Hallmark Moments

The Arrival

It didn't occur to me that the whole school would be eyeing our every move the first day school reopened and people saw Parker and I make googly eyes at each other.

But of course...what i***t would even think that, right?

So that was pretty much how the Parker Rosdale and Camryn Delaine scandal spread through the halls of Deacon High like wildfire. Girls and boys alike had a mixture of feelings for both Parker and I in their eyes. Jealousy, admiration and of course lust – for Parker anyway, filled their eyes as they saw us walk in to school hand in hand and mentally peeling our clothes off each other.

It was slightly unnerving to be the subject of staring when everyone used to pretty much run in the opposite direction whenever you walk by. You find that easy to do when you're one of the prominent ice queens in school, of course.

It didn't help that Parker even waited for me at the lockers as I got my book for our first period. We were once again put together throughout our whole semester...our final semester before we're out of this flourescent-lit hell hole. He was bathing in the glory of attention as I squirmed under it, tempted beyond belief to give them my trademark finger and commenting on sticking their own where the sun doesn't shine. I should be given a purple heart for the restraint I had for it wasn't a common occurrence to see me behave. If not for Parker, everyone would have shrunk into little Space Jam aliens cute enough to squish.

Their staring turned into one that made me feel like those bugs that I used to put under my microscope to cut open and investigate what made them tick. Now I know why the bugs couldn't stop squirming as I push my sceptors into their fat bellies. Sorry bugs.

Oh, of course...it also didn't help that Parker took his own sweet time deflowering the purity of my neck with his lips. I could see that everyone was paying avid attention to our performance that some of them couldn't even give commands to their soldiers. I didn't exactly know why the hell they found it erotic because it took every single fiber in my body to not snort because it was so ticklish. What, ice queens can't have tender spots?

We ended up being seating partners again, much to the dismay of two and a half thirds of our AP Calculus class; mostly females. It made our...debut even easier to convey because we could give each other slight touches here and there without the teacher seeing much and everyone would be in full view of it.

As much as I felt that everyone was completely besotted with our relationship, it irked me to no end that my closet thespianship had to stretch even further to accommodate the skeptics who couldn't believe that I, resident evil, could bag such a s*x god like Parker Rosdale. The skeptics were mainly my top enemies - and ironically equals - ice queen Josephine Randall and cheerleader b***h personified Phoebe Daniels.

But when fourth period rolled in, I was hoping the doubts would be put to rest. Hayden Lawrence, the hard headed editor-in-chief of our bi-monthly newsletter and also the bringer of truth at its rawest form, came up to me and demanded how the hell I managed to snare Adonis incarnate (Parker, yes). And when Hayden could be bought into this soap opera, why not everyone else?

'I mean, you guys have been friends for as long as anyone can remember and now you're having s*x with your eyes? How did this happen and I want extreme details...intimate...exclusive!' the pipsqueak...squeaked.

I couldn't decide on acting panicked or just shutting up about the whole thing and Hayden took the silence as coyness. That worked too.

'I cannot believe you've done a complete 180! I'm not even being given the finger to go f**k myself?' I'm telling you, if I wasn't so anti-social before, this girl could have been my best friend in a snap. Her wit and sarcasm and of course bluntness is refreshing and of course, though it still can't beat mine, it was...up to par I guess.

I shrugged. 'I guess...I dunno. No comment.' I said in a rush. Of course, this was all under pretence. I can't completely change into a gag inducing romantic overnight, real life has to be real...not that this is real though but still...

Hayden laughed. I'm glad she never adopted the shrill laughter that the cheerleaders have even though she was one of them as well. Her laugh was actually normal.

'So coy! I'll be watching you, Delaine.' Hayden pointed two fingers to her eyes and then pointed the fingers to me and did that repeatedly as she walked away, shaking her head.

'What was that about?' The soft voice startled me but I didn't show it, thanking God that I had fast reflexes physically and emotionally. No wonder I'm such an evil ice b***h around school.

I turned and saw Parker opening his locker right behind me and taking out his AP Physics textbook. Our only class that we didn't have together. Monday was the only day that we had two periods apart. That was actually how we met. When we were in elementary school, our schedules pretty much matched down to a T. We were also seat partners and that was how we ended up beating each other up and then going for ice cream afterwards with our bloody noses, black eyes and blood spattered shirts.

As if that wasn't enough, we were also next door neighbours and my dad and his parents were best friends. I assume you have noticed that I used dad instead of parents? That would be a story for another time. I do still need to answer Parker before he thinks his best friend and supposed girlfriend had turned mute all of a sudden.

'Made Hayden doubtless of the turn of events. Nothing big.' I could practically feel the smirk on Parker's face.

'I'll be late for Physics.' Way to make an obvious statement.

Although the hall was completely empty, Parker placed a kiss on my left temple before leaving for his Physics class.

Before school let out, we had one class together, Biology. And yes, we were lab partners.

The people sitting behind us were giving us the third degree about our relationship. Parker did all the talking, all I had to do was look down at the floor mostly because their questions were directed to Parker and they were probably scared to talk to me directly.

When the teacher called for our attention, Parker slid his fingers through mine and I heard a collected sigh from behind us. I smirked and squeezed Parker's hand before I concentrated fully on our subject.

Our class finished right on time and it was time to go home.

However, the crowd of spectators who were still beside themselves with excitement blocked our exit. I felt like groaning and giving them my trademark finger but because Parker had his hand travel up and down my back, I calmed down enough to force a smile and act the happy girlfriend.

I noted that Phoebe and Josephine were not around and it was then did a question arise.

'Park...you still haven't told me who it is that you're trying to get off your back.' By then, we were safe and out of the school compound. The smooth sounds of Natalie Cole filled the silver Lexus that Parker owned. 'I mean, apart from your rabid, yes I said rabid, fan club...which you obviously adore, I don't see who you're trying to get rid of.'

Without taking his eyes off the road, Parker switched off the radio and cleared his throat. He usually does this when he's trying to think up an answer that would shut me up immediately. I don't think he knows that I know this.

'Don't freak...it's Phoebe Daniels.'

Hm...Phoebe Daniels. Apart from her being a hell of a good cheerleader, Phoebe Daniels was a sweet girl. I say this without discontempt. I do! She can reel you in with her sugary sweet voice and oh so innocent looks that you are just too stunned to realise that she had just insulted you in public. Notorious party planner and all around b***h. Vivacious, beautiful and witty, this girl is a force not to be reckoned with. The only person who has ever gone up against her was me, which was how my title of outcast came to be. With the additional fact that I already was a social pariah. What? I couldn't give all the credit to her could I?

'Remind me why I even open my mouth sometimes...what does that too blond to be stupid girl want with you?'

Parker shrugged and steered the wheel to turn the vehicle into our street. He paused for a moment to let the gates open. Yes, we live in a gated community which also contributed to my being called an ice queen. The students in Deacon High are so superficial that being rich entails you to a life in high school with 'b***h' burnt onto your forehead. Now ask me again why I am so bitter.

Parker pulled over at my house and waited for me to step out of the car before driving off without a word. He didn't pull into his lawn and that made me wonder. But not too long because as soon as I turned to the White House replica behind me, something in the tiny condo that held the cars my dad owned caught my eye.

My brother's home.