64.0

64.0
HARPER

“Skye?”

“Harper?”

For a second, the world feels like it’s paused. We just stare at each other. Neither of us moves. Neither of us breathes. I don’t even know how long it lasts... seconds, maybe longer... but it feels unreal. 

Because Skye Anderson is standing on my porch. Alive. Real. Right in front of me.

“What… what are you doing here?” I finally ask, my voice quieter than I expect. I instinctively take a step back.

Her face crumples. “Seriously?” she whispers, her brows pulling together. “That’s the first thing you’re going to say to me?” She laughs weakly, but it’s shaky, like it might break apart at any second. “Harper… it’s me.” Her voice cracks, and her hand lifts to her chest like she’s trying to steady her breathing. “It’s Skye.”

Tears start gathering in her eyes. She swallows hard and wipes quickly at them, embarrassed.

“Maybe you just… didn’t recognize me because of the hair,” she rushes out, touching the red strands nervously. “I dyed it a while ago and I..."

“I know who you are, Skye.”

Her lips part slightly.

“I’m just… surprised,” I add quietly. “It’s been a long time.”

She stares at me like she’s trying to read something on my face that isn’t there. “You don’t look surprised,” she says softly. Her voice trembles. “You don’t look happy. You’re just… standing there like I’m some stranger.”

“I’ve moved on,” I mutter.

Her head jerks back slightly. “Moved on?” she repeats, confused. “Moved on from what?”

“From my past.”

“Don’t do that,” she says, shaking her head quickly. Her eyes are glassy now. “Don’t say things like that like I’m just some… some chapter you closed.” She takes a small step forward. “Harper, can I come in?” Her gaze shifts past me, looking into the house. “Are you okay?” she asks softly. “You’ve been here all this time? Nyla’s your daughter, right?”

My stomach drops. She notices my reaction immediately. “I knew it,” she breathes, placing a hand over her mouth. “The first time I saw her I thought... God, she looked so familiar. I kept thinking about you."

She looks back at me, her eyes shining with tears. “But who are these people? Why are you here? Harper, what happened to you?”

Too many questions. Too many memories clawing their way back. And one question screaming in my head... How does she know my baby? I step back.

“Skye… you need to leave.”

Her face falls immediately. “The hell I do,” she says, her voice shaking. “This isn’t...”

“No!” she shouts, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. “You do not get to talk to me like that after you disappeared!” Her chest rises and falls quickly. "You vanished, Harper! One day you were there and the next day you were just... gone!” She wipes at her face angrily. "Do you know how many nights I cried thinking something terrible happened to you?”

“You don’t get to stand there and act like I’m nothing,” she continues, her voice breaking. “You’re my best friend.”

Before I can respond, a voice calls from behind me.

“Harper, is everything okay there?”

Clara. I squeeze my eyes shut as I hear her footsteps approaching. She appears beside me a second later, smiling politely at Skye.

“Oh, hello,” she says warmly. “Is she another friend of yours?”

“No,” I say immediately.

Skye looks at me, hurt flashing across her face. Then she shakes her head slightly and forces a small smile. “We’re friends, ma’am,” she says softly.

Clara’s smile widens. “Well if you’re her friend, you’re more than welcome to come in. Please.”

Skye steps inside slowly.

“Skye,” she says, introducing herself.

But her eyes never leave mine.

“I missed you so much,” she whispers. "I missed you so much, Harper.”

“Save it,” I say.

“I don’t understand,” she whispers.

“What happened to you?”

I stop walking.

“I became a mother.”

Her eyes soften immediately. “Yes… I can see that,” she says gently. “But that’s not what I meant. What happened to you? You’re not the girl I remember.” Tears slide down her cheeks.

“My Harper would never look at me like I’m a stranger,” she says quietly. She searches my face desperately. "I had a feeling about this place. I don’t know why. I just… knew somehow. But you’re not even happy to see me.”