Chapter 2: What Mason Left Behind
It was Mason's handwriting.
A small folded note, stitched into the lining beneath the largest rose.
Hazel's hands shook so badly she could barely open it.
The gym went completely still.
Then she read it out loud — her voice breaking on every word.
*"Hazelnut.
If you're reading this, Eli kept his promise to me.
I made him swear, the week before the accident, that if anything ever happened to me — he'd make sure you still went to prom.
I told him you'd try to say no.
I told him you'd lock your door.
I told him to show up anyway.
The dress was my idea.
I described exactly what you always wanted.
He did the rest.
I need you to know — I see you.
I'm so proud of you.
Now stop crying and go dance.
Love, Mason."*
Nobody moved.
Somewhere near the back, a girl started crying.
Then I realized — I was already on my knees.
But that wasn't all.
Eli reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something else — something he hadn't told me about.
A photograph.
Old.
Slightly creased.
He held it out to Hazel and said quietly, "He gave me one more thing to keep for you.
He said you'd know what it meant."
Hazel looked at the photo — and her face completely changed.
She whispered one word.
And the room went silent all over again.
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What was in that photograph — and what did Hazel whisper?
The full story will make you cry and smile at the same time.
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