Page 51 of Stopping Short

This test is hard. Harder than I expected. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve barely studied, or if it’s because I'm so stressed out, either way, I wasn’t prepared for this.

“Harper?” The professor pulls me aside as I hand over my test.

“Yes?”

“I really didn’t think you’d show up,” she says sternly.

“You didn’t give me a choice.” I try to keep the frustration out of my tone, but I'm so overwhelmed, I don’t care anymore. The worst she can do is fail me and if she does, I’ll be taking it up with the administration. I’ll retake the class with a different teacher and do it online so I don’t have to come back to Pittsburgh.

Without giving her a chance to answer me, I hand over my final exam and exit the classroom.

I don’t want to hear her reasoning on why I needed to be here for this exam. It doesn’t matter. I want to leave this place in my rearview mirror and never look back again.

I want everything having to do with college and Evan to be a horrible memory and nothing more.

“Harper!” Jennifer calls my name as I step outside into the bright sun with Dad following me from a distance.

He’s been my shadow all day, but he’s stayed far enough away that people don’t notice we’re together. It’s a little weird, but I feel so much safer this way. He didn’t come into my class when I took my final, but he was right outside the door the entire time.

“Hey.” I smile as I turn around to face her. She crashes into me and hugs me as tightly as she can.

“How are you? You kinda just disappeared.”

I glance around at all of the people walking past us. Though I don’t recognize anyone, I don’t need people overhearing this conversation. I tug Jennifer over to a grassy area out of the way of the people hurrying to their next exam. When I'm positive no one will be able to hear us, I turn my attention back to her.

“Evan kind of went crazy. I told him we were over and he wasn’t happy. He came into my apartment when I was in the shower and refused to leave. Jackson got him to leave and I decided I didn’t want to hang around in Pittsburgh any longer.”

“Ew, what is wrong with Evan? Like you don’t want to date him, oh well! Get over it! At that surprise party, he acted like the two of you were so much more serious than you are.” She shakes her head.

“Yeah, I don’t know. It was really weird.”

“You’re going home, aren’t you?” She gives me a sad smile.

“I am, but you can always come visit me!”

“You and your hottie of a boyfriend.” She grins.

“I'm not really sure what Jackson and I are…” I trail off trying to decide how much I want to tell her.

I'm fairly certain I can trust Jennifer, but two weeks ago, I thought I could trust Evan too. Now, I'm not sure how I feel about anyone I know from Pittsburgh.

“You don’t have to tell me, Harp. I can see the hesitation in your eyes. I don’t want to hear about it until you’re ready to share it with me.” She wraps me in a hug and squeezes me tightly. “But I'm definitely coming to visit you!”

“I’d love that.”

When I get back to the house, Mason’s instructing a moving company on what is ready to load into the truck and what is staying. Luckily, Mason is a master packer and woke up before sunrise. He had almost my entire house in boxes and ready to be moved before I even opened my eyes.

Knowing all of this isn’t falling solely on my shoulders is amazing. I'm not sure I would’ve been able to accomplish all of this so quickly if I had been expected to do it alone.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Dad pulls me into his arms and presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

“Hey. What’d I miss?” I glance around at the empty living room and blow out a long breath.

I knew this period of my life was ending, but seeing the empty room makes this feel more real. It’s making reality settle in quickly.

“Evan was tracking your car too,” Mason mumbles, placing another box by the door.

“I'm sorry, what?” I stare at him like he’s crazy.