Masuk_Harper's POVI hurried downstairs, already dressed and with my hair and makeup done, and came to a stop when I saw Mom in the living room.She looked up from her phone and immediately narrowed her eyes at me."Where are you going dressed like that?"I immediately gave a smile."Quinn suddenly called me," I answered quickly."She said she's getting her teeth removed today and wants me there with her. I don't think I'll be able to stay for breakfast."Mom stared at me suspiciously.She slowly stood up and walked closer, her eyes moving from my face down to my clothes."Did you get dressed up like this and even put on makeup just to go meet Quinn?"I let out an awkward laugh."You know Quinn. She cares way too much about fashion. She would probably complain if I showed up looking shabby."Mom's eyes remained narrowed.She clearly didn't believe a word I was saying."You better not be meeting that Marla's son."I laughed again, this time even more awkwardly."Mom, come on. Jace is away
_Harper's POV"There is no one, Mom," I replied, thinking up a good explanation quickly."It must be the noise coming from the movie on my phone."I turned back immediately to Jace, gesturing at him to leave first, but he wouldn't budge."You are arguing with a movie?" Mom's voice came again, perplexed.Another knock came afterwards, even louder."Why don't you open the door first?" She insisted.I grabbed my hair, confused, and immediately grabbed Jace's hand and pushed him towards the closet, but it wasn't big enough.What do I do?I muttered like a robot, and then Jace nodded towards the bed.Right."Get under the bed," I said, pushing him down there, not listening to his protests.I pulled out my bedspread to cover the sides of the bed just in case before rushing to the door and unlocking it."Sorry, I was putting some clothes on."Mom frowned as she stepped inside my room.She scanned the whole place quickly with her eyes and walked towards the closet first.I sighed in relief t
_Harper's POV I bit my lower lip gently, but didn’t regret anything I said.If wasn’t as if she didn’t have the good grades and certificate to pursue a good career for herself; she simply chose to rely on men and relationships to get by.“You think I depend on men?” she asked in a low, small voice.“Mom, I didn’t mean it that way. I just think that it’s kind of not cool that you don’t work despite having a college degree,” I explained slowly so she doesn’t misunderstand.“I’m only trying to protect you. Protect us,” she replied, raising her voice a little.“What do we need protection from? We are doing fine on our own,” I said, my tone higher than hers.She raised her hand, in a way she does when she isn’t ready to discuss something anymore, and walked back into the house....I lay down on my bed after skipping dinner and stared at nothing in particular with the bag of cookies I took from the kitchen resting on my stomach.My final year in high school is definitely not turning out
_ Quinn’s POV cont.The four of us stepped outside the hall soon enough, with Charles and Mom taking the lead.I heaved, rubbing both of my shoulders, and removed my hair tie to do it again properly.Charles called Austin over, and they moved a short distance away to talk.Mom turned towards me, keeping the certificate in her purse."I'm sorry about how quickly everything happened," she said with a sigh."I know I should have spoken to you first and asked for your blessing before deciding to get married immediately."I shook my head."It's okay.""No, it's not."She squeezed my hands."When I found out I was pregnant this afternoon, I wanted to talk to you first. But you weren't picking up your phone, so I called Charles."She smiled faintly."He suggested we get married immediately and said that if we were going to have a child together, we should give the baby a home."I nodded slowly.That actually made sense."I understand."I looked into her eyes."And I'm genuinely happy for yo
_Quinn's POVI got off the cab and headed inside the well-structured hall but paused when I spotted Austin.He leaned against the wall beside the entrance with one leg stretched out while the other remained firmly planted on the ground.His arms were folded across his chest with his head lowered.The first thought that came to my mind was if something had happened and the marriage couldn’t go on.I walked closer and stopped in front of him."Why aren't you going in?"He lifted his head slowly and looked at me."Because I'm sad," he answered.I blinked, perplexed."You're... sad?"The moment the question left my lips, I regretted asking."Why?"His lips curved into a small smile that didn't reach his eyes."Because I was planning to stop this marriage from happening, but it seems like I won't get a chance to."I stared at him for a few seconds, completely lost for words.What exactly was I supposed to say to that?I cleared my throat and stepped closer, placing a hand casually on his
_Harper’s POV cont.I yawned terribly as I managed to get to school on time after waking up at three in the morning.I dragged my tired and hungry body towards my locker, wishing I had left some snacks or something inside I could eat.“Good morning to you,” Quinn said, appearing out of nowhere.“Here.” She stretched forth a wrap of chips to me.“You are the sweetest,” I muttered, tearing the nylon open and stuffing my mouth with it.“What happened with staying with Jace’s mother? Did she kick you out because of the video online?” she asked, like she could read my mind.I nodded, stuffing another chip in my mouth.I checked to see if we had enough time to discuss before class started, but we didn’t. The bell rang almost immediately, and we headed towards our classes.I turned to my phone as the math teacher went on to explain an equation, and I saw Jace had replied to my texts from last night.He also seemed very surprised and shocked to find out his mother had an ex-boyfriend.So did
_ Harper’s POV “Yes,” she answered, then sighed. “You can stay there until graduation.” A loud whistle blew in my head, and I could see nine ladies dancing around the room. “What? Really?” “Yes,” she nodded with a smile and sat next to me. “I have an old college friend who stays around
_Harper’s POVStepdad number three lasted for thirty months. That’s a new record.Usually, all the men my mom has been with barely last twenty-four months except my dad.I stood at the edge of the city cemetery, rain soaking through my black dress as I watched them lower James into the ground.My
_Harper's POVI sighed for the umpteenth time in the bathroom. "Could today be any worse?"First it was my phone, now my clothes. If this continues, I won't have anything to wear soon.I pulled off my stained top and tried to rinse it, but it was useless. I stared down at my jeans and grunted.I
Harper POVI was still fuming over my phone when Quinn rushed over, startling me from behind."Hey, girl. Are you still here?" she asked in a hushed breath.I frowned, not in the mood for any of her gossip. "What is it, Quinn?""Reagan is out there, accusing you of ruining her relationship with Jac







