A Bounty of Pictures

Chapter 10

The rest of the week slowly went by. Peyton's locker is covered in flowers and notes. Some people say I killed him. Harlow still believes Peyton killed himself, including Mr. Dover. The ring is still missing.  And school hasn't found anything weird with me leaving everyday after first period.  It's Friday, exactly one week after the field and Peyton's vigil.

Parker locks the door behind him and his little sisters.  "Hey." He says. I hug Jackie and Kelsy.

"Hey." I reply.

"Kelsy finish your homework upstairs with Jackie. Chloe and I need to talk." Parker throws the keys on the kitchen counter.

"Why?" Jackie asks.

"Just go upstairs. I don't have time for this." Parker gives her a warning stare.

"But you're not mom."

"I'm in charge, Jacklyn." Parker crosses his arms.

"Go upstairs." I whisper in her ear. Jackie finally runs off and Parker throws off his coat.

"We're leaving at five. You can get ready in my room."

"Thanks." I start to walk to the stairs but I stop as Parker digs through the refrigerator. "Are there still rumors going around?"

"It's high school, of course. But that doesn't mean anything. You know what actually happened."

I shrug and run up the stairs to get ready.  I open the door to Parker's room as he yells, "sorry for the mess!" 

I step over some clothes that failed to make it in the hamper. His light navy walls make the room look smaller than it actually is. I close the curtains and open my backpack to a pair of dark wash jeans, a school football t-shirt, ankle boots, and a fake letterman jacket.

Parker knocks on the door while I even out my eyeliner. "Are you ready?" He wears a blue casual dress shirt under his letterman jacket for basketball.

"Um, yeah. I guess." I pack up my makeup and meet him downstairs.  Parker holds Kelsy's green backpack on his shoulder.

"I'm taking the girls to Grace's then we're leaving." I nod and Parker locks the door behind us.

                                  •••

We reach the school parking lot and find a parking spot closest to the building. Seth waits for us at the entrance. I wrap my arms around him and he surprisingly hugs back tighter. Parker and Seth slaps hands.  We're silent as we walk down the hallways filled with posters.

"Parker, I need to go to my locker." I say. I need to see Peyton's locker.

"Okay. I'm come with you." He says.

"No, it's fine." I step back towards the stairs.

"Chloe, I'm not leaving you alone in public after Peyton died."

"If I'm not back in ten, then come looking." I run up the stairs. Parker doesn't follow. I turn on my phone's flashlight and look at the locker numbers.  Rachel told me the school took down the decorations and put them on the field where the vigil is being held. But Peyton's isn't hard to find since he's towards the beginning of the hallway.

I place my phone on the ground with the flashlight facing up as I twist the combination lock. Football number, birthday, address, year we won states. Nothing works. I pace in front of his locker for a few seconds. Maybe it's not something obvious.  An idea comes to mind. The date Mrs. Dover died.  I google articles on the robbery and look at the calendar.