I knew the day was going to be hard. I knew I was going to have to bite back the urge to start crying during class. I knew I would get looks of pity from everyone. It happened every year on the anniversary of my mother's death. Although, the fifth year seemed like the worst so far. Maybe it was because my mom was always so excited to see me graduate my classes, and in a few weeks I would be doing just that without her there to see it.

My dad offered to tell everyone I was still recovering from the concussion and didn't feel like going back to class yet but staying alone in my room all day wouldn't help. I needed to distract myself with something. I needed to be around my friends.

So, I got up and got dressed. I brushed my hair and tied a few pieces back into a braid. Then, I stared down at the black pearl necklace sitting inside my jewelry box. A wave of sadness hit me like a strong gust of wind as I picked it up. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes, but I inhaled a sharp breath and blinked them away.

I clasped on the necklace, looked at myself in the mirror, and said, "You can do this. Just get through this day, and you'll be fine."

My dad had left early for a council meeting, so I was greeted with silence when I exited my room. I pulled my bag around my shoulder as my mind flashed back to when my mom would always be waiting at the door to hug me goodbye before school.

My eyes wandered over to the door. I could picture her standing there with a bright smile and open arms, "Don't terrorize those boys too much today, ok Peanut," She would say as she fixed my lopsided ponytail. "I don't want to have to pick you up from detention because you glued Murphy's hand to his desk again."

I would just laugh, "Ok, Mom, but you know he deserved it."

I snapped myself out of the memory as I remembered that I couldn't be late to class again. With one last intake of a breath, I forced myself out of the apartment.

When I stepped into the hallway, people were already hurrying to their morning assignments and classes. Guards were doing their normal morning patrol, and I couldn't help but scan their faces to see if Bellamy was one of them.

Why did I feel a pang of disappointment when he wasn't? He was annoying and rude and cocky and a pain in the ass. I shook my head and began walking to class shoving the thought of Bellamy out of my thoughts for as long as I could.

Surprisingly, I wasn't the last one to class. In fact, there were five open seats when I walked through the door. Mrs. Garcia was sitting at her desk looking down at a tablet and scrolling through her lesson plans as I took my seat between Archie and Wells.

"Hey Harles," Archie said with understanding in his eyes. He knew what today was. "How would you feel if later tonight we went over to The Loft. We haven't been in a few months. I say it's time to get back to the party."

The Loft was a secret place in Mecha Station where all the teenagers went to party. There usually was alcohol, but it was homemade by these two crazy guys named Jasper and Monty. It tasted like garbage, and it burned your lungs on the way down, but it made you forgot what was bothering you and just let loose for a while.

But, I wasn't really in a partying mood, "I'm not really feeling the whole party thing today, Arch, but maybe next week."

Then, I felt Wells's hand on mine. I flickered my eyes up to meet his which were full of seriousness and pity. A look I was all too familiar with that day, "You know, you don't have to be here today."

"Yes I do," I replied. "My mom wouldn't want me sitting in my room feeling sorry for myself. She would want me to finish my classes and suck it up. So, that's what I'm doing."

Wells nodded suddenly understanding that it was better not to talk. He leaned back in his seat as Mrs. Garcia began the lecture on the Trojan Horse, and I engulfed myself in the lesson. For the first time in a while, Satan never had to get onto me once during class.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~

The day had only gotten worse as it went on. I hated it when people gave me their stupid looks of pity. I didn't want their pity. I wanted them to leave me alone and treat me like it was just another normal day on the Ark.

Let's just say I was ready to punch someone in the face as I sat outside the cafeteria during lunch. Wells, Clarke, and Archie were seated beside me as we ate and listened to Archie's stupid dad jokes.

I had told them I didn't want to go to the cafeteria and face everyone's sad looks. So, Wells got my lunch for me and we sat in a corner beside the door. It was nice being able to just eat with the people I liked instead of being amongst so many others I couldn't stand.

Well, that is until Murphy decided to stop in front of us. I looked up and saw that he had a black eyes and a busted lip. I felt proud being the cause of those two injuries. Wells could feel me tense up. He could sense that Murphy and I were about to get into a fight. He tried to grab my hand, but I jerked it away.

"Can we help you Murphy?" I asked with resentment in my voice. "Or are you just going to stand there like a creepy idiot all day?"

"I was just wondering how you've been. I heard you got a pretty nasty concussion," I could feel the pride in his vile voice.

"Actually, I'm doing great, but how about you?" I asked as I motioned to his face. "How did you get those? They look pretty painful."

His eyes met mine and for a full minute we just stared at each other with looks that could kill. Wells glanced back and forth between us before standing up and stepping in front of Murphy.

"I think you should go."

Murphy nodded stepping back slightly. My muscles slowly began to relax, but of course, Murphy had to open his annoying mouth again, "Oh, and by the way Winters, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know what today is." I clenched my jaw. His tone said something different than his words. "Yeah, today is the day that you use your mother's death as an excuse to act like a bitch. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree now does it?"

That was it. I snapped.

I stood up before any of my friends could process what was going on. I let out an angry yell as I grabbed Murphy by the throat and slammed him against the wall behind him, "You son of a bitch! I hate you! I hate you!" I tightened my hold around his neck.

"Harley! Let him go!" I felt Wells pulling me back, but I struggled against him.

"Don't you ever talk about my mother like that!" Murphy gasped for air, but before I could squeeze my hands tighter Wells finally ripped me away from him. I didn't even realize the flood of tears that had fallen from my eyes as Wells tried to calm me down, and I heard Murphy coughing violently on the floor.

"Shh, Harley. It's ok. It's ok."

I ripped myself out of Wells's strong grip, "It's not ok! All-day, everyone has been looking at me like I'm some kicked puppy. Even you! I don't need your pity, and I don't want it. I'm not some charity case, Wells!"

"Harley-" Wells reached for me, but I backed away.

Tears were still falling down my cheeks, "No, I just need some space."

Before he could say anything else or protest, I quickly left the hallway. I ran down the halls of Alpha Station as tears blurred my vision. I thought I could handle today, but I was wrong. I never should have left my room.

I came to the end of Alpha Station where there was a narrow door that into a room no one ever went into. The only people allowed in there were Council members, and it was only ever occupied when they were planning something very important.

A few years ago I took the key card to it from my dad. He either never noticed, or he noticed and understood why I took it. It was a good place to think and be alone where no one would bother me.

I rummaged through my backpack as I searched for the key card. Then, when I finally found it, I swiped it through the edge of the lock, and the door opened.

I stepped inside the large empty room. It was bare except for a large round table with chairs all around it. The back wall was just a window looking into space.

I took a chair from the table, wiping away the tears that were falling from my eyes. I carried the chair over to the window, sat down, and cried as I stared into the vast expanse of space wishing that my mother was there with me.

Not long had passed by when there was a rude and sudden banging of someone's fist against the door followed by a very deep voice, "Hey! No one's allowed in this room." I ignored the voice. I didn't even look back when I heard the sound of the man swiping his key card and pushing the door open. "Hey, are you deaf? I said no one is allowed in this room."

Not even bothering to wipe my tears, I turned my head. Surprise filled my body when I saw that it was Bellamy. His hard gaze softened when he recognized me, and his eyes became laced with concern.

"I'm not deaf. I was just ignoring your rudeness," I replied trying to make my voice sound strong and failing miserably. "Now, please just get out, and leave me alone."

I looked away from the guard expecting him to just leave, but to my surprise, I heard the sound of Bellamy pulling over another chair and plopping himself down beside me. He let out a sigh as he stared out the window.

"It sure is beautiful out there, isn't it?" He said as he stared at Earth in the distance. "Too bad we'll never get to see it."

I nodded suddenly feeling more relaxed, "I always dream of going to Earth. My mom used tell me all these stories about customs people on Earth used to have," I smiled slightly as I thought back. "Like they would wish on what they called shooting stars. It was really just a meteor burning up in the atmosphere, but they believed that if you made a wish on one, your wish would come true."

"What would you wish for?" He asked, making me turn my head to finally look at him. His hair fell onto his forehead casually, and his guard jacket was unzipped. He looked like he had just been off duty. "If a shooting star just randomly flew past the Ark, what would you wish for?"

I knew the answer without even thinking, "I'd wish for my mother back," My answer clearly took Bellamy aback as tears began to pool in my eyes again. "I'm sorry, it's just that today marks five years since her death, and I guess you could say I haven't been handling it well."

I had to look away from him. I didn't like it when people saw me cry, and I barely even knew Bellamy. Crying in front of him made me feel embarrassed and weak. When I snuck a glance at him, I expected him to be looking at me with pity just like everyone else, but his eyes weren't full of pity. They were full of understanding and something I couldn't quite describe.

"I think you're handling it better than a normal person would," He answered. "I mean, you got up this morning and dragged yourself out of bed. You went about your day normally. If you ask me, that's impressive."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at the warm feeling that erupted in my stomach when his eyes met mine, "Most people just look at me like some wounded child."

"Well, most people are idiots aren't they?" His lips tilted upwards, and I had to return his smile. That was the first time I had smiled all day. "Well, look at that. The Princess can look at me with something other than a scowl. It's a miracle."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, well, don't get used to it, Bellamy." His name left my mouth before I even thought it over, but I liked the way it sounded on my lips.

However, I didn't like the smirk it formed on his, "Wouldn't dream of it, Harley." Why did I love the way he said my name? I shouldn't, but I did. "But, don't think that just because we are on first name basis now means that I'm going to stop calling you Princess."

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