a r e s.

Harper didn’t know a lot of Gallagher students personally but at least she remembered faces. And this was a face that wasn’t sparking any sort of familiarity. Probably a first year or a transfer or maybe Harper was truly shit at remembering faces! Any of those options could be true, especially considering her current state. “You’ll tell them nothing.” Because the two of them didn’t have any children-- she didn’t even know their name! How could you have kids with someone who’s name you didn’t know? She stepped out completely, very much annoyed as she just needed someone to zip up her dress. VG where did you go? She thought to herself as she stood beside the other and in front of a sink. “Not my fault that you’re shit at multi-tasking,” Harper said, hands reaching for the soap and turning on the sink faucet, she too began to wash her hands. “Who even says their ABCs while washing their hands? Obviously you’re supposed to sing Mary’s Had a Little Lamb...” 

“Hold up, you saw Rihanna?” Whatever depressive moment that she was going through had disappeared, now replacement with complete awe and jealous. “I’m surprised, didn’t take you for much of a music guy.” Didn’t think he liked the music she was in, I mean come on, it was Harper who put him on Megan! Dude was seriously lacking. “Yes that’s her, come on now, you’re acting as if she’s some random person.” To be fair she was a random person to Caden. “I would love that actually, thank you. And politics of course, I don’t have what it takes to enter the fashion world.” And she was fine with that. 

He was smiling, she was trying. She felt foolish standing there, emotions out of controls and thoughts elsewhere. It felt like she was purposely trying to ruin the mood which was not the case. Harper was just... feeling things that she shouldn’t be feeling. Or thinking about, ever. Thoughts and feelings would only get you hurt and crying in the girls bathroom to a bunch of strangers, and Harper was not about that life. Not when Beyoncé was in the same building as her. A mental slap to her face, she was matching his smile the best that she could. “Okay, yeah, Beyoncé being here is what we deserve,” she said. “This definitely beats buying her concert tickets.” A beat. “And it’s good to see you too.” Which was true, it was good to see him again. It was always nice to see and talk to Caden. “Got into grad school in New York with VG, we’re rooming together.”

“Oh! Congratulations!” And thank God. Harper couldn’t imagine Monique as a spy, it just didn’t make any sense. Also, she couldn’t have her favorite celebrity dying because of this wack ass world. “I’m sure you’re glad to be on your way. I also graduated and I’m ready to go!” A beat as she laughed awkwardly. “I mean, not like I can because I’m going to grad school in the Fall but still.” 

“So... you got their name but no money? That’s sad.” More like embarrassing. Imagine walking around with a family name that doesn’t even want you. “Why are you representing a family that cut your parents off?” 

“But you also deserve something.” It was quiet, what she said, quiet and rushed. As if she didn’t want him to hear it. As if she didn’t want to bring up how it wasn’t just her who went through a lot but also Caden. They both lost someone important to them, so they both deserved something. Too bad she couldn’t give him anything, what would you even give a guy who almost had everything? Harper didn’t know. “I’m heading home for a bit before going back to D.C. But by the end of July, I’m moving out and heading to New York.” 

“No,” she said quickly. “I’ll take it, it’s just--” It felt weird, getting so much money from Caden which was so dumb to her. She always received money from Levi and Rafa gave her money for a plane ticket to France-- this shouldn’t be any different. Just this time, it came more from the heart than the other two. Which probably made her feel like crap. She could spend time thinking about why, pouring and musing over each and every thought, but she didn’t have time for that. Nor did she want to. Why potentially hurt yourself with thoughts that will make you feel like shit later? It wasn’t worth it, not one bit. “Thank you, Caden, really,” Harper finally said, bringing the card close to her chest. “I don’t think I deserve it but thanks either way.” 

“Or maybe she doesn’t and she’s fucked for the rest of the night.” Though, this was Gallagher, a school with fairly well off students, maybe the other was right about there being a second dress. “Still sucks. People need to either 1) learn how to hold their drinks or 2) not drink so much and save a bunch of outfits from getting ruined.”

A baby, Harper thought to herself as she looked at Ting. Left lucky to not have to experience what happened last year, though, she did hear that this school year was also terrible. Maybe the problem was just Gallagher in general. At the other’s question, she was redy to say no and tell her that she hated it. That Gallagher has made her cry more than Georgetown, that she missed calling her dad, and kinda sorta missed her ex-boyfriend. But she doesn’t, instead Harper smiled gently as she answered, “Some days I did. I had my friends at my side and met a few people here. It was... okay.” 

“Yeah right! You’re far from a sinner.” Harper, on the other hand, was a sinner for more reasons than she could count. Imogen was a saint, if you opened a dictionary, you’ll find a picture of her there ( specifically one of her and Allie standing together ). “Oh, I’m ready to fly back with you,” she said, laughing gently. “Take me away, I’m tired of the U.S.!” 

“Yeah, honestly... I debated on even coming tonight.” While she loved Beyoncé and Luce with her heart and soul, it was the trauma and memories of last year that frightened her. She didn’t want to say it or jinx it but Harper was scared that they were going to leave tonight with one less person. While they only lost one friend last year, it was one too many. “Okay, so,” Harper began, pushing aside all of her doubts and sadness from just a few seconds ago. “Like I said, this plan requires everyone. First, I’m gonna need you to walk to the middle of the ballroom. When I give you the signal, you have to faint. And not just some pathetic falling over, no, I need it to be dramatic. All eyes on you as you collapse to the ground. Nearby, we’re gonna have Hudson and Imogen ready. They’re both gonna direct all eyes on you and try to call for help. Get the ambulance to come or a medical major, whoever! We just need everyone to be looking at you three for less than a minute.” Harpoon please-- “While that’s going on, I’m going to be near the front with Steph. That’s when I’ll hope on stage and introduce myself to Beyoncé and Steph is going to record the moment. By then, her bodyguards will notice us and might try to throw me off the stage. And that’s when! Luce comes in and uses those badass Gallagher spy moves on them.” Her friend has been attending the school for a year now, she believed that the other has picked up on some fighting skills. “Once those guys are down, everyone has to run and get in the car. Where our lovely getaway driver known as VG will be waiting for us.” Boom. “You like it?”

“Yeah, I did.” And it was not a pretty sight. All Harper could do was lightly shake her head, sipping from her glass and watching the scene before them. “I don’t know about her but I would’ve lost it on someone if that were me.” 

“No, it doesn’t.” And she said with the brightest smile that she could muster up. He was a drama king and she was the one who didn’t give a damn about his dramatics. “Oh word?” Harper’s eyes lit up as if she hit the jackpot. To think, Levi actually fell for that... Sorry Allie but your mans... not the brightest! “He gave me a check for $2,000. Like can you believe that? You can easily double that.” Triple if he wanted. 

“Why would I? It’s the truth!” Whether it was true or not, Harper was laughing. “You’ll get over it, you’re a big boy.” A little pat to the arm as reassurance. “Why not make both me and your money happy, I mean, your boy over there--” She pointed towards Caden. “-- Gave me a lot of money as a graduation gift. Think you can beat him? I mean, you are the Levi Madden. You can beat anyone.” 

“Is it not enough?” She was instantly reminded that the man before her was a rich boy. That this was nothing to him and most likely didn’t make a dent in his pockets. And you know what, it lowkey pissed her off. “Not this much, I’ll tell you that! God,” Harper said. She had to bite down hard on the inside of her cheeks to keep from frowning. “People usually give you a couple of twenties or a few hundred dollar bills-- that’s normal. They don’t give out this much.” 

The correct answer was both of them because she did find herself giggling slightly at the old nickname. She had him saved as that in her phone, she saw it whenever they texted. But saying it out loud just hit different. Excitement bubbled and traveled throughout her entire body as she waited for her gift. Though, the energy that ran through her body depleted at the sight of a card. “You got me a card?” Harper questioned, lips pressed in a thin line. “I swear if it’s just a lame card from Target, I’ll--” Fight you. The words fell short as she opened the card, eyes falling on the check placed inside. Just as quick she opened it, she closed it, head snapping upwards as she stared at him, nervous laugh leaving her lips. “What the fuck?”