CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
Mr. Don Lancaster turns his head up toward the sky as he crosses a pedestrian bridge, his gaze observing the birds and tall structures touching the sky above. At eye level was the green pedestrian light, at an intersection. Hazel gripped onto his hand as she maneuvered through the crush of towering people coming her way. She was unable to discern whether there was even a sky or any big buildings. A woman's open coat's interior cloth scuffs on her right cheek. Before Don pulls her further along with him, Hazel tries to feel the damage on her delicate cheek. She then picks up the pace to keep up with Don's. 'Faster! Don exclaims, "Hazel, shouldn't we be there before the school closes down its gates?" Hazel wished to avoid making eye contact. She already had faster legs than her younger brother, Noah.
Mr. Don Lancaster turns his head up toward the sky as he crosses a pedestrian bridge, his gaze observing the birds and tall structures touching the sky above. At eye level was the green pedestrian light, at an intersection. Hazel gripped onto his hand as she maneuvered through the crush of towering people coming her way. She was unable to discern whether there was even a sky or any big buildings. A woman's open coat's interior cloth scuffs on her right cheek. Before Don pulls her further along with him, Hazel tries to feel the damage on her delicate cheek. She then picks up the pace to keep up with Don's. 'Faster! Don exclaims, "Hazel, shouldn't we be there before the school closes down its gates?" Hazel wished to avoid making eye contact. She already had faster legs than her younger brother, Noah.
In the third trimester, Noah was born a week early; however, problems during delivery caused his mother to pass tragically. As Hazel's mother passed away, Hazel was at the operating room door clutching Don's hand. She was simply too little to understand, hence she was unable to feel anything. Yet Hazel was certain of one thing—she would look after Noah. Hazel thought about her mom as she walked with Don toward the school, passing by a hospital emergency cabin inlet on her right side. An ambulance stood parked in reverse, three men and a woman in the nurse uniform stood around a stretcher with a black cover on top. 'Something is hidden there, under those covers.' Hazel thought. After a brief blink, they had moved past the hospital and were now close to the school's entrance. Notably, the gate was open. Hazel and Don both exhaled, "Phew." Don's grip on her hand loosens, signaling Hazel that it was time to let go off Don's hand. She can now climb the few stairs up to the top, show her identity card and go inside. They did not speak a word. Just an eye contact was all they needed. Hazel looks back and her left hand raises and waves at Don, as her legs pushing forward toward her classroom.
In the third trimester, Noah was born a week early; however, problems during delivery caused his mother to pass tragically. As Hazel's mother passed away, Hazel was at the operating room door clutching Don's hand. She was simply too little to understand, hence she was unable to feel anything. Yet Hazel was certain of one thing—she would look after Noah. Hazel thought about her mom as she walked with Don toward the school, passing by a hospital emergency cabin inlet on her right side. An ambulance stood parked in reverse, three men and a woman in the nurse uniform stood around a stretcher with a black cover on top. 'Something is hidden there, under those covers.' Hazel thought. After a brief blink, they had moved past the hospital and were now close to the school's entrance. Notably, the gate was open. Hazel and Don both exhaled, "Phew." Don's grip on her hand loosens, signaling Hazel that it was time to let go off Don's hand. She can now climb the few stairs up to the top, show her identity card and go inside. They did not speak a word. Just an eye contact was all they needed. Hazel looks back and her left hand raises and waves at Don, as her legs pushing forward toward her classroom.
Since their mother passed away, Don has been caring for Hazel and Noah. On occasion, as the two are sitting on the couch, Hazel will inquire about her father. After a silent moment, Don would turn on the TV since he had no response. Hazel always wondered why Don would ignore her questions. Hazel watched Cartoon Network to watch Tom and Jerry while she completed her homework. While she was working on her numbers with a pencil on the poor-quality paper, Don's eyes started to well up with tears. He could never show his tears to Hazel. But she knew.
Since their mother passed away, Don has been caring for Hazel and Noah. On occasion, as the two are sitting on the couch, Hazel will inquire about her father. After a silent moment, Don would turn on the TV since he had no response. Hazel always wondered why Don would ignore her questions. Hazel watched Cartoon Network to watch Tom and Jerry while she completed her homework. While she was working on her numbers with a pencil on the poor-quality paper, Don's eyes started to well up with tears. He could never show his tears to Hazel. But she knew.
Hazel observes her classmates at the parent-teacher conferences bringing their parents along. Don, Hazel's guardian, and her would always walk hand in hand. She wished to avoid contemplating it. She was content with Don and Noah, the people she has. She felt whole. Naturally, Hazel never experienced the affection and love that a daughter would have with both parents around. She always had this in her mind. She had only ever wanted Don to adopt her. She was aware that while she couldn't perceive adoption, she could read about it. Hazel went to the Central Library one sunny afternoon after she finished the fourth grade to satisfy her curiosity. Once she felt at ease, Hazel questioned Don, "Do you consider me as your daughter?" one night when Noah was asleep. "If so, will you adopt me and Noah? I wish we could address you as "Dad" one day". Don's emotional side, which he had been keeping from Hazel for so long, burst forward. Tears were streaming from his eyes. He realized that Hazel, despite her little-ness and the significant amount of work she put into asking me a crucial question, was actually a treasure in disguise. From the moment he started caring for Hazel and Noah, he had always wanted to adopt the children. He answered "yes."
Hazel observes her classmates at the parent-teacher conferences bringing their parents along. Don, Hazel's guardian, and her would always walk hand in hand. She wished to avoid contemplating it. She was content with Don and Noah, the people she has. She felt whole. Naturally, Hazel never experienced the affection and love that a daughter would have with both parents around. She always had this in her mind. She had only ever wanted Don to adopt her. She was aware that while she couldn't perceive adoption, she could read about it. Hazel went to the Central Library one sunny afternoon after she finished the fourth grade to satisfy her curiosity. Once she felt at ease, Hazel questioned Don, "Do you consider me as your daughter?" one night when Noah was asleep. "If so, will you adopt me and Noah? I wish we could address you as "Dad" one day". Don's emotional side, which he had been keeping from Hazel for so long, burst forward. Tears were streaming from his eyes. He realized that Hazel, despite her little-ness and the significant amount of work she put into asking me a crucial question, was actually a treasure in disguise. From the moment he started caring for Hazel and Noah, he had always wanted to adopt the children. He answered "yes."
The bell chimes as the clock's second hand reaches twelve. Hazel moved her scale, pencil, eraser, and other stationery items into the appropriate boxes and into her jute bag, which had a collage of yellow wildflowers printed on its sides. The girls moved toward their common rooms as the boys left with their groups. When Nivea patted Hazel on the shoulder, she immediately turned. Did you figure out the algebraic equation. With a sigh of despair on her face, Nivea replied, "I don't seem to get it.' After giving it some thought, 'After the break, shall I show you the problem', Hazel asked. 'Sure. Thank you', Nivea said. Outside the classroom, Hazel and Nivea departed in the direction of the hallway. The window's blinds appeared as a silhouette as they attempted to block the leaking sunlight. A breeze was blowing from an open window in her direction. When Hazel felt the somewhat hot and slightly cool air on her cheek, her right palm raised automatically to feel her right cheek, she felt it scratchy rather than smooth. Hazel was starting to remember the scene she saw at the hospital. Nivea paced forward, distracting Hazel and before anything could be recalled at all, Scarlet stood on the side of the hallway waving her left hand at Hazel and Nivea.
The bell chimes as the clock's second hand reaches twelve. Hazel moved her scale, pencil, eraser, and other stationery items into the appropriate boxes and into her jute bag, which had a collage of yellow wildflowers printed on its sides. The girls moved toward their common rooms as the boys left with their groups. When Nivea patted Hazel on the shoulder, she immediately turned. Did you figure out the algebraic equation. With a sigh of despair on her face, Nivea replied, "I don't seem to get it.' After giving it some thought, 'After the break, shall I show you the problem', Hazel asked. 'Sure. Thank you', Nivea said. Outside the classroom, Hazel and Nivea departed in the direction of the hallway. The window's blinds appeared as a silhouette as they attempted to block the leaking sunlight. A breeze was blowing from an open window in her direction. When Hazel felt the somewhat hot and slightly cool air on her cheek, her right palm raised automatically to feel her right cheek, she felt it scratchy rather than smooth. Hazel was starting to remember the scene she saw at the hospital. Nivea paced forward, distracting Hazel and before anything could be recalled at all, Scarlet stood on the side of the hallway waving her left hand at Hazel and Nivea.
