61.0

61.0
HARPER

I've got classes today and Xavier does too. So I ask Damien to take Nyla to the nursery. The old Harper would never have done that. I mean... she considered Damien an enemy or something of the sort.

But this new girl, the one who's walking confidently to her class for the day, isn't going to be intimidated by anything. Nothing at all. Not the girls who she thought were her friends at first, not even Sadie. Although anytime I recall the girl and her guts, I get mad.

"Harper..."

I stop, clutching my books to my chest as I turn. Of course, it's them. Lyra and Bailey. They're walking toward me with literally confused expressions on their faces.

"You didn't see us?" Lyra is the first to ask.

"Or hear us calling?" Bailey completes for her.

"You just walked past us."

"Yeah, I did. I'm sorry." I say, not wanting to be rude. Although I know that they aren't my real friends, they haven't actually done anything to deserve being rude to. So, I'm being nice. For now.

"That's okay. You have class?"

I nod. I can see the way they're both staring me down. Like, looking at my outing and sneering. What's... what's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's a two-piece shirt and shorts and...

"In that?" Bailey chuckles.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" I ask her.

"Totally wrong. I thought you knew how to dress? You looked so good at the party and today... You look different."

"I thought I was the only one who noticed. You smell different too. Did you..." Lyra steps closer and sniffs my neck. "You used a baby's shampoo or something?"

Right. Holding Nyla for so long this morning must have rubbed some of her baby smell on me. But then... my baby smells like a baby. The scent is divine. Why would Lyra see something wrong with it?

"I used my daughter's stuff because I ran out of mine," I say, keeping a straight face.

Lyra and Bailey exchange looks. "Wait... you're kidding right?" Bailey says.

"Do I look like I'm kidding Bailey? I'm a mom. I may not look like one but I am. I know the reputation you two fight to keep. I'm sorry if I don't meet the standard of a friend because I have a baby. I cannot pretend to be who I'm not." I release a small breath after I say my part.

Lyra nods. "No. I'm not going to judge you for having a baby. It's just... we thought the rumours were fake. You know... You don't look like..."

"I am a mother." I cut her off. "Why are we even having this conversation?"

"Because we want to know. So... the girl Xavier was carrying around the first day you came is yours?"

"Yeah," I say.

"Wow. How did you..." Lyra starts saying but Bailey elbows her.

"Don't." Bailey glares at her.

"I'm just curious."

"Well, it's not cute. It's rude."

I watch them bicker. They're actually funny. This was honestly not the reaction I expected from them both.

"I have class." I suddenly remember. "Can we... continue this conversation later?"

"Sure. Just... don't think that we're judging. We might be bad but we don't play with our real friends." Lyra says, taking my free hand in hers and squeezing.

"And we like you, obviously." Bailey gestures, a small smile on her face. "So... after your class? I'd love to hear your story. And... see your baby girl, if that's okay... And... babysit?"

Wow. I wasn't expecting that.

"You'd do that for me?" The questions pop out before I can hold them back.

"Actually, yes." They both reply in unison.