Waiting

Arzhel First Person Point Of View

I sat in class, drumming my pen against the desk, glancing at the clock every other second.

Where the hell was Cyrus? He said he was just going to the nurse's office for some painkillers, but it had been way too long.

My foot tapped impatiently beneath the table, irritation building.

I was not built to wait.

And I could feel it. like someone was watching me too close.

I didn't even have to look to know who it was-Parker, sitting a few rows back, his eyes boring into the side of my head.

He'd been doing that since I came in. Ever since. the night before. I attempted to brush it off, but it lingered, as if the air between us was too dense.

The teacher droned on, but my mind was anywhere except the lesson.

I couldn't remain stationary, peeking at the door.

The moment the teacher stepped out of the classroom for a bathroom break, Parker seized his opportunity.

I felt it before I saw it. A shift in the air.

I tensed up as he slid into the seat next to me, not saying anything at first.

Just. sitting there.

Something about his presence affected me.

I don't get shy around anyone, not ever, but Parker? He's different.

He could turn me inside out with a glance, and I resented the fact that I gave him so much control.

I glance over at him, then down at my notebook, trying to appear busy.

Yeah, right. As if I could ignore him when he was this close.

"How's it going?" His tone was gentle, almost as if he was feeling his way, and it made me even more nervous.

I cleared my throat, keeping my voice casual.

"Uh, okay. You?"

Parker smiled, that soft smile of his, but I could tell that there was more to it.

He leaned in a little, voice dropping.

"About last night."

Of course. That.

My stomach churned.

I didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to acknowledge the way he looked at me, the way things had gotten. confusing.

I gulped, trying to be casual. "I was just drunk. Don't take it personally."

I glared at him hoping that would suffice to turn it off, but the tightening of his jaw indicated it wasn't.

"Right," he said, his voice tight. "Just drunk."

There was something sharp in his eyes now, something I did not want to have to deal with.

His irritation was practically emanating from him, and I abruptly regretted having said anything.

He said no more, just rose from his chair, stiffly and warily.

He walked away without turning back, leaving me sitting at the desk, heart racing.

I let out a long sigh, running a hand through my hair.

Why did he need to make it more complex? And where on earth was Cyrus? I could not handle any more of this.

The room felt too empty without him here, like I was missing my anchor.

I glanced again at the door, wishing he would already walk through it.

I scarcely noticed the door open with a squeak when Cyrus finally appeared, looking rather stunned from the nurse's station.

He snagged my attention, and I raised an eyebrow, wordlessly asking where the hell he'd been.

Before he could say a word, the teacher cleared her throat and told us all something unexpected.

"Alright, seniors, listen-half of you didn't turn up today, so you can go early."

The class erupted in cheers, people grabbing their bags and rushing out the door.

Naturally, there was a catch. Cyrus and I did not have cars, so we were relegated to waiting for the bus. I let out a sigh, bracing myself already for the burden of that wait.

Cyrus nudged me. "Do you think Parker could give us a ride?"

I frowned, my stomach twisting a bit at the thought of requesting something of Parker right now.

After what just happened, he probably wasn't in the mood to be playing chauffeur.

But I wasn't going to let Cyrus down.

I hesitated for a second before nodding.

"Alright, I'll ask him."

I approached slowly as I walked over to Parker, who was already packing up.

The tension between us was thickest, as if the air itself was about to shatter. He didn't even glance up at me standing next to him, just zipped his bag.

"Hey, can you give me and Cyrus a ride?"

I asked, my voice sounding clumsier than I had intended.

Parker looked up, his eyes snapping alert. I could see the irritation brewing in them.

"Yeah. Whatever," he muttered, rising abruptly.

I shut my eyes. That was not quite the response I had been hoping for, but it wasn't no.

He strode out of the class without saying another word, and I followed him, signaling Cyrus to follow.

As we trailed behind him, I stooped to whisper to Cyrus, "He's angry due to last night."

Cyrus shot me a look, and I immediately rolled my eyes. I didn't need that from him right now. I already knew what he'd start talking about.

We reached Parker's car, and I got into the front passenger seat and Cyrus got into the back seat.

The second Parker turned the key, I could tell something was off.

He slammed his foot down on the accelerator, speeding out of the parking lot much faster than usual.

I looked at him, concerned.

"Parker, slow down.It's not that." I stopped myself.

He didn't utter a word, simply looked straight ahead, his teeth clenched.

The car was quiet. I attempted to reassuringly pat him on the arm, but he brushed me aside, his knuckles white as he clutched the wheel.

Cyrus simply sat quietly in the back, probably regretting he had ever asked for the ride.

I sure as hell was. Parker swerved through the streets, cornering like he had something to prove.

I was about to say something again when he suddenly slowed down, catching the look of fear in my eyes. He still didn't speak, but at least he wasn't about to get us killed anymore.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, we arrived at Cyrus' residence.

The car came to an awkward stop, none of us moving or said anything.

Cyrus cleared his throat from the back. "Uh, thanks for the ride, Parker."