Page 33 of Emergency Exit
“Why wouldn’t your sister like you?”
“I’m a nerd. I was never cool. I’m too picky about things. And Hailey always said I dressed like a demented clown. She used to pretend we weren’t related at school. I got better after studying fashion, but I still can’t wear some fabrics because they’re so scratchy, which is why I used to wear the same thing multiple days in a row. But ultimately, I think Hailey doesn’t like me because I have too many Harper Moments. I embarrass her. She says being around me is stressful.”
Ash looked over at Harper in surprise. “No! You’re my endor-friend.”
“I’m what?”
“Uh... Sorry. Sometimes my brain gets an ADHD misfire, can’t find the right word, and makes one up. You’re not stressful. I feel good. With the endorphins.”
He pulled up at a stoplight and clunked his head on the steering wheel.
“Sorry. I mean, you’re my friend who gives me endorphins.”
He was blushing, but Harper couldn’t stop smiling. “Thanks. Do you misfire often? Those sound great.”
“I once called pizza apepperoni bread plate,and my brother’s still usecarpet mowerfor vacuum. They find it hilarious. I kind of cringe.”
“Oh,” said Harper, sad to have perfection dangled before her but then taken away. “I like carpet mower, but I won’t use it.”
“Nah, you can use it,” said Ash, giving her a smile. “I don’t mind.”
“Thanks,” said Harper, feeling like he’d presented her with a gift. “I think she was trying to get back together with you.”
For once, Ash was stymied by the topic shift.
“Emma,” said Harper.
“You think? No. I mean, there wasn’t any ambiguity. I was very clear. We are definitely broken up.”
“Just because you were clear doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to get back together. People can feel differently from you about a situation.” She’d learned that the hard way.
“Well, then, I’m sure seeing you was a nasty surprise. I have to say that faux-dating you is the best idea I’ve had lately.”
Ash kept saying that, but Harper was finding it harder and harder to tell the difference between what they were doing and real dating.
“I’m all wet,” said Harper sadly. “Emma probably thought I looked like a soggy paper bag.”
“No,” said Ash. “You’re a wild rose.”
It was a beautiful compliment, but it didn’t change the fact that she was wet through to her bra.
“I shouldn’t have ordered food. I don’t have any clothes at your place. I should probably go home.”
“Um… actually,” said Ash. “I kind of did a thing.”
Harper was silent for longer than she knew to be polite, andwhen he looked her way, she tried to smile so he would think she was normal.
“I don’t know what that means or how I’m supposed to react,” she said, her smile faltering.
“Sorry. I’m attempting to tell you that I have done something, and I’m uncertain if you will like it. My emotion is nervous because I don’t want to make your emotion mad.”
“Oh!” Ash always explained emotions so well. She didn’t understand why other people couldn’t be as clear as he was. “Well… I can’t accurately predict that because I don’t know what you’ve done.”
“I bought you a bunch of clothes.”
“Why?”
“Because you left your Pinterest board open and buying things makes me feel more in control, and I was nervous about the Sanderson offering. They’re at my house right now.”
