Letting someone know it's not over yet

 

Harley could hardly keep up, but she found Lily coming out of the commons and on her way out on a beautiful sunny day.

"Hey, can we talk?" Harley smiled, being as brave as she could be and a little out of breath. Yes, she always did her best not to act tired, but she was. Of course, Lily kept walking with the backpack on her back and even a few books to hug.

Harley reached to touch her shoulder. Finally Lily looked back at her as if she thought Harley was a little crazy. Harley took a deep breath.

"How's it going?" Harley wanted to know.

"You know," she shrugged with an even lip. Harley nodded. She didn't want to say it, but Lily always ate lunch alone. She never really said that much to Brick's friends. And now without Rafe it felt as if she was pretty much a loner.

"Why aren't you hanging out with us?" Harley wanted to know. "We are your friends."

Lily acted as if she didn't have time for her.

"I know what you said to Rafe-" Harley started as the drift of students went on to the parking lot or a stroll in the park.

"What did he tell you?" Lily looked shocked.

"He didn't tell me, anything," Harley smiled. "I'm pretty sure he couldn't pick me out in a lineup." Harley gave her a dead stare. "I heard it from Mercer."

"Mercer?" Lily was in a huff now.

"It's not like he told everyone, just me." Harley assured her. "It's just..well, maybe you need to nurture your friendships too. Maybe it's time you hung out with just us girls."

Lily sighed as if she would have none of it.

"See, maybe you aren't any better than Rafe," Harley hugged herself then, even if she did have a heavy load in her pink backpack.

Lily nursed her bottom lip and began to walk on.

"Its not too late, we are all worried about you. We want you two, to just..I dunno, be yourself," Harley told her. "I know it isn't easy. We all have our problems. Besides, I can be the worst friend myself. I do spend a lot of my time with Brick, who I think he's...well..over you."

Lily gave Harley a serious look. She swelled a frown. 

"Look, we were all going to go to that free summer concert, maybe you can come with us and hang out. It might be fun. I mean, it's just local high school bands, but you never know." Harley's smile was open. "Maybe we could even get together, just you and me."

Lily finally nodded, but Harley knew it would take Lily a while to warm up.