7.
Harlow stuck out her tongue in concentration. She had been sitting at her desk for a few hours now working on a new piece for class. The assignment was to do a portrait of someone, using oils. Oils were hard in her opinion. She was much better with watercolours, but she knew even with oils she was still better than most in her class. It wasn't the media that was stumping her. She couldn't find a good focus. She'd sketched out a few celebrities so far but ended up scrunching up the paper almost as soon as she'd started. She wasn't feeling it, it wasn't right. She'd even tried to paint a few people from her past as well and while they turned out better, they still weren't right. She needed to draw someone new. Current.
So here she was, three hours later, covered in paint and utterly frustrated. At least her frustrations were getting her mind off of what happened yesterday so that was a bonus. Still all she needed to do was look in a mirror and see the small bruise on her cheekbone or the hickey on her collar bone to remember. Which is why she had avoided a mirror like the plague this morning. When she woke up Izzy was gone. But that was normal, apparently the redhead was an early bird. And Harlow had no doubt she snuck off to see the boys most mornings. It was cute how close they all were. They were really like a little family and Harlow appreciated that they had accepted her into it.
Harlow had sighed for the umpteenth time this morning just as she heard a knock on the door. She hoped it was just Izzy as she was covered in paint, the girl was very forgetful. Harlow stood up and opened the door, her cheeks going slightly pink when she realised it wasn't Izzy and but Farlan. Although if he noticed all the paint, he wasn't going to comment on it. As soon as she saw it was him, she covered up her collar bone as subtly as she could, although she couldn't do much about her face.
"Hey, Harlow, how are you?" Farlan asked with a smile.
"Fine, thank you." Harlow replied with a polite smile. Only then did she look behind Farlan to see Izzy smiling behind him and Levi close by leaning on the wall with his arms crossed and his signature irritated look on his face. "Um, can I do something for you guys?" Harlow asked, confused. Farlan opened his mouth again to talk but Izzy pushed him out of the way before he could and gripped Harlow's hands.
"We are going to the September fair. It's supposed to be really~ good! They have games and rollercoaster and food and markets!" Izzy promoted with a wide smile. Harlow bite her lip, conflicted.
"I... don't know Iz." Harlow said looking between the three.
"Please~" Izzy and Farlan said in unison while Levi just rolled his eyes. Harlow laughed, maybe it would do her some good to get her out of the room for a while. She needed to find some inspiration.
"Okay, okay. Just give me 5 minutes to get changed." Harlow smiled as the redhead's eyes lit up and she hugged Harlow tightly. Harlow hugged her back. Izzy was too adorable sometimes. It was impossible not to love her. Farlan pried Izzy off of Harlow so she could shut the door behind her and get ready. Harlow quickly changed out of her painted clothes and dressed in a white summer dress that finished just before the knee. It was one of her favourites covered in small blue flowers that matched the colour of her hair and held buttons down the front. Today was a warm day and Izzy being in a similar get up of shorts and a crop top while the boys had their usual jeans with short sleeved t-shirt. She let her hair down, the waves resting naturally before using a butterfly clip to get the main part out of her face only leaving a few strands behind. She slipped on her vans, grabbed her bag which still held everything she needed from last night before opening the door again and stepping outside, locking the door behind her.
When she turned back round to face the group, she saw both the boys staring at her. Farlan's face held a light blush while Levi's normally narrowed eyes were a fraction wider. Harlow cocked her head slightly looking between the boys and Isabel who was smirking at them.
"Did I do something wrong? I didn't take, forever did I?" Harlow whispered to her redhead friend confused. She only thought she took a few minutes to get ready. Why were they still staring at her?
"No, they just think you look hot." Izzy said way too loudly, obviously wanting the boys to hear her. Farlan averted his gaze and went beat red while Levi glared at the redhead. Harlow felt her own cheeks start to heat up with embarrassment. Why was Izzy so blunt all the time?
"Tch." Levi said before grabbing the catatonic Farlan and starting to walk ahead. Izzy burst out laughing and leant on Harlow for support.
"Amazing." Izzy breathed, wiping a tear of laughter out of her eye. Harlow sighed in annoyance as they started following them.
"Why did you say that?" Harlow whispered/whined. It was going to be so awkward now. Izzy smirked and shrugged.
"Because it was the truth. Come on." Izzy laughed, grabbing Harlow's hand and making them catch up with the boys. "September Fair, here we come!" Izzy yelled triumphantly, somehow removing all the earlier awkwardness as Harlow and Farlan laughed at her and Levi rolled his eyes.
"Harlow! Come on, I want to try this!" Izzy yelled dragging Harlow through the mound of people towards some fair games. They had gotten to the fair without much trouble. It was a nice atmosphere; loud carnival music was being played and the air was thick with the scent of different food carts. It was nice to finally go to one of these things. Harlow had never been before, but they always seemed like fun.
When they got to a shooting game Izzy squealed in delight and got out her purse. Harlow laughed at her friend's enthusiasm while Levi and Farlan caught up to them. Harlow was surprised Levi had even agreed to come to this thing. It didn't really seem like his scene.
"How many playing?" A fat bold man asked from behind the barrier.
"4 please!" Izzy replied with a smile passing the man some money. Harlow felt bad for not paying, she'd have to buy her friend lunch later. They all took their positions in the order of Harlow, Levi, Izzy and Farlan. Harlow picked up the gun and looked at the cork pellets. Wasn't what she was used to, but she guessed it was roughly the same. She knew it wasn't a real gun, it had been a long time since she last picked one up.
