Between Stripes

T E N

"You love him! You do!" Harley sang, jumping up from the office chair and dancing over to me.

I rolled my eyes but felt the warm glow creep up on my cheeks. (This was happening more frequently, I needed to get ahold of that stupid blush.)

Harley tugged a footstool from under the desk and set it in front of me. She plopped down on it, grabbing my hands and looking me in the eyes.

"Georgia Hope Fishwick," she said in a monotone voice. I tried to maintain the growing grimace to a minimum as she said my full name.

"Are you falling in love with Jerome Valeska?"

My heart leapt into my throat. I had known the question was coming... but still. It was kinda weird to actually think about it.

"You are. You sooo are! I knew it!" Harley squealed and leapt up. She threw her arms round my shoulders and squeezed. The girl had a death grip.

No jokes? No voices? Nothing?

Just me.

Just him.

"I can't believe it! My baby is in love!" Harley's voice was muffled by my hair. I laughed and threw my arms round her back.

"Ya think he likes me?" I murmured into her shoulder.

"Of course! Yes he does! Absolutely!" She paused before adding, "if he didn't I'd kill him."

I wriggle out the death grip and shoved her backwards. Our eyes locked. I gave her a stern look and pursed my lips.

(Admittedly I tried not to laugh. She looked like a kicked puppy.)

"Sorry. Gotta remember not to make threats like that around killers." Harley sheepishly mumbled and I just shook my head while smiling. That was Harls for ya. She was like a kid.

"Honestly though, you guys are adorable. There's so much romantic tension!" She wandered back to the office chair and plopped down. Instinctively, she crossed her legs and slouched. Harley looked so goddamn small in that chair.

"Ya sure?" I laughed and she raised an eyebrow at me. It was her turn to purse her lips.

"Fine. I get it. You think we're destined to be together and that shit." I laughed more and Harley joined in. The next thing I knew was that we were in fits of laughter, barely being able to breathe.

A mere slice of madness slid into it.

Only a slice.

It wouldn't harm.

It didn't harm.

No.

It was only small.

Promise.

Promise it wasn't anything.

Promise to you.

Promise to me.

Promise to Joey.

Promise to Dr Quinzel.

Promise to Aaron.

Promise to Harley.

Promise to...

He liked madness

He liked mayhem.

Doll face, calm down.