Where I Belong - Ace Merrill

Chapter 38

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~2022~
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Harper's dad sorted out them all the hotel for comic con as Harper's nerves only got worse. Harper took the spare room in her dad's penthouse suite whereas Betsy was forced to have the sofa.

Each day that went by only made Harper more tense. Betsy was being called a cock knocker more times than usual as she constantly bit her tongue, trying to remain nice so Harper would actually bring her home and not leave her in this strange world.

Harper had tried to ignore her as much as possible as they both stayed in the suite constantly. Harper's dad was in and out trying to sort his own life out and with work but Harper didn't want to risk anyone seeing her or her mum seeing her.

She settled down on the sofa as she heard the shower finally stopping. Her dad had gone out and the only peace Harper got was when Betsy took a shower. She grabbed the to remote and went straight onto Netflix as she heard footsteps behind her.

"What's Netflix?" The quiet voice came.

"None of your fucking business." Harper snapped back.

Betsy stayed silent as she watched Harper go through various movies before clicking on Stand By Me.

"That's Eyeball's brother!" She quickly squealed, seeing a bigger picture of Chris Chambers and that kid he was always with, the younger brother of Denny.

"Aren't you a fucking observant." Harper hadn't said one nice thing to Betsy and she didn't plan to.

She clicked on the movie and it began to load.

"Can I watch it with you?"

Harper shrugged and focused as the movie started, she honestly didn't care. She just had to see Ace. Even if it was just through a screen.

"Who's that?" Betsy asked as she sat down next to Harper and pointed at the man sat in the car.

"Shut up and watch." Harper snapped back.

Betsy nodded slowly as she turned her attention to the screen.

Harper felt herself clench up as she finally saw herself appear, followed by Ace and Eyeball. Reaching to her side she grabbed one of the cushions and brought it closer to her chest, hugging it tightly as she tried not to let any tears fall.

Betsy watched her closely. Guilt beginning to surface as she saw how Harper was reacting whenever the cobras came on screen, Ace being the main one of course. Betsy watched as whenever Ace was on screen she saw Harper's hands grip into tight fists, clutching at the pillow, fighting back the urge to cry.

She chose to say nothing as the movie finally ended. At least she now knew why the cobras really hated the kids, Gordie had pulled a gun on Ace for Gods sake! Betsy turned to Harper slightly as she saw the girl finally let out a tear, the pillow still clutched to her chest.

She turned back to the screen and saw the menu for the movie had reappeared. Giving one more small glance at Harper, who seemed stuck in a trance she reached out and grabbed the to remote. Harper stayed frozen to the spot, tears slowly running down her cheeks as she stared up at the screen.

Betsy looked down at the remote in confusion, this was different to what she was used to. TVs from her time only had a few buttons, this had loads. She looked between it and the tv as a bar was around the words 'restart movie' Betsy looked back down at the remote and saw a button that said 'OK'

Taking a guess she aimed at the tv and pressed it. The screen changed as the movie slowly began to start again. She put the remote by her side as Harper turned to her slowly.

"The fuck did you do that for?" She tried to snap but it didn't sound threatening at all due to her crying and sniffling.

Betsy shrugged slightly. "I miss home. You miss him." She mumbled.

Harper nodded slowly and turned back to the tv. Betsy watched her as more and more guilt came to her, she knew she still loved Ace but she'd quite literally torn him apart from this girl. Betsy brought her legs up on the sofa as she wrapped her arms around them, watching the movie play again.

Harper watched her closely as she reached out and grabbed another cushion, handing it to Betsy slightly she nudged her with it. Betsy gave her a weak smile as she accepted the pillow and began to hug it, just as Harper was.

"I'm sorry..." Betsy mumbled as the movie finally ended again, she'd been unable to tear her focus way from the way Ace was with Harper in the movie. He'd never acted that way with her.

Harper shrugged it off, she didn't want to hear any apologies. Yet as she turned her head and looked at Betsy, she saw the girl was also crying.

"Can we..." Betsy started but stopped herself as she sniffed, wiping her cheeks.

Harper nodded slowly and reached out, grabbing the remote from between them as she clicked 'ok' to the words 'restart movie'

The girls settled down and began watching the movie for the third time. No amount would ever be enough but they'd give it a go.

Harper's dad returned carrying a few bags, during the 6th run through of the movie. Neither girls had spoken to each other, just taken it turns to press okay as they watched it over and over.

"You girls okay?" He asked quietly as he stepped closer, looking between their crying faces and the movie on the screen, showing Ace, Harper and the cobras playing mailbox baseball.

Harper and Betsy both nodded in silence as Harper's dad smiled slightly. He placed one of the bags on the coffee table in front of them before giving them a weak smile and going off into his own room.

Harper reached forward and opened it up. It had a load of sweets, chocolate and various food nibbles. A small smile appeared on her face as she unpacked it on the table and on the space of the sofa between them.

She opened up a pack of twizzlers and began chomping away on one so she caught Betsy looking at her. Slowly Harper pulled one from the pack and offered it to her. A small smile came to Betsy's face as she accepted it and they both turned back to watch the movie in silence.