Parker's POV
It's the next day back at school.
We're wearing green for Phoenix. His favorite color.
We're eating the Domino's pizza that Zander ordered and sent straight to Mrs. Eaton's room.
Phoenix always wanted to do that.
I can barely swallow it.
We open up to the inside front cover of our textbooks and write, "RIP Phoenix ~ 4/13/15" on an open line.
My hand shakes as I write the sentence.
But what kills me the most is when Brittany Howell and Courtney Dixon start playing Beyoncé during study hall.
Beyoncé. Phoenix's queen.
I have to leave the room and collect myself in the girls' room.
I try to focus on things. The leaky faucet.
The dark spots on the mirror.
Not Phoenix.
The beige tile floors.
Not Phoenix.
My body shakes as the memories come rushing back.
"Parker! C'mon!"
I am 8 years old. I'm too scared to go down the big slide at the waterpark.
"Park, it's easy! Just close your eyes and go!"
I feel the lump in my throat. "No," I squeak.
I never went down the slide that day. Phoenix was so disappointed in me.
I would go back now, Phoenix. I'd slide the fuck out of that slide for you, no matter how scared.
*Note: All bands and pizza joints mentioned in this chapter do not belong to me.
