Aria shook her head with a smile, "I'm not having a bad day, I'm just...not sure that something I did was nice."
Harper tilted her head, "You? I cannot believe that."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Aria asked.
Harper looked down and smiled, "I just cannot believe that something you do would be wrong or not nice."
Aria shook her head, "You think too highly of me. I'm just a fifteen year old girl."
Harper chuckled, "The most wise, kind and mature fifteen year old I've ever met. I mean come on, you were so kind to me always, even though I was horrible to you. How can I believe someone like that will ever do something that's not nice!!"
Aria smiled, "Maybe what I was trying to do was nice. But what ultimately happened was not that nice."
Harper: "I don't understand what you're saying, but I have a feeling it has something to do with me. All I can say is, your intentions were nice, weren't they? So whatever happened, was not your fault."
Aria opened her mouth but Harper cut in, "And even if it was, you'll face the consequences someday eventually. So it doesn't do much good worrying right now."
Aria smiled resignedly, "Maybe you're right."
Harper nodded, "So cheer up! I don't want to tell Victor and Sonia that I left their daughter all gloomy."
Aria chuckled. Hearing Harper talk like that spread warmth in her heart. Specially the words, 'their daughter'. "And do pack. You're going to Helen's home, right?" Harper said, looking around.
Aria's mood turned a bit gloomy upon hearing Helen's name. But she quickly shook her head and smiled, "Thanks Harper. I'll get started right away."
Harper smiled and walked to the door, "I'll get going now." But she suddenly stopped and slapped her forehead.
Aria turned around, shocked, "What did you do that for!!!!" she exclaimed.
Harper laughed, "You were being so gloomy that I almost forgot!!! I had to thank you for one more thing!!!"
Aria tilted her head, "What's with all the thanking today? What for?"
The happiness disappeared from Harper's tone as she said in a small voice, "Jacob talked to me today."
Aria froze for a second before continuing packing, "Why are you thanking me for that?"
"He came to talk under the pretext of giving me something to take back home, but told me that whatever may be my reason for leaving, he would be sad that there was one less person from our village at the academy." Harper said, looking out of the window.
Aria nodded and continued her work.
Harper chuckled, "It was so awkward!!! It was clear he didn't want to talk, but someone had clearly asked him to. And I didn't know what to say!!!!"
Aria frowned, "It was awkward?"
Harper laughed, "Yeah!!!!!!! I understand what it was like for you when I used to cling to Jacob. Anyway, thanks for asking him to talk to me. It might have been our most awkward conversation, but I'm glad it happened."
"I didn't...."Aria began but Harper shook her head and walked to the door, "I should get back. I need to complete my packing too. I don't understand how my possessions have doubled in the past year!!!"