Harlee

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"Happy Fourth of July, Harlee!" Rachel greeted me with a hug after I opened my front door.

She'd arrived back in town the night before the holiday, so she was just in time to come to the bonfire. I'd invited her over to my house to get ready together. We were meeting Jasper and Evan there later on.

This would only be Rachel and Evan's second date together, but apparently, they'd been texting nonstop since he'd asked her out. They seemed to be becoming really close, which made me very happy for both of them.

Rachel's hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she was wearing the dress I'd gotten for her. She also had a grocery bag full of cosmetics in her hand. I hoped she didn't expect me to wear any of that stuff.

"Happy Fourth of July!" I said, hugging her back.

When we released one another, Rachel took a step back.

She set down the grocery bag on the porch railing and pulled out a rectangular box.

"And happy belated birthday," she said, holding the box out to me.

"I used the rest of my gift card on it. I wish I could have gotten you something better, but next year I'll be able to."

I carefully took the box from her hand, set it atop the porch railing, then opened it. Inside was a blue graphic t-shirt with stars on it.

I read the statement on the front of the shirt aloud,

"Kinda sweet, kinda savage." I laughed at how true the statement was concerning me.

"It just seemed to fit you," she giggled.

"It's literally me. Thank you," I smiled, giving her another hug. "But you really didn't need to buy me anything." I faced her. "You should have used that money on something for yourself," I said, folding the shirt carefully then placing it back inside the box.

Rachel quickly shook her head. "Absolutely not. Besides the fact, you bought me this adorable dress at the start of the summer." She twirled around.

I smiled at the fact nearly a month later she still loved it.

"But also 'cause, I don't think I'm going to have to worry about that as much anymore," she said, smiling brightly, "My dad got the contract, Harlee. We're not gonna be so bad off anymore."

My heart leaped with joy for my friend. "Oh my gosh, Rachel!! That's awesome!" I screamed, grabbing her in yet another hug.

"Isn't it? I'm literally so happy!" she squealed, hugging me back.

We faced one another smiling, and she said, "Once he's able to do a few jobs, we're going to start house searching around town."

I gasped, feeling even more excited for her. "Oh my gosh! That's great!"

"Will you come with us when we look for houses?" she asked excitedly.

"I just think it'd be fun; you could help me pick out my new room and stuff."

"Of course!" I exclaimed.

Rachel's smile grew wider at that. "Thanks, Harlee; you seriously are the best."

"You're welcome, Rachel."

"Not just for that..." she started. "But for everything else you've done for me. I mean, if it weren't for you..." She sighed then, walked over to the porch swing, and sat down on it. "If it weren't for you, Harlee," she repeated. "I'd have spent this entire summer with no friends."

She stared down at her hands, seeming like she had more to say.

"And my thanks for that was ruining your friendship with Farrah," she finished.

I frowned.

I hated that she was still blaming herself for that.

"That's not true, okay?" I said, shaking my head. I walked over to her and sat beside her, "That isn't your fault."

"But it is. You two were so close, and I just ruined everything," she said, chewing one of her nails.

"Rachel," I said, my voice firm. "Evan liked you; I helped set you two up. Blame me, blame him even, but don't blame yourself."

I put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault."

She nodded, still seeming unsure.

I leaned against the back of the swing and gently kicked my feet in the air.

The chair rocked back and forth in a slow, steady motion.

"Besides, if I've learned anything this summer, it's that no matter how close you are to a person, they can change in the blink of an eye," I told her as we swung through the air.

"I'm sorry, Harlee." Her eyes filled with more guilt.

I shook my head, not wanting her to pity me.

"Don't be. 'Cause I'm not anymore. I'm moving on."

I smiled, then stopped the chair and stood to my feet. I held out my hand to help her up. "Come on, let's go get ready, and you can meet Amber," I told her excitedly.

Her mood seemed to lift at that. "Oh, yeah! I'd forgotten about him!" she exclaimed, taking my hand and rising to her feet.

Then we hurried inside for her to meet my new pet and to get ready for the night that awaited us.

Moving on, I'd said.

It felt good to finally be able to state that in truth.