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⸻❈⸻ CHAPTER 19 ⸻❈⸻

  The kitchen was alive with the soft clinks of dishes and the smell of warm pancakes, honeyed butter, and ripe strawberries.

  Hazel moved gracefully between the counters and the table, her pale blouse tucked neatly into tailored scks, golden-amber eyes catching the morning light like polished topaz. She poured herself a gss of orange juice, her every motion quiet and purposeful.

  At the stove, Alex hummed a light tune as she flipped a pancake with practiced ease. Her hair was twisted into a loose bun, and despite the homey setting, there was an unmistakable elegance to her posture—refined and natural, without trying.

  She gnced over to Hazel with a wry smile. “Not bad for someone who didn’t know where the utensils drawer was twenty-four hours ago.”

  “You learn fast,” Hazel said, pcing forks beside the neatly arranged ptes. “Terrifyingly fast.”

  They both turned at the sound of shuffling footsteps. Stel trudged into the kitchen, still yawning, dressed in one of Hazel’s sweaters that hung loose around her frame. Her hair was tousled, and she looked like she hadn’t fully returned to the nd of the living yet.

  Hazel smiled. “Morning.”

  “Mmph,” Stel replied, blinking at the table before heading straight for the coffee pot. “Please tell me that’s real caffeine.”

  Alex chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of offering decaf.”

  “You’d be surprised how many people try.” Stel poured herself a mug, then turned around, taking in the fully set table. Her brows lifted in surprise. “Wait—did you two make all this?”

  Hazel lifted her gss of orange juice and gave a slight nod. “We did.”

  Stel sat down and took her first bite of pancake. She paused mid-chew, eyes going wide.

  “…That’s so unfair,” she said dramatically, pointing her fork between them. “You’re both hot and you can cook?”

  Alex grinned, sipping her coffee. “Some people get all the blessings.”

  Hazel raised an eyebrow. “And the rest of the world just has to cope.”

  Stel groaned, leaning her head back. “I feel so attacked right now.”

  Alex rested her elbow on the table and tilted her head with an exaggerated sigh. “Maybe we should tone it down a bit, Hazel. Don’t want to overwhelm the poor girl.”

  Hazel gnced at Stel, then back at Alex, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “You’re right. We’ll try to be less… dazzling.”

  “You’re the worst,” Stel mumbled around another mouthful of pancake, but the pink tinge in her cheeks betrayed her amusement.

  They settled into the meal easily, the warmth of shared space and simple food making the kitchen feel more like home.

  As the dishes were cleared and the st of the syrup wiped from ptes, Alex leaned back in her chair and stretched.

  “Since I’ve found a pce to stay,” she said, “I figured I’d walk with you both to campus today. I’m pnning to stop by the office and ask about auditing a css—see what the pce feels like.”

  “Really?” Stel perked up slightly. “You’re thinking of enrolling?”

  “Maybe,” Alex said with a shrug. “Nothing official yet. But it wouldn’t hurt to look around.”

  Hazel gave her a sidelong gnce. “I’m pretty sure you just want to show off how fast you can pick things up.”

  Alex smiled, unbothered. “Only if someone asks.”

  “I’m asking,” Stel said ftly.

  “Then yes,” Alex said brightly.

  Hazel gave a soft ugh, brushing her hair behind her ear as she stood. “Let’s get going then. The sooner we get to campus, the sooner we can sit through another absolutely thrilling lecture.”

  “Ugh,” Stel groaned. “Kill me now.”

  Hazel leaned over and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “Not today.”

  Alex opened the door for them, tossing a pyful wink over her shoulder. “Try to keep up, sleepyhead.”

  And just like that, the three of them stepped out into the morning light—no longer just two and a guest, but a shifting, growing household on the verge of something closer to family.

  The walk to campus was pleasant, the early spring breeze cool but not biting, stirring Hazel’s coat as they moved in unhurried step down the sidewalk.

  Stel stuck close to Hazel’s side, her hand brushing against Hazel’s occasionally, though she didn’t quite take it.

  Alex walked a pace ahead, sipping from a sleek bck thermos and surveying the surroundings with casual interest.

  They reached the front gates of the university just as the flow of students began to thicken. Hazel was used to the stares by now—she didn’t flinch from them, didn’t return them. If anything, she seemed bored by the attention.

  Alex, by contrast, met each curious gnce with a subtle, slow smile that left most gawkers second-guessing themselves. She was less ethereal than Hazel, but there was a kind of polish to her that left an impression.

  They split at the central pza, where the administrative building loomed at the far end. Hazel leaned in toward Alex.

  “Good luck charming the staff,” she murmured, half in jest.

  Alex grinned. “Luck? I thought we had talent for that.”

  Hazel arched a brow. “Not all of us funt it.”

  Alex turned and sauntered off toward the office, raising a hand in a zy wave. “Then you’re wasting yours.”

  Stel scoffed quietly, watching her go. “I liked her better when she was awkward and mysterious.”

  “You liked her then too,” Hazel said, guiding them gently toward the science wing. “You just weren’t ready to admit it.”

  “I don’t like her like her,” Stel muttered, cheeks going warm. “I just… tolerate her.”

  Hazel didn’t say anything, but her faint smile was enough to make Stel huff and walk a little faster.

  By the time they reached the lecture hall, Alex had already reappeared, holding a stamped approval slip with a slightly smug look.

  “Didn’t even have to show off,” she said, tucking the paper into her coat. “Though I was ready to.”

  “You always are,” Hazel replied dryly.

  The three stepped into the lecture hall. A few students turned as they entered—Hazel had long since become a campus curiosity, and Alex’s presence only added fuel to the fire. The two took seats toward the back, giving Stel a wave as she headed off to her own css.

  As the lecture began, Hazel sat with her hands folded neatly in her p, her eyes half-lidded as the professor droned on about applied biophysics.

  Alex, despite having no materials, paid sharp attention. Every now and then, she would murmur a quiet remark Hazel’s way—usually a joke about the professor’s monotone voice or the wildly outdated slides.

  “You know,” Alex whispered, “if I wanted to hear someone mumble numbers into a mic, I’d just call my dad during sermon prep.”

  Hazel gave her a sidelong gnce. “That’s bsphemy.”

  “And?”

  Hazel didn’t answer, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

  Eventually, css ended, and as they filtered out with the others, Hazel paused just inside the building entrance, holding the door for Alex.

  “You still want to shadow Stel’s css this afternoon?” Hazel asked.

  Alex nodded. “Yeah. Thought I’d get a feel for what she studies. Something calm. Earthy.”

  “You mean botany.”

  Alex made a face. “Same thing. I just want to see how your girlfriend acts when she’s not surrounded by you.”

  Hazel’s brows lifted faintly. “Curious?”

  Alex smirked. “Protective.”

  Hazel chuckled, brushing a hand through her hair as they stepped back into the sunlight. “Let’s get something light for lunch. I don’t want Stel catching us without an appetite when we meet her again.”

  “You’re assuming she won’t already be jealous I got to spend all morning with you,” Alex said, stretching. “That’s dangerous optimism.”

  Hazel smiled to herself, saying nothing as they made their way toward the campus café.

  The small café nestled between the biology building and the student union was buzzing with students, ughter, and the rustle of food wrappers.

  Hazel and Alex stood at the edge of the green with a tray of neatly wrapped sandwiches, fruit cups, and drinks.

  “You’re sure we don’t need anything?” Alex asked, eyeing the tray.

  Hazel shook her head, her golden-amber gaze flicking across the crowd. “We’re not the ones who need to eat.”

  “Right,” Alex said, smirking. “Still feels like overkill. We could’ve brought a single sandwich and split it four ways.”

  Hazel gave her a look. “You’re not going to start rationing kindness now, are you?”

  Before Alex could reply, Stel’s familiar voice called out, “You brought food?”

  They turned to see her approaching across the green, fnked by Erin, Jordan, and Marcus. The moment Stel spotted the tray, her eyes lit up.

  “For you and your friends,” Hazel said, holding it out.

  “You guys are the best,” Stel beamed, taking a drink and sandwich.

  Erin was already hovering nearby. “Oh, thank God. I was one energy bar away from crying.”

  “Seriously, thanks,” Marcus added, taking a fruit cup with a relieved grin.

  Jordan murmured a shy “Thank you,” her eyes flicking between Hazel and Alex.

  “Oh!” Stel turned quickly, gesturing. “Guys, this is Alex. She’s staying with us for now.”

  “Hi,” Alex said with a calm, confident smile. “Nice to meet you.”

  Erin, the most outgoing, stepped forward first. “You’re the one who—well, Stel didn’t say much, but I gathered things were a little complicated?”

  Alex ughed softly. “That’s one way to put it. I’m just another houseguest now. One who raids the fridge and walks with them to campus.”

  “She’s also auditing csses,” Hazel added, brushing invisible lint from her sleeve.

  Erin blinked. “Really? That’s cool. I’ve never met someone who actually audits anything.”

  “I like to sample before I commit,” Alex said smoothly. “That, and the registrar didn’t seem thrilled about fast-tracking anything.”

  “You’re already cooler than most of the campus,” Marcus said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I feel like we should be taking notes.”

  Jordan giggled quietly, hiding behind her cup.

  Alex gave her a soft, charming smile that seemed to fluster her further. “Don’t worry. I won’t make you write a report.”

  “She’s kind of like Hazel,” Stel said, mostly to herself—but Hazel caught it.

  “Oh?” Hazel arched an eyebrow.

  “Not like that,” Stel said quickly, cheeks coloring. “I mean… like… calm and sort of…” Her voice faltered as both Hazel and Alex turned their amused, golden-eyed attention on her.

  “Elegant?” Hazel offered innocently.

  “Unreasonably composed?” Alex added.

  “I didn’t mean it like—ugh,” Stel groaned, face in her hands. “You know what I mean.”

  “She thinks we’re intimidating,” Hazel told Alex.

  “She’s not wrong,” Alex replied, and the two of them exchanged a look before both ughed softly.

  “They’re kind of a unit already,” Erin muttered to Stel, elbowing her pyfully.

  “I know,” Stel whispered back, half proud and half exasperated.

  The group settled under the shade of a tree, talking and eating, while Hazel stood just slightly apart, watching with a soft gaze, and Alex leaned casually beside her, content to let the conversation move around them.

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