✓ | REMORSE, elijah mikaelson

23 ── wasn't ready to explain it all

HARPER'S HEART was racing as she made her way into the living room, the weight of the conversation ahead pressing heavily on her chest. She could feel the nerves creeping up, tightening around her chest as she approached her parents, who were sitting together on the couch, sharing a quiet moment. She had rehearsed this conversation in her mind a thousand times, but now that the moment had arrived, the words felt like they were lodged somewhere deep within her, refusing to come out.

"Mom, Dad, can I speak with you both?" Harper asked, her voice betraying the nervousness that was bubbling inside her.

Her parents, who had been engrossed in their own conversation, immediately looked up. A smile spread across her father's face as he responded warmly, "Sure, sweetheart. What's on your mind?"

Harper took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had been dreading this moment, knowing that it was going to be difficult. The words she had been wanting to say for so long suddenly felt much heavier now that they were finally about to leave her lips. She fidgeted with her fingers, the nervousness creeping up on her like a storm ready to break. Saying it out loud, actually talking about Elijah, was a whole different thing than imagining it in her head. How was she supposed to bring it up? How could she tell them something that felt so... huge, so real, knowing that her time was running out?

Her parents, ever the attentive figures in her life, could sense the tension radiating off her. They exchanged a quick glance, their concern growing with each passing second. It was clear that something was troubling their daughter, and they knew that this wasn't just about the usual concerns of a teenager. Harper had changed, and it wasn't just her physical appearance. It was the quiet sadness that seemed to hang over her, the distance in her eyes that no amount of time spent together could erase. She had been holding something back for so long, and now they were waiting for her to let them in.

Her mother, ever the gentle soul, reached out, her voice soft with concern. "Harper, dear, is everything alright? You've been so quiet today. Is something bothering you?"

The question pierced Harper's heart. How could she explain it? How could she tell them that everything was changing—everything in her life, in their lives, was about to be turned upside down? Her body was betraying her, slowly falling apart, and there was no way to explain the sense of urgency that had been building within her. She didn't know how to tell them that the clock was ticking, that every moment felt like it could be her last. She felt her breath catch in her throat.

Taking another deep breath, she finally gathered the courage to speak. "Um... so, I've been seeing this guy," she began, her voice cracking slightly. "And it's gotten really serious."

The words spilt out faster than she intended, and as they did, she immediately regretted the speed at which she had said them. It felt too abrupt, too sudden. But there was no turning back now.

Her parents' reactions were immediate and synchronized. "What?!" they both exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with disbelief. Their shock was palpable, and Harper couldn't help but chuckle at the sheer surprise that had overtaken them. They were staring at her as though she had just told them she was joining a circus, not revealing something as simple and natural as having a boyfriend. The room felt electric with their disbelief.

Harper nodded, trying to remain composed despite the overwhelming nerves coursing through her. "And, I may have come back with him. He's actually outside right now, waiting for me," she added, a playful smirk crossing her face. It was meant to lighten the moment, but her parents were still in stunned silence, processing what she had just said.

Her father, who was usually quick with words, found himself at a loss for once. He turned to his wife, his voice thick with disbelief. "Our daughter... has a boyfriend?"

Her mother looked at him, equally confused. "Harper... and a guy?" she repeated, her voice sounding almost incredulous.

Harper sighed heavily, watching her parents process the news. She could see how their minds were racing, trying to make sense of the situation. To them, it felt as if she had dropped a bombshell on them—like she was announcing that she was quitting school or making some life-altering decision. It wasn't that they didn't want her to have a boyfriend; it was just that they had never imagined her in a relationship like this. Harper had never been the type to open up about her love life, mostly because she never had one that was serious enough to warrant their attention. So, this news felt out of left field for them.

But this time, it was different. Elijah was different. Their relationship was different.

"Well, yes," Harper said, her voice steady despite the swirling emotions inside. "Yes, Harper and a guy, and if it's okay, I'd like to invite him in... I wouldn't want him to get sick." The lie slipped from her lips effortlessly, though she knew it wasn't the real reason she wanted him to come inside. The truth was much more complicated. She couldn't tell them that Elijah was not just any ordinary guy—he was a vampire, and he had been staying with her in secret for days now. He had been by her side in ways her parents couldn't possibly understand, and she wasn't ready to explain it all.

Her mother, clearly thrilled by the idea of meeting her daughter's first serious boyfriend, didn't hesitate. "Oh! Yes! Please do, sweetheart! I'd love to meet him." She was practically bouncing with excitement, eager to welcome this new chapter in Harper's life.

Harper stood there for a moment, frozen with uncertainty. Was this really the right way to do it? Should she have told them in a different manner? As she walked toward the door, her mind raced, her emotions a tangled mess of fear and hope. She had no idea what her parents would think of Elijah once they met him, but at that moment, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was doing this for her—for them—and she hoped they would accept Elijah, despite the unconventional nature of their relationship.

As she opened the door, she couldn't help but feel a little lighter, as though something had shifted in the air. Her parents might not fully understand, but they were willing to try. And for now, that was enough.

She couldn't have known then, just how much this moment would change everything. But she would soon find out.