Fly ∆way Girl

|34|

|SKINNY LOVE|

There are three of us now. We all look the same; we all sound the same. All of us have the same scar on our wrist, and the same quiver in our voice. But, something is different; something makes all of us different.

I think it's the eyes. Sure, they are still green, and still glazed over with the dust of this life, but they aren't the same. Each one of our eyes are different.

The Harley that sat in the floor, fully clothed in her purple dress, had eyes that drooped. Her eyes were searching. Maybe for a glimmer of hope; maybe for something, anything to hold on to.

The Harley that stared back at her through the mirror was easier to figure out. Her eyes were full of fear, and maybe a hint of doubt. I hope she wasn't rethinking her dress choice because she really did look beautiful in it. She looked like someone with the potential to be happy. I wish she would grasp onto the chance.

I can't see the eyes of the third Harley because she has no reflection now, but I know what hers look like. They are skeptical. They are curious. But, most of all, they are apprehensive. Something bad will happen tonight. If I've learned anything in the afterlife, it's that bad things happen to Harley Jamison.

Harley seemed to be making more of an effort than she usually did. Her eyelashes were painted perfectly, framing her eyes. Her makeup was still more of a natural look, but she was trying to branch out from her usual ways. She was putting a valiant effort towards change.

I'm proud of her. I know, it's silly to be proud of someone for putting on makeup, but in this case, it's a big deal. It's the first step of many. Harley just needed a reason to take the first step, and apparently this JT guy was a good enough reason. I wonder if Harley knew how crucial these moments were. What was she thinking right at this moment? I can never know, but I do know one thing, she probably wasn't thinking about her death. She probably wasn't taking the time to soak up every moment like it could be her last. I'll admit, life wasn't going well for her, but at least it was a life. I would give anything to go back; to call myself living. Now, I'm nothing. I'm just...existing. I'm existing in a place where no one knows me; where no one sees me, or hears me. Where no one has a thought of Harley Jamison. No one except Josiah that is. He's the only person I'll ever speak to again, and I barely know him.

"Harley?" Baylor's voice called from outside the door.

"In here." She answered.

The door swung open, revealing Baylor in his prom "suit". His pants were skinny jeans that hugged his legs all the way to his Converse. The shirt underneath was a plain button up white shirt with a black jacket that came from an actual suit. A black bowtie completed the look, making it just enough to pass as formal wear. He even had his messy hair combed back into a single wave.

Harley smiled up at him. My heart skipped a beat at the sight. Maybe she is truly happy, but for how long?

"Wow, you look nice." Baylor said. "I wasn't sure about the dress at first, but it looks a lot better now that you have it on."

Harley narrowed her eyes, not sure if that was a compliment or not. "You look nice too." She said.

"Thanks kiddo. Have you talked to JT?"

Harley looked down at her phone. "He texted me earlier."

"What did he say?"

"He said to meet him at prom, and that he'll be waiting for me."

Baylor smiled wide.

"What?" Harley asked.

"I can't believe we're doing this." He said, managing to keep the smile.

Harley smiled back, though much smaller. "I can't either, but maybe we need this; maybe things will work out okay, for both of us."

He took her hand, and pulled her up from the floor. He gave her a forced smile, but I think he secretly had doubt. I've never known Baylor to have to force a smile. He's trying to be brave for Harley.

"You really do look nice Harley, I hope JT realizes how special you are." His eyes held fear now. It's a look that's easy to spot on Baylor because he never shows it.

I already know something bad happens, but Baylor and Harley don't. I know that they do something to Harley, and Baylor has to come pick her up, but I'm not really sure what any of that means. Why would he have to come pick her up if he was already there?

Baylor's cell phone rang out suddenly, startling me from my thoughts.

"Hello?" He answered.

Harley and I both watched his expression carefully. His face fell ever so slightly, indicating some sort of bad news.

"Yes sir, I understand. I'll be there."

We waited for an explanation, which he hesitated to give.

"It looks like I can't go kiddo, they need me to come into work."

Harley's face morphed into a scowl; she seemed as if she may throw up. "Baylor, you have to go."

"I can't, they need me to come in. If I say no, I could get fired."

"But I need you to go..." Harley said quietly.

"You'll be okay. You'll go to prom, and have a great time. And if you don't, we'll go get ice cream when I get off." His forced smile reappeared, which was much scarier than any other expression. He was really worried. He tried to hide it, but his face gave it away.

Harley knodded her head in agreement, though she wasn't happy about it.

"I'm gonna go call Leslie and let her know." Baylor said.

He left the room and I followed him down the stairs all the way to the driveway.

He paced back and forth while the call went through.

"Hey, Leslie." He said in a carful tone. "I got called into work tonight." He paused, perhaps waiting for the backlash.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, I know you wanted me to go."

I moved closer to the phone, attempting to hear. Either she wasn't talking, or I couldn't hear her afterall.

"Harley is still going. I was wondering if you could look after her for me, I'm not sure I trust this JT guy."

I gasped. Why would he tell Leslie to look after Harley? She's the last person that should babysit her.

"Of course I will! But you have nothing to worry about, JT is a great guy!" Leslie responded. I guess I can hear her.

"Thanks babe, I owe you one." Baylor said.

I glanced over to Josiah who stood by the big tree in the Jackson's front lawn. He hasn't given much input in this memory. He only does that when something terrible is going to happen that he doesn't want me to know about yet.

He could have been a statue. His stare was unchanging. His eyes were heavy, and his lips were sealed shut. He wasn't making eye contact with me. He didn't even seem to be looking at me, he was looking through me. He was in other memories, or worlds, or wherever else he goes. Who knows? Josiah is a mystery.

Baylor had already hung up with Leslie by the time Harley made it out the front door.

"Ready to go?" Baylor said with weary eyes glued on Harley.

"Yes, I guess I am." The uncertainty in her answer didn't sit well with Baylor.

Josiah, who had come out of his stupor, now stood next to me.

"Are you ready?" He asked me.

"I guess I am."

I have to be.