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HARPER'S HEART POUNDED IN HER CHEST, a lump in her throat as the group awaited, silently and unmoving. She squeezed John's hand, the boy squeezing back, causing her to feel less anxious, her heart slowed its beats, swallowing the lump, she rested her forehead against the brick in front of her, letting out a sigh. "Alright. Let's go." She heard deputy Shoupe, followed by the motel door slamming. The trio waited a few minutes to be sure their re - entry into the motel room would be safe.
The blonde boy opened the window, holding his hand out to help Harper through, the two boys following in after her. The blonde ran ahead of the girl and his friend, opening the motel door and running down the stairs as fast as he could. "Hey," John caught her attention as he softly closed the room's door. "You okay?" He questioned, the girl plastering a fake smile on her face and nodding. The boy was skeptical, unbelieving of the fact she was okay, she seemed really shaken up only moments ago and he was sure it hadn't just disappeared within seconds.
In truth, Harper was scared for a moment that they'd be caught, and arrested for something. Her mind immediately moved to the thought of being like her father, a convicted criminal, she didn't want that. She didn't want to be convicted of any crime, not even a petty crime in her teen years. Hell, she didn't even want a warning. Her father had ripped her whole world apart with his selfish actions and as much love as she had for the man, she refused to allow herself to become like him. It was her biggest fear. John and Harper walked down the stairs and across the grassed area, reaching the boat, the boy constantly glancing at the girl, he knew she wasn't okay. He was intrigued by the girl, she seemed nothing like what he'd heard about her.
John's job was as a boat hand, he worked for Ward Cameron, Kildare's golden boy. He'd worked on the boat many times when Isabella and Sophia - Harper's mother and sister - were on board. He'd overheard the pair degrading the girl on many occasions, her mother spoke about her in a way, that John after meeting the girl didn't understand, as if Harper was nothing to her. That was an unhealthy and toxic relationship for her to have, her relationship with her father, a drug addict and convicted felon, was no better. John really felt for the girl and decided in that moment, he was going to try his hardest to be there for the girl.
Once the pair were both in the boat, John turned the engine on, a steady hum sounding. Harper sat with John and Pope, Kiara sitting on the edge of the boat and JJ sat by himself also. "Well, that was fun." The blonde chuckled. "Could've warned us a little sooner." He continued. "We would have, except Pope was on the math team." Kiara responded, Harper letting out a little laugh, of course he was. The news seemed to take everyone but her by surprise. "You were on the math team?" John B asked with a laugh. Harper turned her gaze to see so much debris just floating around in the water, she knew they'd be cleaning it up all summer, with a sigh she closed her eyes.
