Behind Closed Doors

07 - friends?

Hazel's POV:

I'm at the art studio today. It's raining, and it's honestly amazing. I'm the only one in here today which makes this experience even better.

I set my canvas up by a window so I can see and hear the rain as I work. I turn on my painting playlist, which consists of The Neighbourhood, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Girl in red, and Arctic Monkeys.

Essentially, it's my gay playlist as well.

Which fits today's painting. Because I'm painting her. Her being my rival. Her, being Natalia Hansley. Who's my best friend now, kinda? We talk. She brings me food when she knows I haven't eaten. She asks how my day was and gives me books to read when she reads the synopsis.

She also made me fall for her in a couple of fucking weeks.

"We fell in love in October.." I sing. Someone puts their hands on my waist, and I jump.

"Relax, Hazel." It's Natalia. I relax, and her hands go farther down my torso. She pulls me closer to her.

"That's me, Hazel," she says. I'm painting her taking a picture in a field of sunflowers. The sun is setting, the sky is orange and pink, and I'm sitting on a blanket, painting her taking the picture. It's not done yet, though. I'm looking up at her.

"That's us, at that," she whispers.

"Yeah," I say. She wraps her hands around my waist. Her hands rest on my stomach, and all of a sudden I am very insecure.

"Can we do something really quick, Hazel?" She asks. I turn around and meet her eyes.

"I think I'm gay," she says.

"Do you want me to give you the I'll love you no matter what speech..?" I ask. She chuckles.

"No. But I want you to kiss me," she says. I meet her eyes. We hold eye contact for a second, and her eyes flicker to my lips.

"To see if I like it. No strings attached, Hazel," she whispers. I kiss her.

And I love it.

We start to make out, and she pulls me closer to her. Her hands find their way to my hair, and she runs them through it. She lifts me up and puts me on the window sill. She starts to kiss down my neck, and I sigh.

"Hazel," she says, pulling away. I look up at her. She backs up and looks me up and down.

"Yeah?" I ask. She looks at my lips before kissing me once more.

"Hazel?" Rosie asks coming in. I jump and look at her.

"Rosie! Hi!" I say. Natalia looks at me, then at her.

"Is this your girlfriend?" She asks.

"Uh, no. No. We're just.."

"Complicated? Yeah, I get that. I just came to make something for mine but uh- I think I may come back tomorrow. You guys look busy.."

"No! No, stay, please! I don't mean to interfere really it's- better if we don't anyway.." Natalia looks at me.

"Are you sure? I don't know if she's really happy with your answer.." I look at Nat. Who is still looking at me.

"I'm sure. Stay, please," I say. She nods and goes to the back. I look at Nat again.

"I'm gay," she says. Good. Maybe you liked my lips enough that you want to continuously kiss them. That you want to wake up and see me sound asleep next to you and- I am in a conversation.

"I'll love you no matter what. I am so proud of you and-" She cuts me off by kissing me again.

"Shut up, Hazel." She moves my hair out of my face and caresses my cheek with my thumb. Essentially making me fall harder. But, she doesn't fucking know that.