My decision is made. I think I need space from Harper as much as she needs it from me after that interaction.

But just as I’m about to make a phone call to Rem to get security up here, I hear Harper getting closer to my office, where I retreated to after our discussion.

Looking toward the door, she appears in her cream track pants, a loose black comfy t-shirt, and a long cream knitted cardigan that she has wrapped over itself at her waist. It’s like I can see her at the moment. The cream is the light in her soul that is trying to wrap over the top of the black darkness, but it keeps peeking through the cracks, even when she tries to hide it.

Her gentle knock on the door, even though it’s open, is rather cute. The complete opposite to my barging through hers a few minutes ago.

“Forrest?” The shy uncertainty in her voice makes me ache for her. This is not Harper.

“Hey, do you need something?” I walk around my desk toward her.

“I’m sorry I worried you. I’m not used to answering to anyone.” The sincerity in her eyes tells me how much this whole thing is affecting her. Normally I would have just been given a mouthful of words telling me to back off and leave her alone. But this softness is concerning.

“You aren’t answering to me, Harper, you just need to take charge of your own safety. I’m just here to have your back in the process.” It’s like my words have registered with her to look at this in a different way.

“Thank you.” She nods and starts to walk away, when I have an idea.

“Do you want to do something fun to take your mind off whatever has upset you today?” The way she tilts her head a little at me, she looks curious but also perplexed. “I know, I’m not the entertaining guy in this group of friends.” In my head, I’m laughing at my use of the word friend, because I would like to add the word boy. But that’s not who I am to her in her eyes. We haven’t quite got past that dreaded friend word yet.

“Well, luckily, I’m funny, so that’s okay. What did you have in mind?” I can see the tightness in her shoulders relax just a small amount.

“Hmmm, I’m not sure about that, but let’s not get stuck debating who is the funniest. Come with me.” Reaching out and taking her hand in mine seems so natural to me, but I can feel the tenseness in her hand. Needing to push her a little out of the comfort zone she has lived too long in, I just start walking, and she doesn’t pull away thankfully and instead follows me.