PART TWO

Harper had totally done research on LA style before stuffing her rolling suitcase full. I catch her large oversized sunglasses strutting toward my car and she clutches onto her large sunhat before climbing into my passenger seat.

"Are you even capable of driving right now?" Harper asks as soon as she snaps her seat belt on. My jaw clenches and I pull my hands up to my swollen eyes, "I can still see Harper, my eyes are just a bit sore."

"Girl, you look like you had a bad allergic reaction or was stung by some wasps." I punch the small button on the glove box and reach around inside for some sunglasses. Harper looks to me and then rummages around in her purse and pulls out some Ray-bans.

"Need some sunnies?" I snatch them from her and then pull away from the pick-up curb before I get honked at for idling. I feel Harper glance to me every few miles and once we are rolling along the highway she asks, "Should I even ask how you are doing?" I shake my head as I swallow hard. I do not want to burst into tears while driving eighty-miles per hour on the freeway. She reaches her hand out and touches my arm.

"Okay, let's talk about something else then. Umm...oh have you talked to Lily lately?" She asks and I glance to her while shaking my head. She claps her hands together and I can tell she is elated to tell me some gossip. She slightly turns in her seat and spins the dial on the radio so she is the only noise in the car, "Okay so get this El. Lily has a boyfriend!"

I glance to her again and utter, "What?!"

"Yep. So, this is a crazy story. I guess Lily was outside on the steps of one of her University's buildings and she was totally freaking out because she just got her latest financial aid statement and her parents were a couple thousand short for her tuition. So she is like, sitting on the steps panicking because she thinks she is going to have to drop a few classes when this guy like skips down the steps and knocks her coffee cup into her book bag. Well, since she was already upset, I guess she reamed into the guy for ruining her books that she can't afford to replace. So he apologizes and all that mumbo jumbo and offers to replace all her books. And she is like hell yeah you have to replace my books you klutz! He says he'll go grab cash from an ATM so they start walking to the bank together and get this...they totally hit it off!" I glance to Harper again to show her my surprise and she continues, "Oh and it gets better. So this guy, Ben I guess his name is, pays for all her books and it turns out...he is bukubucks rich. Old money, Hampton's style rich and he goes to NYU too. So they have been seeing each other ever since!"

I digest her story and then ask, "Why hasn't she ever told me? I had no idea she was seeing someone."

Harper fiddles with the hem of her sundress before replying, "I don't think she wanted to rub her happiness in your face. I think she was afraid she'd hurt your feelings if she talked about how blissful she was while your relationship was...well you know." I release a sigh and feel guilty that one of my best friends didn't think she could talk to me because I couldn't handle hearing about her happiness.

"Don't feel bad Ellie, we just knew you were kind of going through a rough time."

"Yeah and hearing about someone else's life would have been a great distraction. I am so happy for her. I really am, she deserves to find the greatest guy." Harper springs up in her seat when we reach Malibu and her eyes don't leave the ocean as we drive past. She films half of the coast line for instagram and attempts to get a semi decent picture of me while driving. She spins her gaze back and forth as we drive up the hill to my dorm rooms and as soon as we park she says, "You win."

I push my car door open and reply, "Win what?"

"My dorms are much newer and nicer but you have a view of the ocean and the mountains. You win." I let out a light laugh and I am relieved to have Harper here. I don't know what I would do if I had to stay hidden in my dark room for the weekend, wallowing and eating ice cream flavored with my tears.

I lead her down the short path to my dorm entrance and I spot Mischa hunched over one of the small patio tables. The sound of Harper's suitcase on the pavement brings her attention over to us and she immediately waves. Harper runs her eyes over Mischa and jealousy fills her.

"Hey Mischa!" I say as we stroll over. "This is my friend Harper, she's in town for the weekend." I introduce the two and as Mischa waves, Harper replies with a hint of a smile.

"I love your dress Harper, is it from Lulu's?" Mischa asks and Harper's eyes immediately light up from the compliment. That's all it took for Harper to warm to Mischa.

"Yes it is actually. I thought it was appropriate for Malibu." Harper has a more pleasant tone and I look back to Mischa.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around. If you two want to go out tonight I was going to hit up this new bar down the street. Do you have a fake ID Harper?" Mischa asks as she pulls her dark hair to the side.

Harper nods and smiles, "Yeah I do. But I don't know if Ellie will be up for going out." Mischa glances to me and I try to muster up the courage to tell the truth. I've only said the words to Harper and I don't know if I can say them again without crumbling on the spot. Harper touches my shoulder as she says, "Her and Liam broke up last night."

Mischa's jaw literally drops and she looks to me, "No way is that true."

"We didn't necessarily break up but Liam did move away. To Virginia," I say quietly back and Mischa springs up and off the bench to pull me in for hug. I hold my breath to keep from crying and she holds my shoulders as she asks, "Are you okay?" I shrug, unable to answer the question and Mischa and Harper exchange glances.

"Ya know Ellie, maybe going out tonight would be fun? Blow off some steam and try not to think for awhile," Harper suggests and I look to her. I do think a girls night would do me some good and it would be nice not to think for awhile.

"Yeah, actually. I'm down. What's the worst that can happen?" I ask with a shrug. Both Harper and Mischa give me a pity smile and Harper rubs my arm for comfort.

"It will be fun Ellie. We'll take care of you," Harper says and I swear I catch a glimmer of mischievousness in her eye.