AGE( it is just a number)

Truth

                           Hardin Castillo

   Shadows crawled over the world around me , and the tension in the air was thick , the heat filling the empty spaces between Austin and I
I was paralysed to the spot , the menacing aura holding me in a tightening grip
But why is he here?Who is he to Hazel, Mike, why the hell did she address him as Mike?Did he change his name?
"Jay". he called again and I took a deep breathe and let it out slowly
    Opening my mouth , I tried to say something but couldn't find my voice
      I was confused and scared at the same time!
"What is going on here?"Hazel asked . "Do you both know each other?" She looked at me and then at him.
   "Erm yes Hazel , we used to be friends  back in London". he answered , letting out a nervous chuckle and I scoffed silently
  Friends!did he just that! how dare he lie to my face!
  "but what is it with the names". She continued. "I mean why did you address him as Jay and who the hell Is Austin?"
   "It is just an Alias ". Austin lied, glancing at me.
   I stood there on the spot , staring blankly at him.
    I was too nervous to say or think about anything, I  wanted to run away from here as fast as possible but hell no, I can't leave Hazel with this bastard
     "Oh I see". I heard her say as she flashed the "bastard" a smile
  Did she just smile at him? what exactly is the relationship between them? or wait a minute! Is he her date! I wondered and only then did I notice the way the was dressed.
Damn! this is really not going to end well .
  Mike continued. "So Are you ready for the date?" his eyes roamed all over her body and that was it ,the  anxiety in me turned to anger and I flared up
"Are you blind! Didn't you just see us kiss? or are you too dumb to know what that means?" I half yelled, shooting daggers at him and he seemed taken aback a bit
    "So?"he quickly composed himself . "Do you think I will let a mere kiss get to me?"he retorted in a huff and then faced Hazel again
     "Are you ready?" he repeated , but this around his lips were quavering.
       I slowly shifted my gaze to Hazel and caught her staring at me, and from the look in her eyes I could tell she was confused.
"Will you go with him?" I asked calmly
   Her blue eyes bore into mine and I saw the tears filling in her eyes , it was as if she was pleading with me not to hurt her.
  She ignored my question and heaved a sigh, facing Austin or should I say Mike.
    "I am sorry Mike , but I don't think I can't do this"
  "But why?" Mike stared in disbelief.
"erm ... that is because I am in love with Hardin". She stated.
   My heart stopped beating. Love! Did she just say she love me!
  "This is bullshit Hazel! how is that possible". Mike retorted in anger ."Jay erm I mean Hardin is still a fucking under age kid"
   "No, he isn't underage , he is an eighteen year old adult". She corrected with a yell and I let out a long deep audible breathe I never knew I was holding
     "And even if he is still an underage , I will still  choose him because I love him and .......
"Haz, That is enough". I cut in . "you don't have to spell it out".
Austin scoffed . "Stay out of this"
"And why would I? "You heard what she said right, she wants me and not you". I stated boldly as he glared at me
"We really need to talk". he gritted his teeth , I could tell he was trying so hard to control his anger .
"I know!"
    "Good". he reached into his wallet for his pocket , opened it and took out a square like paper
  "Here" . He handed it to me
  I stared down at the card and the anxiety returned
  It was his business card with his number boldly written on it
  "What should I do with it?"I asked , trying to calm down my panic
  "Call me tomorrow by this time if you don't want me to do anything stupid". he threatened and with that , stormed out of the house .
     My whole body suddenly felt weak and I had to collapse on the sofa to stop myself from falling
"Hardin, you alright?"Hazel asked, sitting beside me and I nodded slowly
"Are you sure? Is it because of Mike? Don't take his words seriously , he is only being Jealous"
I sighed deeply.She really doesn't know who he is !!!!
"For how long have you been friends with him? " i wanted to know more about their friendship.
She shrugged. "Uhm... uhm .. for about two years , we do work together not until I got fired"
   "And what kind of work is that?"
"As an attendant in a mall".She answered
Really! So the Almighty "Austin" can work in a mall
"But why are you asking?"
"I just want to know". I easily replied . "and also do me a favour and please stay away from him".
  She shot me a surprise look. "Why?"
"Because I don't don't want him near you".
She was quiet for a moment and then smirked
"Are you jealous?"
"This is not about me being jealous, just do as I say"
With that , I stood up and pulled her to me
"Thanks for standing up for me Haz". I said softly and saw her face flushed
"Erm .. erm .. it is nothing, I just feel it is the right thing to do"
Cupping her cheeks , I stared into her face as I wondered about what she said about loving me .
Should I be happy about it? Is it a good thing for her loving me? Can I even handle it? What if I end up hurting her?
I sighed softly, I guess I should just go with the flow.
My phone rang suddenly rang and I reached for it to check out the caller and noticed it was Richard.
Shit!completely forgot about him
"I need to be on my way Haz".
"Alright". She nodded . "see you on Monday".
I kissed on her lips briefly and scurried out of the house and got to the car just in time to hear a little girl yell at Richard.
"What is going on here?" I looked at the girl and then at Richard
"It is this little kid". Richard drawled. " she wants to know why I parked out in front of her house"
I chuckled, shifting my gaze to the girl and that was when I saw the keen resemblance between she and Hazel.
"Oh! You must be Hazel little sister right?"
"who are you?" She fired at me
"Pardon my manners Ma'am, I am Hardin ....."
"Castillo". She completed , her eyes open in surprise
"Yes, Castillo"
"Wow ! So if I am not mistaken, you came over here just to see my sister?" She picked her words
     "Yes". I replied
"Does that mean you like her too?"She continued , her light brown eyes boring deeply into mine and I nodded absentmindedly
Those eyes of hers were damn familiar , I was so sure I have seen it before, but where? I tilted my head as I tried to remember and the memories of my night mares flashed on .
Yes, the little girl standing in front of me has the same brown eyes with the man in my night mares!
No it can't be! It must be a mere coincidence. I waved it off
"So what is your name?"
She cleared her throat. "I am Alexia"
"Alright Alexia , we will get to see some other time". I opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat.
"Alright Hardin". She bade as Richard started the car and drove off.

Hazel Dakota