Harper

Chapter 8

HARPER

         As I sit in my apartment looking around at all the last of my belongings, it’s a very surreal feeling. I’m done with college now. My parents are both dead. I’m moving away from the apartment I’ve shared with Claire for the last four years. My best friend is moving away. I’m having anxiety, and my whole life has been thrown off course. This is not how I imagined things happening, especially at twenty-two. Aren’t your twenties supposed to be the best time of your life?

         Claire comes in and plops down on the couch next to me. She always looks and seems so put together, even when she barely tries. She doesn’t act that way or try to act better than anyone though, which is why we get along so well. If she acted like that, our friendship probably wouldn’t exist. I don’t deal well with people like that at all. Sometimes it just seems like everything comes so easy for her, and that’s a little hard for me to swallow at times like this.

         “Hey! It looks like you’re all packed up. I just have a few last boxes to pack up. I can’t believe we’re leaving. Four years went so fast,” Claire rambles on.

         I don’t hear much of what she says, lost in my own thoughts. I’m sure I’m coming off as very selfish, but I’m just struggling to get through the days anymore.

         “Harp? Hello, Harper!” she yells.

         I realize Claire is talking and calling my name and suddenly snap out of my trance.

         “Sorry, Claire. What’d you say?” I try to act interested.

         “Nothing. Not important. Are you okay? I mean I know you’re not okay, but where were you just now?” she asks, concerned.

         “Just thinking about how everything is really changing. Plus, I’ve had something else on my mind that I think I’ve finally come to a decision about,” I try to explain.

         “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

         “I’m moving to New York City,” I blurt out suddenly. It wasn’t how I planned to tell her, but it just came out that way. There’s really no other way to put it?

         Claire freezes. Her eyes widen, and she stares at me with a shocked look on her face. She doesn’t say a word. I look back at her and don’t say anything.

         Claire finally asks, like I expect, “What do you mean you’re moving to New York? When did this happen?”

         “It’ll help me start over. I need a fresh start in a new place, and I’ll be somewhere I can start my photography career or business,” I try to explain, although I’m a little terrified of picking up my life here and moving away.

         “Are you going with Matt? You’re going because that’s where he’ll be now?” Claire asks, in an accusing tone.

         “Well, I’m not just following him there, if that’s what you’re asking.”

         “I have a feeling it’s for more than just finding a job and starting over in a new place,” Claire presses.

         “You can think that if you want, and I figured that’s what everyone would say. I wouldn’t say he’s the reason I’m going to New York, but will help in a way to have him there, yes. I’m not just following him, Claire,” I try to convince her.

         Claire nods and smiles at me. She leans over and gives me a hug, “If you think it’s best and will work out, then I support you, Harp.”

         “Thank you. I appreciate that,” I reply.

         “Have you told everyone you’re leaving?” she asks.

         I shake my head, “No. That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t want Matt to think I’m following him, especially since I just decided to move to the same place he’s going. Plus, I don’t know how my aunt and Leah will take it.”

         “I think telling them will be the hardest part, but it will probably help if you do it as soon as you can. You don’t want to blindside them right before you leave,” she encourages.

         “Yeah, I’m hoping to leave this week, so I should probably tell them today when I get there. Or maybe tomorrow.”

         “This week? You want to leave this week?” Claire asks.

         “Uh huh. That was my plan. Hoping I can stick to it.”