Chapter Fourteen - Senior Night-In

The late October sky had long surrendered to night, the chill of early November settling deep into the bones of St. Phillips Academy. Inside Harriet's bedroom, the soft glow of a bedside lamp fought back the creeping darkness, casting warm amber pools over a scattered collection of scarves, fuzzy socks, and thick knit jumpers strewn haphazardly across her bed and floor.

Harriet tugged the collar of a woolly jumper higher up her neck, the coarse fabric both comforting and a little scratchy. Outside, a pale breath of frost fogged the windowpane as the wind whispered secrets through the bare branches of the maple tree beyond.

Finola sat cross-legged on the rug by Harriet's bed, her breath misting in the cool air as she scrolled absently through her phone. Her cheeks were flushed, a rosy contrast to the blue of her sparkly hoodie and the dark thermal leggings pulled snug against her legs. She looked up with a grin when Harriet sighed.

"Why did I think I could do an all-night party in November?" Harriet muttered, pulling on thick socks with little care for matching pairs. "I'm already cold and we haven't even left the house."

Finola shrugged, tossing the phone aside. "Because it's senior year. Because you're desperate for a break from all the stress, even if it means freezing your butt off inside a gym. Besides, the school actually organized everything—pizzas, music, beanbags everywhere. It's basically a sleepover with permission slips."

Harriet smiled faintly, her nerves humming beneath the surface. The year had been a relentless push—Harper drama, university applications weighing heavy on her mind, and the constant feeling that she was just barely keeping her head above water. But tonight was different. Tonight, she had permission to just be Harriet. Not the responsible daughter, not the overworked student, not the sister trying to hold it all together.

She thought of Scott—the way his smile had warmed her when they'd finally made things official. The nervous excitement that had bubbled in her chest at his shy "Want to be my girlfriend?" text was still fresh, like a secret flame she carried carefully. He was different from anyone she'd known—steady, kind, and the one person who seemed to truly see her.

"Have you texted Scott yet?" Finola's voice brought her back from her thoughts.

Harriet's fingers tightened around the fuzzy fabric of her jumper. "Yeah. He said he's bringing beanbags to the 'chill zone' so we can claim a spot. I'm scared I'm going to say something stupid in front of him."

Finola chuckled. "You? Stupid? Impossible. Just be yourself. You're cool as hell!"

Outside, the air was sharp and clean, the cold biting through their coats and scarves as they walked the short distance to the school. The sky was a deep navy canvas, sprinkled with stars that glittered like tiny diamonds above the glowing street lamps.

The school was transformed. Fairy lights twined around pillars and draped across windows, their golden glow softening the harsh edges of the brick walls. Laughter and music spilled from the open gym doors where clusters of seniors lounged on piles of blankets and beanbags, their faces flushed with excitement and the warmth of friendship.

Harriet spotted Scott immediately—his familiar smile breaking through the crowd like a beacon. His dark hair was tousled, and the gray hoodie he wore looked impossibly comfortable. As she approached, her heart tapped an uneven rhythm in her chest.

"You made it!" Scott said, standing to pull out one of the beanbags with a shy grin. "I saved us the best spot, right by the pizza table."

Harriet's smile softened, her nerves settling into a warm glow. "You thought of everything, huh?"

He shrugged playfully. "Only the important stuff."

They sank down together, the softness of the beanbags a welcome relief after the long day. Pizza boxes were stacked nearby, and the aroma of melted cheese and spicy pepperoni mingled with the crisp winter air sneaking in from the open doors. Music pulsed through the speakers—an upbeat track mingling with laughter and the distant hum of the movie playing in the auditorium.

Scott brushed a stray lock of hair from Harriet's face, his fingertips lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "You're really warm." he murmured, voice low enough for only her to hear.

Harriet's cheeks flushed deeper, her breath catching as she met his eyes. 

They sat close, the night stretching ahead of them like a promise. Between rounds of karaoke and scavenger hunts for hidden pizza coupons, they found quiet moments—soft smiles exchanged across the gym, fingers brushing by accident and neither pulling away.

Later, when the lights dimmed for the movie marathon, Harriet rested her head on Scott's shoulder, the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear a comforting lullaby against the winter's chill.

"I never thought sleeping in school could be this nice." she whispered.

Scott smiled in the dark, squeezing her hand gently. "Neither did I. But maybe it's the company."

Harriet closed her eyes, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. Outside, the frost crept quietly over the windowsills, but inside the gym, under a canopy of fairy lights and shared warmth, the cold was a distant memory.

As the night carried on, the cluster of cheerleaders gathered near the bleachers was a small island of warmth in the cool gym. They leaned casually against the metal rails, blankets draped over their shoulders, faces flushed from excitement and the crisp autumn air slipping through the cracked windows. Harriet's footsteps approached, her presence commanding enough to turn every head.

"Harriet!" Poppy called, her voice bright with admiration. "You look amazing tonight. Seriously, you're glowing."

Harriet smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, Pop. You all look great too. We're killing it this year."

Kimmy, always the joker, grinned as she nudged Harriet's arm. "You're the only one who makes looking 'amazing' look effortless. Some of us have to actually work for it."

Harriet laughed, a rich, genuine sound. "That's why you have me as captain. To keep you all in line—and fabulous."

The girls laughed and exchanged knowing looks, the easy bond between them evident. Harper's leadership wasn't just about drills and routines; it was about holding the team together, being their anchor through stressful competitions and tough school days.

"So.." Poppy said, glancing toward the dance floor where some of the other seniors were still swaying to the music. "how's the new boyfriend treating you? Scott, right?"

Harriet's cheeks coloured faintly, but her smile didn't waver. "Yeah, Scott. He's... pretty great."

Kimmy raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Pretty great? Harriet, that's not very Captain-level enthusiasm."

"Okay, okay," Harriet admitted with a playful roll of her eyes. "He's kind, smart, and somehow manages not to be intimidated by me. Which is impressive."

Lena leaned in with a smirk. "So, no awkward first-date disasters yet?"

Harriet shook her head, laughing softly. "None so far. It's new, you know? But it feels... right."

One of the younger cheerleaders piped up, "You deserve that, Har. You always put so much into everything—practice, school, everything else. It's good to see you happy."

Harriet's smile softened, touched by the sincerity. "Thanks. That means a lot."

Kimmy glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the gym, now quieter, the night deepening. "You think we'll ever get to sleep in the actual gym bleachers? This whole sleepover thing is awesome, but I kind of want to try Make it more official. We could ask coach."

Harriet nodded thoughtfully. "I like that idea, Kim. We could set up sleeping bags, make it a real team bonding thing."

"Only if you promise not to make us do drills at midnight." Poppy added with a laugh.

"Deal." Harriet said, grinning. "Tonight, no drills. Just pizza, music, and us!"

The group settled into comfortable chatter, sharing stories from practice and swapping plans for the upcoming senior events. Harriet leaned against the railing, watching her teammates' faces glow in the soft light, feeling a deep sense of pride.

This was more than just a party or a break from school. It was a moment of unity, a memory they'd carry through the next steps of their lives.