Harper kept thinking about what just happened. Of course, it was no biggie, but it actually got her curious. The way he was staring and all? It was weird. But what actually made her comfortable a bit was that his quietness wasn't related to her lies.
She didn't know what would happen if he found out. But she had to. And one thing she knew for sure was that her silly blackmail wasn't something minor.
No.
It was something serious. And the thought of that just made her realize she had absentmindedly dragged herself into the one thing she had to stay away from... the one thing she was warned to stay away from...
Trouble.
"Heya!" A familiar sultry voice brought Harper back to reality, and when she looked up, she froze on the spot.
It was Hazel Freeman. And she looked perfect, as usual. She wore a sea-blue ruched bodycon dress, her brown hair styled in ringlet curls, and her simple makeup illuminating her beauty.
Behind her were Alexis and Alexa in halter neck bodycon dresses and ponytails, folding their arms and staring at her as if they were seeing through her, and that made her too uncomfortable that she couldn't look up at them.
Harper remembered their last encounter. Hazel's warning.
She just realized she never listened. Maybe Hazel was about to hurt her. Harper was transfixed. Her palms turned clammy, fingers twitching at her sides.
"Oh, I think she can't talk anymore. What do you guys think?" Alexa, the blonde, flipped her ponytail with a wide grin on her lips.
"I totally agree with you, Twinny," Alexis commented, nodding as she spoke.
Hazel then chuckled, flipping her ringlet curls casually in the process. Her brown eyes lingering on Harper before clearing her throat. A tight lump formed in Harper's throat as she silently embraced her trouble.
When will she be free?
"Well, I don't think so," Hazel Freeman spoke, her voice heavy. "I think she just needs to relax."
Harper looked up at Hazel, gulping hard.
"I think you have something to tell me, Harper Reed, do you..." Hazel paused, taking a few steps towards her. And when her manicured fingers found Harper's chin, she continued, her tone suddenly intimidating. "...or do you not?"
Harper wanted to look away, but Hazel's cold eyes would not allow her. She clutched the strap of her tote bag as she tried to maintain control. As she tried to maintain eye contact. But she just couldn't. Fear wasn't allowing her to do anything. Her eyes darted around, searching for an escape.
As Hazel just scrutinized her, she felt her knees threatening to practically buckle under her. Hazel, on the other hand, awaited an answer.
"Oh, so now you're gonna go mute?" Alexa asked, rolling her eyes. Hazel Freeman smirked and moved backwards.
"Perhaps, you need a reminder. Do you?" Hazel Freeman inquired, her tone a mix of sharpness and softness as her unrelenting yet intimidating gaze kept Harper in place. Trembling.
Hazel had this effect on her. The feeling that she was in great trouble, and that made her uncomfortable and activated the fear in her.
"I do," Alexa mimicked Harper's voice, and Harper's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and awkward embarrassment.
Alexa's mimicking words were followed by captivating laughter from all three of them before they stopped in unison...
At the same time.
"I remember I told you to stay the heck away from Logan Hayes. Did I or did I not?" Hazel asked, her voice switching to sharp and cold.
That kind of voice that commanded an answer, and Harper didn't dare to disobey a command.
"You d—did," Harper answered, her voice inaudible. A nervous flutter stirred in her chest.
"And how is that going?" Hazel pressed, her eyes fixated on the girl before them. The girl who could barely breathe because of them.
Harper Reed could not speak. She couldn't utter a word. She just bowed her head and let it remain there.
"I see you don't listen," Hazel Freeman began, tucking strands of hair behind her ear. "But I'm still going to say this, Harper. Stay away from Logan Hayes... He is mine."
Harper swallowed.
Why couldn't Hazel just understand that she just can't?
"And oh, in case you're thinking because Logan defended your stupid relationship he likes you, then, trust me babe, he does not." Hazel hissed, each word sharp and piercing.
Something in Harper made her feel Hazel was right. But why? Hazel Freeman was definitely right. Logan probably doesn't like her. And she doesn't like him anyway... right?
"Will you stay away from him so that I'll forget all the worse things I want to do to you... or"—she didn't need to continue because Harper knew the rest. Hazel's intimidating eyes lingered on Harper, waiting on an answer, and when she said none, Hazel frowned.
"Can you not talk?" Alexis questioned, already losing the patience she had.
"She probably prefers all the worse things in her life than leaving Logan. I don't blame her though, The Logan Hayes is a demigod—" Alexa commented but went mute when Hazel Freeman shot her a look.
"I see," was all Hazel Freeman said before walking away.
The next to leave were the unidentical twins, leaving and shaking their heads. And that...
That was proof that Harper had fully embraced Trouble.