Dedicated to: @Ashes-of-the-Past (I've been meaning to dedicate to you for AGESSSS)

"Just for the record, I'm still annoyed at you."

Harper sighed, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. "Still?"

I nodded. "Definitely. I waited for you for almost two hours and you have no good reason why."

"Baby doll, can we just- not talk about this? I want Operation Forgiveness to work out well." He whined, but I could sense him falling into my resolve.

"Harper- "

"Bethany told me that she liked me." Harper finally blurted out.

I froze still and my heart sunk in my chest.

"W-what?" I stuttered, my heart shuddering in my chest. My hand immediately reached out to grip the hem of my dress.

"She told me she liked me today. When we were at the movies." Harper replied, his voice as blank as stone.

Oh my gods. The world has to hate me right now, doesn't it? First the boy I love doesn't share the same feelings and second someone that he might like likes him.

Perfect.

"Do you- do you like her back?" I mumbled softly, looking up at Harper, who's green eyes were still focused on the road in front of us. Harper hesitated a second before shaking his head.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I definitely do feel something for her, but I don't know if it's that."

I nodded bluntly.

Harper looked over at me, his jaw clenched, eyes brimming with unrecognisable emotion, so bright that they hurt to look at. His hair- tousled so artfully and his features so masculine yet soft, cheekbones prominent in the afternoon sun and lips full and pink- I couldn't help but hate myself for falling in love with him of all people.

Of course I could never had him. He was absolutely perfect- cocky and arrogant, yet funny and so sweet, making my skin burn and my heart race with the slightest touch. Of course there is a line of hundreds of girls going after him, all prettier and slimmer and funnier than me. Amanda would get to him, Bethany, most likely. And of course, he is bound to fall for one of them. I hated myself for falling in love with this amazing idiot. My heart is only getting broken in the end.

Harper seemed to have noticed my change in mood, and his blinding eyes softened. To my disappointment, he turned back to the road, however, one of his hands found it's way to my own, gently peeling it from clinging tightly to the end of my dress, to having it resting in his own warm flesh, sparks piercing my skin. He didn't wind his fingers with mine, just held it softly, and I took comfort in that.

"Your hands are really cold." Harper commented.

Wow. Way to ruin the moment.

"Well, I'm sorry if we're not all as radiant as the sun." I shot back quickly. My eyes widened immediately at what I had just said. Harper just smirked.

"You think I'm as radiant as the sun? Thanks, baby doll. Didn't know I was that hot." He drawled, eyebrow raised teasingly. I blushed, using my hand that wasn't enclosed within Harper's to use my hair to cover my face, trying to pull it off casually.

"Shut up," I mumbled. "I didn't mean that."

Harper just chuckled and began to play with my fingers. "You look nice today, baby doll."

I grinned. "Thanks. I can't say the same for you."

Lie. Harper looked amazing in his red flannel shirt and black jeans.

Harper pouted. "Hey. That's mean."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Well, boohoo." I froze.

Did you really just stick your tongue out, Noelle?

Real mature. Real mature. Now you seem even weirder. Good going.

To my surprise and utter relief, Harper stuck his tongue out back. I felt a rush of happiness run through my chest at how adorable he looked.

"No, really, baby doll." Harper continued. "That hurt. I spent ages on this outfit."

I laughed. Of course the egoistically vain idiot would. "Of course. Only you would, Harper."

"Well I'm sorry if I want to look good in my daydreams." Harper shot back, before smirking slightly. "And yours."

I blushed again.

What was with all this flirting?

Harper grinned at my reaction but didn't say anything.

"Where are we going?" I tried to ask casually, desperately attempting to ignore the feelings Harper gave me when he rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand.

"Not telling." Harper replied. "Operation Forgiveness is strictly confidential, sweetheart."

I choked on my next words. "Sweetheart?" I wrinkled my nose. "That's a terrible nickname. Very cliché. Probably worse than 'baby doll'."

Harper scrunched his eyebrows in playful, mock thinking. "Babe?"

"You already call me that sometimes anyway."

"Honey bear?"

I groaned. "No."

"Sweetie?"

I shook my head.

"Cupcake? Pumpkin? Apple?"

I giggled. "Apple? You're basically naming sweet things now."

"You're pretty sweet."

I blushed, shaking my head. "Not any of those."

Harper frowned again and I watched him in curiosity. Finally, his face brightened.

"I know! Snookins!"

I burst out laughing. "No freaking way, Andrews. Snookins? Not happening."

Harper pouted. "Why not?" He whined. "It's cute. It'll suit you."

I laughed again. "Why don't you just stick to what you normally call me?"

Harper smirked a little. "And what's that?"

"You- you know what it is!" I stuttered nervously, suddenly feeling too shy to say it.

"Okay, baby doll," He chuckled. "Do you like that nickname?"

I slowly nodded, my face bright red.

"Good. I like it too."

I smiled shyly and looked away, just as we pulled in front of a relatively large building. Harper parked the car.

"Is this it?" I asked.

No, duh.

"Yeah," Harper replied. "But you can't wear that." He pointed to my dress.

I looked down at the midnight blue material, surprised and slightly hurt. I feebly fumbled with the soft material, self consciousness running through my chest as my heart sunk.

"Do I look that bad in this dress?" I asked softly. The dress was beautiful, no doubt about it, so it must have been me.

I saw Harper's eyes widen from the edge of my vision and he shook his head. "No!" He answered frantically. "No, Noelle, you look gorgeous."

My heart fluttered a little as I looked up at him in confusion. "Then why can't I wear this?"

Harper chuckled a little. "It's just not the right attire for what we're going to do." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, and I slapped the back of his head, laughing.

I loved how he could make me happy so quickly and easily.

"Not in your dreams." I replied. Our laughter soon died down.

"Seriously, baby doll, you look absolutely beautiful in this dress. You look beautiful every time I look at you, so don't ever doubt that, okay?" Harper said.

I was taken aback by the quick change in topic, and suddenly, my body felt lighter.

He thinks you look beautiful.

I almost let out one of those annoying girly giggles. "Okay." I replied.

Harper smiled at me, before getting the back pack out from between his legs and rummaging through it, thus letting go of my hand. My flesh was instantly cold, and I clenched my fingers into a fist. He took out thick wool leggings and a hoodie, more specifically, the hoodie Harper had let me borrow while running through the rain a few weeks ago.

"Um... " I hesitated.

"Go change in the back seat." Harper ordered, handing me the clothes. I raised an eyebrow.

"So you can peek? No way. I'll just find a bathroom in the building- "

He scrunched his nose adorably. "I wouldn't. The toilets are disgusting."

"I'm really starting to doubt this place you've taken me to, Andrews," I commented, nevertheless crawling into the backseat of the car. "Don't look."

"Are you sure, baby doll? Because I would be happy to- "

"Just don't, Andrews."

Harper sighed dramatically and put his hands before his eyes.

Satisfied, I changed into the clothing, before I checked the rear view mirror, only to see bright green eyes sparkling back at me.

"Harper!" I squealed, covering my face with my hands in embarrassment and falling to the floor of the car. I was fully dressed now, thankfully, but I still didn't know how much he had seen. "How much did you see?"

I could almost hear his smirk. "Nice Spongebob underwear, baby doll."

I groaned, mortified.

He grinned. "Come on."

----------------------------------------------------------------

"I can't believe you managed to convince me into doing this."

"It's my good looks and charms that won you over, baby doll."

"Idiot," I mumbled. "How am I meant to ice-skate if I can't even walk without falling over?"

I uncertainly let my eyes scan over the ice rink, watching people dance across the sheer surface. I was sitting next to Harper on the bench in the ice-skate fitting area, tying the laces tightly around my feet.

"Come on, baby doll," Harper cooed. "It will be fun. That's what Operation Forgiveness is all about."

I looked at him sternly as I stood up. "Promise?"

He nodded.

I sighed, leaning down while still standing to tie adjust my other suitcase. I straightened back up and looked at Harper, who was glaring at something behind me.

"What happened?" I asked, turning to look around, only to be greeted by a flirtatious smile from a brown haired guy that looked to be a year older than me. I awkwardly smiled back and the guy licked his lips.

Okay... ?

"That asshole," Harper growled through gritted teeth. "Was staring at your ass." His glare intensified, just as my blush did. Before I could say anything, Harper grabbed my hand, pulling me away from the guy as I awkwardly wobbled on the skates. His hand was tight on mine, his other hand clenched.

"Come on," he growled, pulling me to the ice rink, tightening his grip so it started to sting.

"Hey!" I yelled, anger and irritation surging through my veins. "Let go of me!"

Harper stopped abruptly, instantly letting go of my wrist. I gently took it between my fingers, rubbing it. I glared at Harper. "You can't just drag me away from things you don't like, Andrews," I hissed. "I'm not a dog or an object or something."

Harper sighed. "Baby doll, I'm sorry- "

I laughed dryly. "Do seriously think 'sorry' will cut it every time? Seriously, you're not my boyfriend! You can't just order me around! It's not just this- it's with Alfie, it's with Joshua, it's- "

"You don't even know what Joshua has done!" Harper snapped, eyes blazing with rage.

"That's exactly it!" I yelled back. "You refuse to tell me!"

Harper faltered, his stance crumbling slightly.

"Why can't you tell me, Andrews? Do you think I can't handle it, or something?"

He didn't say a word, staring at my mouth, and I cackled.

"I knew it. You think I can't handle it. You know what? You're just like everybody else. You think I'm too weak and you're obliged to protect me all the time. Well, guess what? Just because I have social anxiety, doesn't mean I'm so weak that I'm any less capable of handling this stuff- "

Harper cut me off by pressing his lips to mine.

I didn't even have the time to freeze in awe, or savour his ever so warm lips that stung with the sharpness of apple cider before he pulled away, just as suddenly and abruptly as he had came.

I stared at him in shock as he retreated so we were at least three feet away, my body rigid and tense. It was almost like some invisible force had wrenched him off me. I gaped like a fish, unable to form words, my whole body stinging. The kiss lasted a second, and was not like our last one- sweet and soft and passionate- this one was harsh and fierce and demanding.

"Why the hell did you do that?" I finally managed to choke out. Harper looked almost as shaken as me.

"I- I don't know," Harper shuddered. In disgust? "It's just- I just- I couldn't stop myself." He paused. "It didn't mean anything." He added quickly.

Again. Another false hope in the form of a kiss, mercilessly crushed.

I hate you, Harper Andrews- for doing this to me.

"Right," I nodded bluntly, trying desperately not to cry. "Okay. Got it."

You are weak. And stupid too, for just laying your heart out in front of him.

Shut up, shut up. Make the voices shut up.

"Noelle- "

"It's fine." I shook my head. "It's fine."

Silence.

"Oi, can you two move out of the way? Some people want to go ice-skating." A fat, bald man with two children called out from behind us. I glanced at Harper, who merely shrugged. I slowly edged onto the ice, letting the man and his children pass onto the rink. Harper stood next to me- his proximity was unnerving.

"Do you want to skate?" Harper asked. His voice wavered a little. I shook my head.

"I don't think- "

"Look, I'm really sorry, baby doll. I don't want some stupid mistake of mine to ruin our friendsh- " Harper paused. "Relationship," he corrected. "So will you, Noelle Richards, do me the honour of watching me fall flat on my ass on tubs of frozen water?"

I tried to remain stern, but I couldn't help out a little giggle.

You're stupid, Noelle. How can you be so freaking forgiving?  Why are you letting him in so quickly? It's barely been five minutes! You're so naive- this is how you get your heart broken. Always putting your trust on the line.

I know. But this idiot- I can't just push him away. And I want to forgive him. I really do need him.

I'm sure getting my heart broken a few times will be worth it.

"This is funny, isn't it?" I asked Harper, looking up at him. "You took me out on this date to get me to forgive you for kissing me. And here you are, kissing me again. And here I am, letting you."

Harper smiled softly, brushing hair away from my face. "It is funny." I allowed myself to smile a little before looking at him sternly. Harper gulped a little.

"You better do well in this Operation Forgiveness, Harper," I said weakly. "Or I might never forgive you and you will rot within the embers of hell."

Harper nodded, placing a hand over his heart solemnly. "Point taken."

"Good." I grinned. "Now teach me how to skate."

"Take one step forward- " Harper began.

I did, and it was not a second later that my feet fell out from underneath me, and I was sent tumbling to the ground, landing on my butt harshly on the hard ice, pain shooting through me.

"Ow," I groaned. Harper grinned at me sheepishly, before helping me up carefully, both arms holding onto my biceps.

Or where my biceps would be if I engaged in physical exercise.

I huffed, brushing off my butt. Harper smirked.

"I could do that for you, baby doll," He said cockily. I glared at him.

I tried to take a step forward again, and I slipped, yet again, but before I came in contact with the ice, Harper had an arm wrapped around my waist, supporting me. "Thanks," I mumbled. Harper nodded, moving so that he was stood in front of me, both his hands on my waist.

"Now put your hands on my shoulders," he ordered, focusing on my feet. I did as he asked. Harper readjusted his hands a little, and I almost swooned, feeling the muscles in his shoulders move.

Holy mangoes.

Harper began to skate backwards, pulling me along with him, so I was sliding across the ice. My grinned in glee.

"Harper! Look! I'm moving!" I squealed. Harper chuckled, pulling me slightly closer, still staring at my feet. We stayed like this for about ten minutes, him skating, me letting him pull me along. Finally, I broke the comfortable silence.

"Why did you bring this hoodie?" I asked him, curious. I fiddle with the fabric of his jacket. Harper smiled a little.

"I like seeing you wear it. You look absolutely adorable. Why wouldn't I want to treat my eyes to that all night?"

I blushed a little.

These cheesy lines are going to kill me one day.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Harper had insisted on changing cars.

He dropped off his at a friend's car repair place and taken another car, the ones with those open backs. He pulled me into the car and we set off to our next and final stop of Operation Forgiveness.

Finally, just as the sun was setting, we arrived in a large field, hints of white and yellow flowers dotted in between the strokes of emerald green grass. There were no trees for quite a bit, letting the sky extend to a dome above our heads.

"Are you taking me here to kill me?" I joked as Harper stopped the car.

"Yes, because in my free time I drive for miles into random fields and kidnap teenage girls to kill under the light of my radiant hotness," Harper drawled sarcastically. I laughed as he got out of the car, reaching into the back seat to pull out two large bags. Before I could reach the handle on the door, Harper opened it for me, holding out a hand to help me out. I took it, standing up.

"Thanks," I said. "But you really didn't have to do that for me."

"Please, that's nothing, babe. What kind of guy would I be if I didn't?" He answered. I smiled at him, before taking one of the bags. Harper walked ahead, reaching the open back of the car and putting the bag down on the grass. I followed after him, setting it down. He unzipped the bag, pulling out two large duvets and pillows.

"What are you... " I asked in confusion, watching as Harper spread the duvets over the surface at the back of the truck, before climbing on to lay the pillows at the top. He gestured for me to join him on the back of the car. "Oh."

Grinning, I climbed up, sitting next to him at the back of the hollow in the car. Harper spread the duvets before. I smiled at him.

"This is so cliché." I commented, excited. Harper reached down to get the other bag from the grass, sending me a quick smirk.

"You love it." He answered.

I couldn't help but nod, taking in the beautiful scenery. We sat in silence as Harper took out a bag of Oreos.

Oreos. How perfect can this get?

I leant my head against his arm. "Are we going to sleep here tonight?"

Harper nodded, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him. "Yeah."

"Thank you." I smiled. "This is actually perfect. The perfect first date."

Harper wiggled his eyebrows. "So this is a date?"

My eyes widened.

Oh my gods, Noelle. You really have done it.

I shook my head frantically. "N- no! It's not!" Harper chuckled.

"Calm down, baby doll. Just kidding."

It didn't feel like he was kidding.

"How's Kate?" I asked quietly. By now, the sky was a symphony of colours, dancing in the air.

Harper sighed sadly. "She's okay, I guess. Still the same. I don't know how long the doctors will let her stay there. I don't know when they might pull the plug."

Pull the plug. Switch off the life support machine.

"Don't worry," I replied, fiercely. "I won't let them do it. I will protest and I will beat them all up if I have to."

Harper laughed. "Thanks, baby doll."

I nodded. "Any time."

Sorry this update took s long, I just found it REALLY hard to write... :/ so I'm really sorry if it's really bad.

Thank you to jennamark for the idea in this chapter :) ILY

Guys, do you have any idea who could play Harper? Because, don't get me wrong, I love Wade Poezyn, but for me, he's not really HARPER

The votes are going down :( so if you're a silent reader, I love you, but please vote :)

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO HUG YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU

The car is the car Harper and Noelle took :)

Goals: 130 votes, again?

Dedication: Favourite part of this chapter?

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