Tyla stopped in front of the washroom. Sighing deeply, she opened the door and entered, her sneakers squeaking against the tiled floor. A stall door was half shut, and she could guarantee that Harper was in there. She could hear the echo of the dripping water from the tap, the sharp smell of antiseptic cleaner filling her nostrils.
Tyla exhaled loudly as she gave the half-shut door a polite knock.
"Someone's in here," Harper's voice came out weak and broken, and the next thing Tyla heard was the sound of Harper's quiet gasps and a broken sniffle.
Tyla didn't spare any time. She just pushed open the stall gently, not caring if it was locked. She crouched down in front of Harper, her expression softening.
"Harp?" She placed a hand on Harper's arm.
Looking up at Tyla, Harper Reed immediately wiped her tears.
"I'm okay, Ty," she spoke.
"No," Tyla shook her head, "no, you're not. Look at you, sulking all alone here."
The concern in Tyla's voice could be heard, and her words only made Harper cry more.
"Talk to me, Harp," Tyla insisted, and Harper hugged her thighs even more before just burying her head in them.
"Those girls are worthless, Harper. You don't need to think about what they did too much. I promise, Harp, I'm here for you." Tyla tried, encouraging.
Harper lifted her head and stared at her best friend.
"Why me?" she spoke, her voice all broken and weak. "I'm just trying to get my reputation back in order, make my dad proud. I don't want no enemies. I don't want embarrassment, Ty. Is that too much to ask?"
After saying that, she just resumed crying and burying her head in her thighs.
"No, Harp, it isn't."
"Look what they did, Ty. They probably have more coming. I'm their next target. And—and thanks to my useless, stupid, ugly self, you are too. I'm so sorry," Harper cried, her face red.
"No! No, Harper, do not ever say that. You are not ugly or stupid, and you would never, ever be useless. You are not a mistake. And anyone who makes you feel that way is so dead wrong."
Harper lifted her head, eyes bloodshot, lips trembling. Then, a weak smile claimed Tyla's lips.
"You are so beautiful that I get jealous sometimes. And oh, girl, I literally want your brains."
A soft chuckle tangled with an emotion Tyla could not describe escaped from Harper's mouth.
"And Harp, you are not useless. And you never, ever will be, okay?" Tyla leaned forward, brushing Harper's hair from her face. Her touch firm, grounding.
A slight nod. That was Harper's response as she crumbled then, collapsing into Tyla's arms. Tyla held her tight, rocking her slightly.
"Do not stress yourself, Harp. Listen to me. You're enough just being you, Harper. Loud, messy, scared—you're still worth loving."
Harper's sobs grew louder, but there was relief in them now. As Tyla rubbed her back slowly, whispering those words, Harper felt an emotion stir in her—probably relief. Because those words were words she never let herself believe.
"And if I'm their next target, then Hazel is dead meat for sure," Harper giggled quietly again.
"Thank you," Harper whispered.
"Sure thing, Harp. Remember, you don't have to hold it all together with me. I've got you. Always. You know that, right?" Tyla grabbed her hand.
"You know I do."
Harper's response prompted a soft, teary smile from Tyla before she quickly wiped it off.
"Oh my God, Harp, it's so contagious!" she joked, and Harper giggled as she wiped her tears.
"I'm such a baby for crying over this, you know," Harper admitted.
"Yes, Harp, you are certainly a baby... but not over this. Not in this scenario, babe," Tyla replied with a smile.
Just then she got up, holding out a hand for Harper.
"Now please get up. We can't stay here until we turn 50, you know," she joked, chuckling softly at her own joke.
Harper placed her hand in Tyla's.
"Now that is a fact," she admitted, standing up.
Once she was on her feet, she cuddled with Tyla tightly.
"Thank you. I don't deserve you."
Tyla smiled weakly,
"No, babe. You do. That's the point."