Page 20 of Bound By Fury

“I don’t, I mean—I can’t… um… thank you?” I stutter, shuffling on my feet as I look toward my mom, who is now speaking to some blond lady with really animated hand gesticulations.

“No thank you necessary! I’m just glad your mother let you attend after… well, after everything.”

My shoulders hike up to my ears.

“I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. Harper was such a light, and I know how close you were to her.” Emotion fills his voice as he places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a light squeeze. “I’m so sorry we missed the funeral, by the way. Lucas and I—we had an… obligation.” A wave of emotion I can’t quite make out slithers across his eyes. “I’m glad Kai could make it though. As you know, he understands all too well how it feels to lose someone dear to him.”

He spins the ring on his pinky finger as he looks down at me.

If the guilt about how things ended between the boys and me is evident on my face, he doesn’t seem to notice. “But anyway, I’m sure that as an alumnus herself, Harper would be happy to know you’re following in her footsteps.”

Death is so fucking bizarre. It’s, like, you die, and people suddenly forget you hated their guts. Gigi must be rolling in her grave—or tree—right now.

“Um, thanks,” I say anyway, searching inside myself for the comfort he hopes his words will bring, but I come up empty.

It’s a dance I’m used to playing now, after everything.

“I, uh, I appreciate the opportunity.” I take a step away from my new headmaster toward my mother. “It’s good seeing you again. If you’ll excuse me.”

I throw him a quick smile and turn, my mind spinning so fast, I can’t seem to catch a thought.

I’m already several steps away when he calls out to me, voice warm and familiar, “Harper?”

I look over my shoulder, searching his face.

“I’m really glad you’re here. Welcome to Black Mountain Academy,” he says, his eyes crinkling softly at the edges. “Welcome home.”

NINE

WHEN I’VE GOT MY DORM assignment and box full of uniform supplies, Katherine “Kate” Wheeler, the dorm administrator, introduces me to my student liaison.

Daisy Chang has funky black hair cut into a choppy mullet, eyes expertly lined in deep purple, and a silver piercing shot right through the middle of her bottom lip. Her uniform is askew, skirt held up by a thick black belt with gunmetal grommets, and her platform Mary Janes still leave her about a head below everyone else in the room.

I’m instantly obsessed with her vibe. She sticks out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you…,” she trails off, eyebrows quirking up expectantly.

“Harper.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Harper.” She nods to my mom. “Harper’s mom.”

She turns on her heel and leads us out of the building.

Saying goodbye to my mom is both easier and harder than I anticipated. She helps me unload my crap into the holding area of my dorm building’s lobby, but she can’t stay for the tour. She’s used up all her PTO and has to get back to Pine Grove in time for her shift at the hospital tonight. Turns out people don’t stop getting sick just because you’re in mourning.

She wraps her arms around me, and for a moment I let myself collapse into them. Soaking in the warmth and love that only a mother can provide, even if it’s never perfect.

She speaks into my hair, “I love you so much, Harper.”

“I know,” I say, laughing as she jokingly pokes me in the ribs for not saying it back. “I love you too.” I loosen my arms, but she doesn’t let go.

There’s a part of me that’s sure we both feel it. That everything is changing. I won’t move back to Pine Grove. She’s lost me to the very place she’s tried, and failed, to keep me from. Earnest has gobbled me up, and I let it.

But dream-Gigi was right: I need to protect Mom from whatever horrible truth might be lurking out here.

When anxiety starts to crawl up my neck, I whine, “Mooooom,” twisting my arms to try to break the embrace. “Mom, seriously?”

She laughs, finally releasing me before tucking my curls behind my ears.

“I’ll be fine,” I say.