Are things bad at home again?
I don’t press him on it. He’ll come to me if he needs to. He normally does. I think he sees me like a big brother, and I’m happy to be that for him. Instead, I jerk my head toward the truck. "Alright, let’s go."
He exhales, runs a hand through his hair, then finally follows. And I make a mental note to keep an eye on him, too.
The drive to get Harper feels heavier than usual. Kit hasn’t said much since we left the stables, and now, as I pull up to the house, I brace for the energy shift that always comes with Harper. Only, when she steps outside, something feels … off.
She’s quiet, too.
Harper, the human embodiment of daylight, is quiet. No easy smile, no bright greeting, just a slow walk to the truck as she climbs in, barely even glancing my way.
I glance at Kit. He hasn’t looked at her once.
Right. So that’s what this is about.
I don’t bother easing into it.
"Alright," I bark, starting up the truck. "What’s going on?"
Harper sighs, staring out the window.
"Nothing."
Kit shifts beside her.
I let out a humourless laugh.
"That’s real convincing."
Neither of them responds.
I glance between them as I pull onto the road, my grip tightening on the wheel.
"You two fall out or something?"
Harper’s expression doesn’t change. Kit just stares straight ahead.
"Mind your own business, Ford," Harper mutters, arms crossing over her chest.
Kit still refuses to look her way.
I roll my eyes.
"Yeah, sure. I’ll just pretend not to notice the storm cloud that hovers over you both."
Silence.
Fine. If they want to be stubborn about it, I’m not about to pry. They’ll work it out, or they won’t, I don’t control how they deal with their problems.
Still, the tension is thick in the air all the way to school. When we arrive, Harper climbs out first, throwing her bag over her shoulder. Kit follows a little slower, giving me a short nod before walking off in the opposite direction from her.
I watch them for a beat, then sigh before pulling away from the curb.
Whatever’s going on, I know Harper.
She’s smart. She doesn’t normally let anything fester longer than necessary. That’s the thing about Harper and Missy, they’re good at working through their emotions and figuring out what’s best for them.
I trust that.
