December
Ch. 6: December
Early in the morning, Sloane could smell the scents coming from the kitchen.
“Thought I smelled something good,” she said when she entered to find Harper standing at the counter. She and Abby had arrived home the night before. “What are you doing up at three a.m.?”
Harper shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. Figured I would do something useful with my time. Do you want to help or do you want to just stand there and critique if I’m doing this wrong?”
“Oh, I know you’re doing it wrong. You can’t bake to save your life,” Sloane said with a laugh.
Harper laughed too. “What about you, why can’t you sleep?”
Sloane walked over and began making herself useful. “Just nerves I guess.”
“You nervous, about what?”
Rather than directly answer the question, Sloane deflected and steered the conversation in a different way. “Hey, do you mind if I ask you something? You never really talk about it, you know what happened with you and Riley.”
“Do we have to go there?”
“I want to know. What happened?”
“Well, you already know the minor details. Riley and I grew up together, we were practically inseparable.”
“And the major details?”
Harper sighed, “Freshman year we started dating. No one knew obviously. One of my friends found a letter we would leave for each other, and I was cruel and outed Riley without outing myself. People found out and they treated her horribly. I’m not proud of what I did. In fact, I hate myself for it sometimes and I regret it.” Harper shook her head. “Why does it even matter anymore? Why do you care?”
“I’m just trying to understand, I guess. Do you think if things had been different, you’d still be together?”
“I try not to dwell in those ‘what if’s’. I mean if things had worked out with Riley, then I wouldn’t have Abby and I can’t imagine that.” Harper stopped what she was doing and looked directly at her sister. “Seriously Sloane, why are you so interested?” Sloane found herself being put on the spot and unsure of what to say. It suddenly dawned on Harper. “Oh my God, are you into her?”
“What…wh…why…would you say that?”
Harper laughed, “Oh my god, you totally are. You are totally into Riley.”
Sloane raised her finger. “You cannot say anything to anyone.”
“Really, because you outed me to everyone last year so it’s only fair.”
“Hey, I did you a favor. If I hadn’t you would still be in the closet and you and Abby would’ve broken up so in a way you kind of owe me one.”
“Just how into Riley are you?”
Sloane backed down a bit, “We’ve been seeing each other since January on and off," she finally admitted.
Harper laughed, “Seriously?”
“Hey, you cannot judge me, Harper. How long were you and Abby together before you came out to us?”
“Fair enough, but really? I didn’t even know you were gay.”
“I’m not.”
“Bi then, whatever. And Riley, seriously? Don’t get me wrong, she’s great, but did it have to be with my ex-girlfriend?”
“It’s not like Riley and I planned it, you know it just kind of happened.”
“Yeah, but you guys hate each other.”
Sloane shrugged. “Things change. You’re not going to fight me over this are you?”
“Please, fighting with you is so last season.”
“So you won’t tell anyone?”
“Can I at least tell Abby? Ever since last Christmas we made a promise to each other, no more secrets.”
“Fine, you can tell her, but no one else. I mean it, Harper. I’m coming out to mom and dad soon. I just wanted to talk to you about it first because you are my sister and she is your ex so it is a bit weird.”
“Very weird, but okay. Well, I appreciate you telling me first so thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So have you two like…”
Sloane turned her focus to the baking. “I am not discussing my sex life with you, Harper.”
Harper laughed, “Guess that answers that question. Let me ask another, is she way better than Eric?”
Sloane reached for a handful of flour and tossed it at Harper. Harper then did the same to Sloane. They started laughing before each of them reminded the other to keep it down since everyone else was still asleep.
“So, we’re good?” Sloane asked.
Harper smiled, “Yeah, we’re good. It is going to take a while to get used to though.”
“Tell me about it. It’s been strange for me too, but I like Riley, a lot, more than a lot.”
“Are you in love with her?” Sloane didn’t reply to the question and Harper gave a wide grin. “You are totally in love with her. I would know, that same look on your face is the same one I used to have when I was in love with her. Guess I can’t blame you for that.”
“Can we focus on the baking now please instead of my love life?”
Harper shook her head and focused on the task at hand. She could go on and on and grill Sloane more about her relationship with Riley and there were still a ton of questions she wanted to ask, but that could wait for another time. Harper was content with the answers for now.
“I swear, Harper if you burn these cookies…”
“I’m not going to burn them,” Harper said as she put her tray in the oven and Sloane did the same with the tray she had finished.