"Wow you're family really is messed up." Some girl says as Dallas, Abby and I walk down the hallway at school.
"Excuse me?" Dallas stops the girl.
"Dallas it's not worth it come on." I tell my best friend. With everything going on I'm used to comments like this. It's gotten worse since Scarlett kind of freaked out on stage.
"No it's not okay." Dallas argues. "People don't know you or your family for that matter they shouldn't judge you."
"I'm used to it. It's what people do Dallas, they judge."
—————
"How's Scarlett?" I ask my dad over the phone.
"She's in rough shape but the doctors say she'll be alright." My dad replies.
"Can I come see her?"
"Hun I don't think that's the best idea right now."
"Why? She's like my big sister. I wanna be there for her." I say.
"And I'm sure she'd appreciate that but there's a lot of people looking out for her."
"So when can I see her then?"
"I'm not sure baby but I'll let you know."
"I get it if you want me to stay at moms but tomorrow's Wednsday."
"I know what day it is and I'm not cancelling. But I have to warn you your Aunt Beverly has been staying on the couch." Dad tells me. I smile. I'm so lucky that even with everything going on my dad still makes time for me.
————
"Scarlett." I scream when I notice her and my dad sitting at his kitchen table.
"Hi Harper." She greets. I set down my bag and go sit down with them.
"So you're just stepping away from performing all together?" Dad continues his conversation with Scarlett.
"I don't wanna be a star. I told Zoe I didn't know how it got there but I do. I did it to myself." Scarlett speaks.
"That's a hard thing to admit." Dad says.
"Yeah." Scarlett agrees.
————-
"Hey just thought I'd bring you guys some tea. Girliest cups I've got." Dad speaks coming into Scarlett's room where we're both laying on her bed reading. Scarlett laughs. "Didn't mean to interrupt your writing."
"Oh I'm not writing I'm reading." Scarlett clarifies. "It's my old journal from when I first moved here."
"Yeah a lots happened since then." Dad mentions.
"A lot unhappened too. It's funny I thought I'd be off writing. Being free. But truth is now I don't know what to do with myself."
"Well You just pick up where you left off." Dad says before walking out. My phone rings and I quickly answer it seeing the caller ID is my mom.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Listen hun Luke was in an accident so I'm gonna stay the night at the hospital with him. Your sisters and staying with Teddy." My mom speaks.
"Is Luke ok?" I question.
"They're not sure yet but I'll talk you later alright sweetie."
"Ok. I love you." I tell my mom.
"Love you too Harper." The line goes dead and I stand up and head to find my dad.
————-
"Maddie? What are you doing here?" I ask when I answer the door at my dads and find my little sister and my mom.
"I'm staying the night too." She says excitedly. Great. My dad comes to the door and stands behind me.
"Come on in." He tells my mom and sister. "You can put your stuff in Harper's room."
