Battle Scars

six.

Harper's room was a whirlwind of motion as she hastily shoved her belongings into a well-worn bag. She'd left packing to the very last minute, hoping to prolong the inevitable but it snuck up on her either way. Clothes were haphazardly thrown into the bag while books and other personal items were strewn about the room in a chaotic mess. She glanced at the clock, realizing that time was slipping away faster than she'd anticipated. With a resigned sigh, she looked around the room, her sanctuary since late May—the one place in her twelve years in the system that had felt like home. That had been a home to her. The idea of leaving it, if only for two weeks, made her stomach churn.

Cole stood in the doorway, a permanent frown on his face as he watched her pack. "This isn't fair," he said, his voice carrying the earnestness of his age. "You shouldn't have to stay with him."

Harper paused, her hands clutching a worn sweatshirt that she'd been about to shove into the bag. It was Hawk's, a piece of him she had inadvertently kept despite thinking she'd returned it to him. "The familiar scent of him clung to the fabric, bringing a mix of emotions and memories she'd rather not think about. But amid all the chaos, it brought a surprising sense of comfort to her. She hesitated for a moment, feeling the soft, warm material between her fingers before carefully folding it and placing it in her bag.

"It's just two weeks," she answered, trying to keep her voice light as she debated on what else to bring with her. "I'll be back before you know it."

"It's still not fair," he whined, shaking his head. "You shouldn't have to go just because some stupid judge said so."

"I know. But it's the court's decision. We kinda have to follow it."

Cole rolled his eyes dramatically, crossing his arms over his chest. "I wish you never looked for him."

Harper wholeheartedly agreed with him. She silently wished the same thing but morbid curiosity had gotten her to seek out her biological father. If she'd known that the Hudson's would become her family, she would've let the past stay buried. But she'd been so desperate for the truth that nothing would've stopped her. Now, she regretted it because it only caused unnecessary problems. Not just for her but for her foster family.

She zipped up her bag and took inventory of what was left. There was no point in bringing everything with her because, after all, it would only be a couple of weeks. And if she forgot something, it would give her an excuse to come back. She turned to Cole who didn't hide the frustration in his eyes.

Tilting her head, she forced a smile onto her face. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay," Cole said. "But you better text me."

"I will. Everyday," she promised, giving him a tight hug.

Harper descended the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The familiar creak of the fourth step, a sound she'd grown accustomed to recognizing and avoiding in the early hours of the morning so as not to wake anyone, echoed louder than ever. Each step she took was a reminder of what she was leaving behind, even if it was only temporary. The house, usually filled with happy chatter and the distant hum of Cole's video games, now felt eerily quiet. Tinged with a bittersweet sadness that enveloped the house and all its occupants.

Lucas and Olivia waited at the bottom of the stairs. Lucas stood with his hands shoved into his pockets, his calm demeanor shadowed by an unspoken concern. Olivia stood beside him, her usually warm eyes were red-rimmed as she forced a smile into her face.

"Ready to go?" Lucas asked gently, as if speaking might shatter an imaginary bubble that held everything together.

"Yeah, I guess," she said, her smile wavering. This wasn't the first time she was leaving a foster home. She'd done it so many times in the last twelve years that she was a pro at it. But this time felt different. This time she was heartbroken to leave, to leave behind the only family she'd ever known.