Paradis

Only a few minutes stopped Hazel from being in the arms of her boyfriend once again after the three days and three nights he spent in the hospital.

Due to the recent plane crash, a lot of patients were rushed to the hospital, many needing surgery and Cyrus being a skilled doctor ,had to be in the surgery room for hours with little time to rest.

She once again looked at the wall clock in her office before looking down at the teenage boy in front of her.

Another way she passed time in school was with Luke, a teenager with wild thoughts.And, as a guidance counselor she thought her only job was to give advice to teenagers and guide them to the right part in life but Luke had an active imagination.

" Like this game that the Hayes entertainment company launched this year Miss Crown, imagine our dreams take us to a different reality.

It could be like the matrix but in your head. A place where you could meet your soulmate even without meeting in our reality."

Luke said with a glitter of excitement in his eyes.

" I wish I could relate to what you're saying Luke, but I've heard of seeing people you know in your dreams. Idoubt you'd see someone you don't know, unless its a gift from the Almighty. " Hazel replied.

He looked at her in complete disbelief and shock.

" Is this how middle aged people think, I'm 16 and I'm sure being your age doesn't mean I'd be such a downer. Have a little fun imagination Miss Crown, you never know, you could actually be fortunate. "

" I'm barely thirty years old." she whispered to herself. And leaned back on her chair, placing her hand on her face , dreading every moment she waited for the bell.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled at her as he stood up from the seat.

" I guess seeing is believing Miss Crown. "

The school bell blasts and voices echo in the hallway as more teenagers walk out of different classrooms.

Hazel smiled to herself at the thought of seeing her boyfriend which caused her to jolt up in a rush not paying attention to Luke.

" We can continue this discussion on Monday, same time? " she smiled and grabbed her bag and pushed him out the door,locking it behind her.

She sprinted to her car trying to hide the excitement in her eyes and face before driving off.

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Hazel parked inside a garage and walked into the house, scanning the living room before finally placing her eyes on a tall man with chestnut brown hair brushed back. He removed his glasses and smiled at her.

She ran over to him and threw herself at him. Taking in his coffee scent.

" Good evening Doctor Cyrus" she giggled

" Good evening Miss Hazel, what good advice did you give today " he said as his hands run through her short black hair.

" I'm so happy to see you, have you been eating well, your hand must be sore from different surgeries. But it's fine, I bought a massage oil and this amazing tea, it'll really help you relax "

She went on as she noticed his smile fading. She grabbed his face and looked into his eyes.

" Hey what's wrong " she asked, searching for answers in his eyes.

" I'm really sorry, I'm not staying long, I have a conference and it's really important. It's at Eldirda city. For the weekend." Hazel stepped back and dropped her arms to her side.

Eldirda was almost eleven hours on the road and two hours by flight. The city where everyone wants to be. She had never been there but, she preferred a small town like Oakville..

She gave a small smile and looked back at him.

" It's fine, I understand " her smile completely faded as she caught a glimpse of his already packed bags sitting on the couch.

She didn't expect that he would be so ready to leave.

He followed her eyes and sighed.

" I have to leave now, the Professor already booked the flight and it leaves in an hour, I just wanted to see you before leaving " he placed his head on hers and kissed her nose.

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They walked towards the door together and she watched him get into his car and drive off.

She closed the door and turned to the empty house once again, she scanned the living room grabbed her bag from the sofa, heading to the bedroom.

After a long shower she walked to the kitchen and opened the tea she got for Cyrus. The kitchen was filled with amazing scent of roses which made her feel like she was in a garden.

After sipping the tea she went into her room and relaxed on the bed. She sighed as she felt the tea perform it's magic.

Her body went from a floating sensation to being on the clouds.

She took a deep breath and smiled at the relaxing feeling as she drifted into sleep.

"Hazel" a sweet, feminine voice yelled in a half whisper.

She tossed and turned on the bed. The sheets slowly peeled from her body and fell to the floor. She shuffled around for e sheets and touched something furry.

" It's impossible to get you up and moving when you're like this " the voice continued.

Hazel tossed, oblivious to the furry thing next to her.

" Hazel, I swear I'm not doing this anymore. You have to wake up." The voice continued.

" Five more minutes." She turned away from the voice.

She felt something jump behind her on the bed.

The thought of being alone after Cyrus left hit her creating a twist of fear in her stomach.

Her eyes fluttered open and she quietly turned around, settling her gaze on a Maine coon; a white cat with ocean blue eyes. The cat sat majestically on the bed while licking its paws.

It stopped and looked straight into her eyes and blinked.

" Finally, you're awake" the cat said.

Hazel scream and backed away, falling the the floor with a loud thud.

She came face to face with a mirror. Trembling at the sight of a figure in the mirror in front of her.

Instead of her black short hair, she touched dense wavy ones.

The only thing she found familiar asides from her face, were her lavender eyes.

She squeezed her hair tightly, attempting to pull off the 'wig'.

She winced from the pain on her scalp.

She turned slowly and looked around, the room which was supposed to be a minimalist aesthetic instead it looked like a house swallowed by flowers.

She looked at the sunflowers and lilies everywhere in the room.

" Sheesh! you scream now? Usually you cover your face with a pillow when I wake you up." Kamari scoffed. She strutted to the end of the bed and jumped to the floor.

" W- what are you, why do you speak, why can you speak " she stuttered while trying to sink into the wall behind her.

" I am not happy because we're late and I speak because I want to " Kamari replied.

" What in the world is going on,Hazel, you should know that I do not have time for things that would drain my aura so please, for the love of everything pretty and clean, can we start the day. I feel like I've been sleeping for hours"

Kamari yawed and headed out the door. Hazel gasped again and her hand flew to her mouth.

She looked into the mirror one more time and blinked.

She was obviously the person in the mirror.

" What's going on" she whispered and reluctantly followed behind.

Kamari sat on a kitty sofa in the living room which looked nothing like her home.

" Who.. are you, " she shook her head.

"No what are you?"

" What?" Kamari hissed and pounced on the table close to her.

She strutted towards her and gestured to Hazel to come closer. Hazel looked around and reluctantly inched closer to Kamari.

Kamari put her forehead on Hazel's and closed her eyes, leaving Hazel confused as her eyes circles the room.

" You really don't remember " Kamari said as she backed away.

" My name is Kamari, your spirit animal"

" My... What ? " she questioned.

Kamari jumped down and made herself comfortable on Hazel's laps and closed her eyes.

The uncomfortable feeling created a knot in Hazel's stomach. She scanned the room for some kind of escape.

" Don't bother, I feel everything you're thinking. We have to open up the shop though. So keep it together. I'll update you on our way " Kamari said.

She jumped down and gestured towards a large basket filled with several types flowers.

Hazel walked towards it in awe and smiled. She always adored flowers.

" It's beautiful " she closed her eyes and took in the wonderful scent.

" Kamari, Is it " she questioned and Kamari nodded

"I have a lot of questions. I don't know how I got here or why I'm here, I have no idea what this is either "

The door behind them creaked open. Then she and Kamari turned towards the door

A tall man with black neck length hair started at Hazel in shock. His jade green eyes pierced through Hazel.

Her emotions danced around in a chaotic circle. Confused, she took a step back.

" Today, I'm cooking. You're not the only chef in the ....." Milo; a panda wearing a tiny bag strapped to his stomach, trailed at the sight of Hazel.