Hazel

Sara leaves and Hazel walks in she’s wearing a golden peach gown that makes the golden flecks in her eyes extra bright. I smile and walk over to give her a hug. “Do you promise to never leave me?” she asks as I wrap my arms around her. “Well, I can’t promise that, but I can promise that I will always wear the necklace you gave me and I will never leave you in my heart.” I can feel her smile against my collarbone. When she looks up at me, her eyes are damp and her nose is sniffly. “Hey, just think in a couple of years you’re going to be the one turning sixteen, and I will be the one crying!” We both laugh at that. I give her one more squeeze and let go. “Well,” I say, “I think we have a ball to get to.” She nods. “Do you remember when we were little we would sneak into the hall and dance and play games where we were at a ball?” I asked. Hazel nods, a smile creeping up on her face. “Well, I guess today is that day for you,” she says with a smile. “Let’s get going then. We don’t want to delay the fun now, do we?” Hazel asks. I wrap my fingers around hers and walk out the door, and I knew in that moment that no matter what happens I will never be alone.