Challenge | Adam Banks

ONE

To say that Delanie Park was dreading high school was a vast under exaggeration. It wasn't that the idea of high school made her nervous -- quite the contrary actually. She was most enthusiastic about growing up, and the freedom that came with it. It wasn't so much high school as it was Eden Hall. She had known exactly where she'd be finishing her mandatory schooling since she was in the fifth grade, but that knowledge didn't make her any more comfortable with the idea. Four years at Eden Hall just meant four years living in her brother's perpetual shadow.

Not that that was anything new.

Jett Park was practically born a star. He was visually attractive, incredibly intelligent, and talented in numerous ways. He was one of those people that just could do no wrong -- especially in the eyes of his parents. The icing on the cake (as there always must be one real kicker) just happened to be that he had been playing ice hockey since he could walk -- and he was damn good at it. Hockey was the whole reason he got into Eden Hall, his grades and charisma were just nice touches. While Jett had a plethora of reasons as to why he was accepted into the prestigious school, Delanie only had one: her last name.

To say that Delanie was envious of her brother was also a vast under exaggeration.

It was thanks to said envy, as well as the pent-up anger from being constantly placed on the back burner, that created her disdain for her brother and his friends. Delanie wasn't the most social kid, but she also wasn't exactly a loner. She was just so used to being surrounded by loud, obnoxious hockey players that by the time she got away, the last thing she wanted was to socialize. And that's where her mind appointed the blame to: the hockey players.

Was it fair? Maybe not.

But they sure seemed like a good enough scapegoat.

-

"I can't believe both my babies are so grown up!" Margaret Park whined, tugging her two children into a bone-breaking hug. Jett chuckled while Delanie grimaced, gritting her teeth together to avoid vocalizing her pain. When their mother finally let go of them, the siblings quickly separated, taking a few steps back.

Jett noticed as his mother wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and quickly returned to her side for another hug. Delanie idled by her father, whose arms were crossed over his chest. He wasn't much of an affectionate man, and Delanie couldn't blame him; she wasn't one much for feelings herself. She watched the tender moment between Jett and their mother, her patience growing thin. She may not have been a huge fan of Eden Hall, but orientation certainly sounded more entertaining than watching her mother gush over her brother.

When the older sibling finally separated from his mother, he stood by Delanie's side, his arm slung around her smaller shoulders. Delanie cringed, but didn't swat his arm away, in hopes to avoid a lecture from their parents. Margaret looked at her children tenderly before heaving in a big sigh. She choked back her tears and hardened her voice, her hands planting themselves firmly on her hips. "Now," she breathed, finalizing her composure, "Jett, you take care of your sister. And Delanie, you be nice to your brother. He's going to be doing a lot for you."

Delanie forced a smile and a nod, knowing that Jett had a perfect response waiting. He gave their parents a dazzling grin before reassuring them confidently, "Don't worry about us. We've got each other's backs."

The pair's father gave Jett an accepting nod and a taut smile. "You know the drill: weekly phone calls and game updates. Keep us up-to-date on changes in your stats, alright?"

Jett nodded curtly, "Sir yes sir."

Their parents both smiled at their older child before turning to get back into their car. Their mother turned one final time to blow them each a kiss before ducking into the passenger seat. Their father paused as he opened the driver's door, giving each of them a once over. "Be good," he said sternly, eyeing both of them threateningly. When they both nodded, he gave a satisfied smile. He moved to get behind the steering wheel, but paused again, "Oh, and Delanie?"

Delanie's posture straightened in alarm at the sound of her name. She swallowed quickly, "Yeah Dad?"

"Don't just sit in your room all the time," he advised in an accusatory tone, "join a club or something. Play a sport like your brother."

Delanie fought back an angry sigh, and instead just nodded, offering a small, "Okay."

Finally satisfied, their father shrunk into the driver's seat. Within moments, the car was pulling out of the parking lot, back towards their home. The siblings watched until the little black automobile turned a corner. As soon as it was out of sight, Jett removed his arm from his sister's shoulders and took a few steps back. Delanie let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. The annoyance of her parents was finally gone, but the frustration of Eden Hall hadn't even begun.

She turned to follow Jett as he began to walk through the school's front gates. He looked over his shoulder to make sure she was keeping pace with him. They were quiet for a moment, until Jett laid down some ground rules, "Okay, I'll walk with you to the theater, but you're on your own finding a seat. I've gotta sit with the guys."

"Figured as much," Delanie muttered, her eyes trained on her feet.

Jett didn't even acknowledge that she had spoken as he continued, "Everyone here knows you're my sister, but seniors don't really fraternize with underclassmen. I know you can take care of yourself, and probably wouldn't accept any help I'd offer anyway, so I won't bother." He paused to examine her facial expression, which hadn't changed in the slightest. After a moment, he began again, "The upperclassmen will leave you alone as long as you watch your tongue. I know that can be hard for you-"

Delanie rolled her eyes, "I don't need a lecture, Jett. Just get on with it."

Her brother huffed, "Just don't get into trouble. I've got one more year, I don't need you embarrassing me. Dad was right, don't just sit in your room like a weirdo. Come to our games, the schedule is posted outside the gym. You know most of the guys enough to cheer us on, yeah?"

At that, the younger Park sibling audibly chuckled. "Oh yeah," she sneered sarcastically, "because your friends and hockey are my two favorite things on earth. I think I'll have to pass on that one, Jett."

"Whatever," Jett grunted, "just don't come crying to me when people call you weird for never having any plans."

"Are you done?" Delanie asked abruptly as the Theater sign came into view. She really didn't even want to be seen with Jett, let alone in front of all of his blockhead friends. She was hoping to split off from him here.

When he nodded, she started to quicken her pace, walking towards the vast doors ahead of her. Before she could get very far, Jett grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. When she turned to look at him, his face was soft. He sighed, "I meant what I said to Mom, Lanie. I'll have your back whenever you need it."

Delanie stayed quiet for a moment before tugging her arm from her brother's grip. "Thanks," she snapped, "but I won't need your help."

Jett let out a heavy sigh as he watched his younger sister hurry away, her hands balled into fists at her sides. In that moment, he worried more for her than he ever had before. He couldn't help but wonder if she understood just how menacing this place could be.

Though, to be honest, she probably understood that better than he ever would.