Switch

chapter 6 -Wilted

I've been keeping my distance from Harriet lately. Well, as far as one can be from someone who shares a room with you. I watch from my window seat as Harriet hunts through my closet, her head buried in the clothes. Trying on a black play-suit, she chooses to pair it with some strappy heels and a Gucci handbag.

"What do you think Tasmin, too goth?"

I narrow my eyes at Harriet as she struts around my room in the heels, the clothes fitted like they were tailor made for her. She looks better than I ever did in them.

"Isn't that Mums Gucci handbag?" I accuse her, "Where are you going anyway?"

Admiring herself in the mirror, she moves closer to her reflection to apply mascara.

"Oh just going out to the movies." Harriet casually answers, tossing my phone to me.

"Ash asked if me and some friends wanted to go out; read the text."

Jealously stings my eyes as I read the message. "You are going on a date with Ash!?" I blurt out to her. Harriet snorts in disbelief, pausing as she applies eyeliner. "No no silly, I'm just going out with Alex, Jade and Daisy. I'm not even into Ash honestly, he's not my type. You can come if you want, didn't think you would be interested."

Didn't think I would be interested? Of course I would be, they are my friends, well at least I think they are. Harriet says she is all I really need now, It's true in a way. Perhaps she was right in not asking me to come. I feel too tired, I'm always so drained.

"Yeah maybe you're right Harriet, I don't really feel like going anywhere tonight. Harriet finishes her look, blotting her berry pink lipstick delicately with some tissue paper.

"It's probably for the best anyway Tasmin," she replies nonchalantly, fixing her long black hair into an elegant ponytail. "After all, you don't really look your best tonight."

I frown, walking over to Harriet to stand next to her in the mirror.

"No offense to you Tasmin but I don't think you will make quite the impression you want on Ash looking like that.

She was right.

My skin was as pale as a corpse, making purple spidery veins prominent around my dull eyes. My hair had lost its normal luster and my frail body looks like it is struggling to stand up straight in the mirror. Next to Harriet, I look like wilted flower that has been cut off from the sun too long.

"What is happening to me." I whisper softly, rubbing the x shaped bruise at the nape of my neck. The pain had become like a drug.

"You just need to sleep more Taz, it's that insomnia isn't it? Or perhaps the nightmares." Harriet pulls me away from the mirror, a gleam of silver in her eyes.

A loud car horn snaps me out of a trance as Harriet squeals.

"Oooo that's my ride! See ya Tasmin."

I watch her sashay out of the house into Ash's old vw car with our friends -my friends. Harriet locks eyes with me through the window as Ash grabs her hand, speeding down the driveway leaving a trail of smoke in their wake. I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding. I feel nothing, I even start to see nothing. The corners of my vision blur and darken, I sway as the world spins out my grasp.

...........................Harriet's POV.................................

Ash's iron ring burnt my skin every time he tried to hold my hand. Biting my lip, I grin and bared it, putting on a show here and there. 'Oh Ash you are so mysterious' 'I love your knuckle tattoos Ash!' The glamour helped too of course, over the duration on the movie, he fell deeper and deeper into my spell. Love is such a weakness in humans, if you press the right buttons, anyone is vulnerable. For now, it proves rather annoying as he nuzzles into my shoulder.

"Ash." I gently push his face away from my shoulder, trying to hide my disgust as I notice he left a wet saliva patch on my play-suit sleeve.

"Hmm?"

Ash giddily stares at me, a slack blissful smile on his face. Perhaps I used too much glamour.

"I would like you to do something for me, would you do anything for me?" I purr as I cup his face in my hands, though he doesn't notice it, I dig my nails into his cheeks.

"Anything Harriet! Anything for you."

I smile devilishly, "yes good. I want you to ask Tasmin to prom this year." 

Ash grimaces, taken aback by my request. "I want to take you Harriet, not her." 

Leaning closer, I whisper in his ear. "I said ask her to prom, not take her." 

Ash's eyes darken at my suggestion, a sly smirk screeching across his face. "I see, I'll ask Tasmin tonight."

~Authors note~

Hey guys! as you can see things are starting to get a bit sinister between Harriet and Tasmin, leave a vote if you liked the chapter  (◡‿◡✿)

By the way what team are you on? #harriet or #tasmin