Harper stood in the portal hallway, watching as contestants from the games waved goodbye, and hopped into different portals. She sighed and smiled, relieved. Everything turned out okay because of Jesse and her friends. She was grateful. Everything that had happened, with PAMA and the games...well, let's just say she was glad it was over.

But still, there was a feeling in her chest the pulled her down. Was it guilt, or regret? Maybe even both?

Going back to Crown Mesa was a bit scary to her. Could they forgive her after what she'd done? Would they accept her? Or would she feel isolated, alone again?

She didn't know. All she could do was hope. Hope she wouldn't be the outcast, like she often felt.

"Harper?" A voice asked as she turned around, startled, snapping out of her daze. It was Ivor. One of Jesse's friends.

"Oh, hello Ivor." She replied. "Sorry, I was just..."

"Lost in thought?" He finished for her as she nodded. "Don't worry, I do that all the time too."

Ivor and Harper stood a little ways away from the crowd, where Jesse and everyone was.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked, not unkindly. She rubbed her shoulders awkwardly.

"Nothing really,"

Ivor raised his eyebrow.

"Oh come on, now I know something's bothering you. I do that all the time."

Harper smiled weakly as Ivor grinned. Her smile quickly fell as she thought of Crown Mesa.

"Do you-?" She started as he turned to look at her. "Do you think that my friends-the people of Crown Mesa-will...accept me? The things I've done...all I've felt was guilt and regret-" she stopped as Ivor put his hand on her shoulder.

"Harper." He said seriously. "You are an amazing individual. You will be accepted, I promise you that. I mean, you and I, we've both done some things that we've regretted. Things that have changed our lives."

She blushed, surprised at his words.

"We've lived with guilt and fear. But we can surpass that. Just like me, you've been given a second chance. If you don't waste it, you'll do just fine. I've redeemed myself from being the 'bad guy.'"

He laughed sheepishly. Harper smiled warmly.

"Thanks Ivor," she said. "I needed that. Sometimes I'm just afraid. Afraid of being lonely."

Ivor gave her a nod, and then pulled out of his pocket-a rose. The one she gave to Jesse to find her headset. Her eyes widened.

"Is that-?"

"Yes. I...I wanted to return it to you before we part ways."

She hesitated for a moment, and then took the rose, both of their faces red. She smiled at Ivor, who returned it.

"Thank you, again."

"Just remember, you're not alone. I mean, not in that creepy sort of way."

Harper grinned and gave Ivor a kiss on the cheek. His face turned a bright shade of red.

"W-well, I'll see you later Harper. And that's a promise." Ivor stuttered and ran over to Jesse and her friends, Harper laughing.

She wasn't alone, and she never will be, because friends like those stick with you, through and through.

Harper waved goodbye, as she stepped through the portal to Crown Mesa with confidence.