Chapter 14
Harper
On the way to work, I catch myself watching out the rear-view mirror of the the car, seeing if anyone is following me. This break-in has really messed with my head. Why would anyone be after me? Stop being paranoid. It’s easy to say, not so much to do. I wonder if this is how others have felt after something like this happened? Is it normal to want to get up and move?
I walk past the students with a smile on my face, trying to not let anyone know anything is wrong. When I’m here, I need to be on my game, it’s my job, but I’m still freaking out inside. Something just doesn’t feel right, and until they find the person responsible, it’s not going to go away.
Once I get into my classroom and set my things down, I get out my syllabus and look over what is being taught today. The only thing I can do is keep my mind busy, so it doesn’t go haywire.
My phone vibrates against the desk.
Liam: Hope your day goes well. Can’t wait to see you tonight. Let me know if you need anything.
He really is a sweet man and takes great care of me when he doesn’t have to. It shows his character and proves he is someone I can spend the rest of my life with someday. I find myself falling more in love with him with each passing day, seeing him comfort me, and being there through these tough times. Isn’t that the best part about having a partner? Having someone to share the hard times with, and get through them? My hope is my life can go back to normal, and the nightmares will stop once I leave that house. The thought of staying there after someone has violated my privacy, it scares the ever living shit out of me.
I thought about reaching out to my therapist, the one I saw after my parents’ death. We have a session twice a year, through video chat, just to make sure I’m doing okay. She might be able to help me with a way to cope with what happened. I don’t want to constantly be looking over my shoulder, wondering if someone is coming after me.
I send her an email letting her know what happened and to see if she has time to chat with me later. Liam knows about my therapy after my parents’ death, and this isn’t something I’ll keep from him. Every step of the way, he’s been supportive. Hiding things from the person you’re with only hurts the relationship in the long run.
A knock sounds on my door, which I find odd because no one comes to see me before class starts. I start to freak out, but then I remember no one can get this far into the school without showing ID and checking in with the front desk.
“Come in,” I say, peering over at the door, seeing who it is.
Tessa storms in, hands across her body. “Why didn’t you call me? I had to hear from Damon that my best friend got burglarized. What the hell, Harper?”
Honestly, I didn’t even think about that, and kind of dealing with my own shit here. She needs to calm down. “I’m sorry, I'll be sure to call you next time,” I responded sarcastically.
She just stands there and stares. “Okay, whatever. Are you okay? You don’t seem like yourself. Is there anything I can do?”
“I got no damn sleep last night, and don’t know if I will ever feel safe going home. So, no I’m not fucking okay, Tess.”
After saying it, regret washes over me. It’s not her fault this happened and here I am taking it out on here when she is just trying to help. Stop being such a bitch. “Sorry, I just... really need some sleep.”
Liam is right. I am not going to be able to sleep at that house anymore, and right now my only options are staying with him or shelling out a lot of money to stay in a hotel until my lease is up. The only thing hindering me from saying yes to going to his house is I don’t want it to affect our relationship, and moving in with each other is a big deal especially when you have only known the other person for two weeks. What if we fall apart?
“What is going on? Talk to me.”
“Liam has offered me to stay with him, but it seems too soon. Things are going so great between us, and I don't wanna ruin them. Maybe I should just go stay at a hotel. No pressure.”
She scoffs, “I thought you knew Liam better. He’s offering because you need somewhere to stay. He isn’t asking you to move in with him, girl. Stop overthinking things, and just go with the flow. I’m telling you, y’all are the end game.”
I try to take my mind off the incident and onto something else. “You make your decision on the vendors yet? I called and booked the venue. Deposit needs to be made by Sunday, so don’t forget.”
“I’ve got two picked. The others I will work on this weekend. It’s harder than you think. Seriously, all I can think about is what if I choose the wrong one, and everything goes wrong the day of the wedding. I’ll have a freaking heart attack.”
“Stop being so crazy. Everything will go perfect. I’ll make sure of that. Don’t you worry.”
Tessa put her trust in me to make sure everything goes smoothly, and I haven’t skimped on my duties as Maid of Honor. I’ve planned an awesome bachelorette party for just the two of us in July. We will both be off for summer, and can take a weekend away.
“You know, you truly are the best friend I’ve ever had. I love you, girl.”
I shoo her off to the office as the bell starts to ring. Students will be filing in here at any moment.
Maybe I should just go stay with Liam and if anything weird starts happening, then I can go to a hotel. With everything that happened, being next to him will make me feel safe, and that’s something I need right now. It’s settled. I’ll go and pack a bag for his house after work.
The rest of my day flies by between teaching the newest chapter out of the textbook, and just daydreaming in between periods about what living with Liam will be like. Is he messy? Does he leave dishes in the sink overnight? All things a girl needs to know.
Before leaving the classroom, I shoot a text.