We didn't have Biology the entire day.

A relief really, since I hadn't written down a word, or given up a thought towards the project. I actually forgot about it, but for the rising numbers on the badge that stuck to the Instagram app when I unlocked my phone. The group.

As I bit into the slightly burned toast that lay on my plate, I checked the recent messages, thumb lazily scrolling up until I found a good spot, pausing, then scrolling back down at an even slower pace.
 
They were mainly jokes and arguments---which spanned from 2am to now. Did any of them actually sleep? Not that I was one to talk.

Yes, I was kept up by my thoughts most of the night. No, I didn't have any regrets. Parker Thompson texted me, paid enough attention to set a nickname for me, laid a hope that he would get to see me. It would be crazy if I didn't overthink those little things.

"No devices at the table, you know that," comes my mother's voice as she snatched the device from my hand.

I didn't mind, I already read the message from Rowan which said we should meet in the quad this morning. What bothered me was my hand hitting the glass of juice on the table after my phone slipped out.

Nothing spilled, but I watched the liquid sloshing wildly within its barrier, settling into an undisturbed calmness which only lasted before I brought the glass to my lips.

My eyes followed my mother's movements as she placed my phone on top of a pile of books on a coffee table, before turning to pass me a look I knew all too well. I could have it once I was done.

The food was shoved down my throat. My mother's big brown eyes widened with horror or disapproval, I couldn't tell which. Either way, she didn't say a word when I came back from the kitchen and reached for the phone.

The quad was the first place I headed to once I arrived at school. I found Laura seated on a bench at the end of the freshly cut grass, back slouched as she pored over a book in her hand. I could tell it wasn't related to the assignment.

"Morning," I said, sitting across from her. She looked up for a split second and acknowledged me with a greeting.

During the wait for the rest of the squad, I had the chance to continue where I left off in the group chat. It was entertaining, to say the least. But once I was done, I found myself re-reading yesterday's conversation with Parker.

Pure euphoria filled me when I noticed that he was last seen a minute after his last text to me. The thought that he didn't speak to anyone after he did me had my insides churning. It was stupid to think that, I knew. There were so many other avenues he could use to communicate with people. But on Instagram, I could revel in being in the spotlight.

The spotlight shone brighter and extended beyond where I sat when I looked around after slipping my phone into my pocket. I noticed Parker between the moving bodies of students who littered the quad.

He was standing a distance away, engaged in conversation with Micky and Marie. The different coloured hair ties which endowed his wrist caught in the light as he ruffled his hair, a dent in his cheek deepening as the smile on his face grew.

I found it hard to tear my gaze away from him. Not when he had that adorable grin plastered on his face when Marie dropped a bunch of butterfly hair clips in his cupped palms.

Parker Thompson was effortlessly mesmerising.

Too bad my view of him was suddenly obstructed by the mass of moving students. And now Laura.

"What are you looking at?" She stepped in front of me, pushing her face obnoxiously close to mine.

"N-nothing," I mumbled, turning.

I could feel her eyes on me when she rounded the table, narrowed to mere slits, as she shut the book in her hand. "It's Parker, isn't it?"

"Not at all," I replied, clearing my throat and giving her the best adamant expression I could conjure. "Why would you ask that?"

"Dude, I can see him standing right there." Laura gestured behind me, in the direction I was staring at a few moments ago.

I turned, squinting, pretending I was trying to find Parker even though I didn't have to. It gave me a chance to peek at him again, catch an extended second of him just existing.

"That doesn't mean I was looking at him. I mean, Micky's there. Marie's there. Even that that guy with the crutches, and Lamar too."

Laura's expression changed. "You gave me the same answer as you did last night, when I asked what you two were talking about. It's definitely Parker."

"That's a stupid conclusion," I retorted. One which was exactly on point.

She rolled her eyes, pupils disappearing for a solid second. "Whatever. You can lie to him too since he's coming here."

What?

A moment later, I had to fight turning around when his silhouette appeared on the same spot my elbows rested. I bowed my head, avoiding the victorious look on Laura's face.

"Okay, since Rowan isn't here yet, I'll take his position as the one who wants to use you guys and ask how your assignments are going," Micky started, lifting his bushy eyebrows. He swung one leg on top of the bench and ran his eyes over each of us gathered there. "So... how are they going?"

"Parker?"

Parker's shadow moved, rubbed at its neck.

My ears tingled when I heard Parker suck in a breath, voice flowing out in smooth waves when he spoke. Directly behind me. "I kinda fell asleep before I could actually start."

I almost didn't hear Micky mention my name. "Adrian?"

"I'll start tonight," I answered.

"Laura?"

"I have the title written down, so that's progress." Laura took pride in the fact that she was a baby step ahead of the rest of us. It showed in the smug look she wore, the casual flip of her long brown hair.

"Again, you disappoint me, Laura." Micky shook his head with a woeful expression, lips drawn to a thin line.

"Unlike the rest of you, I actually care about not fail---"

Kevin cut in as he stepped over the bench, dropping his backpack on the table. Another addition to the party. He was the tallest person in our year, with legs that could jump a mile high. He could have been the embodiment of a young LeBron James, except he sucked at basketball. "No one cares that you care, Marie."

"Why are you always set on being mean to sweet Marie?"

"Laura, it's nothing. I don't care what they think anyway," Marie assured with a small shrug. She received a warm smile from Laura, and the corner of her own lips started to turn up. They fell back down once Micky spoke up.

"Sweet Marie, no one cares that you don't care." Micky threw his head back as he laughed, giving high-five Kevin who had a hand over his mouth to cover his grin.

Fed up with the constant jabs which kept coming at her, Marie grabbed her stuff off the table and left after she waved goodbye to the ones she thought deserved a goodbye. Micky and Kevin weren't graced with that honor.

The group split when the first period bell rang, with Laura packing up her stuff as I stood. Parker's shadow was already gone.