1 Chapter 1

Harper took a deep breath as she walked outside her school. It was the end of the day, and she decided she would make a stop at the Coffee Shop on her way home. She knew her stepdad Steve would not be home for another week or so, and her stepmother Connie would not be home from work until around six. Harper would have plenty of time to grab a snack, finish her homework, and spend some time watching a Classic movie, most likely one with Audrey Hepburn.

Suddenly, Harper heard her name being called out. "Harper, wait up!" Her friend Damon called out as he tried to catch up to her. Harper turned to look at Damon, curious why he was chasing her but also wishing she could just keep walking to her car. She knows Damon well enough to know that chances are he is going to involve her on his next quest for love. "What trouble are you getting me into today Damon?" she asked, a level of amusement lifting her voice. Damon smiled cheekily and ran his fingers through his long black hair. "Can't fool you, can I? Damon asked. Harper shook her head, and he decided to simply jump into it. "Okay, so there's this girl in your science class named Jennifer-"

"Yeah, I know Jennifer; we're partners. Go on."

"-Okay, well, I really like her. I know it's a longshot and I know her family is really old-fashioned about dating, but I wanted to give her a try. Before I do though, I want to be sure she'll even say yes, so would you be willing to get her number for me to kind of test the waters?"

Harper rolled her eyes and laughed. "Damon, come on!" She teased. "Grow a pair and stop making me do your dirty work!"

"Please!" Damon pleaded. "I'm serious about this girl! I really like her, and I'm willing to jump through all the hoops her parents have, but I want to be sure it won't all be for nothing. Besides, it's senior year, and there's a lot of heavy stuff we're in for this year. I'd like to say girl problems aren't one of those."

Harper sighed. She loved her friend, and of course she was going to help him. She saw what he had gone through the previous year with one girl that really screwed with him and understood why he wanted to test the waters before making the plunge. She only wished she had a reason to do the same…

"Alright, fine. I'll go talk to her," Harper resigned. A giant smiled creeped onto Damon's face. He knew she would say yes, as she always does. He also knows it's hard for her in the romance department, so it meant even more to him that she was willing to help him. Damon wrapped his arms around Harper, saying "I owe you one" into her ear. When he let her go, a figure coming towards him caught his eye. Harper noticed the shift in Damon's mood and turned to see her boyfriend Billie walking up, looking uncomfortable. Damon whispered to Harper "Do you want me to stay?" Harper sighed, feeling her heart drop to her stomach. She shook her head grimly, knowing what was to come. Damon squeezed her hand, murmuring that he'd call her later, and left. Harper ran her hand through her dyed blonde hair, wishing she could avoid this situation.

"Hey Harper," Billie said awkwardly. Harper raised her hand in front of him and shook her head. "Save it," she snapped venomously. "I already know what you're going to say. 'It's not working out. It's not me, it's you.' One week in, that has to be a record." Harper laughed a humorless laugh, wondering why she allowed herself to get involved in the first place. "Harper…" Billie called her name, feeling like he was a coward for not telling her what was really going on. He put down his head, wondering how he could end this without totally crushing her. "Look, you are an absolutely amazing girl. If there weren't other things going on, there would be nothing that could keep me away from you-"

"Stop." Harper cut him off. "Just… stop." Harper looked away, feeling her heart get crushed all over again. "We're done Billie, I get it. There's nothing else you can say." Harper walked away, wanting nothing more than to go to that Coffee Shop, her safe haven. Billie watched her go, angry that he let himself be threatened out of the relationship. If it were the last thing he'd do, he promised himself he would somehow make the blackmailer pay…

#

Harper sat in her favorite booth drinking her favorite coffee flavor at the Coffee Shop. She allowed her mind to wander, wishing she knew why it was that every single person she started dating would end things the same way. The longest one had lasted was three months; one week was by far the shortest. Why do they all leave? She thought.

Harper shook her head and closed her eyes. No use dwelling on it, she thought. She pulled out her phone and decided to end her thinking about love and relationships by doing what she said she would do: calling Jennifer. It took three rings before Jennifer picked up. "Hey Jennifer," Harper greeted. "Look, I'm going to get right to the point. My friend Damon really likes you and wants to reach out to you, so he asked me to get your number for him to see if you might be interested."

"Oh," Jennifer started with a giggle. "Yeah, of course I'm interested. I've been checking him out for a while. You have my number, go ahead and give it to him."

"Gotcha," Harper responded, happy she could help her friend. "Hey, our parents are still having dinner tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, they are."

"Alright, just checking. Let me know if you're bringing anyone along."

"Will do."

Harper said goodbye and hung up. She closed her eyes and sighed, wishing her love life could be as simple as Damon's was right now. She opened her eyes and sent him a quick text with the phone number.

"Mind if I sit?"

Harper looked up to see Noah, her longtime crush. She grew angry at herself when her heart skipped a beat at his smooth voice. She nodded and gestured at the seat across from her, which he took quickly. Noah felt mesmerized by her beautiful green eyes and wished she didn't have her hair dyed so he could see the beautiful chocolate brown hair underneath. His heartbeat wildly as he glanced at her lush lips and button nose. When noticing the frown on her face, he felt concerned. "I heard about what happened with Billie," he said sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

Harper shook her head and closed her eyes. "I just don't understand," she admitted. "Why do they all leave? And why do they all give the same speech when they do it? What is it that I'm doing?"

"It really isn't you," Noah comforted. "If they're giving up so easily, they're obviously not worth your time."

"I just wish people weren't so complicated." Harper added. She looked down at her nearly empty cup, feeling as though it represented her soul at the moment. "If you like someone, just say it; if you don't, just leave them alone. Don't leave them guessing and wondering and make them fall for you just to change your mind in a week or a couple months."

Noah took a deep breath. Now might be my chance, he thought. He looked at Harper, trying to build up the nerve to say what he wanted to say. Harper checked her phone as he fought within himself. Just say it, just say I love you, he thought. Wait, no, that's too strong. Just say I like you. He opened his mouth to speak when she beat him to it, saying "I should probably go; I have to finish my homework before Connie gets home." Noah felt himself deflate, knowing he missed his chance once again. "Okay, see you later then." He said with a half-smile. She smiled softly back before getting up and leaving. Noah kicked himself, thinking he was an idiot for not telling her how he felt. Then again, after what he's done to her, how could he?

#

When Harper got home, she talked with the maid Lucy for a while before going up to her room and doing homework. When she finished, she watched 'My Fair Lady' for a bit before getting ready for dinner. As Harper brushed her hair, she heard a faint knock on her door. "Come in Connie", she called out. Connie came in feeling bewildered. "How do you always know it's me?" she asked. Harper turned to Connie and smiled. "You're the only one who knocks so softly." Harper explained.

Connie smiled and softly nodded her head. She was proud of how perceptive Harper is. "Dinner is ready, and we have some guests coming. How long until you are ready to come down?" Connie asked. She felt a little nervous, knowing that the guests had a checkered past with Harper, but she did not have a choice about inviting them since they have a part to play in her business's insurance. "I'll be down in just a minute," Harper assured Connie. Connie nodded and turned away, closing the door behind her. Harper quickly applied mascara, eyeliner, and pink lip gloss. She then put in diamond studded earrings and a silver heart locket necklace before coming down.

Connie was waiting on the stairway, hoping to catch Harper before she saw who was here. When Harper came down the steps, Connie looked her up and down and admired how she chose to put herself together. "You need to dye your hair again soon. Your roots are showing a little too much." Connie noted, making Harper suppress an eye-roll. Harper then noticed a change in Connie's demeaner as she put a hand on Harper's shoulder. "I need to warn you, Harper. The Sisson's are here to have dinner and discuss some things about work. They brought their son Noah with them."

Harper's eyes widened and she felt her cheeks grow hot. She thought, I just saw Noah a few hours ago; will I be able to handle seeing him again?

"Stay calm," Connie comforted. "We've gone over this and you know what to do. Smile, be kind and hospitable, but keep a respectable distance."

Harper took a deep breath and smiled. "Of course, I can handle it." Harper assured Connie, though she was assuring herself more.