Chapter 27 HARPER
Sunday mornings were usually my favorite days of the week. Normally you'd think it should be Saturday, but nope—not when Westfield had us coming to school for recreational and skill development lessons.
Apparently, a lot had gone down in music class yesterday, which Tyler and I had skipped because of the rain. Megan had been telling me all about it on my house landline, the handset balanced between my ear and shoulder while I held the base with one hand and cleaned with the other.
“And so now I think David and Racquel are seeing each other.”
A part of me jumped in excitement at the news, even though I still resented Tyler for yesterday. But I hoped he'd come around—and just maybe—
“Are you there, Harps?”
“Yeah. Which David?”
“The short king of the team—usually sits next to Jax during lunch break.”
“Oh.”
She went quiet for a second. “You know, I expected more enthusiasm with the premium gist I'm giving you.”
“What? I'm enthusiastic.”
“The hell you're not.”
“I am. Honestly.”
“Bursted.”
I smiled at the mental image of her shoving a finger in my face.
“You only say honestly when you're not in the mood.”
“Fine. You caught me. Maybe I'm not exactly feeling this Sunday."
“Why would you be? When the only time you leave that house is either for school or to have sessions with your boyfriend.”
“Megan,” I warned, pausing my dusting.
“Oh, please. It’s a joke. Do you have to get all serious whenever Tyler’s involved?”
“I just don’t want any more problems than there already are between us. Someone could overhear you.”
“Right. Because Mark is that stupid to go about blabbing his mouth.”
“Actually,” I drawled.
She laughed, changing the subject. “Okay, tell me you're free today.”
“Yeah, I am, thankfully.”
“Y-you are? No sessions?”
“You sound more shocked than happy.”
“I am. Ever since you became a replacement for your mom it's been bleeding sessions everyday.”
I snickered, placing the landline down and switching it to speaker mode, to lift up the living room's centerpiece. “Yeah, well, I am. Any plans?”
“Are you kidding me?” she squealed. I could hear her jumping on her bed through the phone. “Of course I've got plans. Meet me at Kayden's and Spa. The whole gang is going for a spin.”
“Since when do we have a gang?” I started, but she hung up on me. Suddenly, I wished I'd at least lied about having sessions with Tyler.
Megan was a bit extra when it came to outings, and if she was bringing a whole gang, then it's definitely going to be more than a spin.
Oh, how right I had been when Mark pulled into one of the fancy houses in the estate up on 25th street. Megan was practically bouncing in her seat, while Mark seemed unsure, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
“Should you even be here? It's a seniors' party.”
Megan rolled her eyes, pushing the car door open. “Shouldyouevenbehere,” she mimicked, mocking her brother. “Jax invited me, deal with it.”
I got out after her, Mark doing the same. He rounded the car, matching up to her.
“You know you're not allowed to date until college.”
“Ugh,” Megan groaned, shooting me a ‘help me’ look.
I shrug apologetically, finding their brother and sister banter a little entertaining. Sometimes it made me feel lonely being an only child, other times, it made me feel glad that I was one.
“You're not seriously going to wait until college before you get a girlfriend, are you?”
A flicker of heat spread across Mark’s face, giving him away.
“Oh my gosh,” Megan laughed, eyeing her brother in astonishment. “You're such a mama's boy.”
I suppressed my giggle, trying not to make him feel more embarrassed, but Megan was unto me.
“No, it's okay, Harper. Laugh out loud so my brother can realize how lame it is.”
“I don't think it's lame,” I said quickly, shaking my head as Mark glanced at me. “Don't listen to your sister, she's crazy.”
Megan cackled even more, doubling over in tears. I'd never seen a boy turn so red.
“Do whatever you want. Just don't come home with teenage pregnancy,” Mark shot, storming off.
“He has a huge crush on you,” Megan said, not caring for her brother’s comment.
“No. Just no. He's your brother.”
“Exactly what I told him. He can keep living in his delusion as long as he stays away from you.”
“Oh, Megan.”
“What?” She shrugged, starting her walk to the party. “If not for that car, and the fact that Jax is on his team, you'd never catch us together. Bro is such a dweeb.”
I elbowed her arm and she brushed me away, bounding ahead, her energy impossible to ignore. I followed, stepping onto the wide front lawn of the mansion. From this angle, I could see the entire party sprawling across the backyard—the pool glittering under the sun, inflatable floats drifting lazily across the water, and the laughter and splashes that echoed across the yard. Teens were sprawled on chairs or perched on the railings, some cannonballing into the water, others shouting over the music from the speakers set up near the back deck.
I took tentative steps, not sure I wanted to be there. My gaze drifted toward the far edge of the pool, landing on Racquel and David in the water. She had her arms draped around him, laughing as he leaned in closer. And then—much to Megan's rumor—they kissed.
I bit my lip, trying to shrink into the shadows of a large umbrella stand, wishing I could disappear entirely because somehow I knew if she saw me, she would make a scene.
Before I could think of an escape, Racquel’s eyes flicked in my direction. I ducked behind a lounge chair, but it was too late—her lips curled into a smirk, and she climbed out of the pool.
She glided over, each step purposeful, heels clicking against the deck. “Well, well, if it isn’t Harper,” she said, voice dripping with sweetness that didn’t reflect in her eyes.
I straightened, trying to appear calm. “Racquel,” I said, keeping my voice neutral, careful not to give her anything.
“Don’t bother acting nice,” she said, circling me like a predator. “Shouldn’t you be playing therapist to my ex?”
“No, not really. I was hoping for a quiet break—that is, until you showed up,” I deadpanned.
“Oh, please.” She leaned closer, eyes narrowing. “If anything, I’m here to give you a quiet afternoon. But first, why don’t you tell the class what a slut you are?”
My jaw tightened. “Racquel, I’m not trying to start anything, but I’m not going to let you—”
“Not going to let me what?” Racquel snapped, stepping even closer, her perfume overpowering, heat radiating off her like a warning.
“Not going to let you intimidate me.”
Her smirk widened. “Oh, how I love a challenge.”
Before I could back away, she shoved me lightly—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make me stumble against the edge of a table. Drinks wobbled dangerously. People glanced in our direction. My hands shot out instinctively to steady myself, eyes locking with hers.
“You better watch it,” I hissed.
“Oh, I am watching,” she said, tone harsh now, eyes gleaming. “Watching you try. Watching you fail to steal Tyler from me.”
I bristled, stepping closer, matching her intensity. “I can’t steal what you don’t have, bird brain.”
Her eye twitched. “What did you just call me?”
The music, the laughter, the pool—it all faded around us. It was just the two of us, tense and poised like the moment before a storm.
I refused to back down, knowing choosing the high road would be interpreted as fear by bullies like Racquel.
“Nothing you haven’t heard before,” I hissed.
She shrieked, like I’d just delivered a blow to her pride. Before I could react, she lunged at me.
And that’s when the world tilted, every ounce of my energy going into bracing for the inevitable clash.