CHAPTER 2
Harper
Two years later
“T hat’s it. I’m not going,” I grumbled to my best friend, Natalie. She’d been on the phone with me for the past hour while I tried to decide what to wear on our first day of school.
“It’s the first day of school. Of course, you’re going.”
“Nope. I’m not going.”
“Would you just relax? It’s going to be awesome. We’re officially upperclassmen now,” she tried to assure me.
“We’re just sophomores, Natalie. It’s not like it’s going to be that much different.” I had my reasons for not wanting to go back to school. I’d never been one of those girlie types, but over time, that slowly started to change. When I started high school, I found myself wanting to be more like the senior girls with their great bodies and fancy clothes, but between my acne and non-existent boobs, I didn’t stand a chance. Mom blamed it on the awkward stages of puberty, but it had been two years and I’d just turned sixteen. I should’ve grown out of it, but now that I actually cared, it only seemed to be getting worse. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Natalie was going through it with me, but Natalie’s body looked nothing like mine. With her gorgeous red hair, flawless skin, and great boobs, she had nothing to worry about.
“Well, at least we won’t get booed at the pep rallies anymore … and have popcorn thrown at us at all the games.”
“True.”
“And we’ll actually know how to get to our classes and where to eat lunch.”
“I guess.”
“Hey … What about that cute little navy-striped shirt you bought last week at the mall? You could wear it with those jeans that make your butt look good.”
I grabbed the shirt out of the closet and held it in front of me as I stared in the mirror. Even though it was one of my favorite shirts, I sulked. “I don’t know.”
“What’s wrong with it? It looks great on you.”
I leaned forward, examining my face in the mirror. “It doesn’t cover this monster zit I have on my chin. It’s so big I’m going to have to name the stupid thing.”
“How about Pip ?”
“Shut it, Nat.” I walked over to my bed and fell back on the mattress. As I stared up at the ceiling, I asked, “What about a hoodie? I could pull it over my head.”
“Would you give it a rest already? You look great. There’s no reason for you to be acting all weird right now. I’d kill to have a body like yours, and it’s just a zit or two. They’ll be gone in a few days.”
“Okay! Fine! At least, we have some classes together this year.”
“Yeah, except for Ms. Crider’s class. I’ve heard she’s a real b .”
“Yeah … Brody had her last year and almost failed her class, but she’s not as bad as Mr. Holt. I’ve got him this semester and next.”
“It’s not like you have to worry about it. You’ve aced every class since kindergarten,” she scoffed. “You just have to keep yourself from getting distracted.”
“Distracted?”
“Luke Mansfield is gonna be in there with us.”
“I’m not going to be distracted by Luke, Nat.” Luke was one of the better looking guys in our sophomore class. He looked older than he really was with his height and build along with his scruffy beard. All the girls were crazy about him—all of them, and I wasn’t even on his radar. “Besides, I’m not exactly his type. I’m not a size zero with double d’s .”
“Whatever. I saw him checking you out at the bonfire last week.”
“You did not!”
“I did! He was totally checking you out. I think he likes you.”
“I think you must’ve been in the sun too long or something. There’s no way Luke would ever be interested in me, especially with my sidekick, Pip , sitting on my chin like a volcano that’s ready to blow.”
“You could always put a Band-Aid on it and tell everyone you cut yourself shaving.”
I heard her giggle as I replied, “My chin? I cut myself shaving my chin ? Seriously?”
“I’m just kidding. Besides, I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.”
“I doubt it.”
“Harper!” Mom called from downstairs.
“Hey, Nat, I’ve gotta go. Dinner’s ready.”
“Okay. Call me back later,” she said before she hung up the phone.
As I headed downstairs, I called, “I’m coming.”
When I got to the kitchen, the whole crew, including Max, was standing at the door waiting for me. I knew immediately something was up. My mom looked practically giddy, smiling and antsy, and Brody and Max were grinning like a bunch of goons. Dad, on the other hand, had a pained expression, like he’d just stubbed his toe. “What’s going on?”
Mom stepped towards me. “We have a little surprise for you.”
“Oh.” My tone wasn’t one that was filled with excitement, mainly because Mom’s surprises weren’t normally what I considered a good thing. She always had good intentions, but buying me a pushup bra or new acne medication and calling it a surprise didn’t exactly set well with me. “What is it?”
Brody motioned his head towards the door. “It’s outside.”
I was suddenly intrigued. “What’s outside?”
“Your surprise, silly,” Mom answered as she led me towards the front door. “Go see.”
I was completely baffled as I followed her outdoors and towards the driveway. When I spotted a white, two-door sports car, I was stunned. My parents had never mentioned buying me a car—not even once, so it took a moment for it to register in my head. I turned to my dad and asked, “Is that mine?”
“It is, but with conditions.” He offered me the keys and added, “You have to keep your grades up.”
“Seriously? I can’t believe you bought me a car!” I shrieked as I took the keys. I rushed over to the car and opened the door. I couldn’t have been more excited as I sat in the driver’s seat and placed my hands on the wheel. I had no idea what kind of car it was, and I didn’t care. It was perfect. “This is awesome!”
“Why don’t you take her around the block?” Mom suggested.
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Just be careful and put on your seatbelt.”
After I buckled up and started the engine, I asked, “Anyone want to go with me?”
Brody shook his head. “No way I’m riding with you.”
“I’ll go,” Max volunteered as he opened the passenger door. He was so tall I was afraid he wouldn’t fit, but he managed to get in and shut the door. “Let’s roll, Half-pint.”
“Don’t be long. Dinner will be ready soon,” Mom called as I started down the driveway. I waved, letting her know I’d heard her, and then continued out onto the main road.
Max smiled as he asked, “What do you think?”
“It’s awesome! I can’t believe they actually did this.”
His voice was filled with sincerity as he said, “You deserve it, kid.”
I looked over to him, seeing that smile on his handsome face, and my heart leapt in my chest. I’d always loved him. From the first time he’d showed up at our house, he’d treated me like I was family. Sure, he picked on me and gave me a hard time about everything, but he was also there whenever I needed him. I’d turn around and he’d be there fixing the flat tire on my bike or getting my cat out of a tree. There were even a few occasions when he’d had my back when Brody was acting like a complete jerk. My family knew I was crazy about him, but they thought it was just a crush, something that would fade over time. I knew that wasn’t the case. Even though I knew I was setting myself up for a heartbreak, the feelings I had for him were only growing stronger.
He leaned forward and music filled the car as he turned on the radio. “Awesome sound system, too.”
“Natalie is going to freak out.”
“No doubt, but then, it doesn’t take much for her,” he ridiculed.
“I’m actually looking forward to going to school now.”
“You weren’t before?”
“No.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Not exactly.”
“Why not? I figured a bookworm like you would be all amped up about getting back to class.” He smirked.
“Going back to class is fine.” I left out the part about the volcano on my chin and said, “It’s all the other stuff I’m not looking forward to.”
“Like what?”
“All the stuff you don’t have to worry about,” I told him, sounding more sarcastic than I intended.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, Freckles.”
“That’s because you’re popular and everybody loves you. Add in the fact that you’re a senior, and you have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” he snapped.
It took a lot to get Max riled, so I was surprised by the aggravation in his voice. The last thing I wanted to do was make him angry, but that didn’t stop me from saying, “You know you’ve got it easy, Max. You’re a star football player, you’ve got good grades, and you’re good looking. You’ve got the most popular girls like Alexa Davenport and Lisa Carlton practically throwing themselves at you. It’s like you can do no wrong.”
“Why don’t you tell my father that?” he chided. “And just so you know, nothing in my life is easy … nothing .”
I looked over at him, and seeing the pain in his eyes made my heart ache for him. I was an idiot—a complete and total idiot. His sister, Anna Kate, was a year younger than me, and I’d heard some of the horror stories she’d told. While Max had never really talked about it, I knew things were hard for him at home, especially with his father. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking, Max.”
“Things aren’t always what they appear to be, Harper. And that goes for everybody. Nobody’s life is perfect. Even the most popular kids have their own shit they’re dealing with.”
“I know. It’s just …”
“You know …” He paused, then looked at me with his eyebrow cocked. “There’s plenty of people who’d say you’ve got it easy. You’re smart, you’ve got an incredible family, and you’re beautiful. Don’t take that for granted.”
The wind rushed from my lungs as I looked back to the road and thought about what he said. And while I should’ve been focusing on the parts about the blessings in my life, my mind couldn’t get past the fact that he just called me beautiful. I had to bite my bottom lip to keep myself from smiling as I drove back to the house. Once we’d both gotten out of the car, I turned to him and said, “Thanks for going with me.”
“Anytime, Half-pint. Don’t tell him I said it, but you’re already a better driver than your brother.”
“My ninety-year-old great-grandmother is a better driver than Brody.” I mocked. “And she’s practically blind.”
“I figure anybody could drive better.” He snickered.
“Yeah, like a preschooler.”
“Or Anna Kate, blindfolded.”
“Or Mom when she’s talking on the phone and painting her nails.”
“Or my dad after a two-week bender.” I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, and apparently my expression revealed my confusion. He cocked his head and smiled. “Too much?”
“Umm … Yeah. Maybe a little.” I laughed. “But I think you made your point.”
Just as we were starting for the door, Max said, “Harper?”
I stopped and turned to look at him. “Yeah.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about tomorrow. Just be you. The real you, and you’ll do great.” I felt my lips curl into a smile, and I was just about to say thank you when he knocked me back to reality. His finger motioned towards my chin as he tried to smother a laugh, “And the goiter should be gone in a couple of days.”
I gasped in horror. “Seriously?”
“Just keeping it real, Knucklehead,” he teased as he walked through the door and into the kitchen.
I stood there for a minute, angry and pouting, and without thinking, I brought my finger up to my chin and touched my blemish, feeling the hard, little mound under my skin. “Damn .”
“Stop touching it.” I quickly dropped my hand and turned to see Max standing at the door with a goofy smile on his face. “You’re only going to make it worse.”
“Shut up, Max!” I snapped as I charged for the door.
Knowing I was about to clobber him, he took off like a bolt of lightning. And just like that, the boy who held my heart in his hand reminded me that life was filled with ups and downs, and while mine wasn’t always easy, I had it pretty damn good. I had a family who loved me, a best friend who always had my back, and I had Max. What else could a girl ask for?