⨈𝖎𝖑𝖉 ₲𝖎𝖗𝖑𝖘

Chapter Two

 Lea was a blushing mess. There were no thoughts in her head. Her brain went from normal mode to gay panic mode. After about a few seconds, she rolled off of Ilise, and could think again. Damn, that was hot... NO, YOU KNOW SHE DOESN'T LIKE YOU! Oh, you know what, you need to get over her, she doesn't like you and you know it. But I can't.

The two girls both awkwardly stood up and looked away from each other.

Ilise noticed as Lea glanced at her, and then quickly looked away. She studied the blush on Lea's face. I've never seen Lea like this. Could she... No, she probably is just embarrassed. We are half naked, that would be anyone's reaction, right? Yeah that's it. But then why do I feel... No, let's just walk.

Harper looked at the blush that dusted the cheeks of both girls. Damn, they are literally made for each other. Will I ever find that? No, you know what Mom would do to you. Especially if it was a girl. I would be dead.

The three girls continued to walk along the path, all facing forward. Harper was the first to break the silence.

"So, I guess I've gotten some tea now."

"What?" Lea asked.

"When?" Ilise questioned.

"Come ON you guys, it's kinda obvious that you two like each other. You two have been making heart eyes at each other for weeks now."

Oh no no no no No! Lea thought. She couldn't know so easily! Is it really that obvious? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Okay, okay, calm down. Deny, deny, deny.

Do I love her? Ilise contemplated. I mean, I love being around her, I love it when she smiles, and her laugh, and the way she gets all serious when she's passionate about something. The way she wasn't afraid to come out to us, the way she looks at me, the music playlists she sends me. But that's just friend stuff, right? Maybe I'll ask Harper about this later, but for now DENY!

"WHAT!" Ilise exclaimed.

"We do NOT like each other as anything more than just friends, right Ilise?" Lea said.

"Just friends." Ilise agreed.

"If you say so~" Harper sang.

Lea rolled her eyes. "You're lucky that we're friends, otherwise I would be kicking your ass right now."

"Yea I know." Harper replied. She knew that Lea was joking, but she still was filled with fear of the thought. She was already staying out until she knew for a fact that her mom was asleep. Harper would get home at 10 P.M. sharp everyday. Her mom got home at seven, and made food, drank, then went to bed. Sometimes Harper's mom got home late, and was still awake when she got home. Harper would return to find her mom drunk, and then get a beating. There were days where the beatings were so bad that Harper would end up staying home on school days, shut up in her room with the door locked. Other times she was forced to wear make-up to cover the bruises on her face.

They had finally arrived at the tree house. It was less of a tree house and more of a platform. They made it when Harper had moved to Walla Walla, and Ilise had instructed them through the whole thing. That was her second year of taking a woodworking class, and she was good at it.

They went to the tree house on days when it was warm and relatively good weather. Otherwise, it was the bunker underground. They had found that one, and still had no idea where it came from.

They climbed the rope ladder, and clambered onto the platform. The three girls crawled to the middle, where, right next to the trunk of the tree, was a plastic tote box. The girls opened it and drew out three t-shirts and shorts. They had stored the outfits there for when they swam over to the island, so that they wouldn't be half naked the whole time.

They quickly slide into the clothes, not caring whose they were.

Ilise smiled and inhaled Lea's scent. It had rubbed off onto the rich blue shirt that she had worn last time they were here.

Lea's shirt was verdant green. She looks so good in green. Ilise thought. The shirt was the one usually worn by Ilise, and both of their hearts skipped a beat as they realized they were wearing each other's shirt.

Harper looked jealously at the other two girls, then down at the same old purple shirt she always wore. They're sitting there like lovesick puppies, wearing each other's shirts. Am I loved? No! They're going to date each other, and I'll end up as the third wheel.

"You okay Harper? You have a look." Ilise said.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"Well I am."

"Let me help."

"There's nothing you can do."

"Just talk to us, please." Lea threw in.

"LEAVE. ME. ALONE." Harper snapped, her voice elevated. And with that she tore off her shirt and scrambled down the ladder.