Harp's Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

gently pushing me toward the stairs to the basement.
    When I sat next to Connor on the couch, I gave him the evil eye but he just laughed and winked at me.
    Ugh. He could be so frustrating.
    Ultimately, he was right—we’d had a great time those three weeks. He ran and worked out in the mornings while I practiced, and we would spend the afternoons at the beach with Patrick until it was time to meet his parents for dinner. It was the most relaxed I’d ever been, and the best time I’d ever had.
    It was hard going home after that. I did everything I could to stay out of my mom’s way. I spent a lot of time after school each day in one of the music department practice rooms, or going to Connor’s to study and have dinner there. I would quietly sneak back in my house hoping that she was already asleep or not home yet. I enjoyed the longest dry spell I’d ever had from her fights with me.

    “Harp ….”
    Connor’s worried voice pulls me from my memory. Even with my eyes shut, I would be able to recognize his voice, but my eyes aren’t shut this time, they are open, staring into flames.
    “How long has she been like this?” he asks.
    “A minute or so I think,” I hear Ethan respond.
    “Yeah, not very long, but it’s freaking me out,” adds Emma. “She won’t move or blink or acknowledge us—she’s totally zoned out.”
    I feel Connor’s hands on my legs and his soothing voice once again, “Hey Harp, it’s ok. Everything’s ok. He’s gone now—you’re safe.”
    I blink snapping myself out of wherever I have been. I blink a few more times trying to relieve my stinging, dry eyes and look between Connor, Ethan and Emma.
    “Oh thank God! I thought you were having a panic attack or something and we were going to have to take you to the hospital,” Emma exclaims throwing her arms around me.
    I keep blinking while she hugs me. I look at Ethan over Emma’s shoulder and see his main emotion is also relief.
    “You ok?” he asks. I nod slightly and then look at Connor who is the only one not looking relieved. Instead, he looks concerned. Lifting me to my feet, he pulls me to his side while telling Ethan and Emma he’s taking me home. I smile weakly at them again and let Connor walk me around the outside of the small house to his truck, thankful he knew that I wouldn’t want to go through the house and see anyone else.
    We are quiet on the drive home. I can’t figure out why I was so freaked out by what happened tonight. I was lost in my thoughts again, trying to decide if I freaked out because of the spark of superiority in Vincent’s eyes or the flashbacks of Connor pummeling him. I didn’t realize we were parked at Connor’s house until he came around and opened my door.
    “What are we doing here?”
    “I don’t think you should be alone tonight, Harp.”
    “I want to go home. I want to sleep in my bed. Please, Connor, take me home.”
    “Harp, don’t argue with me. I know what happened tonight upset you and I can’t let you be alone right now.”
    “Please, Con-“
    “No. You’re staying with me. I can’t risk anything else happening to you tonight.” He says forcefully with pain etched across his face.
    I think about everything that happened earlier and realize I can’t argue with him. He’s right, deep down, I don’t want to go back to my house with my mom and I don’t want to be alone.
    I look at the ground and give in, “Ok.”
    When we get to his room, he gives me a pair of his workout shorts and a T-shirt to sleep in. Both drown me and I roll the top of his shorts a couple of times to make sure they won’t fall down. Connor lets me change in the bathroom in his room while he goes to the one down the hall, so when I open the door, I am relieved that he hasn’t come back yet. I quickly climb into his bed—in the spot I usually sleep in—and roll over so my back is facing the door. Even though I am exhausted, I’m not sure I will actually fall asleep.
    After a few minutes, the