"Harper, come on." Thomas complained , "We need to go!"

"Ugh," Harper winced at the lights piercing her eyes, "What time is it?"

"Time to go!" Thomas insisted, grabbing Harper's wrists and trying to pull her up, "Come on sleepy!"

Harper rolled her eyes and got up, "It's been a long weekend."

"Well, there's a short time before school, so hurry up!"

She laughed and grabbed the first clothes she found in the closet. It wasn't like people would notice; she wore sweatshirts every day anyways. Simply brushing her hair and adding miniscule makeup, she was out of the "closet" in a few minutes. When she opened the door, Hayden was waiting with Thomas. "Took you long enough," he told her, though he was smiling.

"Oh, come on. That couldn't have been more than 5 minutes!" Harper protested, grabbing her bag from beside the door and walking towards the kitchen.

"I meant waking you up. Took forever."

"Yeah," Thomas agreed, grabbing his own bag, "Usually your alarm wakes you up, but instead it woke up us. " he grinned, "Looks like we're switching jobs for everything!"

"That doesn't work," Harper grinned, "I work during your school day. You can't get out of school to work for me."

"Dang it."

Harper laughed again and put her dream journal in her bag with her other things, "Don't worry. You'll have to take my job next year so I can work full time."

The boys shared a look, "Actually," Hayden started, "We think you shouldn't work full time next year."

She froze, " .... Excuse me? "

"We want you to go to college!" Thomas exclaimed.

"Uh, that's really sweet, but it's not happening."

"Oh come on! Bailey went!"

"Yeah, but she actually got a scholarship and has a chance at being successful. I have to stay and take care of you."

"And after we graduate?" Hayden asked.

"You'll go to college, get good jobs, and be successful! What else is there to explain?"

"Um, the fact that you think that is impossible for you." Thomas countered, "You have as much a chance as any of us. Hayden and I can get jobs and save money. And, even if you go to college, you can still work of you really want to."

"No. I'm not going anywhere." Harper said sternly, "I'm staying here until you leave."

"Where will you go then?"

"I don't know! Maybe back to dad's house. Maybe back to mom's. I'm not worried about that right now!"

The boys looked almost afraid. "Why would you go back to mom's house?" Hayden asked slowly.

Harper sighed, "I don't know!"

"Do you think you made a mistake coming here?"

"No! I just..." She sighed again, "I love it here. Really. But I don't want to leave our relationship with mom broken. I want to fix it. I'd come back, if course. But maybe I could fix things. Hopefully understand why she was so... I don't know... Strict? Harsh?"

"Evil?" Thomas tried , earning a slap from his brother, "What?"

"Evil probably isn't the word to use," Harper scolded, "Even if it seems like the right one. Come on. You said it yourself. We have school."

___________________

"Thank you, Caroline," Isabelle breathed, setting Harper down on the floor of her house. "

"It's alright," Caroline reassured her as John took the kids to their rooms. They patted Harper on the head before running up the stairs. Caroline stared briefly after them before looking back at Isabelle, "How did you know my name?"

"Oh, it was just a guess, " Isabelle lied.

"Lucky guess considering how many names you could've picked from."

"I could say the same to you. How'd you know my name was Belle?"

"So I was right?"

"Technically it's Isabelle, actually. But Belle is close enough. "

Caroline shrugged, "You looked familiar. Even before you said my name. So I tried to see what I remembered you from, and I just came up with Belle. That's all."

"I see. Wait- I look familiar?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, it surprised me too. I'm not sure where I know you from, but I know we've met. Somewhere."

"I... I'm not sure... "

"It's alright. Maybe it's better neither of us know."

" ...yeah. Anyways, did you see the person who was following me? "

"Yes, actually. He wasn't trying to hide himself very much, so I assumed he was just in his way home."

"Remember what he looked like?"

"Mostly that he had darker skin. Couldn't tell you much else. He was too far away."

Isabelle sighed, "That's alright. At least it narrows it down."

"Does this happen often?"

"No, but my old job was extremely confidential. I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the workers making sure I don't say anything."

"I see," she looked over at Harper, "Beautiful daughter."

"Thank you. She's a little over a year now."

"She's so calm. How'd you manage it?"

Isabelle picked Harper up off the floor, "Not sure, actually. My other daughter was crazy at her age. Maybe that was her father's doing."

"New husband, or..."

"No, they have the same father. He's just not around anymore."

"I see," Caroline looked back up the stairs, "I'm lucky to have John. My previous boyfriend... wasn't the best... But John's been helping me recover."

"He seems really nice."

Caroline smiled, "He is. If anything, he's more paranoid than mean. Wouldn't hurt a fly, but doesn't want anything to happen to our kids. That's why he knew what was happening earlier with that stalker."

"My husband... Was very different. Reckless, crazy, and apparently untrustworthy."

"Oh," Caroline winced, "Well that definitely won't form a healthy relationship."

"Why do you think I left him?" Isabelle laughed slightly and looked out the window, "I think we should be fine to go now."

"Let me come with you," Caroline insisted , "He may still be waiting for you."

"I shouldn't be wasting your time-"

"No. I want to come with. Please. I want to be ready to call the police if something happens."

Isabelle sighed and brushed Harper's blonde hair behind her ear, "Alright. If you insist."

I did it! I achieved my goal! One chapter every day over break has officially been completed! I'm still going to try to update every day, but now that I'm going back to school it might be more difficult with homework and my "job" ect.

I realize we're spending quite a bit of time with Isabelle's stalker issue, but there is a purpose. I'm not just trying to fill up space.(though pretty much everything with Isabelle is important. Don't skip her sections people XD)

Anyways, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see y'all later! Bye!