Neighbors

Neighbors XV

Chapter 15

O H  B R O T H E R

A week passes since the party and I feel as if a cloud has lifted through me, one that was filled with nervous and anxious feelings. It all disappeared, but now a dark one filled with fear and anger has taken its place in my chest, because today is the day. It's the day Jason's supposed to be here. In my house. For a while.

The thought makes me crazy.

Parker knows that Jason is coming, and ever since the night at the party Parkers been around me a lot. I think he wants to make it up to me about not helping me when my drink was 'spiked'. I'm not even sure if it was spiked, because I looked up what could make my legs feel like jelly and break. Nothing came up. So I'm just thinking it was me.

When I told Parker that my ex was coming to town, he was quiet while his face got red. Somehow we ended up watching a movie. We've actually grown really close, and I think this relationship is the kind you see in movies. But let's not get my hopes up. I mean, I know that it's likely Parker and I will split and be apart for the rest of our lives, but worth a shot. My dream come true would be Parker coming to college with me, in Toledo, and then after we graduate we can run away and travel the U.S. Like Jason is doing now.

I swallow the less-than-happy-thought and bite my lip as I walk downstairs to where my mom is making food. I recognize the smell of chicken and make a face of love. I lick my lips in preparation for the meal and walk outside quickly. I walk slowly over to Parkers house, glancing over at Andrews quickly.

Yeah, ever since the party when he was drunk and talking to me, he hasn't talked to me yet. I hate it. I love Andrew, and I didn't realize how much I miss him now that I see him every day in school. When we walk past each other in the hall, we make eye contact and look away. Neither of us want to risk our dignity getting thrown away by apologizing over something as stupid as a fight.

"Hey babe." Parker appears out of his house window and I look up.

"Hey."

"Why are you on the ground?" He questions as he starts to get out of his window.

"I don't know. I'm not thinking clearly today; all my thoughts are tangled around Jason's appearance today."

"Oh, when he's supposed to get here?" Parkers face turns dark and I get that he's jealous.

"I don't know. Can I come up?"

"Sure. Front doors open." He moves back in his room, disappearing.

I nod at him and quickly walk around his house and open the front door, to reveal a surprised Jim.

"Oh, Quinn! Hi." Jim speaks in the low voice that scared me at first. I smile, slowly.

"Hey, Mr. Cipriano," I say his last name, thinking its formal.

"Quinn," he suddenly scolds. "Call me Jim." I smile at him and nod.

"Alright. Jim. Is Parker here?" I ask, playing dumb.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Um, a project." The idea comes to mind and I think that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if Parker and I were partners for a project.