If anyone else attempted to have this conversation with Hazel, she would immediately believe that the only reason that they were saying anything was just to use her in some way, mainly to have sex with her. But hearing the words move through Griffinâs mouth, she entertained the idea inside her head. He wasnât like everyone else, right? If he said that he would help her out, he really would. Wouldnât he? Wasnât he just a friend? Friends cuddle, right? All while she pondered and danced so many questions in her head, finally, she nodded and agreed. Although, now, was the offer rhetorical or was he really offering. âSold â, and on my end, if you are able to get me to sleep, Iâll bake you anything your heart desires as a token of my appreciation,â she mentioned. The deal wasnât bad at all: cuddles, a song, and tea? It sounded perfect. âAlthough, Iâve got the admit. I wouldnât peg you to have strong cuddle game, Griff,â she confessed. âYou have a signature song you sing â yâknow, like one you think you sound the best singing?âÂ
Hazel covered her mouth with a shake of her head, taken over by joy. The stories that the employers of the day care could tell made the woman light up more than she thought could ever be possible. She smiled underneath the cover to her mouth, slowly peeling her hand away now. âThat really doesnât surprise me he did that, by the way. And me? Singing? You can bet your bottom dollar that Iâll chime in. I love singing with the kiddos,â she stated excitedly. Before Hazelâs life was totally ruined and taken over by her mental health years back, she had a dream to teach music to children. So, when she was told that there was a possibility of singing as part of the job, it didnât steer her away one bit; if anything, it drove her home. âDid they request anything?â she inquired.Â
âOf course Iâm accusing you of breaking her heart,â she restated after his comment, giggling. âItâs alright, you know â Iâll let her down for you. Iâm sure I can make something up. Oh, maybe you can have a crush on someone else â OR  you could have a girlfriend already?â she flagged her brows. âThat might get her off your tail,â she mentioned. Hazel shook her head at Griffinâs foolery, âStop sleeping on mats made for small children,â she reminded him instantly in a joke, grinning. Hazel watched as Griffin grabbed the other items for the childrenâs snack time â glad to have someone who was taller to get to the places that she could reach.Â
âWhy did you bring Jinx to Springfest?â she shook her head in shock, but moreso confusion than anything else, canting her head to the side and placing one hand on her hip like a concerned mother would. Once she realized the stance she took, she removed her hand and returned it into the pockets on her hoodie and leaned against the counter as she sighed. âSo much drama but hey, at least it doesnât revolve around me,â she mentioned, trying to look at the brighter side of the situations she was in. And then, she could control the fit of giggles in that moment when Griffin offered to beat someone up for her. Hazel nudged him, âCâmon, letâs be real. Youâre too afraid to say no to these kids and you made us let the spider go outside instead of letting one of the kids kill it. Youâre not beating up anyone, my friend. Let it go,â she paused, âBut thank you,â she said appreciatively.Â
what was he doing? was this playful banter? or was griffin actually offering to cuddle and sing her to sleep? it wasnât like they werenât friends and friends did these kind of things all the time. right? still, without much thought but into it, here he was offering up his free time to help her get a good nightâs sleep. âfirst, iâm offended that youâre questioning my cuddle game. do you not see this face?â he took a moment to gesture to his own mug. âscreams cuddle monster.â griffin was her friend and deep down he knew heâd do anything she needed from him. whether or not it was what friends did. âdone. iâll be over tonight." her question gave him pause. taking a moment to ponder an answer, griffin looked at the ground before meeting her eyes again. âsomewhere over the rainbow. itâs my go-to.â there had been plenty of times at the daycare where a child was restless. it had always helped a little.
narrowing his eyes at her laughter, griffin put on a performance of being offended. âi cannot believe youâre laughing at me right now. they are climbing me like a tree and youâre amused! i am hurt, hazel, truly hurt,â he whispered in shock. âand here i thought we were friends.â hazel was right. no matter what those kids wanted, griffin tried his best to make it happen. they were his favorite part of the day. âoh they donât discuss their music choices with. when i asked they said and i quote âmiss hazel knowsâ.â
âis it my fault that iâm so handsome? itâs a curse, i know,â he joked, shaking with silent laughter. âokay, seriously. i just donât want to hurt her little feelings. so just tell me what you say and iâll roll with it. a girlfriend, crush, whatever you need to.â griffin certainly wasnât seeing anyone. even with serena being back in town. did he like someone? that has yet to be determined, he thought to himself as he caught himself glancing at hazel from the corner of his eye. as he began putting things on the paper plates, he laughed. âi knew i could count on you.â
âoh i should explain that better. we found her at spring fest. she bit him and then we searched for her. i couldnât leave a helpless kitten alone so now sheâs mine,â he shrugged his shoulders as if it wasnât a big deal. to him, it wasnât. hazel wasnât wrong. griffin had maybe punched two people in his entire life and they were in defense of himself or others. violence was not in his nature. still, griffin bowed his head to catch her eyes through the giggles. âiâm being serious. say the word and iâll fight someone. maybe not physically or verbally --- but you best believe iâll give them a stern talking to.â