nefelibata (n.) | ✔️

twenty-nine.

I headed towards one of the only places that provided me comfort in this hell — the library.

When I entered, the library came into view with Parker sat comfortably on the green couch. His face was etched with confusion as he stared intently at a book synopsis. I jumped down next to him. "Hey, Parker."

He looked at me with a bright smile. "Hey," he pulled me into his side with a hug. "How was your break? You seem happy." We aren't very close, but considering he's one of the only friends I've got, I decided to let him in.

I bit my lip. "I'm kinda.. seeing someone." Parker's reaction was immediate, his eyes widening.

"Is it Carson?! Please tell me it's Carson!" His cheeks bunch up with joy.

I hush him. "Yes, calm down." I couldn't contain my smile. It felt nice being able to talk to someone about something so, I don't know, youthful. I'm always so serious. Penelope was excited for me, but she couldn't talk very long. When she left the emptiness overwhelmed me again, but Carson has been helping fill her void when she's not around to do it herself. 

"Sorry, sorry. I'm so happy for you. I can't wait till I find some hot gay ass to keep me company." He says in a hushed tone. My eyes widen at his openness.

"Jesus," I say with a laugh. "Why don't I take you to an all men bar as a late Christmas present."

He tosses his book to the side and stands up, taking my hand. "Let's go!" He jokes and then his eyes widen. "Although, I don't think your sexy new boyfriend would like that." 

I tug him back down and roll my eyes, dismissing his boyfriend comment. "We will, soon." I wink. "Anyway, how was your break?" Parker rants to me about how his Christmas dinner was awkward. Apparently, his family has communication issues. 

"Sounds interesting," I add once he finishes. "Have you come out to your family?" I said in a hushed tone. Not that anyone else was present in the library, but still. 

"No. I'm just not ready, you know?" I nod and pat his back. 

"I should probably go check on Carson. He seemed pretty mad when I left him." Parker looks at me with a concerned look. "Brooklyn. He found out she started the rumors and that she's been messing with me. I'm so over this high school bullshit." I groan and pull myself up from the couch. Parker is quick on his feet, too. 

"I'll come. If Carson's in a heated fight, I can pull him off like the manly man I am." He winks, and I sigh with a laugh. 

"Carson? In a fight? Yeah, right." 

"It's Brooklyn. She could make an angel become Satan." 

"Shit. You're right." I rub my forehead and groan before taking slow strides to the hallway. I assume he's in the cafeteria where Brooklyn and her clique all reside before the first bell. 

I wasn't exactly in a rush to get to the cafe. If they were arguing, everyone would be watching and making a spectacle out of it. I tend to convince myself that I don't care, but having people stick up for me isn't something I'm used to. Especially a boy. 

When I enter the cafeteria, Brooklyn is sitting at her usual table, Carson across from her. Her usual "friends" are beside her, but I was surprised to see Violet wasn't there. It seemed pretty calm from my viewing point, but Carson still had some kind of look in his eyes. Brooklyn's facial expressions just screamed "I'm a flirt," which pissed me off even more. 

I'm not a jealous person, but Brooklyn being around Carson triggered something in me. Rage? Probably. I was clenching my fists so tight that I didn't even realize until Parker grabbed my hand and unfolded my fist. "Thanks," I mumbled. 

Carson looked up and locked his eyes on me. He gave me a soft smile before returning his attention to whatever Brooklyn was saying. Her minions looked just as engaged. God, how pathetic. I used to be just like them. 

Before I could finally get my anxious ass over to the table, Carson stood up and walked over to me. Parker whispered something, but I wasn't paying attention. "What?"

"His eyes," He said. I furrowed my brows in confusion. "They're filled with love." He winked again before doing a weird guy head nod thing with Carson and heading in the opposite direction. There's that damn word again. Love. 

Carson grabbed my hand and led me down the hall towards my first class. "What'd you guys talk about?" I asked, concern and annoyance showing through my words. 

"I basically told her, in the kindest way possible, to shut the fuck up about you or I will bruise her reputation." He said quietly. 

"Bruise her reputation?" I questioned. What the hell does that mean?

He chuckled the kind of chuckle that made his shoulders shake. "I may have old messages from Brooklyn on my phone that show her begging me to take her out for popularity purposes. I rejected her, very nice though." 

I looked up at him with a smile. "You're kind of an evil genius, but in the nicest way." Carson nodded in agreement with that. We made plans to meet for lunch and at the end of the day. He kissed my forehead before making his way to his class.