Chapter 3
629 Words
POV: Harley
“See you later then,” Lucius said.
As he turned to leave, he shot me one last glance before walking away.
“What a nice boy,” Mom said, watching him disappear down the walkway.
Then she turned back and faced me.
“Harley?”
I blinked.
“What?”
But my mind was elsewhere.
Why was I still so hung up on him?
I thought things had changed.
I thought after all these years, things would be different.
So why was I still reacting like my nine-year-old self?
“Harley? Are you okay, baby?”
Mom’s voice pulled me back to the present.
I frowned.
“Why did you say yes to his invitation?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Why not?”
“We haven’t seen the Thornes in so long,” she said. “It’ll be nice to catch up.”
Then she motioned toward the boxes still scattered around the house.
“Come on. Help me move some of this stuff.”
I followed her, but my thoughts were racing.
Hours later, I was standing in my room, staring at my closet in full panic mode.
It was almost time to head over to the Thornes’, and I was nowhere near ready.
Physically or mentally.
“I don’t know what to wear!”
I yanked clothes off hangers, tossing them onto my bed.
“Why do I suddenly have nothing to wear?”
I groaned, digging through my closet faster.
I have to pick something.
Finally, I settled on a red gown and white heels.
I held them up.
“This should do...”
“Harley!” Mom called from downstairs.
“Coming!”
I quickly changed and hurried down.
The moment I stepped into the living room, Mom looked up and smiled.
“Wow... you look beautiful, Harley bear.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I told you not to call me that.”
Her smile faded slightly.
“I have bad news.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“I can’t make it to dinner.”
I stared at her.
“What?!”
“I got a call from the hospital. They need me.”
“But—”
“Tell the Thornes I said hello.”
My eyes widened.
“You want me to go by myself?!”
She gave me a look.
“Of course.”
“Mom, I can’t go there by myself,” I said, panic rising in my chest.
“Don’t be rude, Harley. Lucius’s mom already prepared dinner for you.”
She walked over and adjusted a loose strand of my hair.
“Be on your best behavior and don’t leave a bad impression.”
Then she smiled.
“Have fun.”
And just like that, she was gone.
I stood there for a moment, frozen.
Then I grabbed my purse and stepped outside.
The cool evening air hit my face.
I began pacing.
“You can do this, Harley,” I muttered to myself.
“You’re not that awkward little kid anymore.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked across the yard to the Thornes’ house.
I stood at their front door for a moment, gathering my courage.
Then I rang the bell.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Lucius stood there.
And smiled.
“You came.”
I swallowed hard.
“I came. My mom couldn’t make it. The hospital called.”
His expression softened.
“I see.”
Then he stepped aside.
“Mom and Dad are going to be thrilled to see you, though.”
He gestured inside.
“Come in.”
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I had the strange feeling that tonight was going to change everything.
- Writer
