Chapter 1

In the corner of the overcrowded cafeteria at Victoria high school, Melissa Dawson and Kyle O’Connelly were bickering in hushed tones. By the irritated looks on their faces, the school’s newest “it” couple was soon to be history. I scanned the room, and saw a few other curious onlookers, trying not to make their eavesdropping recognizable –covering their sidelong gazes with books or long swigs from their drink. My attention turned back to the couple just in time to see Melissa shove Kyle to the side, and walk away, complete with a “yeah, I just dumped you” hair flip. Poor guy, he doesn’t deserve such public humiliation… or maybe he does, I didn’t know the story.

“Parker? Are you even listening?” My head snapped back around towards my table, and I was met with three pairs of questioning eyes. “I’ve been having a whole conversation with you, and you weren’t even paying attention” My friend Kerri said, a pout beginning to form on her perfectly angular face.

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Josh muttered under his breath beside me. Kerri just grimaced at him, and stuck her tongue out towards his general direction.

“Melissa and Kyle just broke up,” I announced, changing the subject.

“And I care, because?” Josh asked with a mouthful of French fries.

“Huh when?” Becca asked, turning around to scan the caf. She pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose, and whipped back around to face me.

“Like, 20 seconds ago. I just saw it happen… I knew it wouldn’t work out between them, Melissa’s way too controlling, and all Kyle cares about is the football team. It was a disaster waiting to happen.” I said matter-of-factly.

“Dude, stop speculating other people’s lives… it’s creepy” Kerri spoke up. “Have you ever even talked to Melissa or Kyle in your life?”

“Well no,” I admitted, pushing a few loose strands of dark hair behind my left ear. “But I can just tell.”

“Right…” Kerri said rolling her eyes. “Anyways, I was telling you a story-” So as Kerri went on ranting about her newest boyfriend Todd –this one’s a college guy- I absentmindedly nodded along at the seemingly appropriate places, and let my eyes veer to the right as my mind was somewhere else completely. As always, Kerri didn’t notice, and she mistook my un-enthusiasm for sympathy as she retold a tale of her last disastrous date.

I think that’s why we get along so well, Kerri and I. I’m not one to have much of anything to say, and She’s elated just to have anyone listen to her for more than a few seconds. Kerri is one of those people who everyone just kind of rolls their eyes at. She’s very energetic, and very… unique. She’s not the brightest bulb in the box, but always entertaining nonetheless.

As Kerri dramatically recapped the body language that Todd was conveying, I switched my glance towards Becca and Josh. Josh & I met last year when he used to tutor my younger sister in math. He was over at my house a lot, and we became quick friends. I liked him because he was really funny and generally a nice guy. With his lanky frame and freckled face, he was a total boy-next-door that you know your mom would just love.

He and Becca have been dating for over a year now. Becca is a petite girl with dirty blonde hair and a winning smile. She’s an honor roll student with an equally impressive permanent record. The girl is a genius, but can’t keep out of trouble to save her life. If she’s not painting giant happy faces on all of the school’s basketballs, she’s calling in a bomb threat to skip PE, or mouthing off to the Vice-Principal, Ms. Weaver. The only reason that Becca hasn’t been suspended is because her grades keep up the school’s GPA –although no one has openly admitted it yet.

And then there’s me… Parker Mackenzie. Nothing too interesting to note about my physical description… brown hair, brown eyes blah blah blah. In fact, there’s not much about me that’s noteworthy at all. I guess I’m shy… but if anything I’m just very observant. I’m not a stalker or anything –at least I try not to be- but people are just so fascinating. I mean granted, most times, people are very predictable, but once in a while someone will come by and really surprise you… human nature is just so intriguing.

“So yeah, Todd invited me to a college party on Tonight, you guys up for it?” Kerri asked looking at me.

“Babysitting.” I replied routinely. Kerri pouted and switched her hopeful gaze to Becca & Josh.

“Can’t” Becca said, “Me & Josh are headed up to my parent’s cottage for a nice romantic weekend getaway.” She reached across the cafeteria table and clasped her hand in his.

“But it’s Mid-Fall.” Kerri said pointedly. “It’ll be cold”

“I know, but it’s the only weekend for months when my parents are going to be away, & I want to make the most of it.” Becca explained.

“Okay, well have fun freezing to death.” Kerri said sarcastically.

“We will” Josh replied with a smirk.

“What time is it?” Becca asked, frowning at the broken clock on the cafeteria wall.

“12:20” I replied, glancing at my cell phone.

“Damn, I’m late for detention with Ms. Weaver. I’ve got to get going.” Becca said, and began to stand up.

“Wait up, I’ll come with you.” I said “I need to get something from my locker & it’s just past the office” I quickly stood up & slung my backpack over my shoulder.

“Now you two… don’t kill each other while we’re gone.” Becca said jokingly with a warning finger. Kerri & Josh Just rolled their eyes as we walked away laughing.

* * * * * * *

“Oh man, twenty minutes late, Weaver’s gonna be pissed” Becca said once we reached the office doors.

“You’ll be fine.” I said habitually reassuring Becca that she would not be in any significant amount of trouble. The girl simply does not understand that it is virtually impossible for her to get any worse punishment than a stern warning.

“Thanks Parker” Becca said taking in a breath “Here I go” she declared after a loud exhalation. She started towards the door & fiddled with her top before finally opening the door & stepping through the frame. With one quick wave back at me, she disappeared into the small, over-crowded office.

I quickly wandered off in the direction of my locker to grab my English folder, passing many familiar faces of whom I’ve never actually met before. Sarah Berkley suddenly came running passed me, slightly jerking me to the side. She looked back, shot me an apologetic look, and kept running. I couldn’t help but wonder where she was running to… or what she was running from. Everything has a story; I just wish I knew it. I finally reached my locker and yanked the thick book out from its previous metal confines, shoving it into my backpack.

I slung the backpack over my right shoulder, and started making my way to English class early like I did everyday. As I passed the front entrance to the school, I saw a few unfamiliar faces, all huddled together in some sort of family pow-wow. It must be a new student or something. I careened my neck to the side to see around the woman’s large hair-do to catch a glimpse of my potential future classmate. Standing there, with his hands lazily in his front pockets, stood a tall boy with shaggy light brown hair and wearing worn-out jeans and a dark t-shirt. What was the story there? His parents make him move because of a job offer? Or maybe he’s a delinquent, suspended from another school board… To hell if I know. The man was waving his index finger at the boy in a very parentally threatening manor, and proffered him a sheet of paper –probably the transfer sheet. The boy just rolled his eyes and snatched it before walking out of the school’s doors.

I snapped out of my daze just in time to hear the bell ring. Mobs of teenagers quickly filled the halls, making it impossible for me to see the expression left on his parent’s faces.