𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟽𝚝𝚑, 𝚆𝚎𝚍𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚍𝚊𝚢
Miles POV

It's been three days since that kiss.

I wish I could come up with a good way to describe that moment or how I felt. However, there are no words in the English or Spanish language that come close. The worst part is that I can't sit back and enjoy the memory. There's no patting myself on the back for correctly guessing Parker's feelings toward me. I always knew that we had something for each other... Until, suddenly, we didn't.

We're seeing each other on Friday.

Parker and Hannah, or Parker and Miles?

There's an obvious winner there. Especially if he wants to keep his picture-perfect future. I'm not the biggest fan of Griffin, but the boy had a point. I can't interfere any further. I already pushed Parker's boundaries to their extent and then some.

If that's the case, then why won't my heart settle down?

I've always been an expert at gathering my emotions back up after a sudden declaration like that. I was always the one in the secret relationships that lost feelings first. And I lost them fast, especially when I knew it would be fruitless, just like this relationship.

Even still, the breath hitches in my lungs when Parker slinks into history class. He keeps his eyes down exactly like he has for the past two days.

I wouldn't say that things are super awkward between us anymore, except we're definitely not back to normal, either. I hate it.

Parker smiles tightly as he passes his friends and mumbles greetings back at them. When he gets closer to my desk, he meets my eyes, and both of our smiles turn natural.

"Good morning," I greet him as he walks past. The smell of his body wash, coconut and lavender, follows behind. That alone makes me shift from the memory of those same scents pressed against my nose a few days ago.

"Hey, Miles. I like the new style. It fits you." Parker motions at my hair.

I run a hand over my fresh braids and smile sheepishly. My mom finally got a night off yesterday, and while we were hanging out, she said, and I quote, I've seen sheep with hair in better shape than yours. After four hours, one sore scalp and many held-back tears later, momma got me set. When she admired her work, she called me the cuter version of Algee Smith. I knew it was a compliment from what I know about that man.

And now I really know she worked her magic because not only have I been getting compliments all morning, but Parker looks a little... dare I say, star-struck.

"Thanks, man. Momma knows how to get the job done. How was practice last night?" I ask in an effort to keep him talking.

Parker shrugs and drops his supplies down on his desk before sitting. "It was fine—the usual shit. Greyson is pushing everyone to their limit to prepare for these final few games. If we win the game this Saturday night, there's a good chance we'll make it to State."

I whistle softly. "Hot damn."

That makes Parker laugh. "I know. You're telling me."

"Parker! There you are!"

We both turn simultaneously to see who's calling his name. Rose is weaving her way between the desks, a big smile splitting her face.

"Hi, Miles," Rose greets me quickly before turning to Parker and laying her palms down on his desk. "I've been looking for you all morning! So?! You're still down for our plans on Sunday, right?"

I quirk an eyebrow up and look between the two of them. "Plans...?"

"Gosh, you didn't tell him?" Rose directs that question at her cousin before turning to me. "Yes! We made plans with Griffin and Forrest to go over to Parker's house and watch horror movies and stuff for Halloween! We were going to go out trick or treating, but the boys are killjoys." She rolls her eyes.

Scoffing, I wave my hand dismissively. "They're all boring losers. Halloween is one of the only nights you can be whatever you want. Plus you get free candy."

Parker snorts and opens his notebook before letting it clatter onto his desktop. "That's rookie level. The real professionals wait until the next day when everything is on clearance in the stores for a dollar." As he picks up his pencil and starts jotting down today's date in the upper left corner of the paper, he flicks his eyes up to mine, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Unless you were dying to dress up in some scary costume and join the kids in the streets."

I grin in a way that stops Parker's smile in its tracks. "I'm a gay black guy, which means I'm scary to people every single day of my life. Trust me. I won't cry about it."

"Good grief!" Rose cries out and swats the back of my head, which makes me laugh. "At least you have us! Hey, speaking of, will you be around this weekend? Do you want to come over too?"

My eyes widen and flash over toward Parker.

Shit. I didn't mean to invite myself over unintentionally. "Um..."

Parker looks at me again, his face slowly turning pink. He scratches behind his neck, and I don't miss the way his gaze flickers to my lips. Then he looks away so fast I almost believe I imagined it. "Rose has a point. Why don't you come over?"

I press my lips together and try to communicate with Parker with my eyes. Is this really the best idea?

Instead, I ask, "Are you sure?"

Rose nods vigorously and beams. Parker shrugs. "Yes, I insist. I'd rather you be with us than out partying, puking your guts out again."

"Fuck off." I turn away from him and fight down a smile when Parker laughs. The sound sends my consciousness spinning. I almost forget to acknowledge Rose. "Sounds like I'll be there."

"Sweet! The more, the merrier! Don't worry about bringing anything. Dress comfy, though. We have a ton of movies to go through."

"Will do. Thanks, Rose."

"No prob! Nice hair, by the way." She taps her nails on Parker's desk. "See you guys later."

Parker and I say bye in unison. I let my smile fall as she walks away and turn around to look at Parker.

"Are you positive that it's a good idea if—"

"Yes." Parker cuts me off before I can finish talking. "It'll be fine. There's no reason to worry."

Funny that the one with chronic anxiety is saying that. I can already see in his eyes that he's fighting to stay calm.

I can't get in another word because Greyson walks in right then, his booming voice cutting off all conversation as he greets his class. Parker tilts his chin down and waves his hand at me dismissively.

I shoot him a brief, knowing look before turning around. I should've kept my mouth shut.

- - -

After class ends, I'm still not feeling better about this events turn.

I'm not sure if this situation would've been weirder a few days ago when we were wrestling with our sexual tension toward each other or if it's weirder now that we've actually acted on it.

My hands itch to get on some weed as questions fill my head. What if his cousins notice that something happened between us? Will they gossip and talk? Is Griffin going to kill me for showing up?

If this is how Parker feels all day, every day, then it's no wonder he's constantly a wreck. I should start giving him edibles or something because this feeling sucks. Besides, I never get anxious. This kid really has me feeling a certain way if I'm knotted up so tight about a stupid movie night.

Chairs slide and scrape over the ground as kids rush to evacuate the class. I rush to gather my notebook and papers as Parker starts to hurry out of the room. I can't let him get away without talking to him first.

Barely pushing my own chair in, I jog after Parker and fall in stride beside him as he leaves the classroom.

"Is there any way we can talk quick?" I ask and turn to look at him.

Parker's walking so fast that even my long-ass legs have a hard time keeping up. He keeps his face as neutral as possible, his focus tunnel-visioned on the hallway. "About what?"

"About what..." I echo him and snort. "This past weekend, Park. I need to know what that was about."

He stops so suddenly that I almost leave him in my dust. My sneakers squeak against the aluminum floor as I turn back around.

I know Parker well enough to recognize unbridled panic when I see it. His face is pale, eyes wide, lips parted. I'm sure that if I held my hand over his heart, it wouldn't be beating. There's no way this is the same boy that was all up in my business on Sunday. It might be the same coin, but there are two totally different sides to him.

"I..." He swallows.

Blonde hair suddenly flashes in the corner of my eye. I don't think I've ever seen Parker look so relieved to see Hannah.

"Parker! Perfect timing. I wanted to clarify what's happening on Friday." She grins, showing off rows of perfectly white teeth like a shark. A stunning, white, perfect female shark.

Hannah shifts on her heel and seems to notice me finally. That perfect smile falters. She checks me out from head to toe in a way that's supposed to make me feel inferior. "What's up, Miles?"

"Not much. What's happening with you?" I ask politely. The crowd splits around us like a river running around a rock.

"Not a lot. I need to talk with Parker. Is that okay?"

The way her tone sharpens ignites my fury. Jesus, there's nothing in this world I hate more than a jealous girl. I'm tempted to rip those little fake hoops out of her ears and stab them into her eyes.

Instead, I shrug and take a step back like a good, normal kid. "Don't matter to me. See you later, Park."

I don't know what hurts worse: the way Parker doesn't even acknowledge me besides a tilt of his chin or the way he turns to Hannah, enraptured like a moth to a flame.

Back to square one.