Neighbors

Neighbors XXI

Chapter 21

G L I N T  I N  H I S

Storm clouds make the day even darker than it originally is in this moment and the rain splatters against my window as if rattling me to wake up. But the way I wake up is peacefully. Something soft hits my forehead and then moves away. Almost instantly, my eyes open and I look to see Parker smiling down at me. I know he kissed my forehead.

"Hey." I mumble into the pillow, hiding my morning breath.

"Hi." His breath smells nice and minty, meaning he either has gum or mints or just brushed his teeth. "Want a mint?" I don't answer, just hold my hand out. A second later, a little package is in my hand and I quickly pop it in my mouth.

"So. I um, I have to tell you something." Parker says, scaring me a little, but when I look over at him, his face gives nothing away.

"Yeah?"

I look around my room for the alarm clock I once had and see its seven on the dot. School starts in thirty minutes.

"Um, hold on. Get ready. I'll tell you in the car." Parker says, reading my mind.

"Okay." I get up and walk over to my closet to see Parker behind me, in my mirror. "Don't you need to get changed?"

"Yeah. I guess I do. Here." He takes off his shirt and gives me his sweatshirt. "Give me that one." He points to his gray sweatshirt that I happen to be wearing. I hold it, and look at him.

"But...what's the point? They are still dirty."

"Do other people know that?"

"No..." I trail off, actually really confused.

"Exactly. Just do as I say." I nod and slide off his gray sweatshirt as he hands me the blue one he was wearing. I slide it over my head quickly since I'm not wearing a shirt, and get surrounded by Parkers familiar scent and warmth. I almost moan as how warm it is.

"Jeez, think you could create anymore body heat?" I ask sarcastically. Parker grins.

"Maybe." And suddenly when I'm looking for clothes, he pulls me to him and connects his mouth with mine. I immediately react and hold his jaw in my hand. "Hotter?"

"Way." He sends me a cute boyish grin and wraps and arm around my waist to keep me looking at him.

"Wear that today." I look down at what I'm wearing and look up at him, a little outraged.

"I am not wearing these baggy sweatpants and your oversized hoodie. The hoodie was fine, but do you want me to look fat?"

"You're not fat. Everyone knows that. But just...wear baggy clothes today."

"Why?"

"Just wear that." Suddenly his face is white with panic and I nod, not liking the way it makes him look.

"Just a little make up. And let me brush my hair."

"Fine." I nod, and close my closet door. In perfect fitting blue jeans and the gray sweatshirt, I was once wearing, with messy hair and sleepy eyes, Parker looks so adorable right now. It takes everything in my body not to run over and beg him to stay home from school today. I mean, we only have about a week left. Holy shit. School ends in two weeks. Or...wait. I run over to my calendar to see we have a week left, and counting. Jesus. Soon I'll be a graduate and never attend high school again. Holy crap!