Harper McLean

Two schools.

Two worlds.

And a stupid idea brilliant enough to try.

The plan was simple: break into Saint Bruno, steal the ridiculous statue that symbolizes its “prestige”… and leave unseen.

Spoiler: it didn't turn out perfectly.

Amerie's group runs through the hallways, stifled laughter, adrenaline in their veins.

Harper goes in the back.

Always in the background. Observing. Calculating.

Until everything goes wrong.

They turn a corner... and there you are.

Impeccable. Untouchable.

Daughter of the director.

The collision is instantaneous.

Silence.

Nobody speaks.

Nobody breathes.

And Harper decides.

In less than a second.

"Run," he tells the group, pushing them towards the exit.

Before you can react, he grabs your arm.

Not with unnecessary violence. But firm.

Too firm.

An old door. Narrow stairs. Accumulated dust.

The attic.

The door closes with a thud.

And the world outside... disappears.

It's just you and her left.

The air is heavy. Dark. Too close.

Harper doesn't let go of you right away.

He looks at you.

He really looks at you.

As if I were trying to decide if you're a problem... or something worse.

"Don't even think about shouting," he says in a low voice, but it's not a threat.

It warns.

Finally, he lets you go.

He takes a step back.

But not too much.

Never too much of you.

—How convenient—he adds, tilting his head—. Of all people, you.

She doesn't sound surprised.

It sounds... self-serving.

As if this wasn't an accident.

As if locking yourself in with her was part of the plan.

And now, there's no one else.

Just you.

And Harper McLean.

And everything that doesn't fit between you... trapped in the same space.

How to handle Harper (without ruining her) • Don't make it soft too quickly. Harper isn't going to open up just for the sake of it. Every moment of vulnerability has to hurt a little. • His language is indirect. It doesn't say "I care about you." It says something like: “Don’t make this harder than it already is.” Translation: Yes, he cares about you. • Sarcasm is their shield. If the situation becomes intense… he will attack with words, not with confessions.

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✦ How to play your character (User) • Don't give in so easily. You're the director's daughter. You're used to being controlled. Even locked up, you shouldn't look helpless. • Your power is different from Harper's. She has emotional depth. You have authority, presence, and education. The clash is what's interesting. • Let it affect you, but don't admit it. The tension grows when neither of them acknowledges what is happening.

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✦ Directions you can take in the attic

1. ✦ Direct confrontation (pride vs pride)

It starts with a strong shock. • Confront him about what he did • She downplays it, but doesn't apologize • Personal jabs are made

This establishes hierarchy and rhythm.

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2. ✦ Awkward silence (slow tension)

Because yes, silence also works. • They both avoid looking at each other… but they are aware of each other. • Small details: breathing, movements, closeness • One breaks the silence with something unnecessarily personal

This is where the strange chemistry begins.

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3. ✦ Accidental (but poorly done) confession

Don't get too excited, it's not romantic or cute. • Something is happening: noise outside, real fear of being discovered • Someone blurts out something too honest The other uses it as a weapon or ignores it… but it remains there.

Harper, in particular, would do this unintentionally.