LOGIN_Harper’s POVI sat across from Principal Reid, astounded by the news he just gave me.“Your scholarship has been reinstated,” he said, a small smile appearing on his face."The Carter family has decided to continue their sponsorship.”For a moment, I just stared at him.“Really?” I asked, my voice almost a whisper.Principal Reid nodded. “Yes. But now, Harper, you need to focus completely on your studies. You have worked hard to get here, and I expect you to keep that same determination.”I nodded quickly, relief flooding through me.“And don’t worry,” he continued. “You will have the recommendation letter I promised you soon.”My heart jumped.“Thank you, Principal Reid,” I said sincerely. “Thank you so much.”But even with the excitement, I felt uneasy. Marla was clear. What could have made her change her mind?As I walked out of the office, I could only think of one person to ask. So, I went straight to the ice rink.But he wasn’t there.I checked the boys’ locker room next,
_Harper’s POVI carried the macarons and two cold drinks to the table where Quinn and Austin were waiting eagerly for them."Here is your sweet, delicious meal," I sang as I placed them on the table.Quinn grabbed a macaron and took a big bite. She closed her eyes and let out a soft sound."This flavor is so good," she almost cried.I smiled, satisfied, and turned to Austin. He took a little bite and waited."Tasty," he said.Quinn took a long, noisy sip of the drink."How come I never discovered this amazing place?" she asked, looking around."Right? Clive found it for me," I replied.Austin gave a loud snort, taking his drink.Quinn threw him a glare and turned back to me."Is it well-paying?"I nodded with a satisfied smile plastered on my face."Does good Clive have something to do with that too?" Austin asked.I furrowed my brows at him. "Of course not."I picked up a macaron and looked around the big space."You know this could be a good place for us to hang out and study," I
_Harper's POVThe instant I saw Gina lean to kiss him, I turned away, feeling a horrible ache in my heart.This was a mistake.I moved quickly to escape from there but collided into Zane and spilled the drink all over my body."Oh no!"Someone shouted.Immediately, eyes fell on us. I stared for a second, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden, and tried to leave again.Zane stopped me."Where are you going? The party just started."I trembled a little."I'm sorry. I can't be here," I muttered and managed to walk out without colliding into anyone.As I stood outside, contemplating the best way to leave, my phone rang.It was Clive.My teary eyes stared at the screen and, without hesitating, I picked up and told him my location.It took a while, but Clive arrived and I got into the car.The second he saw my wet clothes, he took off his sweater and put it on me.I took off my wet jacket without thinking, exposing my body for a few seconds while I put the sweater on."Thanks." I turned to h
_Harper’s POVI stared at my reflection afterward, and I almost didn’t recognize myself.As I stepped out of Clive’s car in front of the school, I tried not to lose confidence as Clive had advised. My hair, which was usually straight, fell around my shoulders in soft curls.The slight waves gave me a different look. I could feel my features look sharper and my face look brighter.I looked down at myself, feeling strangely nervous.“You’re staring too much,” Clive said beside me.I turned to him.He leaned against the car with a satisfied smile, looking like he had been waiting for this exact reaction.“This is what my cousin should have done a long time ago,” he said, gesturing toward me.I rolled my eyes slightly, but I couldn’t stop the small smile forming.“Don’t get too confident,” I warned.He chuckled.“Just have fun with it, Harper.”I looked back toward the school entrance. My heart felt heavy. Dad, if you could see me now.I started walking toward the entrance and noticed t
_Harper's POVI stood at the subway waiting for the bus with my luggage beside me. I had packed out of the Carters' house minutes after Jace ran out of the house.Marla didn't stop me."I will inform your mum to pick you up," she had said coldly.I stopped her."No."The last thing I want is for Mum to find out about this."Please, I will take care of this on my own."Marla had shrugged."Suit yourself."I stared at my phone and saw it was Mum.My heart flipped.Did Marla contact her? I picked up the phone slowly."Mum?" I said as soon as I picked up."It's Klaus," he said.I pulled the phone from my ear for a second before putting it back."Hey, Klaus," I said, trying to be cheerful."Your mum asked me to call you. She's at the hospital," he said.My hand tightened around the bag."What's wrong with her?" I asked hastily."It's nothing serious. Just a little accident. I'm with her," Klaus quickly assured.I sighed."You don't need to come if you don't want to. I will take care of he
_Harper’s POVI took out my phone as Jace’s eyes followed my movement and glanced down at the screen. The second I read the message, color drained from my face.“Who is it?” Jace’s voice rang in my head.I was brought back from my shocked trance but didn’t answer his question. Panic slowly took over me.“Harper?” he called.I looked back at him, my fingers tightening around the phone.“It’s the school.”Before he could ask anything else, I dialed the number.“Hello?”I said quickly.My hand in Jace’s grip tightened into a clench, and worry invaded my gaze.“Yes… I don’t understand,” I said, breathing a little uneasily.I paused.“But why?” my voice cracked slightly as I demanded to know.The call ended a moment later after they asked me to meet with the principal instead. I finally lifted my gaze to Jace’s.“I need to go to school,” my voice quivered.“I’m coming with you,” he said sharply.I knew it was pointless to ask him not to, so I didn’t argue.—When we arrived at the schoo
_Harper’s POVThe moment the car stopped in front of the house, I threw the door open.“I can’t believe you.”I jumped out and slammed the door behind me.Jace got out immediately. “Harper…” he tried to call me, but I cut him off.“No!” I spun around. “You don’t get to control me like… I am some
_Harper’s POV“I know you are playing a game with Clive. Whatever it is, stop it,” he warned.I grabbed his shoulders, not knowing what to say.What exactly does he know?“I’m not playing a game. He’s just a good friend offering to drop me off at school,” I said.“Good friend? You don’t even know
_Harper POVI hesitated, grabbing Clive who was about to get out of the car."I don't think this is a good idea," I told him."Trust me. Come on," he said and got out of the car.I opened my door and he was standing there, his hand stretched out to take mine.I looked up at him.He gave a nod.Tru
_Harper POVThe moment was interrupted when Clive walked in on us as our faces were drawing closer.I quickly grabbed the plates of egg sauce and walked to the table. Jace and Clive followed.We all sat down and silence invaded the space.The only sound came from the clinking of cutlery against pl







