Till Time Do Us Part || TUA

6||

HARMONY ||

Lila entered the room, surprised to find it empty. She shrugged, muttering, "All kinds of crazy going on outside," as she dropped the keys on a table and spit out her gum.

"I figured you'd be here," a voice spoke up from behind her. Lila turned swiftly, startled by the sudden sound, her eyes widening in surprise. Standing before her was 13-year-old Harmony.

Lila tried to mask her expression, but she knew Harmony could already sense what she was feeling. "How's that?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Harmony moved closer, her face a mix of happiness and concern. "You're easily predictable. What are you doing here?"

"If I'm as easily predictable as you say, I'm sure you can come up with some predictions," Lila retorted.

"I've come up with plenty, but none that explain why you're here," Harmony replied, her tone sharp. The Handler and she had a deal: Harmony would do as she was told, and in return, Lila would stay out of trouble. But Harmony had broken that agreement when she left 2019 with the Hargreaves.

"Come on, you can't possibly tell me you didn't miss me," Lila said, the tension between them palpable.

"The Handler sent you?" Harmony asked, deliberately ignoring Lila's attempt at lightening the mood.

"Yes, our mother did send me," Lila replied matter-of-factly.

"Funny you still call her that," Harmony scoffed.

Lila smiled, a hint of offense in her eyes. "You saved the planet yet?" she asked.

"You tell me. I'm sure you've been watching my every move since you got here," Harmony shot back.

Lila scoffed lightly. "Sorry to deflate your very big ego, sister, but I have a mission of my own. Not everything is about you."

Harmony suppressed an eye roll. "Your mission? What do you mean, 'your mission'?" She stepped closer to Lila, who stood with her arms crossed.

"You didn't think you'd be having all this fun without me forever, did you?" Lila said, her tone light but her expression sharp.

Harmony crossed her arms as well, her voice turning serious. "This isn't a game, Lila. What I'm doing is important."

Lila squinted her eyes. "Typical of you to say that," she muttered under her breath.

Harmony huffed. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Lila sat down on the couch beside them, her gaze challenging. "Are you telling me that my mission is just a silly little part-time fun arrangement? And that you're the only one who has important things to do?" Lila scoffed.

Harmony stared at her in disbelief. This wasn't the sister she remembered—it wasn't the girl she left behind when she was sent to the future. "You know that's not what I meant," Harmony said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Lila sighed, her tone cutting. "No? Then what did you mean?"

Harmony waved the subject off, not wanting to dive into an argument. "Why are you here, Lila? What mission did she give you?"

Lila's smile turned sinister. "It's a surprise."