67.0

67.0
HARPER

"Ethan and I broke up." 

The fuck? What does she mean they broke up? Ethan and Skye were like the... the perfect couple. Epic love? I don't know. Something like that. But I know for a certain that I looked up to them. If they aren't together anymore then is there anything such as true love?

Skye leans over and her smile widens as she stares at Nyla in her crib. "You know she looks so much like you. Only... she has his hair."

I don't say a word. My mind is faraway from what she's saying. "Why did you both break up?" I ask her.

She giggles. "Come on. Don't tell me you're still bent on figuring that out. We realized we weren't compatible. We just ended things. He and Ava now are friends."

"Swears?" I gasp.

Skye nods. "Life is a bitch." 

"And... my mum?" I ask, my voice lowering a bit. 

Skye looks at me. "She's... great. We talk."

I inhale and shut my eyes. "Your family miss you so much Harper. I wish things did not go down the way it went. I wish you didn't leave. I wish you had just stayed. Then... maybe Ethan and I would still be together. Maybe you'd be happier than you are."

I shake my head. "If wishes where horses, beggars would ride on them. Besides, I am happy."

Skye stares at me. "I can see how. With the mother? And the boys who stare at you like you're some prized possession? And your new friends who are too chatty and whose niceness seem too fake?" 

Wow. Judgey much? I haven't always known her to be this judgemental. It's funny how she's made up her mind about the life I lead now. She doesn't even know anything about me now. She doesn't know the people I've met, neither does she have any idea of how it feels to be among such people.

"You're quiet. I... I did not mean all of that." She mutters.

"You're different." I point out. 

"You too. Being a mother looks good on you. I'd have preferred the red hair though." She whispers the last part.

"What did you say?" I frown.

"Your hair? Why did you change the colour? It was beautiful."

"I did so because I wanted to. I didn't want to be reminded of everything I left back home. Red hair made me recall my mother and sisters." 

Skye nods slowly. "And what? If Nyla has red hair... what would you have done? Dye it?"

"What is wrong with you?" I can't stop the question from leaving my mouth. Because... "No, tell me. Why are you being this way? You're too judgemental and it's annoying. You've done nothing but question my choices all along. Nothing seems good enough for you. Not the life I have here, not the friends I've made... not even my choice of look."

"I'm only trying to understand you. I'm trying to figure you out, Harper. You're not the person you're pretending to be." 

Oh fuck that! That is no excuse. That is bullshit. 

"I am no longer the Harper you once knew and loved. Granted, I'm your friend. I still care about you and I want the best for you. But... you should stop. Stop what you're doing."

Skye stands, crossing her arms, her gaze down. "What exactly do you think I'm doing?" 

"Trying to make me go back, isn't it?" 

She doesn't respond at that. So I'm right. That is really what she's trying to do. I bit down on my lips for a while before I smile lightly.

"I don't want you to tell anybody that you know where I am." 

That makes her raise her head. "You want me to lie." 

"No." My eyes widen. "I'm simply saying don't tell anybody. They won't ask. It's been so long, I'm sure no one is asking. Please Skye..."