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Chapter 4

“How was school today, Harmony?” My dad asked.

“It was great,” I smiled and sat next to him on the couch.

“What was so great about it?”

“Well, I found out the school was founded by my grandfather who I never met and this boy Michael was being nice to me and showed me around school.”

“Well, that was nice of him.”

“Why didn’t I get to see grandpa? Even with all the moving, why didn’t I even get a chance to talk to him over the phone? All the teachers kept saying how long he’s been waiting for me to go there.”

“Harmony, it’s hard to explain. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

“Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m older. Don’t use that excuse with me. Why didn’t I get to see him? Even a fifth grader said she saw him when she was in kindergarten.”

“We’ll have this conversation later, Harmony,” my dad said and walked away. I walked up the spiral stairs to my room and shut the door.

I looked around to see that someone decided to unpack all my things. Including my pinball machine that I only play when I’m upset.

No homework. Thank God. I wish I had Michaels’ number. I want to talk to him right now. It would be relieving although I just met him today. Why did he call his father by his first name?


*The Next Day*


“Have a great day, Harmony,” my dad says as he drives away. I’m a junior in high school and I still can’t drive. This is horrible.

“Hey, Harmony,” Michael says as he runs up to me.

“Hey.”

“How was your night?”

“It was interesting.”

“How?”

“Well, I asked my dad about my grandpa and he didn’t give me a straight up answer.”

“What did he say?”

“’You’ll understand when you’re older.’” Michael laughed. “What?”

“That’s hilarious.”

“No, it’s not. I mean it is in a way, but not that funny.”

“You need a sense of humor, Harmony.”

“I do have one.” I defended myself.

“Nope,” Michael said and grabbed me into a hug. Random hugs = me likey ☺

“What was that for?” I smiled.

“Just because,” he smiled back and leaned his head on the locker beside mine.

“Can you open this for me?” I asked. He punched and opened it. “Doesn’t that hurt?”

“I’m used to it by now,” he said as he did it again to his own locker.

“Math is not my favorite subject,” I tell him.

“Why?”

“Too many numbers and since when did letters get in the mix?” Michael laughs at me as we enter the math class and sit down where we sat yesterday.

Rebecca comes over and sits on Michaels’ desk, blocking my view. “Hey, Michael.”

“Um, hi, Rebecca.”

“Why are you hanging out with her?”

“She’s a new student. Someone has to show her around.”

“That’s why there are student ambassadors.”

“I’m a student ambassador.”

“Oh, right. How could I forget?”

“I don’t know. It was all over the newspaper.”

“Anyway, I wanna hang out.”

“Oh, with who?”

You, silly!” She laughed.

“Why?”

“Because we never do.”

“Well, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. So, are you busy tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Really? Doing what?” She said in a sad tone.

“I’m uh, um, taking… Harmony out. We’re going to hang out tonight.” Rebecca turned around to face me. “Will you, Harmony?” Michael smiled.

“Uh…” Rebecca looked at me with hard eyes.

“Harmony?”

“Sure.” I finally said and quickly turned around to avoid her stare.

“Why her? You just met her.”

“Exactly. I just met her. I want to show her the city.”

“Well, have fun with that,” she said and walked over to her posse.

“So, where are we going?” I asked him.

“Anywhere you want,” he smiled at me.

“Remember, I’m new here. I don’t know where I want to go.”

“How about a movie?”

“A movie is great.”


*Later that day*


“Can I give you a ride home?” Michael asked for the fourth time today.

“No, Michael. My dad is picking me up today,” I laughed.

“Alright, alright. What time can I call and pick you up?”

“It depends. What time does the movie start?”

“Seven.”

“Call me at six. Pick me up at six thirty, alright?”

“That’s great.”

“That’s my dad. See you later.” I say and try to get away.

“Not without another hug.”

“Oh, come on, Michael. I gave you, like, ten hugs today!”

“Please?” He asked and poked out his bottom lip.

How could I resist? I smiled and hugged him. He held me longer than expected.

“Michael?”

“Huh?”

“I have to go.”

“No, you’re staying with me.”

“My dad is honking.”

“Let him honk.”

“Michael!” Rebecca screamed.

Michael let go of me. “What?”

“Where’s my hug?”

“Uh, what hug?”

“I want a hug too,” Michael rolled his eyes.

“Fine,” he hugged her for a short second.

“See you tomorrow!” I told him.

“See you later, Harmony. Be ready.” Michael hugged me one last time.

I ran to my dad’s car. “Hey, daddy!” I said and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Who’s that boy that was hugging you for so long?” Dad asked me.

“That’s Michael. Is it okay if I go out with him tonight? He wants to show me the city.”

“Harmony, it’s a school night. Do you have any homework?”

“Nope. Not at all.”

“Really?”

“Positive.”

“What time does he plan on coming over?” He asked as we drove off.

“Six thirty. We’ll only be out until eight or eight thirty. I’ll be home around nine. Please, daddy?” I begged.

“Begging won’t get you anywhere, Harmony. It never has. But I guess I can let you go out with him. As long as you’re back by nine okay?”

“Thanks, daddy!” I smiled and walked into the house. What was I going to wear?

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