Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

I stare at him for a split second before nodding, no more needs to be said. I give them both a small smile and wave as I turn around and walk down the sidewalk, ready to move on with the next stage of my life as I stare down at the messages from Tristan.

TRISTAN: Blue’s good, and you’re telling me. Try listening to the infamous “Let It Go” song for hours on end.

TRISTAN: Harm, I have something I want to ask you.

HARMONY: ?

TRISTAN: Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the theater tonight?

A grin lifts up my lips and I type out a resounding “yes,” as a swarm of butterflies invade my stomach. I catch my reflection in my car window; Gerry is right, I do look happier.

To say that I’m nervous that Harmony is coming to my house would be a giant understatement. Sure, she’s been here before when she dropped Izzie off a few weeks ago, but it’s not like she stayed long. This will be different, she’ll be here for a lot longer; not only that but there will be other people here too.

Mom, Edward, Nate, and Amelia, and of course a couple of Izzie’s friends from school. Izzie was adamant that we all had to dress up as either princes or princesses for her birthday party. So here I am, dressed as the prince of the castle as I prep the burgers for the grill.

Every time I hear the doorbell ring, nerves bat around my stomach like a ping pong ball being hit back and forth across a table. But the last two times that Amelia answered it, it wasn’t Harmony.

I know she’ll be here any second now because she messaged me as she was leaving her mom’s house.

For some reason, having her here for Izzie’s birthday with my family feels like our relationship is moving up a level.

We’ve been having fun these last few weeks, nothing too serious. I took her to see a show at the theater last week, we laughed so hard that we both had tears streaming down our faces.

It’s different between us; every single thing about us and the way we’re a

cting is different, but how I feel hasn’t changed in the slightest. If anything, my feelings have only grown stronger.

She was always that one person that made me feel like I was in control when I was around her; she made me feel like me. The complete version of me and not only the small parts that I allowed people to see. She saw me for who I really was.

The doorbell ringing has my head snapping up and I walk over to the sink, washing my hands.

As I’m drying them, I hear a loud squeal and Izzie shout, “Miss J!”

I chuckle and shake my head as I walk out of the kitchen; it doesn’t matter how many times Harmony tells her to call her by her first name, she still insists on calling her Miss J.

My lips curve up into a smile when I see Izzie clutched inside Harmony’s arms. I rub at my chest as a pain shoots through it at the sight of them: both of their faces full of joy.

I move forward, my feet feeling like lead as I watch them, my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

“Hey, birthday girl. I have a surprise for you,” Harmony tells Izzie.

“You do?” Izzie gasps, jumping up and down on the spot.

I walk closer as Harmony places Izzie down, smiling at something Izzie whispers before she turns toward me.

“Hey,” I say, clearing my throat when it comes out more of a croak than a word. Harmony’s gaze moves from Izzie to me, pure happiness shining bright in her eyes. “I see that you adhered to the dress code.”

She twirls around, the yellow princess dress swirling around her, all of the glitter sparkling off the sunlight that streams through the windows that are on either side of the front door. “This old thing? It was sitting in the back of my closet not doing anything, so I dusted it off.” She looks down at Izzie, smiling. “Couldn’t let the birthday girl down.”

I shake my head and chuckle at her sarcasm as she straightens the tiara on the top of her head and pulls up the white gloves that cover her hands and arms, stopping before they get to her elbows.

“Can I see my surprise now?” Izzie asks, the excitement spilling over.

“Izzie,” I warn. “You know the drill, presents are opened when everyone is here and we’ve eaten.” She pouts and looks down at the floor before her head snaps back up to Harmony.

“Come on! I want to show you my room!” Izzie shouts, grabbing Harmony’s hand and pulling her toward the stairs.

Harmony’s eyes meet mine, silently asking permission and I nod before hooking my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll be out back.”