Mask Required

Chapter 5; Princess of Confusion

Lane's P.O.V

"Hey Walker!", I heard my name being called down the hallway and as weird stares were thrown my way. I tilted my head back to find no one other than Parker Warren walking my direction in his letterman jacket.

"Hey Parker.", I said sheepishly raising my hand in an awkward wave.

"Hey, I know we were supposed to meet next Saturday but, I have this football banquet and I don't know the next time I'll be free so, I was wondering what are you doing after school today?", he asked while scratching the back of his next.

Now, as cliche as it sounds Parker Warren was the embodiment of hot football jock. It may seem weird but, having someone like Will as your friend makes you somewhat immune to the "hot guy aroma" as Chloe would say.

"I'm off today so I should be free.", I said with a small smile.

"Alright, see you in class!".

I started heading for my locker which was on the other end off the school before Chloe began to fall into step with me. Today she was wearing a black loose shirt with ripped jeans and black sandals her short blonde hair curled.

"Hey, after school today I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to the store I have to get a dress for my mom's dumb company party?", Chloe said rolling her eyes.

Like I said before, Chloe could be a bit of a typical teenage girl but, she's always stood by my side and and has always been there when I needed someone.

"Can't sorry.".

"Oh please, I was asking to be nice I know you're off work.".

"I actually have plans with someone believe it or not.", I said sarcasm lacing my voice.

"Are you helping Will out with Melissa? I heard he's already moved on.".

As much as it sounds like Chloe was kidding, she was being honest I only ever hangout with them.

"No, I'm going out with Parker Warren-".

"What?!", Chloe said overly loud.

"Relax, we're partners in class weirdo.", I said rolling my eyes only to end up colliding with another body.

"You know,  you really need to watch where you're going ", a cold voice said.

I looked to Brody once again, he was looking at me with a bored stare and his jaw was slightly ticking. He always seemed so on edge almost angry.

"I'm so sorry, Brody.", I said sheepishly moving out of his grip.

"Whatever, princess."

My head shot up hearing the nickname. I started staring him in the eyes trying to get any form of recognition.

Nothing

"Okay, Lane I have to get that thing from my locker remember?", Chloe's voice rang through breaking my thoughts.

I shook my head, anyone could say that it was a popular nickname anyway but, ever since my encounters with Arc Vulcan I've been on edge trying to find out who he was. I already knew he had to be around my age, by his built maybe a little bit older.

I would be lying if I said school was eventful after that, next thing I knew I was sitting in Parker Warren's 2016 Black Jeep Wrangler headed to Richie's dinner. Richie's diner was the typical high school hangout a lot of kids would head there after school so, I already knew i'd be part of the stupid rumor wheel.

"So, Walker tell me about yourself.", Parker said glancing over at me.

"Not much to tell honestly i'm an open book.".

"Oh c'mon there's gotta be something mysterious about you.", he said.

"Well, what about you Parker?."

"What about me?".

"Tell me about yourself, other than football star I don't really know you.", I said giving him a curious glance.

It was true, if you went to school with Parker you've heard about him at some point. Whether it was girls talking about him in class or about Parker Warren star quarterback but, that's all people really knew about him.

As we pulled into the diner I already recognized faces from the school. Walking in was a whole other thing , people began to stop Parker giving him the usual guy handshake and "Sup Peyton", while everyone was praising Parker they'd send me a quizzical glance and some girls sent death glares.

"So anyway, what were we talking about?", he said sliding  down in the booth, after sending a sly smile at the waitress as she handed us the menus.

"You were gonna tell me about yourself?".

"Oh yeah, well i'm gonna propose an idea.", he said smiling, "Let's play 20 questions?".

"What are you 12?", I said rolling my eyes.

"Humor me.", he said shrugging.

I pretended to think for a moment before nodding my head, "Ask away.".

"What's your favorite color?".

"Seriously?".

"Humor me.", he said smiling.

We ended up asking the stupidest most cliche questions we could think of.  By the end I figured out Parker's favorite color was bright orange, he was the youngest and had three older brothers, not only did he play football but, he played hockey as a kid. I learned that despite how popular and confident, he was easy to talk to.

"-and my older brother had to go to school with bright pink nail polish because he couldn't get it off.", he said while bending over laughing.

"Your mom didn't have nail polish remover?", I asked smirking.

"Oh she did but, trust me when my brothers prank they show no mercy, anyway what about you any embarrassing stories.", he said raising his eyebrows.

"Nope.", I said popping the P.

"Oh c'mon.", he said rolling his eyes, "There is no way you don't have a little story.".

"No, not even one.".

"C'mon princess don't you trust me.".

Princess

There it was again that stupid nickname that brought me back to a stupid guy in a mask, it was like I was thrown in a flashback.

I looked up staring into Parker's eyes.

He has the confidence but, there's something missing.

"Hey, I should probably start heading home it's getting late.", I said.

"Oh yeah sorry.", Parker said his smile slowly faltering.

As we got back into his car I couldn't help but, let my mind wander a little, after navigating the way to my house Parker dropped me off giving me an awkward salute and a see you in class.

I muttered a hello to whoever was home and headed upstairs to my bedroom. I decided to pull out one of my notebooks and began doodling letting my thoughts drift off. Arc Vulcan had saved my life, sent the city into panic, and asked me for help in a matter of a couple days. I had no idea who he was or what his motive really was. I strangely had this feeling inside me that told me to trust him but, how was I supposed to trust someone I didn't know.

But that was it, in order to gain his trust and to find out what was going on he needed to believe I was on his side.

I made  up my mind, I was going to let him train me.

SHORT CHAPTER ! AND NO ARC VULCAN NOOOO (or was he in this hmmmmm) anyway, next up training sesh ?

Next Update: Sunday or Monday !