Freaks

12(Continued)

Harper stays completely silent throughout English class. Though, her mind races with fear and more questions about Alice and just how all the more horrible she is to Harper now. She thinks of how the plan may roll out, if something goes wrong, what then?

Once the bell rings, Harper makes sure of her words this time, sets herself serious, and drags Luka aside as he walks through the door.

He looks spooked as he finds out it's her pulling him by his arm, "The hell—"

She lets go of him so he can forget it, "Jackson's not with Alice. He's on our side now."

He peers at her, "What?" He pauses then twirls his finger around his ear, "You know, too much noise." He points his thumb back at the crowded hall, "I'm gonna go now."

Harper doesn't make a sound and takes his arm again, making sure to dig her nails in his jacket to keep him stuck and for some payback. She looks around restlessly, hoping Alice isn't nearby, she finds the sight of a door.

Can't believe I have to do this.

Fun. A janitor's closet. She drags Luka through the wave of incoming bodies, pushes him through the door, and closes it behind them. She flips the light switch beside her and sees him standing in the middle of the claustrophobic room, rubbing his arm in pain.

She shuts the door completely and boasts her arms from her sides, "Can you hear me now?"

"Oh." His hand stops, "I heard you. I couldn't believe I just heard such a shit lie like that."

Harper shakes her head with a straight face, "Jackson isn't a manipulator, remember? He's manipulated. And that's what Alice has been doing to him this whole time, he really doesn't want to do anything she says."

He shrugs, "Then why the hell is he still with her?"

"He's afraid of her. Just like we are."

"More you than me but whatever." He stands more straight, Harper presses her lips, and he crosses his arms, "Why are you telling me this anyways?"

"Because I can't talk to anyone else and I needed to explain this in person. I need to make sure it makes sense. Just remember, when you guys get to Alice's house, Jackson is with us."

He gathers his brows, "That's it? Wow, big deal."

"Will you tell them or not? Or do I seriously need to plan to call Kai after school? I'd rather not get him all confused at the last minute."

"Yes. I'll do it. Obviously."

"Thank you."

She watches as he pulls his sleeve up and checks where nail indentations are red on his skin, "I would apologize but that's not your thing, right?"

He pulls it back down, "Not really."

"I don't think I believe you. For once, you might actually be wrong. Isn't it funny that it's about yourself?"

"You don't believe what?"

"That you hate me."

He pauses, "There's nothing to believe when it's a fact."

"No. The whole bathroom situation didn't make sense. If you hated me so much, why would you even want to be around me? Why would you come in there?"

"Kai told me to check on you."

"But you did. If you hated me you wouldn't care how I felt. You wouldn't have followed me in there. You're lying to yourself."

His brows turn, and he looks as he did when nothing came from his mouth.