CHAPTER SEVEN

"WALKER?"

𐐪✭𐑂

aidann:
Harper you awake rn?

harp🎵:
I'm up

Why?

aidann:
Nothing bad, just making sure if you are still coming to my birthday party tn

harp🎵:
Me and the cast will be there for sure don't worry 🙏🙏

I got the gifts as well

Just consider my present from me and Walker since he "forgot" to get you something.

aidann:
😭

I don't know what he has against me

harp🎵:
He's been a little off for a while now.

But I gtg, I'll talk to you later!

And have a great birthday 🫶

aidann:
Alr

____

"Harp, as your friend... no." Momona said, glancing up at Harper after checking her phone.

Harper sighed, brushing it off. "It's 9:00 a.m. He's probably just tired, okay?" She shrugged, trying to find any excuse.

Momona rolled her eyes. "Tired? Okay, but not even a goodbye? Or a good morning? That's the kind of guy you're into? Someone who ends a conversation with 'alright'? He didn't even say thank you when you wished him happy birthday." She shook her head, exasperated. "Even Walker says good morning and good night."

"This isn't about Walker, Momo. And it never will be. We haven't even talked today. He didn't look at me once."

Momona frowned. "What? What's going on now?"

Harper shrugged, looking away. "I don't know. He hasn't spoken to me since the day we wrapped. I feel like I did something wrong."

She shoved her phone in her pocket, crossing her arms as she stood next to Momona, lost in thought.

A car pulled up in front of them, the doors swinging open to reveal Walker and Malachi, chatting casually as they stepped out.

"Good morning," Walker said, slipping his phone into his pocket as he approached.

Momona shot a look at Harper, her raised eyebrows silently saying, See? He said good morning.

Malachi furrowed his brow. "Where's McKenna?"

"She went back home," Momona replied, her tone softening, clearly disappointed that McKenna wouldn't be around for a while.

Malachi sighed. "Really? I thought she was staying until at least Aidan's birthday party."

Walker furrowed his brow. "What party?"

Malachi tilted his head. "Aidan's birthday party? We talked about going, remember?"

Walker shrugged, still looking confused. "Didn't even know his birthday was coming up." His tone made it clear he didn't care much about Aidan.

Malachi shook his head with a playful smile, moving on. "Anyway, I think I left his gift somewhere in the hotel and—" His voice faded into the background as Harper and Walker seemed to zone out, their minds elsewhere.

Harper fidgeted with her fingers, swaying slightly as her eyes met Walker's. They exchanged polite smiles—the kind you give when you accidentally make eye contact with a stranger.

Walker quickly looked away, unsure of what to say or do around her. He found it hard to think clearly whenever she was nearby.

Harper finally broke the silence. "Did I... do something?"

"Hm?" Walker blinked, realizing she had spoken but not quite catching her words.

"Did I do something to make you avoid me?" Harper asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. "We haven't talked since we finished filming. I thought maybe I did something wrong."

Walker paused, taking in her question. "No, you didn't. I just... I thought you'd rather hang out with Aidan. It kinda felt like you were avoiding me."

Harper stood there, silent for a moment, before shaking her head. "I wouldn't avoid you. I know things felt a little off yesterday, but Aidan was just rambling about his birthday, and I didn't know how to end the conversation."

Walker nodded slowly. "Yeah, I get that. Just a misunderstanding, no worries." He smiled, the tension easing slightly.
...

____

aidann:
Harper, are you here yet?

harp🎵:
Yeah, my mom just dropped me off, I'm walking to your house

aidann:
Okay

I'll see you there

___

Harper turned off her phone, sliding it into her pocket as she grabbed the bag holding Aidan's birthday present. He's so dry, she thought, shaking it off as her mom drove away, leaving her at the front of Aidan's massive house.

She tested the door and found it unlocked, letting herself in. Immediately, loud music blasted through the house, making her flinch. The place was crowded with people, some of whom Harper recognized. It seemed like Aidan knew a lot of other teen actors like her.

"Harper, hey!" A familiar voice called out—Aidan.

She smiled, walking toward him. "Hey! Happy birthday!" She gave him a friendly hug.

"Thanks! Let me show you where to put the present," Aidan said, placing a hand on her shoulder as he led her to the dining room.

The dining room table was piled high with gifts—there was barely any room left for more. Harper carefully placed her present in the corner, then turned to face Aidan.

"So, how do you know all these people?" she asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.

Aidan smirked, teasing her. "What, you don't think I can have this many friends?"

Harper gasped softly. "That's not what I meant! I was talking about all these other actors."

Aidan chuckled, tilting his head. "Some of them might be plus-ones, but I've got connections. It all started with Malachi. He introduced me to his friends, and it just snowballed from there—like a chain reaction."
...

Malachi and Walker weren't far from the dining room—close enough to spot Harper and Aidan talking. Malachi had his back to them, deep into a conversation with Walker.

"It throws me off sometimes, and there are moments when—" Malachi trailed off, noticing that Walker wasn't really listening. He was nodding absentmindedly but staring past Malachi's shoulder.

"Uh, hello?" Malachi waved a hand, trying to snap Walker back to the conversation, but it didn't work.

Curious, Malachi turned to see what had Walker's attention. He followed his gaze to Harper and Aidan, caught in what seemed like an engaged conversation. Harper looked like she was hanging on to every word Aidan said.

Malachi turned back to Walker, who was still staring.

"Walker," Malachi said firmly. Walker blinked, snapping his focus back. "Yeah?" he mumbled.

"She's gonna be fine," Malachi assured him.

"What?"

"I said, she's gonna be fine. I put her in good hands. Aidan won't hurt her. I've known him for years," Malachi added, noticing how Walker's jaw tightened.

"Yeah, whatever," Walker muttered, rolling his eyes. "What were you saying again?"

Malachi raised his eyebrows, sensing something off. "Dude, is something else going on? Is it personal—"

"That doesn't matter right now, alright?" Walker interrupted, his frustration evident. "I get that it's Aidan's birthday, but can we not make everything about him?"

"Walker—" Malachi started, but Walker cut him off with a sigh.

"I'll be back," Walker muttered, walking away before Malachi could say another word.

Malachi watched as Walker disappeared upstairs, his figure fading from view. Shifting his gaze back to the dining room, he saw Harper still engrossed in her conversation with Aidan.

He quickly made his way over, gently tapping Harper on the shoulder. "Hey, Harper."

She turned around, a bit surprised. "What's up?"

Malachi pulled her aside, away from Aidan and the crowded room. "What's going on?" Harper asked, her expression shifting to one of mild concern.

"Do you mind talking to Walker?" Malachi asked quietly. "He seems upset, and... I don't think I can help him. It might have to do with..." He glanced toward Aidan, signaling to Harper with a look.

Harper sighed, catching the implication. "Yeah, I'll talk to him. Where did he go?"

"Upstairs," Malachi replied.
...

Harper climbed the stairs, her heart already heavy with the tension from downstairs. She opened the first door she found, stepping into what looked like an office. There, sitting against the wall, was Walker, his eyes glued to his phone.

"Hey, Walker." Harper smiled softly, hoping to break the ice.

Walker looked up, his face hard. He shut off his phone abruptly. "What?" he snapped, his tone dripping with irritation.

Harper froze for a split second, caught off guard by his sharpness, but she quickly composed herself. "Malachi told me—"

Walker groaned loudly, cutting her off. "Of course he did. He just had to send you in to play therapist."

Harper sighed, closing the door behind her and sitting down near him. "What's bugging you, Walker? If this is about Aidan—"

"Not everything is about Aidan, okay?" Walker snapped, his hands flaring as he spoke. "Can you just not mention his name for once? I'm so sick of hearing about him!"

Harper's patience thinned as she stood up, her voice rising. "I'm not making everything about him! No one is! But if you're so bothered by him, then stop letting his name control your mood every damn time! I get that you don't like him, but you don't have to be such an ass whenever he's brought up!"

Walker shot up from the floor, his frustration boiling over. "I thought you came here to make me feel better, not to shove him in my face again."

"I am trying to help!" Harper fired back.

"Well, you're doing a terrible job," Walker spat. "If you really wanted to help, you'd have stayed downstairs, laughing and chatting with Aidan like you were. You didn't need to run up here, all concerned, acting like you care."

Harper's eyes narrowed. "So this is about him. You saw us talking, got jealous, and threw a fit?"

Walker's face darkened with anger. "Don't twist this—"

"That's exactly what happened," Harper cut him off, her voice sharp. "And you know it. This morning, you told me everything was fine. You said there was no problem, that it was just a misunderstanding. But clearly, you're just as upset as I thought you were, if not worse!"

"Who said I was upset with you? I never said that." Walker said, his voice began to soften.

"Then what is it? Why are you acting like this around me?" Harper demanded, her voice cracking with frustration.

Walker hesitated, stammering as his chest heaved with uneven breaths. "Harper, because... I..." He paused.

"I don't know, okay?" His voice faltered, his eyes beginning to water.

For a moment, he looked at her, vulnerability flickering in his expression. But just as quickly, his face hardened again. "Just know that you started this. And running to me now isn't going to fix it."

The words hit Harper like a punch to the gut, leaving her speechless.

Without another word, Walker stormed past her, slamming the door so hard it echoed like a gunshot through the room.

Harper stood frozen, her chest tightening as the tears welled up. His words echoed relentlessly in her mind. Running to me won't fix it.

She crossed her arms, trying desperately to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Harper turned to see Momona standing there, her face full of sympathy, like she already understood everything.

Without a word, Momona crossed the room and wrapped Harper in a warm embrace. Harper collapsed into her, quietly sobbing in her friend's arms.

No words were spoken—they didn't need to be.

author speaks!

word count: 1881

A little angsty this chapter, but fight through it guys, it gets better 🙏