Chapter 12

In Leslie's house, Amanda recounted all that had happened to her friends. Leslie was getting much better as she tried to get over her mother's death. 

"I told you that boy was a total douchebag. He's deranged and clearly needs to get his head checked." Emily said.

"I agree. Why would someone switch characters so easily, it seems as if he's possessed." Leslie said.

"It baffles me too. One minute he's caring the next he's a beast." Amanda said.

"Anyway, away from Parker. Did you know Michael approached me today." Emily said.

"Wait what? Michael, the school's football captain?" Amanda said.

"The one and only." Emily said.

"Did he confess to writing those letters?" Leslie said, eagerly.

"He didn't say that but he did ask me on a date." Emily said.

Amanda screeched while Leslie clapped her hands. They were both happy for their friend who until before now had refused the many advances sent her way.

"I hope you said yes?" Amanda said.

"I did. But guys, I'm not sure about Michael. I don't know but I don't think his intentions are pure." Emily said.

"Well, you'd never know until you go for it first. If you feel that he's a bit too much for you, you can pull out. But Emily, I doubt if something would ever be too much for you." Leslie laughed.

"It's true. No wonder all the boys in school are wary before they approach you. You're one helluva tough lady." Amanda said.

"Aww guys, so that's what people have been saying about me? Well, that hurts but you know what. I'm never changing because I know I'm always on the right track." Emily said.

"You go girl!" Leslie whooped.

Later on, the girls left the house promising to come back the following day. Amanda and Emily made off to their different homes. When Amanda got home, she made her way to her bedroom to get some much needed sleep but not after she had her bath and ate.

Just as she was about to sleep, the memories of the day flooded her mind. She didn't understand why Parker behaved that way. She shuddered to think that he might have a disease he's fighting with one that he himself didn't know he had. She had a mind to tell him this the following day at school but she waved it off. After all, he made it clear that he didn't want to have anything to do with her. She wouldn't force herself on somebody who didn't give a hoot about her. That was one thing Amanda wouldn't do.

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"Jeez, I thought we had a project? Why this?" Emily groaned.

It was the weekend therefore the girls were free to laze about but not Emily and Amanda who had a mountain of homework to do.

"Shush complaining to Em and get the work done." Amanda said.

"Easy for you to say, since you're the brains here."  Emily muttered.

Just then, Amanda's doorbell rang, signaling that their pizza had arrived. She rose up to her feet, heading towards the door.

She returned soon, carrying a box of steaming hot pepperoni pizza. Emily's mouth watered at the sight and Amanda could tell that she couldn't wait to dig in.

"So, what's up with Parker?" Emily asked in between bites.

"Parker? Nothing, why do you ask?" Amanda said.

"Well, the last time you saw him, he was about to get swindled by a crook." she said.

"That's really none of my business anymore. Parker can decide to be a victim of a scam or a Ponzi scheme. I've warned him already and it's left for him to take my advice or not." Amanda said.

Just then, the movie ended and the afternoon news came up. Amanda wasn't a fan of watching the news but a particular news flash caught her attention. 

"What is it? It looks like you've seen a ghost." Emily said.

"I just saw something, I know this face." Amanda whispered, pointing to the image of a man on the t v screen.

Emily stared hard at the t.v but she didn't recognize the man. Underneath his picture was a report about his death. She shuddered, thinking about the final minutes of this man's life.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I know him." Amanda screamed.

"Good heavens Am, calm down. You're scaring me." Emily said.

"I know him. He's the man I saw with Parker. At the alley, the one I said was a scammer."  shesaid, her hands shaking.

"Wow! Wasn't it like yesterday you saw him?" Emily asked.

"It was. Oh no, do you think Parker had something to do with his death." Amanda asked, horrified.

"Please, don't be ridiculous. Of course not. He might have scammed other people and maybe this was a revenge mission. Knowing who he is, this man had a lot of enemies." Emily said.

"What do we do?" Amanda said.

"Do? What do you mean? He's dead and that's it. If you're planning to involve the police for whatever reason you can count me out", Emily said.

Amanda sighed. She was just so confused about the whole issue. She couldn't believe that somebody she saw yesterday was dead. Yes, Emily was right about him having a lot of enemies but it just didn't feel right coinciding with his meeting with Parker.

Amanda shuddered, she had a funny feeling that something wasn't right. She couldn't place her hands on it but the feeling was there, small but rising to their surface.

"Cut it out Am, you're completely freaking out." Emily said, taking the remote from her.

She changed it to a music station where the top USA songs were currently playing. Emily danced to the tune of her favorite song. Amanda wasn't in the mood as she simply sat there staring into space.

"You're a killjoy." Emily sighed, returning to her seat.

"I'm sorry. I'm just not in the mood." Amanda said, biting her nails.

"Why are you even worried? I mean, you don't know this guy from anywhere so I see no reason why you should beat yourself up over his death." Emily said, changing the station to a movie channel.

"What if Parker is connected to this guy more than we thought? What if he's in trouble as we speak? There's no how, the police would want to investigate his death which could lead to his possible connection with Parker". Amanda said.

"Do you need my honest opinion?" Emily asked.

Amanda had come to learn that Emily's opinion, though honest, was always brutal. That was one of the major reasons she loved her. She was always honest and gave you the truth without fear or favor. Many people in school didn't like her for this but they had a grudging respect for her.

"Sure." Amanda said.

"If Parker is somehow connected to this guy's death, I'm afraid the police would be in on him faster than he can say his name but if not, he's got nothing to be worried about." Emily said.

"Exactly my thoughts too. It's all so weird" Amanda said.

"No weirder than the people who fall victim to his scams." Emily said.

Later on, after completing their homework, Emily left promising to call her before nightfall. Amanda was alone in the house now, scared to her wits that the police might trace her involvement to the scammer.

"I have nothing to fear, I am innocent." she muttered as she made a cup of coffee.

She went back to the living room to watch some movies as she needed to take her mind off so many things. For someone so young, she carried a burden twice her size. It wasn't a surprise she was moody most of the time but Amanda vowed to change that. She wouldn't allow the circumstances surrounding her life to change who she was.

Her parents were trying their best to make a life for her and she wouldn't ruin it. One thing Amanda had was hope and she was going to maximize that to the fullest. The issue of the guy had nothing to do with her. She was just there at the right time to save Parker from an impending disaster, one she desperately hoped he hadn't fallen in already. If he had, there was nothing she could do.

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Back at school, Amanda was prepared to ignore Parker as best as she could. She was going to pretend like he didn't exist. Ever since she saw the news about the scammer's death, she's been having mixed feelings about him. She didn't want to drag herself much deeper than she already was. 

"Hey babe." Emily hollered from across the hallway.

She didn't care if she was creating a scene. People stared but no one challenged her since they knew what kind of person she was. Emily gave no hoot about what people thought about her. According to her, as long as you don't step on her toes, she'll leave you be.

"Hey dear. Good morning, how was your night?" Amanda asked, pulling some books from her locker.

"Terrible. The baby cried all night, mum didn't even know what to do anymore." Emily groaned.

Emily's two year old brother was the youngest in the house. Having been born two years ago, Nathan had been a bundle of joy there but Emily only said he was a cry baby.

"Awww, how is he now? I hope he's stopped crying."Amanda said.

"Yeah mum discovered that he wants to grow a tooth. That's what made him uncomfortable all this while. Baby brother is getting bigger." Emily gushed.

As they walked towards their class, Parker came into view. Amanda stumbled but she remembered the promise she made to herself. 

"Is it just me or is he looking unkempt." Emily said.

"He must be about the scammer's death." Amanda said.

As they passed him, Amanda could feel his eyes on her. She refused to look his way and gave a pat on her back when she moved into the class without glancing at him.

The teacher soon arrived and all was quiet as the students took notes and jottings. Just then, there was an outburst at the entrance of the class. Two men walked into the classroom, flashing their badges to the teacher.

Amanda grew cold. She knew who they were, they were police officers and she could bet on everything she had that they were here in connection with the murder.

"Yes, how can I help you?" the teacher asked rather crossly.

"Good day, we didn't mean to bother you. I'm Agent Mark and with me is Agent Steve, we're from the divisional police office. We've seen the principal and he's allowed us in. We're here in connection with the recent murder and we're made to believe that we have a strong suspect here." Agent Mark said.

The whole class was dead quiet. Nobody said a word as they all watched in silence over what would happen next. Amanda was jittery as her hands shook constantly from the fear that overtook her.

"Very well, please go on. I'd like to get back to my ckas as soon as possible." the teacher said.

Without missing a beat, Agent Mark pointed at Parker. The whole class gasped, not quite believing that he was the suspect. Parker stood up, Amanda could tell that he was expecting this. 

"Please come with us for some questioning" Agent Mark said.

Parker walked towards them, putting his hands out. He thought they were going to handcuff him but Agent Mark declined.

"We'll bring him back as soon as possible." he said before they took their leave.