28. What do you want?

A few days ago, we went back to reality. Back to school, family, and home. Most of all, work. Willow's mother has taken well care of the restaurant, the day's Willow hasn't been there. Everything has been going well.

The last thing I wanted was to go back home to this place—especially school. I don't want to return. I wish I could drop out or move to a new school, but there are only a few months left of the year. So, it would be pointless, but I don't know if I can survive the next months with terror.

The last day I was here before I left was when I found the note on my locker. I wonder what I have to face this time. The worst part is that I don't even want to show my face. There is only one place I want to be, and that is with Willow.

People stare at me as I wander slowly down the hallway, which makes me drag my hoodie over my head. I don't like that they are looking at me. It's uncomfortable and a bit scary because my knowledge of what has happened in the last few days is nothing.

I haven't talked much to Alissa because it reminded me of school and home, which is horrible. She is my closest friend, and not talking to her is bad, but just thinking about her made me think of this. I don't want this.

"Harley." I look down at my arm just when my friend stopped me with her hand.

"Hi." I try to smile at her but fail miserably.

"Are you okay?" She asks, and I nod while she follows me to my locker.

"I don't know." I shrug and then sigh with my eyes closed after seeing how many notes there are on my locker.

"I tried taking them away, but they just wouldn't stop," Alissa says, and I give her a small smile, showing her that I'm grateful for her trying at least.

"Thank you," I tell her as I take all the awful words of my locker. They are so horrible that I can't even look at them, even though I saw a few of them. I ignore it; it's all I can do for now.

"You are back." I hear behind me, and I turn around to the voice. Of course, it's Jessica.

"What do you want?" I ask, annoyed.

"Nothing." She says the look on her face is different, something I haven't seen before, guilt.

"I want to tell you that I'm sorry. The last few days here have revolved all around you and not in a good way." Jessica's gaze falls to the floor. Right now, she looks just as guilty as a dog do when he has done something terrible.

"Thank you." I only say as I close the locker hard with anger, knowing things have just gone worse. Me, Harley, the quiet girl who wants to hide in the shadows, has come out into the sunlight. That is just great.

"Harley, wait!" Alissa shouts as she runs after me.

"I didn't know." She says, stepping in front to stop me.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." I try and smile at her but fail.  How can I smile? Everything is crashing down around me. I have no reason to smile except for Willow. She is the only reason.

People stare at me and laugh after they pass me. The next few months are going to be hell.

"Isn't that Willow?" Alissa says, and I look forward to seeing the most beautiful and amazing girl in the whole world. Her hair is black as night, her eyes green as leaves, and her long legs fitting those jeans she is wearing perfectly.

"What are you doing here?" I ask Willow, stunned as she is standing in front of me.

"I meet you in class," Alissa tells me, and I nod to her.

"Hi to you too." Will smiles at me, which makes me roll my eyes.

"Hi," I say, feeling my body calm down by just looking at her.

"Well, I realized that you didn't bring any money today or grabbed anything to eat before you left this morning," Willow tells me as she hands me a bag, and I look inside.

"Pancakes?" I chuckle lightly.

"I know you like them." She smiles at me, and her beautiful smile almost makes me break down in tears. It's just so overwhelming. Everything around me is too much.

"Are you okay?" Willow asks, worry all over her face.

"Yeah," I say, trying to sound like everything is fine when it's not. The look on her face tells me she doesn't believe me.

"I have to go to class; thank you for the pancakes," I tell her.

"Of course." She smiles, and I walk past her to get to class. Her appearance and her gesture made my day a little brighter. I wish I could have kissed her, at least touched her. But I know if I do, everything will be a lot worse than it already is here. I hate this. I want out of here.