The rows of streetlights passed us by, and the stars were but a blurry shimmer in the dark sky, obscured by the city smog. Beside me, Parker shifted in his seat, resting his elbow against the window.
"Have you visited your dad yet?" I asked.
"No," he replied, almost scoffing.
"What about bail?" I'd remembered some guest speakers on the news estimating that his bail would be set at a few million.
"He's been denied bail. They think he's a flight risk," he said. "I'd agree. Knowing my parents, they're up to something."
The car stopped in front of a guard post and the driver said something before the gate was buzzed open. The wheels crunched against gravel momentarily before reaching the new paving. The car rounded the fountain and stopped in front of Holden's door.
Samuel let us in and looked at Parker momentarily before saying, "Madam Lennox is in a rather bad mood, sir."
"Thanks for the heads-up Sam," Parker replied, taking the wings off his back, holding them in his hand. I followed suit and held mine as well.
"Darren, you call this book keeping!?" Came the shrill shriek. We came into the living room just as Parker's mum hurled a thick file at the man standing before her. She had a hand clasped over her forehead and the other on her hip. She turned to face us as we come in. "Do you know what time it is!?"
We both glanced at the clock. It was a little past midnight. There was a clatter from the kitchen and Holden's mum came out with a few cups of coffee. "Did you two want some coffee or tea?" She asked.
"No thank you," I replied. Parker shook his head. She gave him a gentle smile and set the cups down before going back into the kitchen.
"I'll see you tomorrow first thing in my office with the proper paperwork," Parker's mum said. The man nodded frantically and turned, on his way out. "Oh, and Darren?" He turned back to face her. "Another screw up and don't bother coming back into the office ever again."
"Yes ma'am," he said. As he walked away, I could hear him swallow down hard.
Parker and I stood there awkwardly as the man practically sprinted out of the house. Parker's mum sat down on the couch and let out a long sigh, hanging her head in her hands. "I told you that you needed to prep for the press conference tomorrow, and you purposely go out? This family is a mess and you refuse to step in and help clean it up!" She exclaimed.
We all heard the front door open and Holden came in, still grinning from whatever memory he was thinking of. "Whoa," was all he said when he faced our silent stares.
"Parker. You will come to that press conference tomorrow. And you will step into the junior role at the company. We need to show our shareholders that as a family we are strong," Parker's mum said, her keys tapping rapidly against the screen of her phone.
"What? I thought we agreed that I wouldn't step in just yet!" Parker exclaimed.
"Well, times have changed. Trying to get your father out of jail is enough work for me. I don't need everyone thinking that our family is falling apart."
"What's there to fall apart? It's already so messed up," he scowled.
"Don't you bring him up again," his mum snapped. Who were they talking about?
Parker turned to me. "Let's go," he said.
"What?" I replied as he led me out by my hand. It was a weird sensation, mostly probably because my hands were so sweaty.
Holden rushed out behind us. "Take my car," he said, dropping the keys into Parker's hand.
"Thanks man."
We got into Holden's car and Parker started driving. "Do you have any idea where you're going to go?" I asked.
"Yeah. Anywhere but here."
"Real specific," I replied sarcastically. "We can go back to mine. I have a guest bedroom and we can get some sleep. Considering we do have school tomorrow," I reminded him.
He pulled up into my driveway and I unlocked the front door, switching on the lights. He entered cautiously, looking around. With the tables and chairs in the living room and our boxes still cluttered along the hallway, the house was squishier than when we'd first come to look at it. Then again, after being in their houses, everything looked squishy.
"Homey," he remarked. I showed him to the guest bedroom that was still perfectly made up. "There's only one bathroom and it's out in the hall. Hot water doesn't work for the sink, so just a heads up," I said. He nodded.
"Thanks," he said, sitting down on the bed.
"No worries," I smiled.
I could tell he didn't really want to talk. Especially not to me, but I could tell he was uneasy. "Let's go for a walk," I said. He looked at me, a little confused. "The night air is nice, and it helps clear my head." He didn't look convinced. "It's not as stupid as it sounds. I swear," I laughed uncomfortably.
He agreed, and I changed my shoes before we headed outside. The night air was still, but cool, a little chilly. Why hadn't I brought a jacket? We stayed on the path, keeping to the side of the street where the street lamps were still working. We didn't say much. We just walked in silence, taking in the deep breaths of the cool, crisp, clean air. He took off his jacket and handed it to me. "I'm fine," I lied.
"I can see your goosebumps," he replied. Begrudgingly, I took it and put it on.
We circled around and turned back. I was itching to ask him who his mum had been talking about, the 'him' she had referred to, but I held back. "Thank you," he finally said. I just smiled. We got back to the house and it was well past one.
I went to bed and woke up the next morning to the sound of the tap running. Nearly having a heart attack before remembering that Parker was there, I got out of bed. I changed into my uniform and waited for him to come out before heading in to brush my teeth.
"Morning," I said.
"Morning," he replied as he left the bathroom. I dodged to the left to let him pass, only for him to shift to the same side. I laughed awkwardly, moving over before he also did so. "You just go," he laughed, staying still.
"Thanks."
I shut the door behind me, thankful that that interaction was over. I figured we'd have a quick breakfast and then catch the bus to school but I could see Parker was getting ready to leave as I got out.
"I should get back to Holden's and change," he said, holding his suit jacket up.
"Right," I replied.
"The wicked witch should be at work."
I was going to ask him how he planned on getting back, but through the window I could see the car waiting outside. "Okay, see you at school," I said.
By the time I got to school, it was buzzing. My phone pinged in my pocket and I took it out. It seemed like I'd been linked to a gigantic group text message, along with a website: The Insiders. The heading of the post at the top of their homepage did not look good. Who was Parker's fallen angel?
"I see you've been inducted into the Pemberton community," a voice remarked. I looked up to see Logan waiting for me by my locker. "But we both know who the fallen angel was, now don't me?" He grinned slyly.
"Shut up," I hissed, coming closer to him to make sure he didn't yell anything at me from across the hallway.
"Won't you have a look at this?" He took out his phone and turned the screen to face me. There was a photo of Parker and I last night while we were walking. I reached out to snatch the phone. "Uh uh uh. I don't think so," he smiled. "How do you think everyone's going to react when they find out former golden boy Parker is not only bankrupt, but screwing his best friend's girl?" He paused. "Oh wait. You aren't Holden's girl," he smiled, holding up the mask.
"What do you want?" I growled.
"I need you to do me a favour."
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So, it's probably hell obvious I've been struggling with these chapters, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon! Sorry for the delayed updates.
Thanks for still reading, please remember to vote :~)