Brian sighed sadly as he put down the newspaper he had in his hand and shook his head. He looked at his coffee table and stared at the many pictures of his best friend Hazel and couldn't help but be overcome with emotion.

"Hazel, Hazel," he mumbled woefully, "I wish you were here."

He looked down at the newspaper's headline again......

"Girl, 19, found dead behind Orlando Mall"
~Hazel Scott, 19, of Orlando, FL was found brutally beaten and stabbed to death late Friday night behind Orlando Mall. Investigators say the suspects in this brutal murder have not been found as of today, and the murder is still being investigated. Out of 4 witnesses of the crime, only 1 has come forward and, until the suspects are apprehended, will testify against them in court. If you have any information on this murder, please notify the Orlando P.D. immediately.~

Brian was so confused of the incident; some people told him Hazel was dead and others told him she wasn't and it was a case of mistaken identity. Somewhere inside his head, he did believe those that said she was dead because he had not seen his best friend since last Thursday and it was Wednesday of the following week. But the other remaining piece of his head told him she was still out there alive and that she'd show up soon.

"What the HELL is going on?" he said loudly and angrily. "Where is she?" He sighed and the phone rang. " 'Lo?" he answered, irritated.

"Brian?"

"Hey, Kev, what's up?"

"Brian, I need you to come over as soon as possible," Kevin said frantically.

"What's wrong? Is it even urgent?"

"Brian, just get over here now."

Kevin hung up and left Brian there clutching the phone, confused. He shrugged and grabbed his keys, making his way to his car then Kevin's place. When he arrived 15 minutes later, he barged into Kevin's place, seeing Kev, AJ, Howie, and Nick there as well.

"Hey guys," Brian said, "what's happe -" Brian was cut off mid-sentence when he saw a girl curled up on Kevin's couch. He got a closer look and gasped. "H-Hazel?" he stuttered, shocked. The girl smiled and sat up. It was Hazel. "But I thought you..." Brian continued his mouth wide open.

"Yeah, you thought I was dead," she laughed. "I get that a lot these days."

"What happened?"

Hazel pulled her knees up to her chin and sighed. "Brian, I wasn't even in Florida when this murder thing happened," she began.

"Then where were you?" Brian demanded, "I was worried outta my damn head!"

"I was in Cleveland," she sighed. "Grandma died and mom insisted we go to see her one last time. Brian, this whole thing is just a case of mistaken identity."

"Why didn't you tell me you left?"

"Bri, I'm telling you, we left on emergency. I didn't even have time to pack because this happened so quickly. So, no, I'm not dead."

Brian sat next to Hazel and pulled her into a bear hug. "I was so scared. They even put your name in the friggin' newspaper," he said.

"I know," she replied, "but dad's gonna get this all cleared up. Until then, I want all of you guys to do me a favor."

All 5 guys nodded and agreed to do that favor for her. She looked them square in the eye. "Don't trust the press," she said.