Page 79 of The Final Draft

Another side hug, and he gets up and heads to his room. “Let me know how I can help. I’m going to go read for a bit.”

That’s not how Zac usually spends his down time, but maybe my chaos is infringing on his video-game space. “What are you reading?”

“Some sappy book by a guy I know. It’s insightful.” I can’t help but laugh.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call.

“Hey, how ya’ doing, Harps?” Lawson’s voice is caring but cautious. He’s worried about me.

“I’m okay.” And I am. For now. “Kind of focused on solving this mystery of who leaked Julian’s information, so this whole thing can be fixed.”

“He still blocking you?”

“Yeah, I don’t like it, but I understand. I’m a little disappointed he doesn’t trust me, but I get that, too.” And I do. I stayed in my head, waiting for the perfect time to confess my feelings. And that time didn’t come. If I’d been more open instead of trying to live out some fairytale, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess.

And if I hadn’t been angry and left that damn voicemail, we wouldn’t be here either. It’s important I own my part in the story.

“Hey, you didn’t betray him and leak it, so don’t beat yourself up.”

“I’m not, really. But I’ve got to get him to talk to me. Has he talked to Chance?” I’m not proud, but I’ll use every resource and contact I have to gather intelligence about what I’m facing.

“Short texts, that’s all.”

“Does Chance think I’m the bad guy?” I wince at the thought. His friends are fiercely loyal, but I’d like to consider them my friends too. Losing them is a one-two punch.

There’s some mumbling in the background, and Lawson is back. “No. Listen, we’ll be playing in LA Friday, and he plans on knocking some sense into him.”

“Tell him I appreciate it. I need him to talk to me. Just talk. Once we do that, he can decide about me.” I’m convinced that once we talk and I solve the mystery of the leak, it will all be resolved.

"From where I'm sitting, the apology should come from him.” The slight edge in his voice lets me know I’m always his number one. I appreciate his support, but I don’t want him angry with Julian. At least not yet.

An email notification chimes, and I open it quickly. “YES!” I jump up and do a happy dance. Noodle barks at my sudden change in demeanor.

Zac runs into the room. “What? Everything alright? Is this where you lose it?” Panic fills his face, and I cackle. I’m sure I look unhinged.

Lawson is also panicking. “Harps? You okay? Harps?” His distant voice is coming through the phone.

I pick it up and talk to Lawson. “I’m fine, but I’ve gotta go. I’ve got to go!”

I reread the email from Professor Daniels, rush to get ready, and go for an in-person meeting at NYU. It seems he has the answer I’m looking for, and hopefully the solution to my problem.

CHAPTER

FIFTY-FOUR

HARPER

Chance’s Facetime with me is a grim update. He tried to convince Julian to talk to me, to hear me out. He wouldn’t do it. My alleged betrayal cut deep.

“I appreciate the effort. I just need him to listen. Maybe I’ll rent a billboard in LA?” It’s been days since Chance talked to him. He won’t share much with me about their conversation, but I’m assured he’s safe. And heartbroken. Although, his pictures around town with Madelyn Reynolds tell a different story.Things aren’t always as they appear, I remind myself.

“Doubt that won’t work. I even tried evoking the spirit of Team True Love and, well, it wasn’t pretty.” Chance is telling me straight, and I appreciate it. “How are you holding up?”

“Exhausted. I’ve never worked so hard in my entire life. But it’s worth it.” I’ve been writing for sixteen hours a day and I’m drained, physically and emotionally. But I’m focused on the task at hand.

I’m so tired, my brain takes a second to process what he said. “Hey! That gives me an idea,” I squeal. “Thanks Chance, you’re the best friend Julian could ever have!” I’m so excited I pace around the disheveled apartment, Noodle scrambling to the safety of his bed.

“Um, thanks? What’d I do?”

---