At school, Harper and Leo were casually strolling through the hallway, amidst the hum of conversations and locker doors opening and closing around them. Harper, dressed in a white blouse with ripped jeans and brown lace-up boots, glanced around, her mind on the usual school day.

Suddenly, a loud guitar riff echoed down the hall, drawing their attention. They stopped in their tracks and saw Adam and Chase standing next to a new kid, who was playing the guitar like a pro. Harper's eyes widened as she watched the impressive solo.

"Hey, peeps. What's the deal-io?" Leo greeted, casually strolling over to join the group, with Harper close behind.

"Hi, I'm Marcus." The new kid introduced himself with a friendly smile.

"I know." Leo replied, fist bumping Marcus. "We have gym together. And study hall. And also chemistry." Marcus tilted his head in confusion. "We're lab partners."

"Oh. I did not know that." Marcus admitted, a little surprised. He turned to Harper. "What's your name?"

"I'm Harper." She said with a warm smile.

"I'm Marcus." He repeated, chuckling nervously. "Even though I just told you that."

Harper laughed softly. "It's fine, really. Nice to meet you."

"Oh boy." Leo muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes as he watched the interaction.

Marcus glanced over at Chase, who was still watching him. "Chase, you ever play guitar?"

"No, but I've always wanted to." Chase replied, his eyes lighting up at the thought.

"Well, I'm a jammer as well." Leo spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "My rocking is only eclipsed by my rolling."

"Leo, your mum said you played the clarinet for three weeks until you swallowed the reed." Chase teased.

"I passed it." Leo said defensively.

"Here, Chase. You want to give it a go?" Marcus offered, handing Chase the guitar with a grin.

"Yeah...Yeah. Sure, why not?" Chase said, taking the guitar and slinging the strap over his shoulder. He picked up the pick and started strumming.

Harper watched in awe as Chase expertly played the guitar, his fingers moving effortlessly across the strings. He slid across the floor on his knees, showing off some fancy moves, but stopped abruptly when he realized he had gotten carried away.

"Uh... well. What do you know? Beginner's luck." Chase said hesitantly, standing back up and handing Marcus back the guitar with a sheepish grin.

Harper raised an eyebrow, certain that Chase had used his bionics to scan the guitar's chords and replicate the technique so perfectly.

"Okay, how about some lunch?" Marcus suggested, breaking the silence.

"Yeah."

"Okay."

"Sounds good to me."

"Come on, Marcus, let us join you for your first-day school lunch." Harper insisted, linking her arm with Marcus's as they made their way to the cafeteria. He glanced down, surprised by her sudden touch, but didn't pull away. She led him through the crowded cafeteria. "I should warn you, don't expect a five-star meal."

"Why do you recommend?" Marcus asked, curious.

"Well, you might have to figure that out on your own. It really depends on your taste." She replied, unlinking their arms and went to get her lunch.

Harper sat down at a table first, waiting for her friends to join her. As she took a bite of her chips, she watched Marcus chatting with Adam and Chase in the lunch line while Leo was pushed to the back by the crowded students.

After a few moments, Adam, Chase and Marcus joined her at the table, each placing their trays down.

"So, me and my dad moved around a lot. I was home-schooled for most of my life." Marcus explained.

"No way. So were we. We are so similar!" Adam exclaimed, grinning. "Do you have a third nipple too?"

Harper stopped chewing on her chips and exchanged a quick, uncomfortable look with Chase across the table. They both pursed their lips.

"Anyway...." Chase trailed off, visibly awkward. "That's a pretty sweet guitar Marcus."

"Yeah, and you're a natural bro." Marcus complimented. "Guys, we should start a band!"

"Oh, that's a great idea!" Adam exclaimed as he began tapping his chopsticks on the table in rhythm. "But what would I play? Oh! I got it!" He paused and scratched his head with the chopsticks "No, I don't got it."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "I think you're gonna be our drummer, Adam."

"Mm, interesting choice. I've been pondering the French horn." Adam said, nodding thoughtfully

"What about you, Harper? Are you in?" Marcus asked, turning to her with an inviting smile.

Harper smiled softly, shaking her head. "Oh, no thanks. I don't really play any instruments."

Leo strolled into the cafeteria just as the conversation was winding down. He slid into the seat next to Harper, looking at the group with an inquisitive expression.

"Hey, Leo. Guess what? Marcus and Adam and I are forming a band." Chase announced enthusiastically.

"Well, you guys just met. Don't you think it's a little soon?" Leo questioned.

Chase scoffed. "A little soon for what? Taking the deeply committed step of jamming together?"

Harper continued eating her lunch, reaching for her soda to wash down the chips. She wasn't sure how to feel about the idea of a band—after all, things had a way of getting complicated when everyone got involved.

"Now if we could just find someplace to practice." Marcus began, looking around the group for ideas. "I live in a pretty small place, so-"

"I know a place. The Lab." Adam suddenly announced, jumping up from his seat. Chase smacked the table, nearly choking on his drink, while Leo's eyes widened and coughed. Harper nearly choked on her soda, but quickly covered with a cough "Oh, l-Labrador retriever park. Yeah, the dog park. Nice acoustics. Plus, they have dogs." Adam then leaned over to Chase. "Saved it."

"Well, you four have fun. I'm gonna head to my next class." Harper said, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder. She gave Marcus a final smile before making her way toward the exit.

As she walked out of the cafeteria, Marcus couldn't help but glance after her. There was something about her—her confidence, the way she handled everything with such ease—that drew him in. He admired her, and for some reason, he felt this unfamiliar flutter in his chest as he watched her leave.

As Harper left the cafeteria, Marcus couldn't help but let his eyes follow her figure. He admired her independence and ability to handle any situation. He was drawn to her confidence, kindness and willingness to help others.

What was happening to him? Why did he feel this way? He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. It was all so new and he wasn't sure how to process it.

••••

After school, Harper made her way to the Davenport mansion, her mind on the forgotten notebook she had left behind earlier. As she approached the front door, the sounds of guitars and drums floated through the air, catching her attention. The music was unmistakable—raw and energetic, a sign that something was going on inside.

Curious, Harper pushed the door open and stepped inside. She saw Marcus and Chase standing on opposite sides of the living room, each with a guitar in hand, while Adam was at the drums, pounding out a steady beat. The atmosphere was electric and it was clear that the impromptu jam session was in full swing.

She then noticed a familiar figure moving stealthily through the room. Leo was crouched low behind a set of plants, his eyes peeking out, watching the scene unfold with great interest. He quickly ducked out of sight as the boys finished their song, exchanging wide grins.

"Well, it's only our first day, but you guys sound great! I think you both have real raw talent." Marcus praised.

"Well, if our talent is raw, then we better get cooking!" Adam joked, adding a rim shot on his drums for effect.

"You guys were great." Harper chimed in, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

Chase turned to face her, furrowing his eyebrows. "Harper, what are you doing here?"

"I forgot my notebook." She explained with a casual shrug. Then, her expression turned more serious as she addressed Adam and Chase. "Can I talk to both of you? Right now?" Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed them both by the arms and pulled them away from the instruments, guiding them toward the kitchen. "Why is Marcus here?"

"Duh. He's here for band practice." Adam simply replied.

"Why are you asking?" Chase wondered.

"I'm just worried about you guys." Harper explained with a tight smile. "You've only been in the real world for a little while, and there's still a lot you don't know. It only takes one person to find out what's really going on here and have you all locked up. I don't want that to happen. You guys are the best things that have happened to me."

"We'll be cautious, don't worry, Harper." Chase assured.

"You better be. I can't afford bail." Harper responded. She glanced around the kitchen, her eyes landing on her notebook resting on the dining table. She walked over and grabbed it, then turned back to face them. "I'm going to head back home and catch up on some work."

With that, Harper made her way toward the front door, the weight of her words lingering in the air behind her.

"Hey, Harper." Marcus's voice called out. She paused and turned back to find him approaching her, a nervous look on his face. ""Um... Did... maybe after, do you want to hang out? Catch a movie?"

Harper felt a sudden rush of heat flood her face, and she could feel her cheeks turning an embarrassing shade of red. It was as if someone had cranked the temperature up inside her and she couldn't stop it. Her heart skipped a beat as she smiled, trying to keep her cool.

"Sure." She said softly. "That sounds nice."

As she smiled at him, she could feel her pulse racing. Was this how it felt when someone made your heart flutter? She quickly turned around to leave before her thoughts got too tangled.

With her notebook clutched in her hands, Harper stepped out of the Davenport mansion, trying to steady her breath.

••••

Later that day, Harper arrived at the school gym after Career Day, looking forward to dinner at the Davenport mansion. Free food always sounded good, especially after a long day.

As she entered the gym, she saw Adam, Chase and Marcus, their instruments packed away near the doors, chatting amongst themselves.

"Hey, guys!" Harper greeted with a bright smile. "How was the concert?"

"It was amazing!" Marcus beamed, his face lighting up as he spoke.

Chase nodded in agreement, a grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, it was pretty crazy."

Leo then walked into the gym, his eyes immediately locking onto Marcus. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my old friend Marcus."

"Sorry, Leo, you're too late. We've safely packed away all the guitars. Maybe now you can find something else to break. 'Cause you broke the guitar." Marcus said dryly.

Leo pulled out a tablet with a flourish. "Excuse me, I would like everyone's attention right here. I have proof from our home security system."

Marcus shifted nervously, his gaze darting around the room.

"Hi!" Eddy suddenly greeted from the tablet screen.

Leo smirked. "Now watch, as I-"

"I got a confession to make." Marcus quickly interrupted, clearly wanting to get ahead of the situation before things went any further.

"Oh, no, you don't." Leo grumbled.

"I did it. I broke the guitar."Marcus admitted, cutting straight to the point.

"That's not fair! I was gonna crack this case wide open!" Leo exclaimed.

Harper furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Guitar? What guitar?"

"Ha! He got you again!" Eddy laughed at Leo from the screen, his voice full of amusement.

Just then, Mr. Davenport appeared with Bree, his usual confident stride drawing attention. "What's going on here?"

Marcus sighed, clearly embarrassed. "I broke my guitar and blamed it on Leo. I owe everyone an apology."

"You broke the guitar? Why didn't you just say so?" Chase asked.

"Yeah, why didn't you just say so?" Leo echoed, crossing his arms.

"Because I had already cracked the guitar, but if my dad knew that I broke it I'd be in so much trouble because my family is so poor and I just want everyone to like me because I'm always the new kid, so I made everyone think that Leo did it because I'm so scared and it's so hard to make friends and I'm just a dumb kid compared to all of you and my grandma just died!" Marcus cried.

Mr. Davenport's eyebrows pinched together in confusion. "Are you crying? Is he crying?"

Bree, standing nearby, smiled softly. "It's okay, Marcus."

"Yeah, it's no big deal." Mr. Davenport reassured.

"We don't think you're dumb." Chase added.

"Yeah, and your grandma didn't really die." Adam blurted out suddenly, causing the group to freeze. He then mouthed. "I don't know."

Mr. Davenport cleared his throat and placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "Marcus, why don't you come out and have dinner with us?"

Marcus nodded, his face softening. "Mm-kay. You guys go ahead. I want to apologize to Leo."

With that, the rest of the group began walking out of the gym, leaving Marcus and Harper alone.

Harper turned to Marcus with a shy smile. "Still want to hang out? Maybe see that movie you were talking about?"

"Definitely." Marcus replied, his voice eager. His smile was wide and Harper could see a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Harper's stomach fluttered as she felt a wave of warmth spread through her. It was like a roller-coaster ride taking a sudden dip, that thrilling, butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling. She gave Marcus a small smile before walking out of the gym.

______________
PUBLISHED: 21.06.22
DEDICATIONS: Peters_suit_lady omgthatssocrazy