Among the stars

Chapter one:

The morning sun peeking through Harper's curtains blinded her when she opened her eyes. It was officially the 3rd day of school. She slowly stretched her body until her limbs shook with ease. Waking up was Harper's least favorite thing next to school. Nonetheless, she'd made a promise. She promised she would attend actual school, and though she loathed everything about it - the people, the smell, the hormones, etc... - she wouldn't break that promise. She was one to stay true to promises.

Sighing in annoyance of the day ahead, she swung her legs over her bed and stood up. Stretching again of course. "Should I just lay back down for a few more minutes? I don't really need to shower right?" talking to no one in particular. She stood there for a moment before her bedroom door swung open.

"I heard that." a voice said flatly.

"Whaaat? Come on, don't act like you've never gone to school without showering first." Harper defensively retorted.

"Actually I haven't. I find it unhygienic and repulsive."

"Yeaaaahh, I don't believe that for a second Adri." Harper replied rolling her eyes a little.

"Frankly, I don't care what you believe because it doesn't matter anymore anyways. Now get your ass in there and shower before I drag some embarrassing baby pictures of you to school and hang them on peoples lockers."

"Wow. Ew. What in the actual betrayal of sisterhood?" Harper gaged.

"I will, don't test me."

"Okay, okay. I'm going." With that Harper showered off and prepared for her day. She had Geometry today along with some other classes she hated. But at least she had her favorite extracurricular class today too. Knowing this she packed her school bag with her previously assigned homework, and her photography camera. Adri had packed her a lunch so she wouldn't have to pay for crappy school food.

After the normal routine, they headed off to Harper's most dreaded place.

•~•

Her boring classes were out of the way, and she happily strutted to her finale class of the day. Before she reached the class, she pulled out her phone, held it to her ear, and started talking. Just then, Adri appeared walking in step with her down the hall.

"What? Did something juicy happen in History class?" Adri asked casually.

"No. I just wanted to tell you that I'm nervous. I need your help."

"Oh. Well why?"

"This is the first time my writing will be on display for other minds to dissect. AND my photography. What if they hate it and make fun of me? Then it spreads and everyone will know how gross my writing is and I'll be more of an outcast than I already am." Harper blabs on about her insecurity. Adrianna was not much of a writer, so she didn't really understand that part of Harper. But when it came down to it, Adrianna would read Harper's work and give her feed back. Not that it happened often because Harper was very secretive about what she wrote. Insecurities could really be inconvenient at times.

"Woah woah, don't stress so much. You're a great writer."

"You only say that because you're my sister."

"No Harper, I mean it. Yeah I don't read much, but trust me. This will be good for you. You can finally express an important part of who you are, gain confidence in that, and if you really want, make something of it." Adri expressed.

"I guess." Harper was not much of a planner in general. Much less for her future career. She didn't know what she wanted. No amount of confidence in herself could solve that for her. She knew that. So future talk made her anxious, and she'd often just spew nonsense to satisfy the different people she was talking to. For example, if her father asked what her future plans were, she'd tell him she'd marry a hardworking man and take care of their home and even future kids. But if a teacher or counselor asked, she'd say she wanted to go to college and pursue a degree.