"You can't tell me you think I'm wrong. " Tori countered, "We both literally stuck our hand into her shoulder, and you don't think there's something wrong? "

"I know there's something wrong, I just don't think Harper's the problem."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with Harper either, but, whatever the problem is, she's involved! "

"I know she's involved! Do you think that would've happened if she wasn't?! I just want to know exactly what happened and how to fix it."

" That's the thing, Holiday. I don't know if we can. "

Holiday's voice pause for a few seconds, "I'll find a way. She's out friend. What else can we do?"

Harper smiled slightly. She had gotten up to just wander throughout the halls, and heard Tori and Holiday talking in the kitchen. At first she was going to just walk away, but as soon as she heard her name she changed her mind. She didn't quite understand what they meant by "sticking their hand in her shoulder", but she really hoped they weren't being serious.

Slightly afraid of what would happen if they saw her standing there, Harper turned and walked back down the hallway, looking for a staircase. When she found one, she walked up them, searching the halls for an empty room. After walking through most of the hallway, she found one and slipped inside. 

Carefully, Harper slid the window open and stood on the windowsill. Scanning the wall, she grabbed an overhang and tested her weight on it before she pulled herself up. The overhang was sturdy and large enough for about 3 people to be there at the same time. Sighing, she crawled closer to the wall before turning and resting her back against it, her gaze on the stars.

Suddenly, she felt her phone go off. Slightly nervous, Harper grabbed it from her pocket and opened her inbox. She felt her breath quicken as she saw over a dozen unread messages from Bailey. Quickly she opened them, giving a small sigh when they were just Bailey being a paranoid older sister.

Harp? Are you up?

Harp?

I'm going to assume you're asleep.

Things like that. The latest message was obviously the most rushed, since the spelling was pretty bad.

Harper I sweer I'm you dpnt answerv Im going to freak out.

Man, I didn't think your spelling could get any worse!

HARPER?!?! 

Yes?

You scared me!!!

Sorry.

Why weren't you replying?

Sleepover.

😮😮😮 you made a friend?!?!

Yeesss...

🎉🎉🎉 I knew you could do it!

Ummm yay?

You don't seem very happy.

Well I may have just ruined my relationship with all of them.

Okay, I realize this isn't good, but... YOU HAD MORE THAN ONE FRIEND!?!?! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

I'm kind of proud of me too.

Back to the not so happy topic: what makes you think they don't like you?

Well, something happened while I was sleeping and now they all look scared of me.

that doesn't mean they hate you. If you were sleeping, you couldn't have done anything.

I know, but I did. I heard two of them talking and she literally said they both put their hand in my shoulder.

... What?

I know! 

Could they be lying or something?

They didn't know I was there! Why would they lie if they thought no one was listening?

Fair point, except there's no logical way for someone to put their hand in someone's shoulder.

I know!

Maybe they imagined it?

All of them were terrified. They all must've seen whatever happened.

Well, in that case, I have no clue.

They both stopped talking for a few seconds before Harper thought back to one of her dreams.

Hey Bailey?

Yeah Harp?

Do you remember when you got attacked by that cloaked person?

Of course I do. Why?

has Hayden told you anything yet? 

About what?

Something that happened a few days after I left.

Something happened?

I'll take that as a no. Also, isn't it midnight by you guys?

Actually it's closer to one a.m, but in case you're wondering, everyone is still awake.

Do you mind if I talk to him?

Will I be allowed to read the conversation afterwards?

If he lets you.

Fair enough. I'll give him the phone.

thanks.

Harper waited a few seconds for Hayden to take the phone. Harper?

Hi Hayden.

HARPER!!!!

😁What's up, buddy?

Has Bailey been able to text you this whole time?!?

Yeah.

Mom's a jerk.

Did she say you couldn't talk to me?

Yep.

Thought as much.

Bailey said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?

I'm just a bit curious about something that happened after I left.

So I wasn't imagining things?!?!

I didn't even say anything yet.

You didn't have to. are you okay?!?

I was never hurt, Hayden.

How were you not hurt?!? You got hit by a car!!!

So it was real...

No kidding!! I was afraid I had killed you!

but you weren't afraid to kill yourself?

...you picked up on that?

Of course I did! I'm your sister! I have to make sure you and the others are safe!

Well, I'm glad you stopped me.

Why would you even consider it in the first place?

Because I didn't know if I'd ever see you again, or if mom would get nicer.

There has to be more than that!

There is. I just kind of want to keep it a secret.

I'm okay with that, as long as it doesn't result in you getting hurt.

It won't.

Okay. Have you told Bailey and Thomas yet?

No. I don't think they'll quite understand. Plus, I don't want to put more pressure on Bailey.

I guess that makes sense.

I really miss you, Harp, and I wish we could keep talking, but I have to give Bailey the phone back so she can sneak it into her room.

Mom started the "no phones in your room" rule again?

yeah. Good night, Harper.

Night, Hayden.

Harper sighed and out her phone back in her pocket. The stars had started to slightly fade, and she knew it meant she should go back inside. Carefully, she grabbed into the overhang again and dropped down, making sure her feet were planted on the windowsill before letting go. She hopped back into the room and slid the window shut before walking out of the room.

When she stepped into the hallway, she saw light coming from one of the rooms that had been locked earlier. Curious, she hid against the wall near it, giving herself only a glance at the person inside to know who it was before leaning back again. It was Holiday's father, and he was talking on the phone.

By the way he was talking, Harper thought maybe he was running a business or paying bills or something, but then she heard her name again, and, like before, she was curious.

"Yes, Harper's still here. The other girls saw, though. It may delay the project slightly, but not overly so. " he paused as the other person talked, "Yes, they woke her up. Talked to her until she was back." Another pause, "Two of them, including my daughter. Another possible reason for delay, but once again, not by much. " a third pause, " Yes, as long as she doesn't go to people's houses overnight, she should be fine. And, if I may add, the fact all 6 of them saw it means it's working. She's just using it wrong. "

Harper felt her breath quicken as it sunk in that they were talking about her. Whatever project they were talking about was related to her. Quickly, she hurried past the room without wanting to hear more and made her way back to the living room with her friends and her sleeping bag. She got in and pulled out her phone.

Tomorrow, earliest time you can, Bailey. Call me.

She put her phone back in her pocket, closing her eyes as if she were asleep, when in reality she was thinking. I'm one night her life had gone from partially normal to crazy. When would it finally end?

Story word count: 1310

Well, even if it was only one day for Harper, it's been 4 for us! Sorry that I made this part of the story so long, but I  didn't really want a 4 thousand word chapter. I'll try to update tomorrow! See y'all later!