⨈𝖎𝖑𝖉 ₲𝖎𝖗𝖑𝖘

Chapter Four

Harper got to school in pain. Her back was black and blue with bruises, and it hurt every time she moved. It was the last day of school before summer break, and Harper, being stubborn, couldn't not show up. It was finally a day where she could get things sorted out with Lea and Ilise. Today she would confess her feelings. Each note was already written and ready to be slipped into their lockers.

So that's what she did. Harper waited until the halls were almost empty, and slipped the notes into the lockers. The three girls all had lockers right next to each other, so it took no time at all to slip the notes through the slots. Harper flinched as the warning bell rang, then winced as her back ached.

Harper started towards her first period class, hurting with the jolt of every step. She was a combination of nervous and relieved. She had poured her heart into the notes, and even explained the situation at home. The notes were in place now, so there was nothing that could be done.

She arrived at the exact moment that the bell rang, and made it into her seat right before the teacher noticed her.

"Settle down, settle down," The teacher, Ms. Williams, said. "Instead of normal periods, we're having a field day! Collect your stuff and make your way to the gym."

There was tons of commotion as people scrambled to the gym. Rumors had been circulating that there was going to be a dance today during the field day, during which students could choose their outfits from the ones used by the theater class. Harper hoped with all of herself that the rumors weren't accurate. But there was only one way to tell.

So Harper made her way towards the gym.

"Hey Ilise, look at this," Lea said, calling the midnight haired girl over. Lea held out a piece of paper, wrinkled as if the writer had balled it up but then unfolded it. There were spots where it looked like the writer had cried and then tried to wipe the tears off the paper.

Hey Lea,

It's me, Harper. I have something I've been needing to get off my chest, so here I am.

Let's start with the main thing. My home life. I know that you won't believe me, but that's okay. I understand.

The reason you've never been over to my house is because of my mother. She has been abusing me since we moved here, since my dad walked out on us. I wait to even start heading home until it's like 10 O'clock. That way, I'm always back after my mom's asleep. I'm usually almost late, because if my mom catches me on my way out the door, she'll beat me. She does that basically whenever she sees me. Why? Because, like she always says, I'm a mistake.

Whew, that was hard. Now for the harder part.

I love you. But I love Ilise too. But since you two are obviously in love, I know it's useless. I just wanted to let you know about this before summer break. Maybe we shouldn't meet up as much this summer. I mean, if you don't want to then we don't have to.

I understand if you hate me now, if you think I'm weird. But seriously. When you asked me what's wrong in the tree house that night, it was because you two are obviously made for each other. And I know that no one will ever look at me that way. I'm broken. Maybe beyond repair. But you are my friend. So I thought you deserve to know.

~Harper

"Wow. That's- wait. I have almost the same one," Ilise said.

"We have to get to the gym! Before something happens!" Lea exclaimed.

The two girls ran down the halls, bumping into people and squeezing through the clogged doors. Once they made their way to the gym, they split up to look for Harper.

Ilise couldn't find her anywhere. She had asked people if they had seen her, but no one had. They were all too busy gossiping about who liked who, and whatever drama was happening. They spread rumors, the dirty lies and secrets of innocent people shared without thought, like food at the dinner table. No one tried to correct them or set the record straight. No one defended the reputations of others. They all just shared the words, spread them, shattered peoples lives. It was always something new.

Like today. But this time the topic wasn't a name without a face. No, no, no. Today it was someone who she knew very well, or at least so she thought.

"God, have you heard?" was heard from the shadows.

"Harper—fag—slut—die, right?"

"Crazy—such a freak—kill herself."

"Supposedly—tonight—drugs."

"No—gunshot—head."

"Jump—roof."

The whispers continued, floating around the dark room like feathers, nestling themselves into peoples minds like seeds. Every word was like a knife to Ilise's stomach, a red-hot blade twisting her insides.

Frantically, Ilise tore her phone out of her pocket and texted Lea.

No no no no no no no, this can't be happening. She would have said something. No, of course she won't do it. Just rumors.

Ilise ran out the doors, ignoring the angered calls of the teachers, demanding that she return inside. She turned the corner of the school, her ebony hair flowing behind her as she ran. As she ran, Ilise saw the silhouette of a small girl out of the corner of her eye. At first, she ignored the person, but then doubled back.

The girl had blue hair that was tinted gray, obviosly dyed. You could see the roots growing back in, and in her hair was a small devil horned headband. Her brown-red eyes were downcast and sad.

"Harper?" Ilise asked.

"Wh-what? Why d-did you come l-looking for m-me?" Harper sniffled.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I heard some rumours and I hope that they aren't true, but I had to come and find out myself."

"What rumours?"

"Suicide," Ilise whispered.

"What?"

"I said suicide. They said that you were going to commit suicide."

"You know that I would never," Harper said. Lies and more lies. Will I ever stop?