Fractured (by N.O Darling) novel Chapter 322

Chapter 2

** Harper’s POV **

I take one last look at my bedroom and then close the door on it. The next time I come back here, it will be Bella’s bedroom, which doesn't bother me, but I am a little sad to say goodbye to it.

I had brought Bella to my room last night to have a chat with her. I wanted her to know I was happy that she would take my room, and that I was pleased she was a part of our family. Especially because it meant I wasn’t leaving my mum alone to deal with a house fully of stinky boys.

Bella is a sweet kid and my parents were right to bring her into our home. She has been a great addition to our crazy family and Sammy and the twins adore her. I will be surprised if she doesn’t bond with one of them. I put my money on Sammy, but only time will tell.

“Ready to go, kiddo?” Luke asks as I reach the bottom of the stairs where the rest of my parents, except Deacon, wait.

“Yes,” I nod, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at him calling me kiddo.

I can sense how uneasy my parents are. The atmosphere around them feels thick with nervous tension.

We port to the administration office to drop off my belongings as planned, and then we head to the great hall for initiation. Parents aren’t supposed to accompany us to this, but because mine all have some kind of professional role within the academy, I’m unlucky enough to have mine attend.

I hesitate as we approach the door, and my parents stop, looking at me in question.

“Come on, there’s nothing to fear in here. This is the boring part,” Theo says.

“She’s not scared. She just doesn’t want to walk in with us,” my mum says, trying to usher my dads inside.

“Why not? We are cool,” Theo huffs.

My mum glances back over her shoulder and rolls her eyes, and I give her a grateful smile. I’m glad at least one of them understands me.

If I walked in there surrounded by my parents, my peers would instantly mark me as different. My goal is to fit in here. I don’t want to be known as the headmaster’s daughter, or daughter of the spark bonded group. I just want to be Harper, another regular student.

I hang around by the doorway, smiling at the students I already know from school as I wait for Archie. We had arranged to meet here so we can go in together.

I’m not left waiting too long before I recognise Archie’s mop of dark hair in the group of students heading my way. When I finally get a glimpse of his face and his eyes meet mine, it steals my breath.