A Lifetime's Worth

Chapter 8

Ariana sat in her English class the next Monday but her mind was in some other world. Parker World. Not a single word Mr. Carraway was saying made any sense to her, as she sat there thinking about the previous day. It was by far the best Sunday ever.

Parker was pleasantly surprised when Ariana had shown up the next day for playing FIFA. She was wearing light blue jeans and a loose white top. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and she literally looked like she had just woken up. But Ariana didn't care. She was finally going to learn to play FIFA and that was all that mattered.

Parker ushered her inside and Ariana realised that Parker was working out. He did seem out of breath when he had opened the door. Parker put away his gym equipments and beckoned her over to his bedroom. Ariana's heartbeat quickened. She was about to enter Parker's bedroom.

His bedroom was even more cooler than his living room. There were posters, obviously, and a framed jersey hanging on the wall against the back of the bed. And there were clothes and it was messy. Ariana loved it. On the bed was the laptop with all the FIFA gear attached to it.

Parker taught her all the basic controls and gradually, Ariana began to grasp the functioning. Within an hour and a half, she was playing like a pro. Or Parker was playing like a noob just so that Ariana could win. It was intense, the game, and they were both enjoying it immensely. They were screaming, cursing (which caused
a bit of an awkward silence for a minuted before they burst out laughing), laughing, hindering each other's play and basically behaving like total retards.

"Do you want something to drink?" Parker asked when they paused for a while.

"Can I get a beer?" Ariana asked loudly.

Parker looked at her with a scandalised expression. "Absolutely not, Ari.."

Ariana burst out laughing. "Chill, I'm kidding. Do you have soda?"

Relief was evident on Parker's face. "I have Coke. Is that OK?"

"Geez I really don't think I should be doing coke with you.." Ariana said mischievously.

"Very funny. Do you want ice?"

"If that's ok."

Parker shrugged and went to the kitchen. Ariana began looking around. There were a lot of photo albums on the shelf and a lot of books. Again. Ariana felt oddly comfortable in his room, very much unlike Aaron's room. Aaron's room was suffocating. And she never felt welcomed. But somehow in Parker's room she felt like she belonged there. Like some part of her heart felt peace there.

"I never thought a someone like you would be interested in video games." Parker walked in carrying a glass of Coke in one hand and a can of beer in another. Ariana threw him a murderous look which he neatly avoided.

"Ok. That's it. Clear this for me. I've heard you call me 'a girl like me' twice now. What exactly is a girl like me?" Ariana asked him in a slightly irritated voice.

"Look I'm not judging you..but I,ve heard things about you." Parker pleaded.

"What things?" Ariana demanded.

"That you were one of the popular girls. The ones who like dressing up and hanging out in cliques and do all the typical girl things. You know what I mean right? Its not that I'm stereotyping you but...you understand, right?"

Ariana thought about it. He was right in a way. She did do those things. But there was so much more to her than that.

"Where did you hear it from?"

"Lana and Martha."

"Why the hell were they talking about me?" Ariana asked furiously.

"It's ok. I asked them about you." Ariana shot a look at him. "Like generally." He added quickly. Ariana noticed that a slight blush had come across his face before he quickly turned it away under the pretense of drinking his beer. An uncomfortable silence ensued.

"You can't blame them anyway." He spoke suddenly, as he downed the last gulp of beer. "I mean..you have make up on right now."

"What?" Ariana replied, surprised. "I don't have any makeup on. I just pulled a pair of jeans and came right after I woke up. Hell, I didn't even shower." She replied indignantly.

"You don't have make up on? Dammit Ariana, you are beautiful." Parker replied. Ariana must have blushed hard because Parker looked away. Probably to give her room for blushing.

"Tha.." Ariana began and her phone rang. "Damn it, Peyton!" Ariana cursed as she flipped open the phone.

"Go ahead. Take it." Parker said and awkwardly walked out of the room.

"Peyton, I hate you." Ariana hoarsely spoke over the phone.

"Oh fuck were you sleeping?" Peyton asked apologetically.

Ariana ignored the question. "What happened?"

"I need help with biology. Please come over. The test tomorrow and I can't understand shit." Peyton said in a sorrowful voice. Ariana had forgotten about the test.

"Did I tell you that I hate you?" Ariana told Peyton in an annoyed voice. She'd have to leave.

"You did. Now come over. Bye." Peyton said  laughing and hung up.

That night Ariana had received a message from Parker saying 'Hey', and the two of them texted late into the night.
So basically, two things were clear to Ariana.
A. Parker Jonas asked people about her.
B. Parker Jonas thought she was beautiful.