Sixteen-year old Harper Brooke, who has never experienced love, has a crush on Steve Andrews, the tall and handsome boy who just moved into the house opposite hers. A twist for her or a tragedy for Steve struck.
Due to a national lockdown, his divo...
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Harper woke up to a brightened room on a shiny Saturday. Her hair was nothing less than a bird's nest on her head, her duvet got kicked down during her sleep, and her upside-down phone lay on the edge of the nightstand. One thirty, pretty late, except no one came to bother her.
She extended her arms above her head and moved her neck from left to right.
After brushing her teeth, she took a cold shower and changed into a cute yellow dress glided with shimmery threads throughout with mild puffed sleeves and a ruffle hem. Her wavy hair fell behind, and her rosy cheeks confirmed an upcoming perfect day.
It always does when you wake up in a good mood.
After heading downstairs, her lunch, a pasta salad covered in cling film, was set on the kitchen countertop with her name written on a small piece of paper. Grabbing a fork, she removed the cling film and ate.
About halfway while watching the latest video update on YouTube, she received a text from her brother. Come to my room. Her fork hung in the air between her fingers as she re-read it. Outside, her parents talked aloud.
Finishing lunch with a tall glass of water, she caught them washing both cars while engaging in a deep conversation. She knocked on Harry's door.
"It's open."
A little hesitant, she twisted the knob and entered his bedroom.
"Close the door."
"Harry, they are washing the cars outside. It looks like they just began."
"Still, do it."
Tongue-tied, she obeyed and sat at the edge of his bed. He turned his swivel chair and faced her, taking off the headset. He typed something on his phone, and a piano tune began. He's taking all the precautions in case her parents overhear. Her heart starts to beat faster.
"I will get straight to the point. Where did you go last night?"
She gave a quick bark of laughter. "What do you mean? We are not supposed to go anywhere."
He clenched and unclenched his fingers, moving the chair closer.
"Please don't act dumb. It doesn't suit your personality. Neither do sneaking out at eleven thirty and returning at three in the morning?"
Her skin tingled like an insect hovered on her arm and bit her without warning. Even the cold lunch shifted in her stomach. She put one leg over the other and denied the accusation.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Harper, my dear sister, this is the first time you've snuck out. You are not as experienced as me, and I'm glad about it. But you will have to tell me everything. You returned at three in the morning, for God's sake."
