Chapter 4.
825 Words
Harper felt utterly defeated, the weight of the previous night pressing down on her like a physical bruise. Yet, as the morning sun poked through her blinds, she forced herself upright.
"You have a month to live and you're going to school, for God's sake," Harper muttered to her reflection, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of it. But she knew why she was doing it. She wanted normalcy. She wanted to be Harper Brooks, the sassy girl in the combat boots, for as long as her legs would carry her. She wanted to be among her peers, even if they were oblivious to the ticking clock inside her chest.
Entering the hallway, the familiar scent of floor wax and teenager angst hit her. She made a B-line for her locker, spinning the dial with practiced ease.
"Hey Harp," a husky voice drifted from behind her locker door.
"Hey Ryan," Harper murmured, her heart sinking. She looked at him, the sarcasm that usually fueled their interactions failing her. She opened her mouth to tell him- to tell someone else the truth, but the words died in her throat as the front doors of the school swung open.
A new guy walked in, and he practically radiated trouble. He wore a black leather jacket that looked like it had seen its fair share of pavement, with hair as dark as Harper’s and piercing green eyes. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and a jagged tattoo peeked out from above his collar on his neck.
Ryan’s gaze followed hers, a tired sigh escaping him. "That’s Kane. He moved in last night. Got kicked out of his last school for getting into a fistfight with a teacher." Ryan rubbed the back of his neck. "He’s also my cousin."
Kane sauntered toward them, his gaze trailing over Harper with a slow, appreciative intensity that made her skin prickle.
"Ryan," Kane’s deep, gravelly voice cut through the morning chatter.
"Kane. Do you need help finding a classroom or something?" Ryan asked, his tone making it clear he wasn't thrilled about the family reunion.
Kane snorted, leaning against the lockers with a predator’s grace. "No. I’m just here so the cameras can see me. I’m stepping out after the first bell. Just wanted to know the best exit."
"North side of the school," Harper chimed in, her voice regaining a bit of its edge. "Some kids broke the camera on the exit there. They won’t know you left."
Kane’s eyes locked onto hers, a slow smirk spreading across his face. He reached out, his hand closing over hers with surprising gentleness. He lifted her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles. "Thank you. What’s your name, beautiful?"
Harper opened her mouth to answer, but the words were snatched away by the sight of a familiar blonde head further down the hall. Behind Kane, Derek was walking toward them- but he wasn't alone. Hailey, a girl from their chemistry class, had her arm wound tightly around his.
Adrenaline, sharp and hot, surged through Harper. She didn't think; she just moved.
"Hey! What the hell!" Harper shouted, stopping dead in front of them, her hands flying into the air. "Who is she, Derek? And why haven't you been answering my texts?!"
Derek flinched, his face turning a blotchy red. He grabbed Harper’s arm, moving her toward a recessed alcove for a shred of privacy. Harper glared at him, the meanest look she could muster masking the absolute agony in her chest.
"What the hell, Derek?" she hissed.
"f**k, this wasn't supposed to happen," Derek muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don’t you know what ghosting is?"
Harper felt like she’d been punched. "Ghosting? Derek, I told you I’m dying."
"How do I put this nicely..." Derek started, clasping his hands together and looking at her with a mix of pity and annoyance. "I didn't want to do this, but-"
"He doesn't want a dying woman," Hailey interrupted, snaking her arm around Derek’s torso and leaning her head on his shoulder. She flashed a sharp, evil smile at Harper. "Which is why I'm here. It’s a lot of baggage, don't you think?"
Harper stood frozen for a second, the cruelty of the statement echoing in the hall. Then, a sharp, hysterical laugh escaped her. It was loud and jagged, drawing the eyes of everyone nearby.
"You’re a real piece of work, Derek," Harper said, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "A real piece of f*****g work."
She turned on her heel, the first hot tears finding their way to her cheeks. She swiped them away furiously, pushing through the heavy exit doors and stumbling out to the picnic tables in front of the school. The air was crisp, but it didn't help the suffocating feeling in her lungs.
- Writer
