Invisible String

Chapter 2

Parker

        "Ready?"

        "Yeah, so ready!" I say even though I feel a minor panic attack setting in.

        He gives me a reassuring smile, "We can always skip today if it's stressful."

        "No, it's fine. I just needed a moment. Let's  just go inside."

        "If this gets too much, just tell me. I know how your anxiety gets. One text and we'll leave."

        "Thank you, but I'm fine. Let's just get this day over with so I can go have some ice cream."

        I start to open my car door before his hand stops me, "You know my rules. Princesses don't open doors for themselves."

        I can't help but roll my eyes at his silly acts of chivalry. "Well, for one I'm not a princess, and for two I'm pretty capable of opening my own door."

        "You just don't appreciate a gentleman. Any other girl would love this treatment."

        "Pretty sure your logic is flawed but whatever," and with that, I grab his hand and walk into school with him.

...

School always feels so different on the first day. The halls are buzzing, almost everyone's dressed nicely, and I can see smiles on over half of the population. After the first week, everyone shows up in sweatpants and frowns.

But today of all first days is overly buzzy. There's talk of a new kid at Cedar High, which doesn't happen very often considering we live in a very small town. This new student is also hot, a factor that does not matter to me but still makes me curious. I'm guessing it's a boy considering the amount of girls giggling in the corner. All I'm hoping is that he's nice, we could use some more nice people around here.

Just as I pull out of my thoughts and start to turn away from my locker, I hear loud footsteps and what sounds like a mix between my name and the sound a pterodactyl makes. Before I know it I'm being almost knocked over and wrapped in a big hug.

"Oh my God, Parker! I haven't seen you in forever. How have you been? How was the summer? I heard you and Ty are still doing whatever it is you two are doing," all these questions and lack of air confuse me.

"Can't breathe Em," for being so small my best friend can really hug.

"Oh, sorry babes. Anyways, how's life? You didn't answer any of my calls, so I had to hang out with Sofie all summer. I'm just a tad upset."

"As if hanging out with Sofie is that bad. You guys are literally joined at the hip 24/7. I was just really busy this summer with my brother and work. No one really saw me either."

"Okay, I guess that's fair. This summer you better make up some time for me though. Promise?"

"Promise."

Balancing home life, work, and school life has always been hard, but during the summer I also have to take care of Emmett. This year was the worst because my dad was never home and was always at work. Plus I doubt anyone would want me to bring Emmett along all the time too.