Is sixteen really that sweet? For Hazel Hart it seems pretty average until her best friend shows up and brings a party with her which is SO against the rules.
PART II - HARDLY PARTYING
It's a Saturday and Hazel is tied up chatting with her cousin/BFF, Ros. Ros demands to know how 'studying' went with new, dark, broody, classmate Erik Denholm.
"We really just studied."
"Ugh. You are boring. You are like a piece of white bread. Hey wanna come to a party tonight?"
Before Hazel can be offended at Ros's insult or reply, it's almost as if Hazel's mother has magical hearing; she appears from nowhere, or rather just shows up in the entryway with a briefcase in hand.
"I need you to babysit your brother tonight. I'm going into work for an emergency."
Ros hears that proclamation and makes even more annoyed sounds from the other side of the line.
Raine hustles off to go be a high powered corporate lawyer.
Ros adjusts her plans, "How about I bring the party to you? Your dad is still out of town, right?"
"Yeah...but you KNOW I'm not supposed to have people over when Dad isn't here."
"Don't worry! I have everything covered!"
Hazel was right to be worried.
She immediately sees everyone pair off and find a different place to hang out. She offers to watch TV with Xander and Lydia Mae but they decline.
She sees Ros's brother, Roderick, and his girlfriend, Kaylee, making out in her family's hot tub! That scoundrel! He must have planned this, swimsuits and all!
She figures Ros just wanted an excuse to make out with her boyfriend, Liam, and also find a good place for all their friends to make out without adult supervision.
Even pictures of her parents from their young adult years are making out behind her. Mocking her, for her lack of having someone to make out with!
"Ros!" Hazel hisses, trying to get her attention.
"Why is everyone making out? What kind of party is this?"
"Hey don't knock it just yet. Besides, you are the one who said we couldn't be too noisy since it'd wake up Harrison."
"Just wait a moment longer, you'll thank me," Ros says cryptically and walks away as they hear a knock on the door.
Hazel flubs up her greeting as Erik Denholm enters saying "Thank you for having me to your party, Haschel. Sorry, I am late. Ros invited me last moment."
Hazel tries to find someplace to put Erik but instead, she finds Xander and Lydia Mae about to make out.
"Uhhh....actually there are darts we can play upstairs," Hazel awkwardly suggests, hoping Erik is not having the impression he needs to make out with her because they are the only ones not doing so right now.
"Do you think you can beat me?" Erik asks and he swipes up the darts.
"Maybe, I do play a lot." Hazel admits.
They start up a round and his aim is impeccable.
"What are those things on the shelves?" Erik asks as he aligns his dart with the bullseye.
"Oh, just trinkets from Dad's travels. He was always gone when I was a kid so made sure to bring me back a lot of gifts to make up for it."
She doesn't want to think about her Dad though because she knows if he ever finds out she had this many people over when he was gone, she's going to be grounded for a long time.
He ends up winning by only a few points. She doesn't mind, she's not terribly competitive.
"You are very good. I'm impressed." Erik compliments her and leans in close with a smile like he's sharing a secret when they are done with 5 rounds.
Hazel thinks he might kiss her but he breaks eye contact when Ros interrupts them, "Hey Haze. Uh. Your brother is awake."
"What? Noooo. How?" Hazel's worry is heightened because Harrison is a sneaky tattletale brat, not to mention her moment with Erik is ruined.
"I don't know! I wasn't being too loud!"
Downstairs Harrison is the main attraction. Hazel tries the approach to sweeten him up, using a non-threatening tone, asking him what he's doing out of bed.
"I wanted a drink of water. Why are all these people here? It's not allowed!"
"I know, but..."
"I'm gonna tell DAD."
Hazel panics, and foregoes negotiating, "What do you want?"
"Can I have anythiiiing?" Harrison gets a devilish little smile on his obnoxious face.
"Let's hear it first," she frowns.
"I want to drive Xander's car and kiss his girlfriend."
Hazel is SO embarrassed.
"Yeah that's not happening," Hazel grumbles and grabs Harrison by his night shirt and drags him back to his room.
"Okay for real, you CANNOT tell Dad about this. Please don't be such a brat for once!"
"I'm not a brat! But I could use some money. Kingston is selling trading cards on the playground next week."
"Five simoleans enough?"
"Make it ten and I'll keep your shameful secret!"
Hazel forks over her chore money to Harrison who goes back to bed. She tells Roderick and Kaylee their hot tub time is over.
"Everyone should just go home."
"Really? You paid him off, why can't we stay a bit longer?" Ros tries making a point, to continue to make out.
"Mom will come home sometime. She never said when she was coming back."
"Fine, fine...but don't forget to say good bye to Erik," Ros smiles and winks before she departs.
"Sorry about that. My brother can be such a pain. I will see you Monday," Hazel explains in a rush of words, utterly lost in Erik's smile.
"No worries, my sister can be worse. Thanks again for having me to party, it was fun," Erik says and leans in again, "Have a good night, Haschel."
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