlotte complained.

'Like always!' Ava added.

'Come on Av! I am not always late' he defended looking at her.

'AV?!' Charlotte asked raising an eyebrow.

'I thought it was just a date but it seems that both of you have already progressed a lot. Oh wait! Ava do you have some nickname for Ed too?' Hazel asked teasing them.

'Well, what do you think Haze? These two sure are hiding a lot than we expected' Charlotte said facing Hazel.

'Both of you stop it already!' Ed grumbled looking at them.

'Ok bro just calm down' Charlotte consoled giggling.

'Shall we go in?' Hazel asked Ed.

'Just a minute Haze' he said looking around.

'Are you expecting someone?' Hazel asked getting serious suddenly.

'Why would you ask that?' Charlotte asked surprised by her sudden question.

'Because if he is, then, that person is right behind him' she replied and turned away.

Ava and Charlotte noticed that Chris was standing behind Ed.

'Ed, did you invite him?' Ava asked Ed slowly making sure Chris couldn't hear it.

Ed nodded to her question.

'Why?'

'I really want things to go back to normal Av. The gap is too much to repair but I wanna try my best' he added whispering slowly.

'Ed, I appreciate all this but Mr. Finch is your friend but for me? He's my boss, you idiot. Have you ever thought of how much awkward this is for me?' she questioned looking around making sure no one heard her.

'Well, honestly, I didn't think of that. Sorry Av but trust me Chris can surely separate his work life from personal and he's a good guy. You guys will get along'

He assured her before walking off to Hazel but Ava still couldn't shake off the awkwardness of handing out with her BOSS.

"Why didn't Ed mention that Chris will be coming today?" Hazel wondered. She didn't want to turn back and face him. She only groomed herself to face him in office because nothing could possibly go wrong there as they'll strictly have an employer-employee relationship but here it's totally different and she didn't prepare herself for a calamity like this. She knows she can't hide away from Chris the whole day or go home.

'Haze' Ed called out. She slowly turned but couldn't find anyone else except Ed there.

'Where are others?' she asked looking around.

'They already went in, we called you several times but you wouldn't respond so I thought you were angry so I asked them to go in before us'

'No…no I am not angry, I was just lost in my thoughts. Come let's go' she clarified and they went inside to find the other three. As soon as they entered they found the three standing next to the giant bunny placed at the entrance of the park. Hazel noticed that there was some tension between the three though it looked like they were standing close to each other yet they seemed miles apart. Hazel looked at Ed and realized that he too managed to notice the difference in their behaviour.

'Ed at least you could have mentioned that Chris would come today' Hazel asked stopping him.

'Look Haze, I know that you are very broad-minded and that's why you didn't create a fuss after seeing Chris here but your best friends...they are ready to murder him anytime and if they even notice a hint of sadness in your eyes cause of him then he is totally done. I know what he did was truly unfair to all of us but trust me he has his reasons though he isn't ready to tell us everything now, he will, soon. I wasn't sure of Charlotte's reaction if I told you guys beforehand. That's why I wanted to bring him here so that we could at least try and solve something today' Ed explained hoping that Hazel would help him in the process.

'Ok Ed I get it, I will talk to the girls' she said smiling at him positively.

'Thanks Haze' he said looking gratefully at her.

'Hey Char, come let's go' Hazel said walking towards the three.

'Haze, how the hell is this ok with you?' Charlotte asked pulling Hazel aside and Ava joined them.

'Charlotte, you are overreacting. See I moved on he is just your brother's friend now. We don't know him personally. Ok?' she said looking at Charlotte.

'But Haze it's not easy to forget. How many nights you cried for him? Fine let's forget about you! What about Ed? He suffered Haze' Charlotte said justifying her anger.

'Honey, but your brother is ok with it' Hazel debated.

'His eyes are hidden by friendship' Charlotte protested.

'Look Char! I know you love me and your brother so much but Ed knows what is right and wrong if he chose to forgive Chris and support him he has a very good reason and we have to support it too no matter what' Hazel slowly elucidated to them.

'Ok Haze if you say so' Charlotte gave in finally.

'Thanks hon! Let's go and have fun now. Ok?' Hazel said and the three walked towards the boys.

'All good?' Ed asked as they reached.

All the three girls nodded smiling at them.

'So let's go!' Ed suggested.

'Just a minute!' Chris stopped them.

'Look! I know I can't justify my actions for the past years but I am really thankful to all of you for forgiving me without asking me any questions' Chris apologized looking at them.

'You know what Chris? I am still angry on you but I know you aren't a bad person and that's why I have decided to give you another chance' Charlotte told looking at him.

'Thanks Charlotte' he said.

'And I hope others can forgive me too' Chris said looking at Hazel. Hazel avoided his gaze and looked away.

'Guys! Stop being so serious we all came here to have fun so let's focus on that, ok?' Ava spoke out looking at their serious faces.

They all nodded laughing and swore to push the past behind them and enjoy what's in front of them now.

'Haze? Come on! This ride is the best compared to everything else' Charlotte said trying to convince Hazel so that she could join the rest of them.

'And it seems deadly' Hazel protested trying to escape.

'It will be fun'

'You guys go on. I am not coming' she told them determined.

'Fine then stay here' Charlotte yelled angrily and went away with others.

'Why aren't you going?' she asked turning towards Chris who was sitting beside her.

'I just don't want to' he answered.

There was an awkward silence between the two. Hazel decided to break the silence;

'So, why didn't you bring Rob and Aurora?' she asked not knowing what else to ask him.

'Their school arranged a picnic for their class today' he told her. And they were back to square one again.

Hazel didn't know what else to ask though she wanted to ask about his wife but something bugged her cause she knew that she wasn't gonna like any answer he was gonna give her on this subject.

'So, why didn't Ryan come?' Chris asked after five minutes.

'Well they said it was just friends today' she replied smiling a little.

'I thought you guys were FRIENDS' he said looking at her. His expression seemed unusual for a moment Hazel mistook his expression for anger.

'We are' she answered calmly.

'Then why isn't he here? Are you guys dating?' he asked getting annoyed.

'Are you angry? What if I am dating Ryan? Does it have anything to do with you?' Hazel asked quite disturbed by the reactions Chris was projecting.

Chris managed to calm himself down.

'I am sorry. It's just that I was worried that you got into a relationship so fast without getting to know him' Chris justified.

'I know Ryan he's a good guy' she defended.

'Well see Haze! I know that guy from college so get to know him' he warned.

"Haze? Did he just call me Haze?" Hazel looked at him dazzled for a moment.

"Nope wake up Hazel! Don't fall for his tricks. But why is he gonna trick me? Maybe he's right! I should get to know Ryan better" she told herself looking into a distance.

'Does this mean you remember who I am now? Cause past few days, it seemed like we were meeting for the first time' she spoke out anger bubbling inside. First, he acts as if she is a stranger but now he has the audacity to talk about their past?

'...'

'...'

'I.. I am sorry about that Hazel but it's for your good. I am not sure how to explain further. Sorry... ' he broke the silence, his face clouded with despair.

Hazel knew it was no use pushing further, he won't budge and it doesn't matter anymore. She nodded slightly and fell back into her thoughts. 

'Hazel?' Chris called out.

'Ohh sorry! I drifted away for a moment'

'Anyways, are you serious about Ryan?' the question caught her off-guard.

'I haven't decided anything yet. But did you know that he was my secret admirer in college?' she asked.

'Who the hell told you that?' he asked confused and frustrated at the same time.

'Charlotte and Ava' she answered confused by his behavior.

'You don't like him, right?' she asked after a moment of silence.

'It's nothing like that Hazel' he answered plainly.

"Why do I feel like he's hiding something?" she wondered as the others returned.

The day passed away in a jiff. The four of them spend the day roaming around participating in some small games and getting on most of the rides.

'I am tired' Charlotte said yawning as they exited the park.

'Let's go home and take rest' Ava suggested looking at the remaining.

As they all waved each other good bye Hazel stopped Chris;

'Next time do bring your wife and kids' she told smiling sweetly.

'Ok...' he replied with a bitter smile.

'Bye' she told and turned to leave when he caught her hand.

She was stunned by his sudden action in fact Chris too was taken aback because he didn't expect him to act on impulse.

He pulled his hand away from hers immediately.

'What's wrong?' she questioned.

'Actually the thing is...my wife...' he started. Hazel patiently waited for him to finish.

'...…Nothing. Just forget it! Good night Hazel' he said and walked away.

'What's up with this guy? He seems so strange. This is the first time he looks weak' Hazel kept fighting her thoughts worried about Chris.

'Hazel? Come on let's go back' Charlotte shouted from the car.

Hazel looked for Chris but he was already gone. She kept thinking about their unfinished conversation till she reached home.