Chapter 14

Parker's POV

Pain. That was the first thing I felt as soon as I woke up that morning. My soft king-sized bed did little or nothing to ease the many aches I was having all over my body. 

The ache was due to the fact that I had gotten into a fight again, the third within the week and had to sleep in the police cell uncomfortable bed till my mom came to bail me out. I couldn't help it, it was all a part of me.

I couldn't stand and watch people throw insults at my family just because we were victims of circumstance. What befell us wasn't our fault. My dad just needed something, anything else that could better our lives.

I couldn't and wouldn't blame him for that because he never knew we would get swindled. Even though we lost everything back in the states, we were not deterred because if there was one thing we had, it was hope. Hope that everything will get better and hope that one day, we would recover all we'd lost.

I blinked slowly, trying to get my eyes used to the early morning sunlight that streamed through the curtains. It was a brand new day, another day to avoid everything and everyone well except one girl, Amanda.

Ever since I got to Stars High, Amanda intrigued me like no one else. The look of innocence and fierceness I saw in her was what drew me to her that fine morning. Though she might like to act all innocent and gentle but I could see a raging fire within her that would come out one day.

No matter how much I tried to get her off my mind, she still kept coming back and when she did, it just seemed like she was a new entity, someone I'd never seen before.

I yawned, stretching languidly on my bed but that proved to be a mistake because with it came with several aches. I groaned, rising up to sit on my bed.

The weather was a bit cool and I loved it. Ever since I got here, LA weather has been a mixture of hot and cold. I never slept with a shirt on, never ever no matter how cold the weather was. Instead, I would cover myself with a blanket so thick I would end up discarding it.

Times without number, my mom had complained that I would catch a cold but I would never listen because I was damn too stubborn. 

Amanda. That name filled my mind yet again. I didn't know if it was love I felt for her but one thing was sure, I was attracted to her. Come to think of it, who wouldn't? She was the star girl, loved by all well except Ian and his friends but I knew they were just jealous and the only way they could show her was by bullying her.

That was something I wouldn't stand for. I would never stand back and watch them hurt her in anyway. Sometimes, when I looked at her, I just wanted to hold her like a baby and protect her from the outside world.

"What are you doing to me Amanda?"

I sighed, rubbing my eyes to get out the remaining sleep. It was another school day and another day to face the teachers who all thought I was a bully.

"Parker, wake up. It's time for school." My mum yelled.

Being an only child, she took care of me so well and it was only a miracle I wasn't a spoilt brat like some of the other kids I've seen. Dad was out as usual, trying to fix the many leaks we had in our lives. What happened to us broke him, I can tell and it was just our unity that made him strong.

"I'm up mom." I said.

I sighed yet again, rising to my feet. I needed to get to school on time if I didn't want to be late. The distance from my house to the school was a bit far and the earlier I got there, the better for me.

I took my bath, welcoming the icy cold water that cascaded down my body. It was a relief from the aches I was feeling. There was just something about cold water that just had the ability to calm you down.

I dressed up quickly before stepping out of my room. I've never been one to bother so much on what I wore. As far as I was comfortable, I was fine with that.

"Hi Mom, good morning." I said, kissing my mother on the cheek.

She was currently sat at the dining table, sipping a hot cup of coffee. Try as I may, I couldn't quite understand how she drank coffee without milk or sugar. It was all black. 

"Good morning love. Did you sleep well?" She smiled.

Her hair, the color of a setting sun was tied in a loose ponytail. My mother was a beautiful woman and it was no secret that I got most of my looks from her. I got my height from my dad and both combination had girls chasing after me, girls who thought they loved me when it was just a mere infatuation.

"Yes mom, I did. Dad's out?" I asked.

I dished out a healthy portion of pancake on my plate, coming over to sit on the chair opposite her. I dug in, reveling in the taste and pleasure it brought.

"Yeah, he is." She said.

She was scrolling through her phone, no doubt looking through the recent trends across the country. Since we moved to LA she was lucky to have seen a job working as a writer for one of the biggest news agency in the state. 

Writing was something that came to my mom effortlessly. She did it with so much dexterity that at times, I begin to wonder if she was human.

"Darling, when you're heading home later today, I need you to branch the Mart for some tomatoes. I want to make some spaghetti later." She smiled, looking up from her phone.

She knew spaghetti and meatballs were my favorite. I could actually eat that a whole week without getting tired, it was just something I loved.

"Sure Mom." I said, rising up to my feet.

I washed my plate immediately because I knew how much my mom hates seeing dirty plates in the sink. 

"Be good and please Parker for the love of God, stay out of trouble. I don't want to bail you again, yesterday was a nightmare on it's own." She sighed.

She knew all about my fights and when she came to bail me from the police station yesterday, I've never felt so relieved. My Mom covered up for me when my Dad took notice of the wounds where they were visible.

"Mom, you know I don't go about looking for trouble." I chuckled, grabbing my bag.

She rolled her eyes before moving her attention back to what she was reading on her phone. I kissed her head, smiling before walking out of the house.

It was another day and I really hoped everything went well especially with me and the girl I was beginning to fall in love with.