A Bounty of Pictures

Chapter 16

Rachel sits next to me on her bedrooms old, brown couch with Josie.

"I can't believe Parker would do something like that." Josie says.

"Boys suck." Rachel huffs and crosses her arms.

"Why are you guys acting like we just broke up? We didn't." I laugh.

"This is a serious problem. There is a glitch in your trust and he hid an important secret from you." Josie rubs my shoulder.

"I think he doesn't believe you, which is nonsense. Who would fake a shooting?" Rachel rolls her eyes. "I mean a bounty hunter is in the hospital."

Josie jumps up in excitement, "that's it! You're a genius Rachel! We should go to the hospital and talk to him!"

"Josie, we can't just waltz into every hospital and ask if there's an injured bounty hunter." I say. "And how does it help me and Parker?"

"Um, hello! It shows Parker you don't need protection!" Josie exclaims. "Do you know what his name was?"

"No but Dr. Novak said he worked for Westlands Police Department. Lookup Westland Police Officer Shot." I say looking at Josie's phone. Josie quickly typed in the words and looks through the news.

"Found something from last month!" Josie taps her screen and her eyes move left to right. "'Corporal Mattison is in stable condition at Westland Medical Center'."

"What time is it?" I ask.

"It's almost eight." Josie replies.

"Okay. Let's go after school tomorrow. And I am going to school tomorrow." I say.

"Parkers going to be pissed but I'm excited for that!" Rachel says with a smile.

•••

I adjust my navy scarf with 'bonjour' scripted in white. I pick up my backpack and walk down the hallway to the kitchen to grab a bagel. Mom sits at the table with a steaming cup of tea.

"Morning." I say digging through the bread basket. Mom replies with good morning. I start to say goodbye as she stops me.

"Have a good day at school." She smiles.
I turn and smile off guard, "thanks. I hope you have a good day resting. I'm hanging out with Josie and Rachel after school today."

"Okay. Have fun." She returns to the newspaper and I walk to the front door.

The day goes by slowly. Sixth period arrives, my only class with Parker.  I sit next to Gia and wait for Ms. Hobbs to finish explaining our nutrition project.  Gia and I make a face when Ms. Hobbs says she's assigning group. Parker and Gia are partners. Gia rolls her eyes and Parker moves to the seat next to Gia.

"Chloe and Will." Will? Parker's best friend since basketball camp in fifth grade. Will smiles and sits on the chair next to me. I raise my eyebrows at Gia.

"Hey! We're all together! Let's hang out later and work on the projects!" Will whispers.
I roll my eyes and look at Parker, "I'm busy."

"Yeah. Chloe's busy hanging out with real friends." Gia states. Parker glares towards Gia. I put my head in my hand. Could this day get any worse?

I am so so so so sorry for not posting a chapter in probably a month (?). I got very sick (like hospital sick). I'm much better now. But then I had exams and at the same time catching up on missed work. My life finally back together and I hope to start posting more!!
Angela