An Angel and An Elephant

Date: January 4

Hazel felt a heaviness in her chest when she woke up. It was as if she had swallowed a gold brick and it was now weighing her down heavily. She wondered why and then remembered her fight with Frank the previous day. Anger and regret mingled within her and she barely touched her porridge that morning.

    Nico noticed that something was off and when she clambered into his car, he didn't play music as usual, but instead drove without.

     "What's wrong?" Nico finally asked Hazel.

      "I got into a fight with Frank yesterday," Hazel admitted.

     "Over what?" Nico asked.

      "Over you," Hazel admitted. "I told him how Octavian said you and I are very different and he agreed."

      "Hazel," Nico said. "For once, I have to agree with Octavian. You and I are different and that's a good thing. We don't have to be exactly the same because we share the same father."

     "But Frank said that people like me more," Hazel said, her voice catching in her throat. "He said that you were like black licorice and I like a cinnamon roll. He said you were an acquired taste."

    "I'm only an acquired taste because some people's palettes are too basic," Nico said.

    Hazel laughed. The heaviness in her chest eased, but did not disappear. Nico gave his sister a smile and played one of her favorite songs as he drive the rest of the way to school.

***    "Hazel," Frank said as he approached her locker tentatively. "Can I speak with you?"

     Hazel looked up at Frank. His hair was messy as if he had slept badly and there were dark circles underneath his eyes. He was chewing his lips and his warm brown eyes looked hollow as he drank in the sight of her.

     "Yes, where do you want to speak?" Hazel asked.

    "Umm, the janitor's closet is clear," Frank said. "Bob is cleaning up a mess in the science wing."

     Hazel nodded and followed Frank. She had never felt so awkward around someone — even when she had to speak with Jacob after their breakup. The janitor's closet was free of souls, but filled with brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies. It was cramped, but offered a private place for the two of them to speak.

"I need to properly apologize to you," Frank said. "What I said to you about your brother yesterday — it was uncalled for and wrong of me. I fear that I am as clumsy with my words as I am with my two feet. I'm deeply sorry for upsetting you."

Hazel looked into Frank's face and she saw sincerity shining in his eyes. She nodded and leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"I am sorry too for growing angry so fast," Hazel said. "I'm just protective of my brother."

"You're a good sister," Frank said.

Hazel was about to say something more, but the warning bell rang. The two exchanged a glance and then spun off. They dodged Bob and managed to run into Mrs. Dodds's class with four seconds to spare.

    "You're nearly late," Mrs. Dodds chided them. "Where were you?"

    "Umm..." Hazel said, feeling her cheeks warm and beginning to fan herself.

    "We were in the janitor's closet," Frank said quickly, his own cheeks pink.

     "They were totally making out in the closet," Leo said, wiggling his eyebrows.

     "I hope it was that and not a prank on our hardworking janitor," Mrs. Dodds said. "You two may have avoided the noodle this time, but if this happens again, you will face its wrath."