Chapter 4

The Hall was quiet when Amanda walked in. She hadn't expected Parker to be so early especially with the kind of person he was. She made her way to a set of chairs at the far right of the hall that had an ample view of the doors. She wouldn't be caught off guard incase he decided to sneak up on her in one of his numerous sick games. She was going to determine how this project worked. It was her way or nothing else.

Few minutes later, Parker walked into the hall. Upon seeing her, he smiled before walking over to where she sat.

"I didn't think you'd be early." he said.

 "Are you kidding me. I'm never late, I kind of expected you'd be late so I'm not surprised." Amanda said.

Parker pursed his lips as he took a seat. Amanda sighed, bringing out the books they would work with. She flipped to a page, reading the instructions they were to follow. Parker wasn't listening as he busied himself with his phone, tapping without a care in the world.

"Are you even listening to me. This is not how this works." Amanda said, trying to keep her voice down.

"Like I said before, you'd be doing all the work. I don't care how you do it, just get it done." He said.

She stared at him, not quite believing her ears. There was no way she could do all the work herself, it was simply too much for a person. There and then, she decided to work on her own part and inform the teacher, Mr Edmund that her partner wasn't cooperative. She wouldn't undertake a project that was meant for two people.

Amanda stood up to Parker's surprise. She stuffed her books into her bag, preparing to leave. She wouldn't waste anymore time with someone as useless as he was.

"It's obvious you're not going to be cooperative and it's fine because I expected it. What I wouldn't do is sit here and do all the work meant for the two of us. Have a nice life Parker." she said.

As she walked out of the Hall, Amanda half expected him to call her back but she knew that he wouldn't as her words affected him more than he could imagine. She had a feeling that no one had ever talked to him in that manner.

When she got to the school grounds, it was almost deserted as few students loitered about. She decided to take a bus as she wasn't in the mood to walk the short journey home. Her mind was made up, she would do her part of the project alone and explain to Mr Jefferson. Amanda was glad that she was good in class so he wouldn't mind. 

When she got home, she met her father in the living room, his phone to his ear. She was a bit surprised that he was home. It's been weeks since he came home but she was secretly glad he was here. 

He was into a lot of business, including having a telecommunication firm. Most of the time, he was always busy and barely had the time to come home. 

"Hey kiddo." he grinned.

Amanda walked towards him, giving him a big hug. She had missed him so much and seeing him now made her happy.

"Hey Dad. I didn't expect to see you." she said.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to be on the road soon. I'll be going on a business trip, a business partner of mine just came to the state. I don't know how long I'd staying since we're going to establish another business in Las Vegas." he said.

Amanda sighed. She thought he was here for good but apparently, he was just on another journey. 

"Do you need anything kid?" He asked.

 "No... I'm fine." She said, sadly.

 "Well, you'll need money. I've wired in some funds into your bank account, it should be enough to buy you anything you need. If you need something else, just call me." he said.

 "Dad, it's not all about money. You're never home and the few times you are, you barely stay more than few hours." Amanda said, close to tears.

 "Darling, I'm doing all this to give us a better life. I'm sorry if I'm not here all the time, it's just the way my job is. Trust me darling, you're always in my heart and so is your mother." he said.

"When would you be back?" she sniffed.

"I can't give you a definite answer but I'll be back as soon as you know it. I've been getting reports about your school work, I'm very proud of you. Always know that." he said.

Amanda smiled, feeling much better. Her father had a way with words and this was just one of the moments when he made her feel better.

 "Okay. Mum would be arriving late. Did you call her?" she said.

"Yes, I did. I have to run now darling, don't forget to call me if you need anything."he said, pecking her cheeks.

Few minutes later, he left the house and Amanda was left all alone. She made her way upstairs, needing a shower. She had a lot of work to do and the earlier she gets on with it, the better for her. After taking a shower, she made her way to the kitchen to get some dinner before getting down to her assignment.

Few minutes into her assignment, her phone beeped indicating she had a call. Swiping the screen, Emily and Leslie's face popped up.

 "Hey girls."Amanda smiled

"Hey you. You didn't give us the gist about Parker and you hooking up on an assignment." Emily said.

She was always straight to the point and didn't have time to beat about the bush. Amanda laughed at the look on her face, it was one of fake fury. She proceeded to tell them everything that happened and when she was done, the joy on their faces was evident.

"You go girl, you really showed him." Leslie whooped.

 "To be honest, I was a bit scared. I mean, from the look on his face, it seemed as if he was about to murder me." Amanda laughed.

"I bet he's never been talked to that way before. Serves him right, next time he would talk like someone that actually had a brain." Emily said.

"So what's up with you girls. I bet you have loads of assignments since the examinations are drawing near." Amanda said.

"I'm going to tell her unless you do." Leslie said.

Amanda was a bit confused. She didn't know what they were talking about but from the look on Emily's face, she knew what Leslie was talking about.

"What's going on?" Amanda said.

 "Spit it out Em." Leslie said.

"Well, I might have a secret admirer." Emily said.

Her face had gone a lighter shade as she tried desperate to look everywhere else but the screen. Seeing Emily like this, Amanda knew that it was something serious. Emily was never the blushing type.

 "Do you know who this secret admirer is?" Amanda asked.

"I don't. But he keeps sending me letters in my locker, beside my chair and even on the table we sit for lunch." Emily said.

 "I might have an idea who this person is." Leslie said.

"Who?" Amanda asked.

She was dieing to know who it was since Emily had never been so happy like this before. If all goes well, Emily might have a potential boyfriend.

 "The captain of the school's football team. Michael, he's the one. I'm sure of it." Leslie said.

Even Amanda knew that it was impossible. For one, Michael had a whole flock of girls always parading around him. Two, he was so proud and full of himself and she wouldn't want her friend to date someone like him.

"That's a bit hard to believe Leslie." Emily said.

 "Come on, have you seen the way he stares at you. Well I've seen him numerous times. Even though he acts all tough and carefree, he kind of likes you." Leslie said.

  "But is he the type of guy to drop secret notes? If you ask me, I don't think he's the one." Amanda said.

  "Well, I think so too. I mean, Michael is really not the kind of guy to do stuffs like this." Emily said.

"Whoever it is, I hope he comes out soon. Let's meet our mystery guy." Amanda smiled.

 "I've got to go now girls, see you tomorrow." Leslie said before signing off.

Amanda and Emily spoke for a bit before they signed off. She went back to her homework but try as she might, she couldn't take her mind off Parker. She couldn't understand what kind of pull she had towards him. She knew it was unhealthy but she couldn't help it.

An hour after completing her homework, her mum came home. Amanda made her way downstairs, happy that at least she'd have company.

 "Hey mum." she smiled, giving her mum a warm hug.

 "Hey darling, how was school today?"she asked.

 "School was okay. Dad came home earlier, he's left though".

 "Yes, he called to inform him. Have you eaten, I bought some takeouts. Spaghetti, your favorite." she said.

"Sure. Thanks mum." She beamed.

She took out the plate of spaghetti as she made her way to the living room to watch some t.v programs.

"I'll be upstairs if you need me darling. "her mum said.

"Sure." Amanda said.

Her mind was already immersed in one of her favorite movies that just began playing. It was a movie about love and what it took for couples to love each other. As she watched, her mind went back to Parker and she wondered if he had ever been loved.