2024

❂𐂷 𐂷❂❂𐂷 𐂷❂❂𐂷 𐂷❂❂𐂷 𐂷❂

"You like Harper, right?" Zoey inquired.

Griffin was in his room, laying on his bed and staring up at the ceiling. He's been acting like this for a long time. When asked what was wrong, he replied, "I'm fine, I just need to think about something." What on earth might he be thinking about on a Monday morning before school?

Griffin scoffed, "No."

"Oh, o-"

"OF COURSE I LIKE HER, ZOEY" Griffin screamed

"SHE'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'VE EVER SEEN, SHE'S GETTING LITERAL OXYGEN INTO MY LUNGS"

"Then why don't you become her boyfriend," Wyatt said.

"Because every time I try to make a move, she changes the subject," Griffin explained, sitting up and resting against the headboard of his bed.

"Well, that seems like a Harper thing," Zoey observed.

"Then make her yours, it's not that hard," Wyatt remarked.

Griffin let out a sigh.

"Just get out," Griffin advised Wyatt.

Wyatt rolled his eyes as he exited Griffin's room.

"You too," Griffin added, motioning for Zoey to leave.

Zoey sighed and walked out the door.

Griffin retreated after the twins had gone. Thinking. He needed Harper more than anybody could possibly know, and no one could understand why.

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

11:52 am

Sulphur Springs High School

Griffin was attending his fourth class of the day, Science. His grades in this subject were not stellar – 78% – although he was still passing, which was adequate for him. The class was currently engaged in a tedious activity of completing a note packet that they do every day. Juliette, although she is known as Juju to everyone, had sat beside Griffin at one of the tables.

Griffin was aware of Juju's admiration for him, which was quite apparent. When in class, Juju consistently chose to sit next to Griffin, and when selection of partners was required, she would invariably procure him. Even though Griffin had an affinity for Juju, it was strictly platonic. Therefore, he deliberated upon a way to grab Harper's attention; a jealous ploy seemed the best course of action.

"Juju?" Griffin stated as he did not take his gaze away from his page.

"Yeah, Griffey?"

Griffin gave the nickname a disdainful grimace.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Griffin muttered

"Me?, your girlfriend" Juju made certain

"Yeah," Griffin muttered

Juju yelled.

"YES, YES, I WILL BE YOUR GIRLFRIEND," Juju said as she tossed her papers in the air.

"Shhhh, Juju-" Griffin attempted to say.  "JULIETTE CASPIAN," the teacher roared from her desk.

"Is there a reason you chose to cause this uproar?" While looking at the papers on the floor, the teacher spoke.

"Griffin asked me to be his girlfriend," Juju smiled.

" You woke up the entire class," the teacher exclaimed.

"Please collect your papers and return to work."

"OK, sorry, Mrs. Langston," Juju responded, picking up the papers off the floor.

Griffin simply slouched and buried his face in his hands.

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

12:17 pm

Lunchtime had arrived at Sulphur Springs High School. Griffin had just come out of class when Juju his 'girlfriend' approached him and grabbed his hand. Griffin sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Come on, let's go," Juju urged, tugging her 'boyfriend' along with her.

"No, let's go this way," Griffin responded, tugging her in the opposite direction.

"No way, babe-" "This way is faster," Juju pointed out.

Griffin was aware that Juju's preferred route was more expedient, but he had his reasons for preferring the longer way. Mrs. Shades' History class, from which Harper had just exited, was on that route.

Griffin responded, "I know, I just wanted a longer walk."

"Oh, Ok, baby," Juju murmured, ruffling his hair.

Griffin pretended to smile as she did, but when she turned away, he straightened his hair. Repulsed.

Griffin and Juju walked down the hallway, hand in hand. As they proceeded, students gave them curious glances; it was well-known that Griffin had a fondness for Harper. Seeing him with someone else, especially Juju, was quite unexpected. When Griffin spotted Harper walking out of Mrs. Shades' class with some friends, he made sure to pass by her classroom and put on an expression that indicated he was content with his new companion. Harper flashed Griffin a smile when their eyes met and he couldn't help but return it.

Harper's eyes widened as they wandered down Griffin and she saw them holding hands. Feeling guilty, Griffin was about to release Juju's hand when an unexpected move from her changed the plan. Suspecting Harper of stealing her man, Juju wasted no time in taking control and engaging Griffin in a passionate make-out session against a nearby locker. Stunned, Harper dropped her Stanley Water Bottle in shock, creating a large puddle on the floor.

"Oh, my God, Harps," Bailey exclaimed.

"Are you OK?" Ariana inquired.

"Yeah... I just...um"

Her mouth felt dry, and she couldn't make sense of what she was witnessing.

"I'll be back," Harper said as she walked away from her friends.

They shrugged and continued on their way to the lunch area.

Juju eventually pulled away from the kiss, delighted as ever.

Griffin cried "JUJU" as he wiped his lips with his hands.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT"

"Harper was checking you out, so I had to do something," Juju explained.

"NO, NO...OH MY GOD," Griffin exclaimed, feeling like he was about to puke.

Griffin looked around; Harper was no longer visible.

"BRO, WHERE DIDN'T HARPER GO?" Griffin screamed angrily.

"BRO?" Juju expressed her confusion.

"JESUS," Griffin exclaimed as he walked away. He merely reconnected with his other friends.

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

Harper ran to the school restrooms and pulled out her phone to call her mom once she got inside

Jess: Hey, Babe-

Harper: Mom!... Mom pick me up

Jess: What?

Harper:  I want to leave

Jess: Why?

Harper: Mom, please

Jess: Ok, I'm coming, baby

Jess: Just calm down

Harper simply hung up without even saying goodbye. Griffin and Juju had just kissed, and Harper witnessed it all. But why? Harper thought

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

Griffin nervously surveyed the table where his friends were seated, not feeling particularly hungry despite the lunch he had in front of him. He was preoccupied with what had recently happened between him and Juju, yet his attention was quickly shifted to that same table at which Harper would normally be. Seeing her friends present but no sign of her, Griffin's concern mounted as he contemplated the ways something might have gone wrong due to his ill-advised plan. Knowing it was for the best, Griffin decided to walk over and inquire as to her whereabouts.

"Hey... where's Harper?" Griffin inquired as he stood at the far end of the lunch table.

"Oh, she went home," Bailey commented.

"She went home?" Griffin enquired

"Yeah, she said she started feeling sick," Jordyn said.

"Oh, Ok," Griffin spoke as he walked away.

Griffin attempted to remain calm, but he couldn't believe it. Harper returned home as a result of him.

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

7:56 pm

Sulphur Springs Dance Studio

Harper had departed from school early, as she could not bear Griffin's company. Despite her distressful disposition, she was unwilling to miss out on her sports practice. As a competitive dancer, any absences can lead to dire consequences if not properly reported. At the moment, Harper was attending a lyrical class. With their recital performance being repeated endlessly, the atmosphere of the room was punctuated only by heavy breathing and the sound of bare feet on the dance floor.

"OK, do it again," Coach Lotus instructed.

Harper sighed and hoped she didn't have to be there. She desired to be at home. Harper was completely exhausted by the time they finished the dance.

"OK, one more time," said Coach Lotus.

"MY GOD!" Harper wailed, moving toward the back of the studio with her hands over her head. The entire class fell silent.

Matt murmured slowly, "Harper."

She didn't even bother looking at him.

"Harper," Matt said more loudly.

Nothing happened.

"Harper  c'mon-"

"STOP!" Harper exclaimed as she walked out of the dance studio.

"Matt, go see what's wrong," urged Coach Lotus.

He nodded and exited the room.

"Will she be okay?" River inquired of Coach

"Yeah, just a rough day, I think"

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

Harper went to the studio locker rooms, only to discover that no one was present. As a result, she burst into tears.

"Harper," Matt exclaimed as he opened the locker room door. He didn't say anything as he stared at the spectacle before him, instead giving Harper a strong hug. Harper returned the hug while rigidly sobbing.

"Aww, Harpies," Matt said, rubbing her back.

"They made out, Matty" "In front of me," Harper cried.

"I know, Sis," Matt reassured.

Harper pulled away from the hug after a few moments.

"Are you ok?" Matt inquired.

"No," Harper said as he sat down on the bench row.

She whispered, "Griffin has a girlfriend."

Matt let out a sigh.

"Listen, I know this is difficult, but it is clear that he is not the right person for you," Matt said firmly as he gripped Harper's hands. "You deserve so much better."

Harper took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. "Thanks, Matt," she replied "I love you"

Matt hugged her again, saying, "I love you even more."

Harper and Matt went back to class together

❂𐂷 𐂷❂

10:04 pm

Harper was sitting on her bed, reading a book, in her room. She had begun to feel more at ease with Griffin and Juju's situation. A yell jolted Harper out of her reverie at that precise moment. Harper put her book down, left her room, and descended the stairs. She noticed her mother and Griffin as soon as she stepped downstairs.

"Griffins here," Jess remarked, indicating the obvious. She then moved away from the scene.

Griffin nervously said, "Um... Hey."

Harper rolled her eyes and grabbed Griffin's wrist, leading him up the stairs to her room. She closed the door behind them once they were inside. They both sat down on Harper's bed.

Silence.

"Listen." "Griffin." Harper and Griffin said in sync

"You can go first," Harper suggested.

"Listen, Harper, I never liked Juju; I just wanted you to be jealous because I pretended she was my girlfriend."

"But you made out with her," Harper pointed out, crossing her arms.

"No, she made me do all of that, I swear I had to wash out my mouth at least 30 million times," Griffin explained.

Harper laughed as Griffin smiled

"Harper, I really like you, and I understand if you don't like me back, but-"

Harper kissed Griffin before he could complete his sentence. It felt even better than Juju.

"I like you too," Harper whispered as she backed away from the kiss.

Griffin drew her in for another slow and gentle kiss.

"Wanna have a movie night?"  Harper stated

"Sure" Griffin replied. Harper grinned.

"I'll be right back," She murmured as she rose from her bed. Before leaving the room, Harper returned her attention to Griffin. She kissed the back of his neck. Griffin let out a sigh.

"I love you, Harps," He said.

"I love you, too," Harper replied as she exited the room.