Adalynn & Parker || Marcella Rose

Chapter Four

Mutualism 

After a day that felt like it had dragged on for years—mostly thanks to Parker and his relentless badgering about being his 'fake girlfriend'—I barely had the energy to make it to the diner. His smirks, teasing remarks, and cocky attitude were exhausting. Every time I thought I had a moment to breathe, there he was, flashing that infuriating grin and acting like he owned the universe. How could someone be so obnoxious and so annoyingly charming all at once? At least he hadn't followed me home. Small mercies.

The diner was buzzing, alive with the usual after-school chaos. Students filled nearly every booth, laughing, gossiping, and nibbling on fries and milkshakes. I scanned the room, desperately seeking a pocket of peace in the whirlwind of voices. I needed space—a bubble of quiet where I could just not think for a little while.

Finally, I spotted a corner booth tucked away from the crowd, and relief washed over me like a warm blanket. Sliding into the seat, I let out a long sigh, sinking into the worn leather cushion. For a moment, I buried my face in my hands, letting the hum of the diner wrap around me. Between Parker's relentless pestering and Hunter's words that were on repeat, my brain felt like it was overloaded. All I wanted was to disappear into the background, just for a little while.

I pulled my backpack onto the table, the weight of it familiar and oddly comforting. Grabbing my earbuds, I shoved them in, letting music drown out the world. As my hair fell messily around my face, I tucked it behind my ears, hoping to tune out everything and focus. With my homework spread out in front of me, I dove in, determined to distract myself.

Homework was... safe. In a world where everything felt like it was constantly shifting, numbers and facts were stable. I wasn't a straight-A student, but I held my own with an A- average. Homework was like a puzzle, something I could control, unlike the messy tangle of feelings and people swirling in my life. It was a nice escape—just formulas, essays, and problems to solve. No teasing, no smirks, no emotional landmines to dodge.

For a while, it worked. I could almost forget the chaos of the last few days. But then I reached the final question on my AP Psychology homework. I stared at the words on the page, my stomach twisting as I read it: "What's the most interesting thing about you? How do you differ from other people?"

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind went blank, and then, all too quickly, Hunter's cruel voice echoed in my head: "You're a loser. A virgin with a boring personality."

The words sliced sharp and cutting, leaving a hollow ache in their wake. I sank my chin into my hand, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. My vision blurred as I tried to swallow down the emotion rising in my throat, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the hurt that clung to me.

My pain was interrupted when my earbud popped out of my ear.

I immediately wiped away my tears and swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't even have to look up to know who was sitting there right beside me. "What now, Parker?" I muttered, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

Parker tilted his head, studying me with a curious yet concerned look. "What's with the waterworks? You look like someone just kicked your puppy."

I met his eyes for a second, and the concern I saw there caught me off guard. Parker, the king of arrogance and sarcasm, was genuinely concerned. I hesitated before shaking my head. "Just the usual. That I'm boring, that I'm... nothing special."

Parker's expression shifted, the usual teasing light in his eyes dimming. "Who said that?" he asked, his voice softer than usual, but there was an edge to it. The kind that made me think he was already piecing things together.