The seven minutes in heaven left Harper feeling all sorts of... feelings. She slipped out of the game before Camille could even notice she was gone, stepping into the hallway and pressing a hand to her chest, her heart thudding wildly against her ribcage. The corridor was packed, every corner buzzing with noise and movement. She pushed through the crowd, searching for a familiar face—anything to ground her after whatever that had just been.
"Harper! There you are!"
Aura emerged from the bathroom, drying her hands on her skirt. Her brow furrowed as she caught sight of her sister, whose face was as red as her tie and breathing like she'd just finished a marathon. Harper exhaled sharply, offering a breathy, awkward chuckle of relief.
"Hey! Where have you been?"
"Babysitting our brother. He's currently passed out on the sofa. I think we should start heading home soon... Are you okay?"
Harper nodded a little too quickly and followed Aura through the house, weaving between the dancing bodies until they reached the main dining room. Sure enough, Jackson was sprawled out on the couch, completely unconscious. Harper let out a small laugh and nudged Aura playfully with her elbow.
"At least someone had a good time, huh?"
"You didn't?"
Harper shrugged, and Aura nodded knowingly. Parties weren't really Harper's thing—and definitely not Aura's either. She usually made an appearance just to be "cool," then dipped. But tonight, being on Jackson-duty meant she was stuck.
The girls linked arms under their brother's shoulders and hoisted him upright. He was heavy—too heavy—but they managed, stumbling slightly under his weight as they began hauling him toward the exit. Just as they reached the front porch, a voice rang out behind them.
"Hermione! Wait!"
Harper paused, turning to see Josie jogging after her, wand in hand. That familiar pounding in her chest returned.
Oh no.
Josie smiled, holding out the plastic wand. "You forgot this. Can't go back to Hogwarts without it."
Harper offered a sheepish smile, taking the wand and slipping it into her robe pocket. "Thanks" she mumbled.
"You guys okay? Need help getting him home?"
"No." Harper said at once.
"Yes!" Aura said at the same time.
Harper shot her a glare, but Aura held her ground, eyes wide and pleading. Josie stepped in beside them, effortlessly taking over for Harper and lifting Jackson with ease. Harper was strong—but Josie clearly had more upper body strength.
Back at the Baldwin house, Aura quietly guided Jackson upstairs and into bed. Harper lingered by the door, watching. When she finally shut it behind them, she turned to Josie, who stood with her hands stuffed in her pockets.
"Uh... Thanks. You didn't have to help."
Josie shrugged. "It's fine. Plus, I had to return your wand."
Harper pulled it from her pocket as proof, holding it up. Josie smiled slightly, then silence fell between them like a curtain. Harper stared at the floor, heart still thudding wildly. There was something about this stupid girl that made her lose her mind.
Josie's boots crept closer. Harper looked up, meeting her gaze.
"Well—goodnight, Josie. I should, uh... get to bed. Thanks again for tonight—saving me from that creeper and all."
"Yeah. Goodnight, Harper."
They stood there, neither moving, the air thick with something unspoken. Harper glanced around—no one in sight. It was 2:00 a.m., after all.
And then she moved.
Hands reaching forward, she grabbed Josie's face, pulling her in for a kiss—fierce and full of everything she couldn't say. Josie responded instantly, wrapping her arms around Harper's waist, holding her tight, as if letting go wasn't an option.
They broke apart, gasping, breath catching between them. Harper rested her forehead against Josie's, eyes closed. Josie stared, dazed, her heart thudding in time with Harper's. Harper opened her eyes, brushed a soft kiss on Josie's cheek, then stepped back.
"Go away now..." she whispered.
"What? I don't even get your number?"
"You don't need it. I told you—I like boys."
Josie smirked. "That's crazy talk, and you know it."
"You don't even know me. You can have my number—as a friend. Just friends."
"Oh, cool. You kiss all your friends like that, huh?"
Damn. Got her.
Harper sighed, defeated, and handed Josie her phone. Josie punched in her number, created a contact, and gave it back.
"I'll text you. Goodnight, Harper."
She backed away, eyes never leaving Harper's, before disappearing down the street.
Harper closed the door behind her, exhaling sharply and leaning against it for a moment. She needed a second to gather herself, to put all those scattered thoughts back into some kind of order. Eventually, she made her way upstairs, quietly slipping into her room.
"That girl was nice... do you know her?"
Harper shrugged, avoiding Aura's gaze as she changed into her pyjamas. Aura sat cross-legged on her bed, wiping off her face paint.
"She's Camille's friend. We... talked. Briefly."
Aura nodded, balled up her wipe, and tossed it into the bin like a basketball. She watched Harper climb into bed and smiled slightly. Something was off, but she couldn't quite place what.
The girls exchanged quiet goodnights. Aura fell asleep almost instantly.
But Harper didn't.
She curled up beneath her covers, pulling her phone from under her pillow and biting her lip—waiting for a message she desperately hoped would come.