"Mystery?"

Parker was awake. It was a miracle how he fell asleep as soon as the back of his head touched the seat when I got him to the car.

I looked back at him. His eyes were barely open, and he stared at me through the rear-view mirror like he couldn't really see me, like he didn't have a clue who I was. This was perfect, I could play along.

"Yeah?"

"Is it really you?" His time was full of all the excitement he could muster in his condition. "God, I'm so sorry you had to see me like this. I never drink, I swear."

"Yes. And I know."

Silence fell, and he looked out the window at the buildings we drove past for a while before he spoke up. "Where are we going?"

"To your house."

"You know where I live?"

"Yes, Parker," I confirmed.

"I don't wanna go home yet."

"Why? Everyone knows you left the party, they're cool with it."

"I'm not talking about that. I want to spend time with you, like I said. Stop the---stop the car." Parker leaned forward and reached for the gearshift. His fingers only brushed the top since he was still strapped with the seatbelt.

I brought the vehicle to a stop after making a turn into the parking lot of a supermarket which stretched a few feet ahead.

"You're so pretty, Mystery," Parker whispered with a small smile, resting his head on the side of my seat. "Do you think it's weird that I want to kiss you? On the lips? You have such pretty lips."

"You want to---no. I d-don't think it's weird." I looked up at him in the light that filtered into the car, drawing out his features in mild hues. Parker was prettier.

"Do you want to do it now?" His smile spread wider as he rubbed at his eye.

"N-now? You mean right now? In here?" I asked.

"Uh huh." Parker nodded continuously, giggling when his ruffled hair bounced along with his head.

As much I as wanted to, I had to say no. "Parker, you're drunk. You probably won't even remember any of this tomorrow." It was disappointing, yet it was welcome.

"I'll remember. Please. Just one." He pushed his bottom lip forward and pouted, tilting his head towards me until it rested against my cheek.

"I doubt you will." You don't even recognize me, and I've been by your side for half the night.

"Mystery, when I say I won't forget, I really won't forget," he assured and made an attempt at a suave smile, rubbing at his eye again.

"Okay, let's do this instead. Give me your hand."

"What for?" he asked as he stretched out his arm.

"I'll kiss you there tonight, if you don't forget it by tomorrow, I'll run up to you in school and then we can kiss. On the lips."

It seemed he loved the idea.

He extended his hand so far that my mouth hovered directly over his forearm. Parker closely watched me as I shifted in the driver's seat and held onto a part of his elbow and his arm. I bent my head until my lips grazed his skin, then I pressed a kiss, an unseen promise, into his flesh.

"Done."

"Give me your hand too," Parker requested. He flipped my hand over when I lifted it and brought it up to his lips. "Don't forget."

He did it twice; kissed the inside of my palm and then my wrist. I did it twice; fell in love with Parker Thompson's being all over again.