Darlin' ~ FP Jones

American

Before anyone knew it, the first month of summer was over and it was July. Hot, sticky, messy July. The month that everything changed. Harper had completely lost touch with Polly, Seth, and Melody and spent every moment she could with FP whether it was in his arms in his trailer, or in his arms at the Wyrm she was with him. The two had become inseparable and every South Side Serpent knew who she was and whose girl she was. No one dared cross FP or comment on the extreme age difference between them. As for the man, he had never been happier. Harper made him feel like he was worth something, like getting up every morning and living was the right thing to do. He began to step away from drinking. Less and less often Harper saw FP with a drink in his hand unless they were at the Wyrm. She was proud of him, and the progress he was making.

July fourth, was the day that nothing was the same again. Harper was at the White Wyrm early, early enough that the only people around were people still drunk from the night before. She and FP had plans to drive up into the mountains and spend the day together, uninterrupted and she couldn't wait. When she arrived at the Wyrm, there was a hush in the building that Harper had never experienced before. She looked around as she stood in the doorway, soft snores came from one or two Serpents that were passed out along the bar or under a pool table. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked to the stairs and up to FP's office. She cracked the door, peeking inside a smile on her lips for him; he wasn't there. She frowned and turned around, checking her watch that it was the right time. Eight a.m. on the dot. She walked down the stairs and leaned over the side of the bar. Nothing. She was about to walk out and go to his trailer when she considered he may have gone out for a smoke. She walked back towards the back of the building, it was similar to a loading dock. Harper reached for the door to pull it open when she heard the sound of voices. She held back, maybe it was private. But her curiosity got the better of her and she pressed her face to the door, her eyes looking out the crack. At first she could only make out shapes until her eyes focused on the broad back of a man. She saw the jacket and knew it was FP. Immediatly her heart fluttered.  There was another person, a boy. He had fiery red hair. She knew his face, she saw he was wearing a varsity jacket. There were two boys on the football team, both with red hair. One was Archie Andrews and the other was Jason Blossom. Harper listened hard. Making out FP's voice.

"I can set you up, just make the run and we'll be straight." FP said, tossing a pair of keys to the boy who caught them.

"Thank you sir." The mystery boy said. She saw FP pause and take another look at the boy.

"Hold up, why you need this car anyway?" FP held up a hand to the boy who paused.

"My-my girlfriend... She's pregnant. I-I need to get away. We want to go up to a farm upstate, this is our only way to get away from this town. From our families." He said, Harper knew immediately who it was, Jason Blossom and her best friend Polly. Who she hadn't spoken to in weeks. She was pregnant with Jason's baby. A sinking feeling settled in Harper's chest as she continued to listen.

"I get it. Good luck. Make the run. If it doesn't get done... let's just say you'll be hearing from us." FP says before stashing something in the trunk of the old car. He turns back towards the door of the loading dock and Harper stumbles backwards from the door trying to get away before he comes in. She was halfway down the bar when she heard the door open behind her.

"Harper?" She stops in her tracks, wishing she had been late for once in her life. She turned slowly, an awkward smile on her face. She puts her hands out at her sides.

"Hey there." She smiles. He looks at her with an expressionless face.

"Were you listening to that conversation?" He asked, his lips forming a tight wrinkled line and his brow furrowed. She bit her lip, she wasn't scared.