CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
❝Spring Break❞︎

WHEN SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULD GO HOME FOR SPRING BREAK, SHE ALMOST CRINGED AT THE THOUGHT, AND INSTEAD WAS SURPRISED WHEN SHE RECEIVED A CAL FROM SCARLETT, LETTING HER KNOW THAT SHE TOO WAS ON SPRING BREAK AND SHE AND HER FAMILY WERE GOING OUT OF TOWN, WANTING TO KNOW IF HARPER WANTED TO GO. Harper tried to use the excuse that she didn't want to ruin any bonding time with Scarlett and her family, but when Scarlett practically begged her to go, she agreed.

"You've never been to the beach?" Scarlett asked in surprise. They were only an hour away from their destination. Harper and Scarlett were sitting in the back, with Scarlett's baby sister snoozing in her carrier. She was only two years old, and Harper thought that she was the most adorable thing to ever walk the earth.

"My family didn't like being too far from home." Harper reluctantly answered. That wasn't the real reason, but Harper would rather not talk about that. "This is the farthest I've ever been from home."

"What happened to your parents?" This was Scarlett's mom, who was sitting in the passengers seat. Scarlett's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at her mother whilst Harper found her heart drop to her stomach. Should she tell them? Tell Scarlett and her family that Scarlett was dating a murder who could throw people across the room with a flick of her hand and rip someone to shreds when a full moon hit.

"Mom! What the hell!" Scarlett snapped before turning to look at Harper, grabbing her hand. "Ignore her, alright? She's inconsiderate." Harper managed a weak smile and Scarlett squeezed her hand. Harper was silent the rest of the way there, glancing at her phone and answering the annoyed text she would receive from Josie about how Hope and Lizzie wouldn't shut up. It made Harper smile every time she saw the Saltzman's name pop up on her phone, and unbeknownst to Harper, Scarlett noticed.

They arrived at the beach house they had rented for the week, and to say Harper was in awe by the sight of the ocean was an understatement. She stood on the front screened-in porch, taking in the salty air, and smiled. Scarlett watched her for a moment before walking onto the porch and placing her hand over Harper's, giving it a small squeeze.

"After we finish unpacking, we can go walking on the beach." Scarlett suggested. Harper snapped her head to look at Scarlett, a wide smile falling on her face. Scarlett chuckled before grabbing Harper's hand and leading her back into the home. They unpacked and like Scarlett had said, the two went walking down the beach. Harper jumped the first time that the water washed over her feet, which made Scarlett laugh.

"It's so. . . peaceful." Harper breathed. "I can't believe I've missed out on this."

"Me either." Scarlett nodded. Harper frowned, turning her head to look at the girl and noticing a look on her face.

"Hey, is everything alright?"

"Hm?" Scarlett hummed before nodding her head. "Oh, yeah. I'm just exhausted from the long car ride."

"Well, it is starting to get dark, so we could go eat and then go to bed." Scarlett agreed and the two made their way back towards the house, deciding they would fix their own food for the first night there. They ate before Harper watched the sunset over the ocean, her heart warming at the sight. She couldn't help but think about Josie, causing her to pull her phone out and snap a picture of it, sending it to the girl.

She got ready for bed, sitting in her room and reading her book before she laid down. Scarlett entered Harper's room, smiling at the girl as she closed the door behind her before sitting on the bed. Harper marked her place before closing her book and turning her attention to look at Scarlett. That troubled look was on her face again, causing Harper to frown, reaching out and grabbing her hand.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Can I ask you something?"

Harper nodded. "Of course."

Scarlett hesitated for a moment before Harper's phone went off, a text from Josie popping up on the screen reading: "It's beautiful! I miss you! Hope you're having fun!" Scarlett closed her eyes before turning back towards Harper with a soft sigh. She shook her head. "You remember telling me about that kiss that happened between you and that Josie girl?"

"Yeah. . ." Harper trailed off. "I thought we were forgetting about that?"

"I tried. Harper, I really did." Scarlett swallowed. "But. . . I think that kiss meant a lot more to you than you're comfortable admitting."

"Scar―︎"

"No, it's okay." Scarlett assured her, nodding her head. "Every time you've talked about her, your face would light up and I could see the admiration you had for Josie in your eyes. Every time you've received a text from her today, I watched your face light up in excitement. There's no denying that there is something there, Harp. And I don't want to be the one that gets in the way of something beautiful happening."

"What, no. Scar, Josie and I don't like each other like that."

"You do." Scarlett nodded, turning her body to face Harper. She had a gentle smile on her face as she placed a hand on Harper's cheek. "I've seen that look, Harper. You're in love with the girl, you're just too terrified to admit that to yourself because you don't want to mess up the friendship you have."

"I can't do this." Harper shook her head, looking away from Scarlett. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Can't do what?" Scarlet scoffed with a small laugh. Harper couldn't help but notice that she wasn't upset by this. "Hurt me?" Harper looked at her and Scarlett chuckled, wiping the tear from Harper's cheek. "Oh, baby. . . you aren't hurting me, I promise you. I'm doing you a favor by letting you go, and letting you have the chance to be with the girl you love."

"She loves someone else." Harper whispered. "Her ex."

Scarlett frowned slightly before tucking a strand of hair behind of Harper's ear. "If Josie can't see that you have feelings for her, and if she can't reciprocate those feelings, then she isn't right for you. You deserve someone who loves you just as much as you love them. You're a sweet girl, Harper. And you deserve the world. I just hope that Josie will be the one to give you that."

"So. . . we're breaking up."

"Yes, we are." Scarlett nodded. "But I wouldn't mind still being friends, if that's okay with you?"

Harper allowed a small smile on her face as she nodded her head. "I'd like that a lot."

She had fun. Every day she and Scarlett would make it out onto the beach, swim in the ocean, build sandcastles for her little sister's amusement. They went out and got ice cream, shopping, and it was the best vacation Harper had. Minus the parts where she would have to sneak out of the house at night when she couldn't control her full transition. The full moon was during spring break, and though Harper had a lot of control over her transition, she left the home just in case she lost control. She couldn't risk killing anyone else because of what she was.

When spring break ended and she came back home, Hope was the first one to tell her everything that took place, and to say Harper's mouth fell open in surprise was an understatement. She was mad that they had killed a mummy without her, and she was a little jealous to find out that Josie had a crush on Hope. Or, used to have a crush on Hope. Harper hadn't told anyone about hers and Scarlett's break up, because it didn't feel like that. Break up sounded like such a violent way to describe two people deciding to no longer be together.

It felt like a mutual agreement, and besides the two were still friends. Not only that, but apparently Landon and MG had went missing, and they managed to find them only to find Landon dead. But then, Landon rose from the ashes, literally. They found out that he was a phoenix.

"Jesus Christ, I was gone for a week." Harper scoffed. Hope laughed and nodded her head.

"Haven't I ever told you this place falls apart when you aren't around?" Hope asked. Harper smiled and shook her head. Hope stood up. "It's getting late. I'll see you in the morning alright?"

"Okay." Harper nodded. "Good night, Hope."

"Good night, Harp." And with that the girl walked out, leaving Harper in her room alone. But not for along. A few moments later a knock came on her door before Josie popped her head inside, making Harper sit up a little straighter and offering the witch a small smile as she entered Harper's room.

"So, how was the trip?" Josie asked, sitting at the end of Harper's bed.

"You never told me how beautiful the ocean was." Harper answered. "Especially when the sunset is falling over it."

"How did it feel, spending a whole week alone with Scarlett?" Josie rose an eyebrow, a teasing smile falling on her lips. Harper's heart immediately sped up, remembering the conversation that took place between herself and Scarlett. She wondered if she should tell Josie, she almost wondered if she should shoot her shot with the girl, before remembering that she and Penelope still had. . . something going on between them, making her immediately shut that idea down.

"It was, uh, it was great." Harper nodded. "We had a lot of fun."

"Good. Hopefully you weren't fighting any mummy's along the way?"

Harper chuckled. "No, that did not pop up on our schedule. Though I am pissed that you, Hope, and Lizzie had a badass team up without me."

"Well, bugs were falling out of Lizzie and Hope's mouths, so I would be saying thank you." Josie shook her head. "I'm glad you had fun, Harper. I missed having you around, especially this week. A lot happened, and I didn't really have anyone to talk to."

"You could've called me." Harper softly responded.

"And ruin your break from this place? Why would I do that?" Josie looked at the girl for a moment. "I'm glad you're back."

"Glad to be back." Harper smiled. "Rumor has it that this place falls apart when I'm not here."

"Well, I would definitely have to agree with that rumor." Josie nodded before standing up. "Anyways, I just wanted to say goodnight before you went to sleep."

"Goodnight." Harper smiled. "We'll talk more in the morning."

"Okay." Josie nodded. "Goodnight." She made her way to the door before glancing towards Harper, and she couldn't help but notice something was slightly off about the girl. But deciding against her better judgement, she offered Harper one more smile before walking out of the room and closing the door behind her, wondering what had happened to Harper whilst she was at the beach.