Harriet's Dreams - Rewritten

Chapter 6: Truth Hurts

A beautiful mediaeval mirror caught my eye, in it I saw myself. It was a mirage of the unhealthy sleep patterns, of someone who could have been striking to see. The wall where it sits, embedded with strange repeating patterns made of some kind of metal, chipping to a greyish tone. The light poured in through the window, illuminating the white walls.

Back at the apartment, in the city, I rested at my real home even if only in a blip of my imagination. Mornings, authentically a battlefield, fighting over who got to shower first or who got the last pancake. Here, in this spacious room with its bathroom, I felt a sense of loneliness.

When I arrived in the living room, a scene was already unfolding. My parents, amid a pleasant conversation with an older couple. Claude, the boy from the garden last night, stood beside them, next to a bulkier, older version of himself.

They approached me slowly. Claude sported a playful smile, entirely different from the uncertainness from last night, while his brother appeared closed off due to the tightly crossed arms.

"Hello, we are the Olive family," the older one said, gesturing to his parents. "I'm Anthony Olive, and this is-" He pushed his brother closer to him.

"I'm Claude Olive and I can speak. You don't need to speak for me," Claude said with a grin, pretending to be mad at his brother, who shrugged and muttered "Whatever." Claude turned his attention to me and winked. "What's your name?" He offered his hand for a handshake.

The situation was peculiar, but I went along with it. "Nice to meet you guys. Call me-"

Before I could finish, Lily appeared beside us. "Harriet!" Lily squealed, linking her arm with mine. "Good morning! To you too, Claude but what are you doing here?" She glared his way, discomfort evident.

Claude's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Just here with my family, catching up on things. It's good to see you again, Lily."

Anthony stepped forward with a polite but stiff nod. "We haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. I'm Anthony, and this is my brother Claude. Our family helps manage the estate."

Lily looked uneasy but maintained a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Anthony." Her gaze turned towards Claude. "But weren't you in the library?"

"Weren't you there too?" He raised his eyebrows "Anyways... Just checking in on my parents and catching up with old friends." Claude added, "And making new ones, it seems," with a smile directed at me.

Lily leaned closer to me, clearly uncomfortable. I took it as an opportunity "Lily, can we talk?" I asked, trying to pull her aside.

"Later, Harriet," she said, her eyes fixed on the door. "I need to ask him something." She pointed, flicking her finger in the fountain's guy's direction.

I noticed Theodore nearby, finishing apple slices my mother had given him. Unaware of any of this.

"Lily, please," I insisted. "We need to talk now."

"Alright. Then Claude." She called him. "And Harriet. We have some things to resolve." Said Lily with a bitterness I had not known until now.

***

Only when we found ourselves on the side of the building, she stopped. Letting out a sigh, "Claude. Did you say something to my sister?" She crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Well... She did ask about it." He gave her a half-smile, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze.

"So is it true?" I said, lowering my voice. "Were you seeing Claude while Theo was gone?" I turned to face her fully, my arms mimicking her posture.