~Chapter 14~

It had been about two weeks since Winter's new line had released and to call it successful was an understatement. The whole collection had sold out in only a few hours and her work had been making headlines absolutely everywhere.

As a result, she was even busier than normal but it didn't seem like she minded. In fact, she looked the happiest I'd seen her in ages. She'd been travelling all over the place for interviews, promotions and so on. Her social media had blown up as well; she'd gone up by over 200k followers in just two weeks.

To say I was ecstatic for her didn't even begin to describe my happiness and pride. All her hard work was finally paying off and she deserved to reap the rewards far more than most.

Unfortunately, that meant she wasn't able to spend time with us for a little while but I think that was beneficial in a way, especially in regards to her and Liam. They lived together and only seeing each other for fleeting moments in the morning and evening was something neither of them were used to or liked so her being away gave them both a chance to completely cut ties for a while and collect themselves.

They said absence made the heart grow fonder and I was sure the same would apply for those two. They'd come back stronger than ever before; I could feel it in my gut.

Maddie, however, didn't seem as confident as I did in their relationship. She was under the impression that something was drastically wrong but I couldn't believe her.

No matter how much she had tried to explain and point out signs, I refused to believe in the possibility of them breaking up. I couldn't fathom the idea. They were the strongest couple I knew and nothing could break them up, surely.

Uncertainty gnawed at my chest the more I thought about it.

They had to work it out. They just had to.

~*~*~

I'd been doing chores all morning which was an absolute drag but after I'd finally finished them, I called for Diana to come and pick me up so I could meet Maddison at our favourite cafe.

I was scrolling through my Instagram feed whilst I waited but I had an uncomfortable knot in my stomach. I'd woken up feeling the same way and the anxiety that came with it had been building all morning.

Deciding I needed to cool off, I dialled Zack's number and it only took him two rings to answer. "Hey Harps. What's up?" he asked, sounding as cheerful as ever.

"Hey Zacky," I breathed slowly. "Not much but I've not been having the best day."

"Did something happen?" he asked, his cheerful tone turning serious.

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. "No but I've just had a bad feeling in my stomach all morning and I don't know why."

There was a long pause before he spoke again. "Harper, be honest with me. Are you pregnant?"

Seriously?! I was glaring at him so hard in my mind right now. "No," I all but shouted. "Zack I'm serious. I feel like something is going to go wrong but I don't know what."

He sighed heavily, the sound slightly crackled through my speaker. Towards the end of our time at school, I was prone to fits of anxiousness and often had extremely bad days so Zack had learnt how to deal with me and help me get through them. It was a way of speaking he'd managed to pick up and I'd hoped he hadn't forgotten because right now I just needed my brother. "Harper just breathe. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. You know you overthink things a lot."

"I suppose but I dunno, Zack. Lately, I've been feeling kinda hopeless. That might have something to do with it."

"Care to elaborate..."

I took in a deep breath. "I'm... well I'm not sure what I'm doing with my life. All my friends are ridiculously successful and doing crazy things. Liam is flying all over the place helping young children in Africa with the new charity he's launched; Winter's new fashion line is has done amazingly; and Maddie's on track for a huge promotion that'll take her photography career to unbelievably new heights.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy for them buts it's gotten me thinking. What am I even doing with my life? Is modelling really for me? I mean I love it and all but what if that changes? And what about after? It's not a job that's easy to maintain into your later years."

I already knew what he was going to say before he did. Zack had held a certain philosophy growing up and he wasn't one for change. "Don't worry about that now, Harps. Focus on yourself and just love whatever it is you're doing presently. You're twenty-one. Trust me, you've got a while until you're too old for the job. Just enjoy yourself and live in the moment; don't worry about the future."

Zack had never been an over-thinker. He was a much more of a 'here for a good time, not a long time' type of person. He was all about living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest but me, I just couldn't do that; I wished I could experience life as it came but I was always thinking ahead, far too much in all honesty.

We were opposites, Zack and I, but strangely it worked for us.

"I wish it was that easy, Zack, but you know I can't do that. I wish I was more like you honestly. I wish I could let go more."

He let out a surprised laugh. "Never thought I'd live to see the day you say that... and you do let loose. I've seen you when you drink. You're super spontaneous, Harps, and pretty crazy as well."

"But that's when I'm drunk and not thinking rationally, Zack. I'm talking about daily life."

"Aren't you drunk basically every day?" he joked.

"Haha," I said dryly. "Once a fortnight at most but anyway that's beside the point."

"Sure," he said, dragging out the word for far too long. "But in all honesty, Harps, I wish I was more like you. You're so focused and dedicated to everything you do. You put your heart and soul into your modelling and give it a hundred and ten per cent. Not to mention that you've built such a thick skin against all the haters and critics. I admire you, sis.

"Trust me, you'll never hear me say this again but I think you need to hear this right now. It doesn't matter that you've not got it all figured out. Heck, I'm older than you — be it only just under a year — and I'm still clueless.

"Nathan's the one who's going to take over the company; Wyatt's probably going to go into professional racing one day; and the twins have their sights set on some pretty elite unis. Where does that leave me? Sure I help dad run the business but it's not what I want to do forever. Corporate life is way too soul-sucking for me; no amount of money is worth that hell."

I could imagine him shuddering at the thought. Zack wasn't the type of guy to be able to sit in a business meeting for hours on end, let's just leave it at that.

"What I'm trying to say, Harps, is that that doesn't matter because I'm enjoying my life. I'm living every day as it comes and taking the world on one day at a time and, truthfully, I'm loving it. Everything is just going great at the moment. I got to see you not too long ago; things with my girlfriend are going really well; and Olivia is the damn cutest thing on the planet and I love spoiling her. I couldn't ask for more even if I have no clue where my future is headed.

"So basically, Harps, even though I know you're going to overthink everything like you always do, please just enjoy yourself and don't stress too much. I promise the anxiety will pass. Just breathe and think positively, if not for yourself for me at least."

I could feel myself smiling. Zack had always been a chill and laid back guy but he was always there when I needed him to lift me back up. "That's surprisingly enlightening advice," I teased.

He scoffed in return and I could imagine him rolling his eyes. "Really. I just poured my heart out and gave you such a motivational speech and all I get is 'surprisingly enlightening'?"

"Yep," I grinned and I knew he was as well. "But, on a serious note, thank you, Zack. I really needed that."

"Anytime, Harper. I'm always here if you need to talk to someone, always."

My phone chimed in my hand, a text from Maddison appearing on my screen, letting me know she was nearly at the cafe. "Sorry, Zacky, but I gotta go."

"Yeah, I gotta run too, sis. Got a lunch date. Oh, and before I forget, you are coming home for Christmas right? It wasn't the same without you last year."

"I dunno Zack..."

"Please."

"It's months away so I'm—"

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

Urgh, I just couldn't say no to him. Stupid puppy voice. "Fine," I groaned.

"Hell yes. Love you, Harps."

"Love you, Zack. Bye."

After hanging up, I quickly shoved my shoes on and raced out the door, not wanting to piss off Maddison by being late.

However, the entire time Zack's words rung in my mind and for the next few days that followed as well.

Maybe there really was no need to worry about the future so much. If Zack could enjoy life in the moment then so could I.

At least, I hoped I could.

~*~*~

Words can't even begin to describe how much I love Zack. How do you guys find him?

Also, how are you finding the book in general so far? I'd love the feedback 💜.

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter and it made you smile :)

Until next time my amazing readers, bye xx