This Can't Be Good

Chapter 42

Parker and I weren’t really thinking when me both showed up at the house at the same time. I guess we both figured that everyone would be in bed already. Of coarse that wasn’t the case. Thankfully we walked in one behind the other and not holding hands, that would have been bad.

When I walked into the house I was met with the curious eyes of Miranda. She was sitting on the couch with Jayden who was focused on the television. She didn’t ask questions right away but five minutes after I went to my room she was there.

“Where were you?” she questioned.

“I was still at school. Soaking in the moment with Max for a while,” I admitted. Technically it wasn’t a total lie.

“Oh,” she paused before continuing. “Was Parker with you guys?”

“Yeah,” I said nonchalantly. I didn’t feel like creating a giant lie of where he might have been.

Miranda stayed in my room for a while before going back downstairs to find Jayden. I was relieved when she left. How could we have been so careless? If we had walked in holding hands our cover would have been ruined.

***
It was Monday morning and the school was buzzing. Everyone was eager to hear about the football banquet that occurred over the weekend. There was a lot of whispering going on. At first I thought they were just whispering about what senior was going where and talking about that. Unfortunately that was not the case. The whispering was directed towards me. Apparently the school wasn’t taking the news of me being captain as well as the team did. Not that it really mattered, but it still bothered me.

I was doing a good job of ignoring the gossip until third period drama. I was sitting with Miranda and Parker. Miranda was asking Parker what his plans were for his eighteenth birthday. She was going on about how Parker should have a big party with Jayden, since their birthdays were a day apart. Parker wasn’t convinced. I was silently listening to them argue when my attention was diverted. Charlie was standing in the row in front of me looking down on me.

“Can I help you?” I asked, trying to hold back my disgust.

“You must be good in bed to be named captain of the football team next season,” Charlie sneered.

“Excuse me?” I knew nothing nice was going to come out of her mouth but I didn’t expect that.

Charlie leaned over the chair that separated the two of us. “So who did you have to sleep with to get your title? Was is it a coach or a player?”

I was no longer shocked but furious. I was now standing up so I could be level with Charlie. I was through having her talk down to me. Before I could even get words out of my mouth Parker was standing next to me condemning Charlie.

“What the hell Charlie?” Parker questioned.

“This doesn’t involve you Parker,” Charlie said batting her eyelashes. I wanted to punch her, but I didn’t. “Unless it does involve you,” Charlie said clearly thinking out load. Suddenly a wicked smirk appeared on her face. “She must have slept with you since the other captain is her brother.”

“I didn’t sleep with anybody,” I said a little to loudly.

I had no idea where Ms. Evens was. The bell had rang three minutes ago and there was no sign of her. There was no sign of this conversation ending and now people were starting to listen. It was then I realized why people at been whispering all day. Charlie was spreading rumors about me.

“You’re such a jealous bitch. You honestly think I’d have to sleep with someone to get to be captain?”

“I don’t think, I know,” she said with confidence.

“Just because you have to sleep with people to be captain doesn’t mean Josylne does,” Parker chimed in.

There was a collective gasp from the room. Miranda was currently laughing from beside me. Charlie was horrified. I’ve never seen Charlie so defenseless, which meant the words Parker spoke were true. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh myself.

“Fuck you Parker,” Charlie sneered.

“Wow Charlie that explains a lot. I’d appreciate it if you don’t get your life confused with mine,” I said and took my seat. Ms. Evens walked in shortly after and class began.

At lunch Miranda retold the events that occurred in drama to the entire table. Let’s just say they were as mad as I was. No one even questioned the fact that Parker stuck up for me. Max was most evidently pissed. I was his co-captain there was no way he was going to let some cheerleader talk shit about me. None of the boys were going it.

“Don’t even get yourselves worked up about it. She won’t even be here next year,” I said.

The rest of the day continued on as normal. The whispers that were once directed towards me were now towards Charlie. Not like she minded. As long as people were talking about her she was happy. I couldn’t believe she thought I slept with someone. If she paid attention to any of the games she’d realize I do a better job at encoring the boys than her entire cheer team.

It was around eight o'clock and I was getting ready for bed when my door opened and then shut. Parker walk in and fell onto the couch beside my bed. He was already in his pajamas.

“What’s up?” I asked untucking my bed sheet so I could climb into it.

“I can’t believe Charlie,” he mumbled.

I was now situated in my bed. I had to roll over on my side to face him since he was on the couch. I was a little nervous about him being in my room since I knew Miranda and Jayden were downstairs, but I tried to ignore it.

“She’s an idiot.”

“You know we named you captain because you deserved it, right? It’s not cause your Jayden’s sister or anything.”

“Yeah I know. I never thought that for a minute,” I said smiling. I knew the boys were always serious toward football. There was no way they would give me such an important title because I was related to them.

“The guys don’t think that either. They’re really excited for next season,” Parker added.

“Trust me Parker I know.”

“Good,” he said. He got up from the couch and walked over to kiss my forehead. He was about to leave when I opened my mouth to speak again.

“What are we doing for your big birthday?” I asked. I knew his conversation with Miranda never got resolved. My curiosity got the best of me.

“Not sure yet. Still debating with your brother,” Parker said rolling his eyes.

“So now he’s my brother,” I said mimicking what he’s told me a million times when I refer to Miranda as his sister.

“Go to bed,” Parker said while laughing.