A/N: So I hope that you guys like this, I have so many things planned for this series and I really want to write as much as I can with the schedule that I have.
Chapter 3 - Highway to hell
~X~
Being brave was not something that Harper was used to being called. But as summer progressed, all they would say, over and over, was how brave she was. She didn't feel brave for trying to find her sister. She didn't feel brave as her twin died on the forest floor behind their house.
Since she had always been the shy, nerdy one of the two, Henry used to always scold her for saying that, meaning it was nothing wrong with being shy nor nerdy. Being self-conscious about herself was a given with a strong sister like her. But now she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror. She had hung towels or sheets over the mirrors in her new room and bathroom. Because every time she looked herself in the eye, she saw Henry. They were identical twins, sharing so many similarities that it was a wonder that anyone could have told them apart. Of course with Henry's pink hair and radiating personality it was easy, but when they were little it was next to impossible.
Seeing Henry in the mirror was like a punch in the stomach. Every, single, time. Carol had tried to take the sheets off, but it was all in vain. Harper would just put them back up.
"Hey! Are you awake?" Tyler banged on her bedroom door. It was the first day back to school and Harper was anxious. Dressed head to toe in her new clothes that Carol had bought for her. With bleached jeans, a floral blouse and a navy cardigan, paired up with her old converse and her usual beaded necklaces and bracelets. Her dark hair was just combed through, and her face was make-up free. Harper often wanted to learn how to use makeup, Henry had helped her a lot of times, but now she just didn't have the energy to do it herself.
"Yes, yes.. I'm awake" Harper said as she opened her door. He rolled his eyes and walked away down the stairs. The rest of the summer had been very bleak to him, no one wanted to host a party after Henry's passing. He hoped that now that school started, that would change.
"Oh kids! Have you eaten anything?" Carol shouted from the kitchen, she had prepared a full breakfast buffé by the looks of it and wanted to eat together with her son and foster child.
"I'm not hungry" Harper said and looked at Tyler, her eyes pleading for him to state the same.
"We will grab something on the way to school mom, don't worry" Tyler smiled and kissed his mother's cheek before walking out the door. Carol sighed and looked at Harper before smiling too and hugged her tightly.
"Have a good first day" She said and let the teenager go. She had always wanted a daughter, and this may not be the most ideal way of getting one. But Harper had become so precious to her in such a short amount of time, that she wanted to protect and cherish her.
"Thanks" Harper said and waved goodbye as she walked down the stairs towards Tyler and his car.
The ride to the nearest gas station was quiet as usual, Tyler had gotten used to a quiet car over the summer. Harper tried talking to him a few times, but they never clicked so to speak. They had different interests and taste in almost everything, which was okay. They were totally different people from different backgrounds. But as the argument over the radio got too heated, they decided it was best to just shut up.
"Screw this" He muttered as he put on the radio, immediately Elvis Presley came on. Can't help but falling in love played on the channel for throwback music.
"Come on" He reached for the stereo again, but Harper stopped him and looked at him.
"Can we please listen to this one.. just this one song" She asked, almost pleading. Tyler looked at her for a mere second, before turning back to the road. It wasn't that bad after all.
"Take my hand… take my whole life too" Harper started to sing softly, it was so low that he barely heard her. It was almost like a mumble. Her voice was raspy and sweet, not the best singing he ever heard, but it was good enough that he didn't laugh nor stop her.