Page 36 of Missing

Griffin threw back his head and laughed, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he did so. "Orlando, you dumbass," he said, still chuckling. "Being content around someone is a sign."

"Really?" I asked, desperately hoping that maybe, just maybe, there was something more at play here. Something that could explain why I felt like I belonged with Harper, even if it wasn't the overwhelming need the others experienced.

"Trust me on this," Griffin replied, and I knew he meant it. Just as I began to relax, the door flew open, and Dante strolled in, plopping down onto the bean bag with a goofy grin plastered across his face.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual while a million questions danced in my mind. What had happened between him and Harper? Was everything okay? "How did class go with Harper?"

Dante's grin widened as he leaned back into the bean bag, stretching out his legs. "Surprisingly really well. I think we're going to be okay."

I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. It was infectious – and reassuring. The weight on my chest seemed to ease a little. "I hope so," I murmured.

Chapter 32

Harper Hillstrom

At 5 pm sharp, I dragged my tired ass over to Melody's room, my stomach eager for some grub.

"Hey, Mel!" I called out as I knocked on her door, tapping my foot impatiently. "You ready for some grub or what?"

The door creaked open, revealing Melody with her beautiful blonde hair around her shoulders. She grinned at me, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yep," she chirped, "let's go stuff our faces."

"Harper, do you know what you're going to try tonight?" Melody said, her voice full of questions. I couldn't help but smile at her, letting it wash away the exhaustion that clung to my bones.

"There was a chicken Caesar wrap I was eyeing off," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

As we reached the dining hall, the aroma of roasting meat and simmering spices enveloped us. My stomach rumbled like a goddamn freight train, and I couldn't wait to dive into that wrap,

"Hey," Melody nudged me, her eyes dancing with curiosity, "how was your last lesson with Dante?"

"Girl, it was wild," I exclaimed, my voice filled with pride. "I actually had fun for once, and get this—I managed to transport myself on purpose!"

Melody's jaw dropped as she laughed, the sound like music to my ears. "No way! I wish I had transportation! I'd love to be able to go back and see my parents whenever I wanted."

"Wait, you mean I can do that?" I gasped, my mind racing with the possibilities. "Like, just pop back home and then come back here?"

"Of course!" Melody said, chuckling at my excitement. "I mean, I wouldn't try it just yet since you only just learned, but yeah, they let us go home to see our families whenever we want."

"Really?" I exclaimed, my mind suddenly consumed by thoughts of my mother. Was she even still alive? How the hell was she going to pay the rent now that I was gone?

"Hey," Melody said gently, snapping me out of my sudden panic. "You can always go see Mr. Greyson again, you know."

"Yeah, I should," I agreed with a sigh. "I'll do that tomorrow just to make sure she isn't dead or something." I couldn't believe that this was the first time I'd thought about Mom's well-being since arriving at Oakland Harbour. It used to be on my mind constantly back home, but now... nada. Zilch.

"Harper, it's okay to feel overwhelmed," Melody reassured me, placing a hand on my arm. "There's so much new stuff happening here, it's only natural that you'd lose track of things."

"Maybe," I muttered, but guilt gnawed at my insides like a hungry damn beast. Shouldn't a daughter worry about her mom? Maybe I had looked after her for so long that now that I was free, I'd let go. I wasn't sure, but I knew I needed to talk to Mr. Greyson, just to know if she was alive or not.

"Look," Melody said, determination in her eyes. "Tomorrow, we'll go see Mr. Greyson together, okay? We'll figure this shit out."

"Thanks, Mel," I whispered, feeling a little less like my world was crumbling around me.

"Hey, what are friends for?" She gave me a crooked grin and nudged me playfully. As I looked forward and saw the reason for my recent distraction. Three of the most incredibly sexy men I had ever seen.

"Girl, look at your face," Melody said, her eyes dancing as they flicked toward the far end of the hall. "They've already hooked you!" She punctuated her statement with a playful nudge.

"Shhhh, no, they haven't," I retorted, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Well... maybe just a little." We both laughed before making our way through the crowded room. The three boys sat at a table, waiting for us. Dante's magnetic presence drew me in, his smile pulling me closer like a damn moth to a flame.

"Hey, Harper!" Orlando greeted, his green eyes sparkling with warmth. I slid into my seat across from Dante, trying to ignore the way my skin tingled under his gaze.

---