The mixed sounds of machinery and the rhythmic patter of rain against the window echoed through the sterile hospital room where Aura lay. She spent most of her day nestled in the bed, the quiet hum of the medical equipment surrounding her, as the attentive nurses and doctors cared for her. Despite their gentle kindness, Aura couldn't shake the question that lingered in her mind. Why did her parents lack the same comfort and ease that the other staff radiated? Had they once possessed it, only to have it slowly taken away over the years? What had happened to them? She couldn't fathom why they were so distant, so controlled. She understood they held demanding positions at the hospital, but in their own home, shouldn't they have been more present? At least with family, a poker face wasn't necessary.
Her gaze drifted to the window beside her bed, where raindrops raced each other down the glass. She picked a droplet and silently willed it to win the race, her mind needing something, anything, to keep it occupied. The simplicity of the game, as childish as it was, offered a strange sense of peace.
Her quiet moment was interrupted by the soft creak of the door, and Aura turned her head as a familiar face peeked through. Aunt Julia, with her warm smile, entered the room, the soft fragrance of fresh flowers filling the air as she walked toward Aura's bed, holding a bouquet of roses.
"Hey, you." Julia greeted softly, setting the flowers on the bedside table before sitting down gently at the edge of the bed, her fingers brushing through Aura's chocolate-brown hair in a tender gesture.
"I'm okay... better than this morning. Just needed some rest." Aura replied, her voice barely above a whisper, betraying the exhaustion she felt beneath the surface.
Julia nodded, her expression softening with concern. "The doctors said you're really underweight. Why didn't you tell someone, sweetheart?"
Aura's heart dropped. "I didn't realize how bad it was getting. I'm sorry... I didn't mean for it to get this far." Her voice cracked as she remembered Thanksgiving—Jackson had heard her in the bathroom, and when he confronted her, she had shut him down.
Julia frowned, shaking her head gently, her lips forming a warm but disappointed smile. "Don't apologize, darling. You're okay now, and that's all that matters."
Aura's heart ached as she watched her aunt's eyes flicker with something unreadable. Julia was always the one who saw through the mask, the one who could read between the lines. But her relationship with Camila was complicated, filled with layers of bitterness and regret that had never fully healed. Julia had always felt like the one who had to stand on the outside, estranged from her sister, as Camila seemed too caught up in maintaining the perfect family image—one carefully sculpted by their mother, Cece.
"But... has Mom and Dad been in?" Aura asked, her voice small, afraid to bring up the tension that hung between them.
"Yeah, they stopped by." Julia replied softly, though there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. "But your mom's shift's not over yet. She said she'd pop in after. I know she's busy." Her words hung in the air, but the sentiment was clear: her sister's priorities were elsewhere, something Julia never could fully understand.
The room fell into a quiet lull as Julia tucked the blankets around Aura, a soft, motherly gesture that seemed to wrap Aura in the comfort of her childhood. "I'll let you rest. I'll come see you tomorrow, okay? I love you."
Aura smiled weakly, her eyes fluttering closed as her aunt planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. Julia stood to leave, but paused as she locked eyes with Harper, who was seated outside in the waiting area, her eyes scanning a magazine but clearly lost in her thoughts.
"How's she doing?" Harper asked, rising to her feet, her gaze flicking from Julia to Aura.
"She's doing okay. Resting." Julia replied, her tone softer now, though there was still an underlying weight to her words.
Harper nodded, her expression unreadable. "She's going to be okay, right?"
Julia hesitated, her gaze drifting to the quiet hospital halls beyond. "Of course. She's in the best hands, surrounded by the best people."
The words left Julia's lips, but a sour taste lingered. "Best people," she muttered under her breath. It was the harsh truth she didn't want to acknowledge: the people who surrounded Aura weren't the ones who truly understood her, and the family dynamic—her sister's shift into the role of perfectionist—was suffocating. Camila had become someone Julia no longer recognized, someone who was willing to sacrifice her family's happiness to maintain an image.
"I'll take you home, Harp. You shouldn't stay here all night."
Harper hesitated, but Julia gave her no room to argue. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
But as Harper moved toward the door, she paused, looking down at her phone. The time read just after 9 PM. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she slouched back in her chair, eyes growing heavy. She closed them, momentarily letting the sounds of the rain and the quiet hospital drift over her.
The door creaked open again, and Harper's eyes fluttered open as the familiar voice of someone she hadn't expected to hear filled the space.
"Hey, Harper."
Harper's gaze snapped up to find Josie standing there, holding a small card tucked inside a pale pink envelope. The sight of her made Harper's heart beat a little faster, a small wave of warmth sweeping through her.
"Josie?" she said, her surprise evident in her voice.
"Yeah, it's me" Josie replied with a small, almost sheepish smile. "I heard about Aura... I just wanted to come see if she's okay."
"She's fine" Harper said quickly, trying to sound more assured than she felt. "She's resting. I'll give her the card tomorrow."
Josie stepped closer, holding out the envelope. "It's just a get well soon card. Thought it might brighten her day."
"Thanks," Harper replied, taking the card and slipping it into her bag. The air between them grew thick, a palpable tension hanging between the two girls. Josie's eyes lingered on Harper for a moment, and then she quickly looked down at the floor, her lips pressing together as if fighting back words she didn't know how to say.
"How are you?" Josie asked quietly, breaking the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been a while."
Harper glanced at her, her heart skipping a beat. "I'm okay... How about you?"
Josie hesitated. "I'm good... Heard you've got a boyfriend now." she said with a knowing smile, her tone teasing but gentle.
Harper rolled her eyes. "He's not my boyfriend. Just... a fake one. He's gay."
Josie couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. It was nice to know that Harper hadn't fully moved on, and a sense of comfort washed over her. She was glad to see Harper trying to keep up the appearance of moving forward—especially if it meant she wasn't alone in her own internal struggle.
"You leaving soon?" Josie asked, her fingers lightly tugging at the strap of her bag.
"Yeah, I was just waiting for Camille... but she's text me saying she's grounded. So, guess I'm heading home now," Harper replied with a reluctant smile.
Josie chuckled lightly. "Well, it looks like I'm your ride now."
"Looks like it." Harper laughed, the tension easing slightly as the two girls made their way outside. The rain continued to pour, but it didn't seem to matter. Josie shrugged off her jacket and held it over their heads as they ran down the wet streets of Glenwood, splashing through puddles as the cars sped by.
They were both drenched within minutes, but it didn't matter. The laughter they shared, light and carefree, cut through the tension like a breath of fresh air.
As they neared Harper's house, the rain had soaked them through, but neither of them cared. Harper paused at the front door, looking into Josie's eyes with a soft smile.
"I would invite you in, but my mom's going to be home soon, and I don't want to get you in trouble.." Harper said, biting her lip nervously.
Josie's smile softened, and she stepped closer. "It's okay... It was nice seeing you again, Harper. I've missed you."
Harper's chest tightened as she felt her heart pull toward Josie, the butterflies fluttering again as everything she had tried to push away came rushing back.
Before she could speak, Josie closed the distance between them, her lips finding Harper's in a kiss that was equal parts nostalgia and passion. It felt like time had stopped, and for a brief moment, the world outside ceased to exist.
But the kiss was broken by a voice—a loud, unexpected interruption.
"Harper!"
Harper jerked away, her eyes wide as her head spun toward the voice.
Leah Pickett, the soccer player, was jogging toward them, her hair tossed in a messy ponytail, her face flush from the chill of the rain.
Leah's smile was lopsided, her brow raised with amusement. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. I just came to ask about Aura again.. "
Harper quickly wiped her lips, her heart racing. "No, no. Josie was just leaving, and I'm going inside. Bye."
Josie raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting into one of caution. She eyed Leah up and down, a sense of jealousy bubbling up from deep within. Without saying another word, she turned and walked away, her jacket held over her head to shield her from the rain.
Leah turned to Harper, a cheeky smile playing on her lips as she watched Josie leave. "That your girlfriend?"
Harper's stomach lurched. "No." she said quickly. "I have a... boyfriend."
Leah's eyebrow quirked, her smirk growing. "Oh? Well, then I must've been seeing things... Unless I didn't just witness both your tongues down each other's throats?"
Harper flushed, her jaw tightening as she glared at the soccer player. "Shut up. It's... complicated. What do you want?"
Leah laughed, unbothered. "Just checking in on Aura. She's doing okay, right?"