I rolled my eyes. “It’s light brown, but not like gold, like… caramel.”
“Caramel eyes, hmm? I like that. Yours are the color of the sky.”
I rolled them, and he laughed again. “How would you describe them, then?”
“I don’t know, they’re just blue.”
“But there are lots of types of blue. Yours aren’t blue like the ocean, they’re lighter. Like the sky on a sunny day.”
I huffed. This conversation felt ridiculous. “Why does it matter anyway?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Why shouldn’t it? What about smells?”
“What about them?”
“What’s it smell like here?”
“Like… trees?”
“Describe it.”
This guy was weird, but I indulged him, inhaling deeply. “It smells like dirt, and… kind of damp.”
“Do you have a favorite scent?” This guy and his questions.
Why was I still answering them? “I like vanilla.”
“Me too. And pancakes.”
“That’s not a scent.”
“Of course it is. When you think of pancakes, you know what they smell like, right?”
“I think you’re thinking of maple syrup.”
“Oh. Well then, maple syrup.”
“Still not a scent.” I sniffed, wiping my cheeks on my arm as I dared to give him a small smile. This whole conversation was stupid, but I realized now that was the point, because I wasn’t crying anymore. I could breathe again. “Thanks.”
He smiled. “Don’t know what you’re thanking me for.”
My lips curved further. “Nothing.”
He huffed. “I’m Archer, by the way.”
For the rest of the trip, I sought out Archer whenever I could. He wasn’t like the others. It didn’t feel like he was hiding himself. He also seemed to be alone, like me. He had a few siblings, even a twin brother, but they were all very serious and I didn’t care to be friends with any of them.
Archer lived in Harborview too, on the outskirts near Deltran, but we went to different schools. I gave him my number so we could text when I got my phone back from Dad.
It felt nice to have a friend, and I was excited to talk to him more when we finally left the resort.
I’d almost forgotten the text I’d sent to Logan until I saw the notification that he’d responded.
Logan
I’m done with you, Harper. I want nothing to do with you or our parents. Don’t ever message me again.
two
