chapter five

Today was the Silver Falls High homecoming huddle and charity drive. I got myself ready, autumn had arrived, not cold but not hot either, so I threw on my leather jacket.

My phone buzzed. An unknown number.

Unknown: Hi... you coming today?Me: Who is this?Unknown: Marcus. Pardon my manners.Me: How did you get my number?Marcus: That's not important. What matters is, will I see you there?Me: Maybe...

I went downstairs and saw Isaac, he was wearing a leather jacket too, like we'd somehow coordinated without even trying.

Katherine stopped in her tracks, one eyebrow arched. "Where are you guys going with the partner-look? Did I miss the memo?"

Isaac shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Homecoming."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, apparently we're a thing today."

Katherine snorted. "Uh-huh. Looks more like a fashion statement than a romance."

Isaac shot me a sideways glance, smirk tugging at his lips. "Careful, or I'll start thinking you like matching jackets."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Guess you'll have to wait and see."

"So you're telling me Marcus texted you?" Nathan asked as we walked through the homecoming crowd.

"Well... I think he's into you," Lee added with a teasing grin.

I glanced at Isaac and saw the frustration written all over his face.

"I don't care if he's into me, but..." I started, then froze. My eyes landed on Marcus, he was there, standing next to Dylan.

"Let's go away," Isaac said.

I followed him, moving quickly through the homecoming crowd, trying to keep up with his urgency.

"Okay guys, please tell me—why do y'all have a problem with Marcus? He's my friend."

"Well, we don't, but Isaac does," Lee said.

"Maybe he doesn't see you just as a friend," Isaac said.

"What are you talking about?" you asked, narrowing your eyes.

"I'm just saying," Isaac shrugged, trying to look casual, "he might like you more than you think."

"That's ridiculous," you said, shaking your head. "Marcus is my friend. That's it."

Lee leaned back, smirking. "Uh-huh. Sure, you're fine with him liking you, right?"

You crossed your arms, feeling your face heat up. "I don't even know if he does. Stop trying to read into things."

Isaac just smiled faintly, eyes sharp. "Sometimes it's obvious, whether you want to see it or not."

"Well, I'm going home now," you said, grabbing your bag. "This is getting weird."

Lee shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Isaac's eyes followed you. "You know... you might want to think about what I said."

You paused at the door but didn't turn around. "I'm thinking. Just not about that right now."

When I went to the Walters' home, well, now my home, I saw George go outside, looking frustrated. I walked in, we greeted each other, and he went away.

I headed to the living room and saw Katherine and Benny drawing.

"Hi, Kath, everything alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, just... I'm tired a little bit. Why are you here so early? No one is here yet," Katherine asked.

"It wasn't something for me," I replied, glancing around the quiet house. "I'm tired. I'm gonna sleep now."

"Alright! Good night, honey." Katherine said

While standing up I also said "Good night."

Just as I was about to sleep, my phone buzzed. I grabbed it from the nightstand and saw a new message.

Marcus: Can't sleep either?

I stared at the screen for a moment, my heart skipping a beat.

Me: Yeah... just trying. You?

Marcus: Same. Thought I'd check on you.

I smiled softly, feeling a little less alone.

Marcus: Everything's alright? You didn't say hi.

Me: Yeah... just got a lot on my mind.

Marcus: Alright, then you need to go sleep now. See you around Miss Perfect.

Me: Good night

Late at night, I heard a knock at the door.

"It's open," I said.

Isaac stepped inside, hesitating for a moment. I sat on my bed, and he slowly walked over.

"I'm sorry about today," he said, his voice low.

I looked up at him, unsure what to say. "It's... okay. I just... didn't expect things to get so weird."

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I shouldn't have said what I did. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

I shrugged, trying to hide the flutter of something I couldn't quite name. "Just... let's forget it, okay?"

He nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. There was a pause, heavy but not unpleasant. "Yeah... okay."

He went back slowly. "I should go... it's late."

"Yeah," I whispered.

He lingered for a moment, as if wanting to say more, then finally turned and left, the soft click of the door echoing behind him. I sat there for a long time, heart still racing, feeling the warmth of what was left unsaid.

The next morning, I woke up and went to Parker's game with Katherine.

Katherine seemed quieter than usual, her eyes fixed on the empty bleachers.

"Hey... you okay?" I asked gently.

She sighed. "Cole didn't come. I thought he would."

I frowned, understanding her disappointment. "Yeah... that sucks. But Parker's still gonna play her best, right? We should cheer her on."

She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah... you're right. Let's just focus on the game."

I was sitting on the porch with Parker, trying to cheer her up, but she still looked upset.

She stared down at her football shirt. "Cole didn't come... I thought he would."

I sighed, understanding. "Yeah... that sucks. But how was the game otherwise?"

She shrugged, frowning. "We won, I guess... but it doesn't feel the same without him."

I reached over and ruffled her hair gently. "I get it. You wanted him there. But you still played amazing, Parker. That's what matters."

She looked up at me, her eyes a little brighter. "Thanks... I just wish he cared enough to show up."

I nodded. "Yeah... sometimes people don't realize what they're missing. But you still did great, and I'm proud of you."

She gave a small smile, finally letting go of some of the disappointment.

Just as we were sitting there, Cole appeared up to the porch.

"You promised me you would come!" Parker shouted, her voice breaking. Before Cole could say anything, she turned and ran away, tears in her eyes.

Cole froze, stunned, and then his gaze shifted toward me. He looked guilty, unsure, and maybe even a little angry.

I stayed quiet, watching him, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

Cole took a hesitant step toward me, his eyes still flicking toward where Parker had disappeared.

"Look... I...." he started, but his voice faltered.

I crossed my arms, holding his gaze. "Don't. Just don't try to make excuses. You let her down."

He swallowed hard, running a hand through his hair. "I know... I messed up. I should've been there."

"You should've," I said quietly, my voice tight. "She counted on you, Cole. And you weren't there."

He looked down for a moment, then back at me, his expression pleading. "I didn't think... I didn't realize how much it meant to her. I just-"

"Yeah, well," I cut him off, my chest still tight, "thinking isn't enough. She's upset, and I don't know if saying sorry will fix it."

Cole nodded slowly, silent for a moment, then said, almost to himself, "I'll make it right. Somehow."

"I'll help you," I said, looking him straight in the eyes.

Cole blinked, surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to say that. "You... you would?"

"Yeah," I said firmly. "She's upset, and you need to fix this. But you can't do it alone."

He let out a relieved sigh, his shoulders relaxing just a little. "Thank you... I really mean it. I don't want to mess this up again."

I nodded. "Then let's go find her before she thinks you don't care at all."

Cole glanced toward where Parker had run off, determination flashing in his eyes. "Right... let's do this."