Under Opposite Skies

Chapter 1

The party lights shimmered brightly over the mansion's pool, reflecting on the crystal-clear water like a million tiny stars. The sound of music filled every corner of the garden, and Harper Hargrave, sitting at the edge of a lounge chair, watched the scene with a distracted air. She knew she should be having fun, like the rest of the guests, but something inside her resisted fully letting go.

She wore a white summer dress, light and perfect for the occasion. It hugged her waist but was loose enough to allow her to move comfortably, falling elegantly over her tanned legs, showing just enough without being too revealing. The white contrasted with her light brown hair, which fell in soft waves down her back. White had always been her favorite color, a shade that highlighted her fair skin and honey-colored eyes, eyes that were now lost in the crowd of boys and girls dancing and laughing by the pool.

Harper sighed, brushing aside a stray lock of hair the wind had blown across her face. Just then, she heard the laughter of Leah Barrister, her best friend, only a few feet away.

"Harp! Come over here!" Leah shouted, waving a champagne glass as she approached with Morgan, their other friend, by her side.

Leah, with her shiny blonde hair and tight emerald dress, was the perfect image of a Palm Beach girl. Always radiant, always the center of attention, and tonight was no exception. Morgan, on the other hand, with her dark hair and slender figure, opted for a more laid-back but equally elegant style. Harper smiled at both of them.

"Where have you been?" Leah asked, leaning in towards Harper while offering her a glass. "Don't tell me you're avoiding Matt."

Harper tried not to roll her eyes. Matt Barrister, Leah's perfect brother, had been chasing her all summer. She'd known him for two years, ever since the Barristers moved from Washington, but it was only in the last few months that she'd gotten closer to him. With his dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, Matt was the kind of guy who immediately caught everyone's attention. Tall, athletic, and always well-dressed, tonight he wore a white linen shirt, slightly open at the neck, revealing his tanned skin. His easy smile and confident attitude made him even more irresistible to the girls around, and Harper couldn't deny that he had something that attracted her. But there was also something else that made her hesitate, though she wasn't sure what it was.

"I'm not avoiding anyone!" Harper replied, trying to sound more cheerful than she actually felt.

"Sure you are!" Leah winked at her. "My brother is crazy about you. And you know it."

At that moment, Cameron, Matt's best friend, joined the conversation. With his red hair and carefree attitude, Cameron always had a smile on his face.

"Harp, you should feel lucky," Cameron said, giving her a knowing look. "Matt doesn't chase just anyone, and certainly not with this much dedication. You know what that means, right?"

Harper let out a soft laugh, though inside, she felt pressured. Everyone, absolutely everyone, assumed that she and Matt would end up together sooner or later. Leah, Cameron, their friends, even her parents, all thought Matt was the ideal guy for her. And Harper understood why. Matt had it all: good looks, intelligence, a powerful family. But despite all that, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

Before she could respond, she felt a warm hand gently resting on her back. She turned, and there was Matt, as charming as ever, smiling as if everything was exactly as it should be.

"There you are," he said, leaning toward her.

Matt, with his dark blonde hair perfectly styled back, his blue eyes gleaming under the party lights, and that smile that seemed designed to win anyone over, looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in that moment. Harper couldn't help but smile back, though her heart beat a little faster than it should have.