This one was by @Spiderman18256 !
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Parker's POV

This was absolutely not what I'd expected.

Tiana stood next to me, washing the dishes from dinner. She didn't even look at me once after she had arrived. Not even once.

How could she do that? She spoke with James, laughed with Charlie, and even let Nate flirt with her, but wouldn't even look at me!

I knew that I had been acting like a jerk. The morning we had breakfast together, I almost let my guard down. The wall of lies that I had built up firmly for all my sixteen years of life had almost collapsed. I was about to let myself go to her, when my mind snapped. My problems were mine, and so was my life. I didn't need to share it with anyone. I was alone from the start, and would be until the end.

After that, I couldn't keep the awkward relationship ongoing. Being with her, I kept slipping in the puddle of Tiana Kings. I needed to step out and get away from it. That's why I had avoided her for the past week.

It wasn't that of a hard thing to do, especially with my twin stuck in my mind. I thought of so many things I could do. Should I ask my Mom for directions to see my long lost brother? Or did I not need a brother? What would he say if he knew I existed? Did he know I existed? What was his name? Who was older, me or him?

Okay, that last one was a really stupid one, but who wouldn't ask that?

Now, looking at Tiana, I just wanted to let everything go. I wanted to be closer to her than anyone else in any other way. Special.

Yet, I hesitated.

"What are you doing?" her harmonious voice flew into my ears, breaking me out of my trail of thought. She didn't lift her head to look at me but stared at my hand instead.

"Huh?" I replied stupidly.

"Your hand is full of dishwasher."

My head snapped down, and indeed I had a hand fully cupping a lot of dishwasher. I had been pressing the head numerous times unconsciously.

I laughed nervously and tried to dump it into the sink when Tiana's small hands grabbed my wrist. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, just by her single touch.

"Are you going to kill all the ocean life down there?" she said angrily. She poured the liquid from my hand into a washed bowl.

"Thanks," I said. I doubted she heard it because I had said it so small, but if she had, she wasn't giving a reply.

Taking off her rubber gloves, she turned around and walked away to where Charlie was and Charlie slung his arm over her shoulder. I had to keep cleaning the dishes in order to stop myself from clenching my fists. Charlie was definitely into her, anyone could see that. Did letting him in so easily make her into him too?

Stop thinking about her, Parker. You made your decision to stay away.

'I am staying away, physically.'

Your mind is not staying away from her.

'You are my mind.'

Stay away from her, me!

'Like that'll work.'

I finished up the dishes and dragged myself to the tent. I was about to crawl in when Nate grabbed ahold of my shirt and tugged.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nate shot a look.

"Into the tent," I waved at our surroundings.

"No, you aren't."

"Oh yes, I am."

"Nope," he said, popping the P.

"I'm trying very hard not to hit you for bringing me here." Nate turned stiff. "Now, will you please let go of me?"

Nate muttered something and let me go. Smirking, I took off my shoes and crawled into the tent. With a relieving sigh, I snuggled up on the sleeping bags that were already lined on the tent floor.

"The others are having a campfire. Guess you don't want to be a part of it." Nate slumped his shoulders and turned to walk off.

"Tiana's there," he added. I perked up my ears.

"Maybe I'll tell her that I love her today," he added loudly for me to hear. My lips twitched into a smirk.

"Maybe I'll just kiss her in front of everybody!" he started shouting.

I chuckled.

"Maybe Charlie will!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. That made me frown.

"Wait up," I shouted as I stood up and put on my shoes again.

Nate grinned as he hopped up and down. "You're jealous of him, aren't you?"

"Me? Why would I be jealous of him?" I snorted.

"He's handsome, and friendly. He's nice, he's the quarterback for the football team, he's one of the top students of the school, and he isn't into any girls except for Tiana. Oh, and he's handsome."

"You already said that," I pointed out.

"Just wanted to double check I stated the most important one." Nate shrugged.

I rolled my eyes.

"And he has his arm around her right now," Nate whispered into my ear as we grew near to the group.

Charlie had his arm wrapped around Tiana's waist, making her stuck right next to him. He said something into her ear, and Tiana threw her head back in laughter. A growl almost crawled up my throat and jumped out, but I closed my mouth before anything bad would come out of it. I was jealous, alright. I was damn straight down jealous.

Her laugh was beautiful. The locks of her hair fell down her shoulders and reached the middle of her back when she flew her head back. Her eyes twinkled with enthusiasm and happiness. Her lips formed a crescent across her face, finishing a perfect smile. She was pure.

I wanted to have that happiness.

And also, I wanted to be the one to give her that happiness.

"Sit with me." Nate pulled me along with his arm around my waist. "I'm much more satisfying." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"You're acting like Chloe," I groaned.

Nate shoved me with an astonished face. "That was the worst insult ever!"

Sitting ourselves on the floor on the opposite side of Tiana, Nate grabbed a bagel from our food supply and took a bite. The smell of cinnamon burst into my nostrils as the campfire crackled. The cozy feeling was sensational.

I could see her through the flames, her laugh more warming than the fire. I felt my face grow hot when she flicked her eyes toward me and locked them with mine for a moment. Her smile turned expressionless as her blank eyes bore through me, as if she was trying to understand why I was looking at her.

Clearing my throat, I looked away, only to find Emma staring at me with a devilish smile played across her lips. "I ship you and her," she mouthed.

"Whatever," I mouthed back and rolled my eyes.

"Hey, Tiana!" Emma called for her attention. "Would you go to the campsite management office and get us some extra towels for tomorrow?"

Tiana stood up and brushed her jeans from the brown pine needles scattered across the floor. "Sure," she said and walked off to the right, into the woods.

The management office was in a small cabin, far down past the woods, and I felt worry build up in my chest. Was it okay to let her go alone?

"Charlie, why don't you go help James out with setting up my tent? It's a new one, please make sure he doesn't break it." Emma smiled at him.

"Okey dokey." He winked, and ran towards the tents.

"Emma, how long have you known T?" Nate bit a chunk out of his bagel and gulped down some water.

"I've known her since I can remember. I love her like my own sister." Emma nodded. "Sometimes, it was so hard for her. She would just be so depressed..." her voice faded out. "But that's all in the past now. She's got us."

"She can never be depressed with me. I'm like the ultimate version of the happy virus." Nate pointed at himself.

"Okay, so will you tell me why you have been avoiding her for the past week?" Emma glared at him. Nate and I both stiffened at once. It was obvious enough for Emma to notice? Emma was as thick as a brick.

"This bagel tastes very... cinnamony." Nate nervously chewed on his bagel.

"Nate?" Emma pressed.

"I ca spee wi ma mou fu." It sounded like nonsense, but I heard everything like there was a translater in my head. It meant: I can't speak with my mouth full. Man, I needed to spend less time with this guy. Sooner or later I was going to speak Natese language.

"Parker?" Emma turned the question to me. I let out a deep breath slowly. There was no getting out of this now.

"I told Nate to." I started explaining. "I just couldn't keep going with her. She... she... made me feel vulnerable and bare."

I sighed heavily. "It was like she was stripping off all my secrets. I wanted to tell her everything about myself that I couldn't tell anyone. And I tried and tried to stop myself, but I kept on ending up in front of her. Talking to her, looking at her, thinking of her." I buried my face in my hands. "What the hell is wrong with me? I've never let myself go this far."

Emma threw out a bark of laughter. When she laughed for two full minutes, she looked up and saw the horrified expressions on our faces.

"He was serious! You're not supposed to laugh at someone when they're serious!" Nate scolded her.

"Sorry, it's just that you guys are so cute." She wiped a tear from her eyes. "Parker, do you really not understand what you're feeling?"

"I don't. I don't know what I should do, either," I grumbled.

"You think of her as a girl."

I think of her as a girl. Of course I think of her as a girl. She isn't a boy.

I nodded.

"You think she's pretty. Even though that's definitely true to everyone."

I think she's pretty. No, not just pretty, but beautiful. Perfect. Pure. These were the words that would describe her.

I nodded again.

"You want to be with her."

I want to be with her.

"Yes."

"Parker, you like her." Emma placed her chin on the palm of her hand.

"You like her?" Nate snapped his head towards me.

Like. The word would explain everything I felt. The incredible pull, the crazy heartbeating, the confusion of emotions, the jealousy, and the need to pull away.

I like Tiana Kings.

"You have a crush on her." Emma pushed on.

I have a crush on her.

I took in a sharp breath and ran my fingers through my hair.

Oh My God.

"Let's tell spooky stories." Nate took another bite out of his bagel. "Campfires need spooky stories."

"Scary stories are boring." James frowned.

"You afraid?" Nate teased.

"Not at all. In fact, when you hear my stories, you'll need a diaper to keep from shitting in your pants." James snickered.

"Bring it on, sister!" Nate flipped his invisible long hair behind his back.

"You'll regret everything from the moment you even said the word 'spooky'." James leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

The two of them kept battling on about scary stories with ghosts, monsters, mysterious disappearances, serial killers, and other scary things that were starting to scare the crap out of me.

It had been a long devouring 45 minutes since Tiana had gone out to get the towels from the management office. I bit my bottom lip in nervousness.

Scrolling down my contact list I pressed the call button.

"Hi, this is Tiana Kings speaking."

"Tiana, where the hell-"

"I can't reach my phone right now. I'm sorry, but if you leave a message, I'll get back to you in no time. Thanks!"

I groaned in frustration. How long did she need to get some towels?

I kept calling but the answer was always the same.

"Tiana's not answering," I whispered to Nate.

"She's a big girl. She knows what she's doing." Nate whispered back.

I chewed on my fingernail that I had trimmed only a few days ago. Was she a big girl? Would she know what she's doing?

What if she met a ghost or a monster?

What if she mysteriously disappeared?

What if she met a serial killer?

I jumped up from my seat. "I'm going to go check on Tiana," I announced.

"Me too." Charlie jumped up from his seat right after me. He looked as worried as I was right now.

I marched off into the woods, Charlie following behind. Pressing the phone to my ear, I anxiously waited for her to pick up but was only met by her voicemail. Frustrated, I kicked a pebble on the road.

"Parker, why are you acting like you care for her so much?"

I froze in my tracks and slowly turned around to face Charlie fully. His eyes had a determined glint in them, and I didn't like it.

"I do care."

"I have a crush on her, Kane. Ever since the day we met." Charlie clenched his fists.

"So?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm declaring that she's mine." Charlie said in a low, dominating voice. His lips were pursed into a firm line, arms crossed.

I squinted my eyes at him. "She's not property."

"You know what I mean." He rolled his eyes.

"You want me to back off?" I said, taking a step forward towards him.

"Not just back off, Kane. I want you to step out." Charlie growled stepping forward just like me. "You will only hurt her like you have been for the last week."

The words cut through me like a blade. I had been hurting her feelings for my own comfort. Was I worthy to keep the relationship going?

"I will be with her. Always." Charlie looked at me with accusingly sharp eyes, making me feel guilty for what I've done.

I could fix this. The mess I had made, I had to clean it up with an apology. I just had to say sorry, and she would forgive me. She was the only one who was real to me. Everything about her, genuine. I couldn't let her go.

I stood defiantly, and took another step forward. "I will not just back off or step out, but I'm attempting to plunge in. If you want her, you'll have to work a hell lot more than that." I shrugged and turned for my back to face him. I heard Charlie grunt, and I let a satisfied smile morph onto my lips.

I walked a little faster, just to emphasize that I was in the lead. On the lead, on the road to Tiana Kings.

"You don't know anything about her," Charlie interrupted the silence once again.

"Oh Charlie, I know much more about her than you." I chuckled lowly. This would definitely provoke him.

"Then do you know about Peter?" he said. I frowned. She'd told him about the Peter? The Peter she loved?

When I didn't answer, Charlie snorted. "Thought so."

"Who is he?" I asked cautiously.

"You'll have to work a hell lot more than that to find out," he fired right back at me.

I didn't know what to say. So I said the most childish thing that I'd ever spoken in my life. "You don't know the color of her underwear, do you?" I smirked.

I can't believe you just said that. That was such a loser move. I mentally slapped myself.

Although it was a lame move, it most certainly worked on Charlie, because when I turned around to look at him, the color from his face was all drained out. He looked like a ghost that had been slapped across the face.

I went on. "You don't know what she looks like when she's asleep next to you under the covers." Well, technically she wasn't under covers on the day at the wetlands. She was under blankets that had been in my car.

Still, Charlie was buying it and I was enjoying it plenty.

"You don't know how incredible it is to just be with her," he murmured under his breath.

"Oh, I know that feeling more than anyone," I found myself saying. And I meant it. It was incredible just having her presence around.

I took out my phone again and dialed Tiana's phone number once more. I sighed, expecting no answer this time too. My eyes grew wide when the stroll of the line went off, meaning that she'd picked up the call.

"Tiana, I was so worried. Where―"

"Oh, so you have a boyfriend?" the deep cave-like voice rasped, making all the hairs on my back stand up in shock.

I couldn't breathe. I could hear her muffled gags and cries, trying to say something.

"Who the f*ck are you?" The words slithered through my throat slowly and when they found my mouth, I was gritting my teeth so hard that my jaw hurt.

Charlie's hand landed on my shoulder, but I wrenched it off. "Who is it?"

"Shit. Who are you? Where the hell are you holding her?" I shouted, the rage blowing up.

The high pitch of Tiana's shrill scream pierced through the line. I clenched my fists hard enough for my short fingernails to dig into the palm of my hand.

The voice chuckled into the phone, and made the goosebumps erupt all over again. "Say another bad word my boy, and your girlfriend will have a bullet in her head."

A tear that I hadn't expected rolled down my face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Just please don't hurt her," I pleaded. I looked around the woods to find anything that would give me a hint to where she was.

"That would ruin the whole point I brought her here, wouldn't it?" he laughed in a hearty way, as if we were sharing a joke.

"No, I beg you. Please, I'll do anything." I scanned the landscape thoroughly.

Something shiny caught my eye in the moonlight. I rushed into the black thick vegetation and picked up the metal device. The CD player she always brought with her. And then I saw it. It was dark, but the path of someone pushing through the weeds was clear to see.

"What the hell is going on?" Charlie caught up with me and pulled my shirt to tell him what was going on.

"I'll think about your offer," I could hear the man rake his throat and spit roughly, as he hung up.

I immediately shoved the CD player into Charlie's chest. "Tell the others to get out of here. Call the police and tell them which way I went."

"No way, I'm going with you," Charlie insisted.

"I'm trusting you with all the others' lives right now, Charlie. Everyone here is in danger. Go," I said, pushing him away and sprinting down the path.

The wind sliced against my face, as I grimaced at the cold. But there were only three words endlessly repeating themselves over and over in my head.

I need her.

A/N:

Hello my loves!

So this was an exciting chapter, and also one very self-understanding. Parker finally got to know about his feelings toward Tiana!

What will happen next? Who is the man in the call? What the heck is going on?!?!

Stay tuned for answers!

Thanks for reading up to here. And I really appreciate everyone who is following along with this book and giving it so much support! I love each and every one of you!

Thank you~ and till next time!

-Angelina