Hazenwood

By B. A. Watson

Hazenwood follows the lives of five college friends as they struggle to deal with situations that freshman year brings. A combination of friendship, fun, sex, and betrayal leads them to a horrifying ending that they never saw coming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546202431

Book preview

© 2017 B. A. Watson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/15/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0244-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0243-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

About the Author

Chapter One

"This is Marcie Evans from Channel 13, and I’m coming to you with breaking news. A shooter has been reported by the police to be on the Hazenwood campus at this very moment. What was going to be a lovely holiday celebration for some has turned into a nightmare they never thought they’d endure.

Although the shooter hasn’t been fully identified, sources have been saying that it’s a white, male student. We have unconfirmed reports that the shooter was last seen in the student union. The entire Hazenwood campus is officially on lockdown. We’ll be broadcasting live when we hear more news."

September 2017 (Two Months Earlier)

It was a beautiful day in Hazenwood, Georgia, as Kyle Pruitt pulled up outside his dorm hall. The sun shined brightly over the college campus. The leaves were a mixture of red and green, signaling the arrival of fall. Pop music blasted as the smell of freshly cut lawn filled the air.

It was nearly four in the afternoon. Campus was crowded with families. Cars lined up outside of the dormitories. Workers dressed up in blue polos and khakis organized everything as people carried a variety of boxes inside the buildings. Kyle was immediately greeted by a female worker as he got out of the car.

Hi, welcome to Hazenwood. My name is Andrea, and I’ll be helping you get situated today.

Andrea was short and petite. She had long, brown hair that she kept to one side. Her skin was smooth and slightly tan. She had a wide, genuine smile and hazel eyes.

What’s the name? She asked.

Kyle Pruitt. Bradley Hall, Kyle answered. If I’m not mistaken, I have a single room on the fourth floor.

Andrea traced her pen up and down the notepad in her hands. Yup. Kyle Pruitt, room 416. I just need to see your student I.D., and you’ll have to sign a few papers. You should be set to move in after that.

It only took ten minutes for the two of them to go over all of the important forms before Andrea handed Kyle his room key. The movers who helped the students carry their belongings to the dorms left campus after four, so Kyle was stuck with having to move his things in by himself. Thankfully, he’d packed lightly.

He had two big suitcases and a small one. There were a few other things in two cardboard boxes, including old family photos and books that he read as a child. As far as accessories, he only brought his audio speaker. All of the utilities were included in his dorm, so he was set in that area.

Chatter and music surrounded him in the hallway as he moved his things from the pile in the hallway into his dorm room. He left his door open to the loudness of families conversing. He was probably one of the few students who was moving in alone. Most students had their parents helping them move in, but Kyle was alone. He’d been preparing himself for this day over the past few months.

Hey, you made it! an excited voice yelled.

Kyle turned around to see a handsome young man standing in the doorway. He was tall and athletic. He had feathered, dirty blonde hair and ocean blue eyes. Along with these features, his skin just happened to be perfectly tanned.

I was wondering who my neighbor was going to be, the guy said. I’m Colton. Colton McKenzie.

He invited himself in to shake Kyle’s hand. Kyle hesitated at first but eventually obliged.

Kyle Pruitt.

Colton scanned the room. You need some help unpacking, man?

Kyle shook his head. I think I can handle it.

Colton nodded understandingly as he continued to study the room, admiring how spacious it was. Where are you coming here from?

Small place in Cincinnati.

Ohio. Cool, Colton said, I’m from here. Good old Hazenwood. I kind of wish I grew up in a smaller town sometimes, you know?

It’s nothing special, Kyle said, Not much to do there.

Well, I can definitely tell you that there’s a lot to do here in Georgia, Colton said. If you ever need someone to show you around, just hit me up.

Kyle nodded as he started unpacking, avoiding eye contact.

Colton could see that Kyle didn’t want to be bothered at the moment. Afraid of coming off as pushy, he took the hint to leave. Okay, well, I just wanted to introduce myself. Some friends and I are going to dinner tonight. You should come. It’ll be two people from my high school and my roommate. You can meet everyone.

First day of move in, and Kyle had already been invited to go out with people. After everything that had happened, this was his opportunity at a fresh start.

Yeah, if I’m not too tired. I can probably make it, Kyle said. He was still hesitant to put himself out there too quickly, but it would be nice to get acquainted with the neighbor.

Sounds good, Colton said. I’ll leave you to your unpacking. Nice to meet you, man.

Kyle closed his door after Colton left. He could still hear some of the music coming through the walls, but it was mostly quiet in his room now.

It took him forty-five minutes to an hour to fully unpack and get his room situated. He wasn’t much into decorating. He’d put up a few posters of his favorite movies, varying from Remember the Titans to The Dark Knight. There was also a calendar that had different puppies on it every month and a picture of him with his parents on his desk by the bed.

It was getting close to six in the afternoon. Just sitting around his room would drive him mad, so Kyle decided to go for a walk around campus. As soon as he entered the hallway, he saw Colton conversing with another guy.

Hey, where’re you headed? He asked.

Just thought I’d walk around for a bit, Kyle said. He didn’t care what Colton was up to, but he knew that it was polite to ask. What about you?

We’re not up to much right now. Getting dinner in the next hour or so, Colton said. He then looked at the guy standing across from him and then back at Kyle. Oh right. This is my roommate.

The roommate waved politely. I’m Bryce. Nice to meet you.

Kyle nodded silently. Kyle here.

Bryce was average height and built very well. He had dark brown skin that matched his eyes and a faded haircut. Just like Colton, he was fairly attractive.

Kyle would probably consider himself to be beneath the two guys in the looks department. Although he didn’t think so, Kyle was quite handsome. He was tall and lean. His skin was fairly tanned and smooth. He had black curly hair that he kept in a man bun. His leafy green eyes stood out more than anything.

You mind if we walk around with you? Colton asked.

Sure, I guess, Kyle said. I have no idea where I’m going anyway.

The guys continued down the hallway.

Kyle’s from Ohio, Colton told Bryce.

Bryce’s face lit up. Finally. Someone who isn’t from Hazenwood. I was starting to think I was the only one.

Kyle let out a light chuckle. It was the first time he’d laughed in a while. Where are you from then?

I grew up in Louisiana. Best food ever.

Kyle immediately noticed Bryce’s accent, surprised that he didn’t recognize it initially. I can only imagine.

I bet Bourbon Street is a blast, Colton said as he and the boys got off the elevator and walked outside.

The sun was slowly setting, and it was now a bit cooler outside. Campus had died down. Less cars were lined up around the dorm halls, and only a handful of the student workers were still there. A few students walked around, exploring the campus, but it was calm for the most part.

So, what are you guys majoring in? Kyle asked.

Business here, Colton said, rolling his eyes. I didn’t really have a choice though. My dad wouldn’t have it any other way.

What about you? Bryce asked.

I like to write, so I’m an English major, Kyle said. We’ll see what comes of that, I guess.

Best-selling author, Kyle Pruitt. How does that sound? Colton asked.

I don’t know about me being a best-seller, but we’ll see, Kyle said. I’m actually thinking of pursuing teaching after this.

As long as it’s not high school, right? Colton joked. They’re the worst.

Hey, can we stop here at Ben’s? Bryce asked as the guys arrived outside of a fairly small glass building. I want to apply for a job.

Why do you want to work at a coffee shop? Colton asked.

I mean, I could use the money, Bryce said. Plus, having constant access to free coffee while in pre-law seems ideal.

Pre-law? Yikes, Kyle said. I can agree with that then.

Ben’s had a calm feel to it. There were a few tables scattered across the café while paintings, varying from nature to adaptations of the campus, hung on the walls. Soft jazz music sounded over the speakers, slightly drowning out the sound of conversations amongst the customers.

Bryce skipped the short line of students and approached one of the baristas standing at the counter.

Hi, I was just wondering if you guys were hiring. I’d like to apply for a job here if you are.

Not a problem, the barista said. She walked over to one of the drawers behind the bar and pulled out an application. Just fill this out and bring it back. Thank you.

Bryce grabbed the application and joined the boys in the waiting line. Are you guys getting something?

I think I’m going to get a cappuccino, Colton said.

Are you a sixty-year-old or what? Bryce asked, curling his eyebrows. I thought only old men drank cappuccinos.

Kyle laughed and shook his head. That’s not true.

Colton McKenzie in a coffee shop? A voice called.

The guys turned around to see two girls posted up in line behind them. They were both beautiful in different ways. One girl was short, slightly athletic, and curvy. She had dark brown skin, light eyes, and black hair that she kept in a stylish afro, which Kyle noticed was dusted lightly with glitter. The other girl was average height and slightly heavier. She had slightly pale skin and freckles. Along with her long, curly red hair, she had dazzling green eyes.

What are you two doing here? I thought you were still unpacking, Colton said. Figured it take you all night with all of the shit you have.

Maybe we wanted coffee? the afro girl said, folding her arms. She raised her eyebrows at Colton. Just like you?

Colton ignored her and rolled his eyes.

Well, that’s no way to introduce us to your new friends here, the redhead said. She grinned at Bryce and Kyle. I’m Olivia, and this is my best friend Halle.

Sorry. This is my roommate Bryce and our neighbor, Kyle, Colton said.

Everyone exchanged greetings.

Where’s Sean? Colton asked.

I think he’s at the gym, Halle said. I don’t know where he is, to be honest, but I’m sure he’ll be at dinner tonight.

Are you two coming? Olivia was looking at Kyle and Bryce.

Definitely, Bryce said, I’m literally always hungry.

At this point, Kyle felt like he didn’t have a choice but to go to dinner. The surprising thing about it was that he wanted to.

I’ll be there.

We made a pit stop here, so I could apply for a job, Bryce said. He placed a confident hand on his hip. You may be looking at Hazenwood’s newest barista.

That means we get free coffee for the semester, Olivia joked. We’re friends now, right?

The group chuckled, and Kyle instantly realized that he’d laughed more in the last twenty minutes than he had in the past few months.

It was nearly eight o’clock at night when the gang arrived at a local burger restaurant, Burgers on Deck. The place was crowded with students and their families, probably having dinner before their parents left them in Georgia.

You guys will love this place. Best burgers in town, Colton said.

I’ll see if it’s better than Louisiana, Bryce said boldly.

If you don’t like burgers, you can always get wings or chicken wraps, Halle suggested. You know how it goes.

I could live off of barbecue wings, Kyle shared.

Hi, guys. Welcome to Burgers on Deck! the greeter said happily. Feel free to sit anywhere you’d like.

Where’s Sean? Olivia asked Halle as they found a round table for six.

He’s going to meet us here. He’s on the way.

Why didn’t you just come with him? Colton asked. Everyone knows we don’t want to see your face any more than we have to.

Fuck off, Colton. Halle snapped.

Olivia rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Bryce and Kyle. You guys’ll get used to the two of them. They’ve been at each other’s throats since we were all freshmen in high school.

You guys have been friends for that long? Kyle asked.

Well, Olivia and I have been best friends since…fourth grade? Halle looked at Olivia for confirmation. Olivia nodded. And I just tolerate Colton, because he’s friends with my boyfriend, who you’ll meet in a few minutes.

She loves to hate me, Colton said, smirking at Halle.

I think I’m just going to get the double bacon burger with a side of fries, Bryce said out loud. He was studying the menu. I wish I was old enough to drink. A frozen margarita sounds so good right now.

I can get you a drink, man, Colton said. I know one of the bartenders working.

Bryce and Kyle looked at each other and then at Colton with confused looks on their faces.

Olivia immediately chimed in. Colton’s dad’s the dean at the university. He knows people. People know him.

Bryce nodded understandingly.

Basically, the McKenzie’s are the known family around here, Halle said. If you know one, you can pretty much get whatever you want.

It’s true. I can get whatever I want, because everyone knows who my dad is. Now, back to margarita, Colton said, looking at Bryce. You want one?

I’ll pass for right now, but I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer at some point. I’m sure pre-law will drive me to alcoholism eventually.

Olivia scoffed. "You’re telling us. Halle and I are in the nursing program, so we’ll be right there with you."

You guys make me appreciate being an English major, Kyle said.

Hey, guys!

A tall, handsome guy approached the group. He waved at everyone and kissed Halle on the cheek before sitting down.

Hey, babe, Halle said. Sean, this is Bryce, Colton’s roommate, and this is his neighbor Kyle.

Nice to meet you guys, Sean said as he leaned across the table and shook both of their hands.

Sean was just as attractive as Halle. They were an extremely good-looking couple. He had short, black hair and dark brown eyes. He was definitely over six feet and a mix between lean and muscular. His tan was almost as perfect as Colton’s.

Is everyone ready to order? I’m starving, Olivia said.

The waiter arrived at the table with water glasses and took the gang’s orders. Within the next thirty minutes, everyone had gotten their food.

"What