Bi the Way

Chapter 7: Parker?

Ally leaned against her open locker, half-listening to Luke as he animatedly described their latest science project. "So, we're creating a portrait of a family using a genetic grid," he explained, gesturing enthusiastically with his hands. Matt and Parker nodded along, fascinated by the concept.

"Sounds pretty cool," Ally chimed in, her gaze drifting down the crowded hallway. She spotted Rodney walking alongside Erica, deep in conversation. A pang of something unidentifiable tugged at her heart. "Looks like Rodney and Erica are still going strong. He doesn't seem to have time for anyone else anymore." She didn't notice that Parker was also watching them intently, his eyes clouded with envy.

Matt scoffed. "Does it even matter? The guy's always been weird, and he's with the weird girl. If you ask me it is a match made in heaven." His tone was dismissive, but Ally bristled at his words.

"Rodney was my best friend before I moved here, Matt. His friendship means the world to me," she snapped, her blue eyes flashing with anger. Without another word, she slammed her locker shut and stormed off, leaving her friends behind. Matt hesitated for a moment before following her, calling out apologies as he tried to catch up.

As Parker watched the scene unfold, a question struck him. Was Ally just upset about losing a friend? or was she jealous of Erica and Rodney?

-----

After science class, Parker caught up with Ally near the exit. "Hey, can we talk?" he asked, his voice strained. Ally frowned, curious about his sudden seriousness. She nodded, folding her arms across her chest defensively.

"Look, Um are you jealous that Rodney is with someone else?" Parker blurted out, his glasses sliding down his nose as he spoke. Ally's face flushed a deep crimson, but he pressed on. " I mean you practically ignored Rodney this whole time, choosing Matt over him. But now that he's got a girlfriend, suddenly you act like all you want to do is hang with your apparent best friend."

Parker paused for a breath, his brown eyes locked on Ally's shocked expression. "Rodney had a huge crush on you at the beginning of the year, anyone with eyes could see that. You don't know what it's like to like someone who doesn't like you back, Ally, and it's not fair to keep Rodney around as a backup plan." His voice cracked, and he turned away from her, blinking back tears.

Ally stood there, dumbfounded by Parker's outburst. Her mind raced, was Parker right? She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Before she could find the right thing to say, Parker stormed off, leaving her alone with her thoughts and a newfound realization: she might have feelings for Rodney, which could be the weird feeling she gets seeing him with someone else.

-----

Throughout the day, Ally found herself lost in thought, her fingers idly tapping against the edge of her desk as she stared out the classroom window. The tiny snow crystals danced whimsically in the breeze, she wished she could be free like them. She wished she didn't have to think about what Parker said but it stuck to the back of her mind like they were placed there with superglue.

Ignoring the constant buzzing of her phone, she pondered whether she had truly led Rodney on. When she had first met him, there was a part of her that was drawn to his quiet sensitivity, and she had imagined they might end up together in grade 6 when they spent every moment after school together writing a Doctor Who fanfic. She loved his creativity and how he smiled every time she came up with a great idea. But then his dad, Rodney retreated in his shell, while Matt boldly pursued her affections. But Ally couldn't help but hang on to the way Rodney had made her feel back then.

Finally, the bell rang, releasing her from her self-imposed prison. She collected her things and hurried home, eager for the solace of her bedroom.

"Ugh," Ally groaned as she tossed her bag on the ground, her head pounding in time with her racing thoughts. Desperate for relief, she made some tea with honey, the warm liquid soothing her. As she sipped her comforting drink, Mark, her brother, entered the kitchen.