No Longer His Backup Girl

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Chapter 3

Hazel's POV

Three days had passed since I accepted Northwestern's offer, and my life seemed calm as usual. I went to work on time, came home on time, and could even manage a smile when I ran into Brent.

Only I knew that inside, everything had been turned upside down.

The girl who was ready to give up everything for him was dead. Now I was just waiting for the right moment to end this charade once and for all.

"Let's have a barbecue at Malibu Beach!" Jake excitedly waved his phone. "As a graduation farewell party!"

I sat on Jake's couch, struggling to maintain a calm expression. Farewell party. How fitting.

"Awesome!" Brent immediately perked up. "I'll bring Sienna! She hasn't seen a California beach yet."

Jake looked at me. "Hazel, you should come too. Let's get all the old friends together."

"Sure." I forced a smile.

Brent was texting Sienna, not even glancing at me, his fingers flying across the screen.

"She says she's bringing bikinis!" Brent was excited like a kid. "She says girls from LA really know how to dress."

I quietly watched his animated expression, feeling a strange calmness wash over me. So this is what you look like when you're truly excited about a girl? Good. At least I finally see what real infatuation looks like.

And that person will never be me.


Weekend afternoon, Malibu Beach.

When Sienna appeared in a pink bikini, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to her. Even I had to admit she had an amazing figure.

"Wow, Sienna, you look stunning!" Jake praised without reservation.

And Brent was completely mesmerized.

"You... you look beautiful," he stammered.

Sienna smiled shyly. "Thanks for the compliment. But the sun is really intense..."

"No problem!" Brent immediately jumped up. "I'll help you with sunscreen! Sit here."

I quietly watched him carefully apply sunscreen on her, his movements incredibly gentle.

"Hazel, aren't you getting help from anyone?" Sienna asked sweetly.

"I'm used to doing it myself," I replied flatly.

That was true. I was indeed used to doing things myself, because no one had ever volunteered to do these things for me.

"Don't be shy, Hazel," Brent suddenly turned around, as if remembering some obligation. "I'll help you in a bit. Sit over there and wait."

In a bit. I laughed coldly inside. Always "in a bit." Always after he's taken care of Sienna first.

"No need. I already applied it."

Besides, soon you won't need to worry about taking care of me "in a bit" anymore.


After the bonfire was lit, everyone started grilling. Brent bustled around taking care of Sienna, giving her the best steak, the biggest shrimp, even personally preparing her seasonings.

Sienna chatted happily with everyone, telling stories about Los Angeles, occasionally cracking jokes that made everyone laugh.

"You know what? In LA, seagulls are more aggressive than people! Once I was eating a burger on the beach, and a seagull literally snatched the entire burger right from my hands!"

"Haha! Really?"

"Of course! I almost cried, and that seagull just stood there staring at me like it was taunting me!"

Everyone was amused by her stories, even the usually introverted classmates joined the discussion. And I sat in the corner like an outsider.

It's okay. Soon I'll be in Chicago. You can all chat about LA seagulls to your heart's content.

"Hazel, have you ever been to Los Angeles?" someone asked.

"No."

"Do you have any interesting stories to share with us?"

I shook my head. "Nothing special."

The air became awkward for a moment. Sienna immediately smoothed things over. "Hazel's more reserved, not a chatterbox like me. Everyone has different personalities."

This sounded considerate, but it actually highlighted my dullness even more. Good, keep showcasing your charm. This is the last time anyway.

My good friend Sarah sat beside me and whispered, "Hazel, I think Brent is being a bit... too enthusiastic about Sienna. Aren't you worried?"

"Nothing to worry about," I replied calmly. "They're friends."

"But..." Sarah wanted to say something, but seeing my indifferent expression, she finally kept quiet.

"Brent, could you take some photos for me?" Sienna asked coquettishly. "My friends in LA want to see the California beach scenery."

"Of course!" Brent immediately put down his food, as if he'd heard the most important call.

He took countless photos for her, carefully adjusting angles for each shot, more dedicated than a professional photographer.

"So beautiful! You're a natural in front of the camera."

After finishing, he suddenly remembered me. "Hazel, do you want some photos too? It's rare to come to the beach."

"No need."

"Come on, don't be like that!" He actually came over to pull me.

"Really, no need." I gently pulled away from his hand. I don't need your patronizing concern.


As the sun set, everyone started talking about post-graduation plans.

"Brent, what are you and Sienna planning?" Jake asked gossipily.

Sienna "shyly" lowered her head. "We're planning to go to Michigan State together."

"Of course I'm going with her!" Brent immediately declared. "It wouldn't be safe for her to go to another state alone. Plus, we're good friends—it would be such a shame to separate."

Good friends. I laughed coldly inside. What a load of BS.

Then he looked at me, his eyes full of assumption. "Right, Hazel? The three of us together, just like before."

All eyes focused on me. In that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of absurdity.

Even now, he naively thinks I'll follow them to the same university? Still thinks I'll always be content being their third wheel?

Oh Brent, what would your expression be if you knew I'd already accepted Northwestern's offer?

I maintained my smile. "Yeah, just like before."

This answer satisfied Brent completely. He even patted my shoulder. "I knew Hazel would understand me best. We grew up together—she knows exactly what I'm thinking."

Knows exactly what you're thinking.

If I really knew what you were thinking, I wouldn't have wasted all these years on you. But it's okay. This game is about to end.

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