Page 49 of House of Bass

“I’m a first year ,” Harley says flatly.

“I really don’t care,” Devon replies dismissively, “Why do you keep talking to me?”

MJ immediately snaps, “Arrête d'être aussi méchante.” Stop being so fucking rude.

Devon's eyes start to twinkle for the first time since they sat down, she smirks. “I didn’t realise orphan Annie had so many people to defend her.” She is egging MJ on to lose her temper, which rarely happens.

“Don’t call me orphan Annie,” Harley spits.

This is never going to end, so I quickly pivoted elsewhere. “Halloween party next Friday, does everyone actually have their costumes sorted, or am I going to have to make my yearly list again?”

“To no one’s surprise, I have my shit ready to go,” Daniel grins, predictably. “A surprise, of course.” He always goes all out for Halloween. It is his favourite holiday partly because it coincided with his birthday, but mostly because it gives him an excuse to outdo everyone creatively. He designs and makes most of his own costumes. A lot of which I’m sure he learned from his mother who ran one of the biggest new age fashion houses. It is also part of the reason we take turns in hosting his birthday, it is my turn this year.

“What about everyone else?” I ask, glancing around the table.

“We’re going as Batman and Catwoman,” MJ says brightly, all excited, hands gesticulating as she explains every detail. A couples costume. Of course. My smile feels like it might split at the seams, so I turn to Harley.

“Do you have something to wear?” I ask.

“I didn’t even know this was happening or that I was invited,” she says slowly, looking around the table.

“Considering the party’s being held at our house, I’d think so,” I say automatically, before freezing at my own words.

Our house.

But I won’t take it back. Her eyebrows lift ever so slightly, but she doesn’t press it.

“I’m sure I can figure something out,” she says finally, turning her attention back to her food. Soon after, everyone settles into their little corners of chatter. I stay quiet, though my thoughts elsewhere, wondering how I am going to stop the feeling in my chest every time I see MJ and Arden in embrace.

19

HARLEY

Harley had stepped through the door for precisely three seconds before being pounced upon by Annabel. She was dressed in a high-collar ivory wool jacket paired with a short black skirt and boots of the same colour. There was also the shoulder bag in hand that signaled she was going out.

“I have been waiting for you to get home for like hours now, but we’re going to be late!” Annabel said, hurriedly. “Come on, go get changed.”

Annabel pushed her towards the stairs but Harley turned around in confusion. She asked as much, “Can you at least tell me what it is I’m late for?” It wasn’t uncommon for Annabel to spring up last minute plans for them to do. She had dragged her to Portobello Road Market one Saturday morning with sleep still in her eyes.

“To see the comet!” she replied, smiling brightly in excitement.

“Is that the Parliament Hill stuff you mentioned earlier? I assumed that was just you and your mates going to get pissed again.”

“Noooooo, well yes but noooo,” she groaned, flopping and bouncing simultaneously. Harley couldn't help but laugh, she was so animated. It was a wonder she wasn’t a Theatre student. “It’s a group thing, the whole uni will be there.”

“The whole university?” Harley asked skeptically, an eyebrow raised.

“Have you ever been introduced to the word exaggeration?” Annabel answers. “Maybe not everyone but a good chunk of people are, this will be your first proper uni event. It’s going to be fun and I need this; between ballet, classes and teaching so much of my time is filled.”

Harley thought about it; it’s true they had barely seen each other during the weeks because when she didn't have practice, Annabel locked herself inside her dance studio, hardly eating. And watching the comet would be cool, she had always enjoyed looking at the celestial beings in the sky but never had the equipment to see them closely other than at a museum. Now she couldn’t help but wonder when Annabel mentioned the whole university, if that meant Scarlett would show up too.

They had been making excuses to stay longer at the cafe to be around one another and whenever they saw each other at uni they found themselves in one of the art rooms, painting or in Harley’s case, sketching, in silence. Even when they texted it wasn’t just about her work schedule.

Scarlett hadn’t talked about going tonight when she saw her yesterday at work and group events did not seem to be her thing. Still, Harley held out hope that maybe she would be there.

“Alright, I’ll come,” she gave in and Annabel squealed and began to jump up and down. “Only because I have never seen a comet before, also what’s wrong with what I’m wearing now?” She looked down at her hoodie and jeans.

“Don’t make me answer that,” Annabel said with a pained expression. She pushed Harley again towards the stairs, “I’ve left some options out on your bed. Go go go!”