Even two days after Parker's ominous text, I was still bewitched. My eyes forever scanned the hallway on my way to homeroom, immersed in finding Parker's features in the blend of multiple faces. I didn't even realize Laura was looking for me in the same way until her voice broke through the spell I was under.

"Adrian!" She caught up to me, staring at me as if I had sprouted another face on my face. "Did you turn deaf during the weekend? I've been yelling your name for God knows how long."

I laughed. "No, I'm just searching for Parker." Admitting to Laura that I was indeed invested in Parker the way she thought made my face fill with heat. I changed the topic as soon as a grin spread across her face. "How did Saturday night go for you?"

"Pretty great! Well, she didn't give me the ride; I joined the guys instead." A shrug. "But we made out a little when I was helping clean up." The grin was wider as she tucked her bottom lip in between her teeth, tilting her head slightly to the side.

"You made out... a little?"

"Okay, a lot. Shut up." Now it was her turn to change the topic. "How were things with Parker?"

I took a deep breath. "We kissed each other... "

"Oh my God, that's---"

"On our arms and like, wrists?"

"---not so amazing."

"But it's cool," I assured, tugging on the straps of my backpack. "Only, he doesn't exactly remember it ever happened."

Laura's eyebrows rose an inch above their normal position. "Oh?"

"Yeah. He was---"

My words stopped flowing when I heard someone ask, "Is that Parker?"

I turned, and sure enough, he was there. At the end of the hall. "Yeah," I mumbled, not knowing why I was smiling, yet not bothering to suppress my delight.

The next voice was more pronounced and more than familiar. Micky. "What the fuck are they doing up there?"

Right, I forgot to add the part where Parker was standing on one of the crates the theatre kids used as a prop.

"Why don't we go find out?" A smile also played at Laura's lips as she took my hand and led me in the direction other curious students were headed. To Micky, she questioned, "You know Parker still goes by 'he' right?"

"I know that. But Parker's nonbinary and nonbinary people use 'they' or 'them.' I'm just trying to respect him here." He joined us, pushing a lanky boy, so he could walk at the same level we were.

"Didn't you just refer to Parker as--- " Laura started, staring a hole through Micky's head. His uninterested expression put her off. "---ugh, why do I bother?"

"Because you're in love with me, Laura. I don't blame you though. Who can resist the appeal?" He passed Laura a smug smile which she shook her head at.

We took a spot behind a small group who had also gathered to hear whatever Parker Thompson had to say. He was in a baby pink t-shirt, which had a little pocket with flowers drawn on the inside. There was an inscription on the outside, but I couldn't read it from where I stood. What I could read was the fading ink, which was on full display on Parker's arm.

Butterflies and rainbows raged in my belly.

There was murmuring, and some full on conversations, but the noise fairly lessened when Parker started speaking.

"I'm trying to find this person I've been talking to," he started, rubbing at the back of his head. This is what he planned. "Actually, it's more like texting. And I guess I can find them much more easily by just asking people who the account belongs to, but I want them to let me know who they are... by themselves. So I kinda need your cooperation to make this work."

I had to hand it to him; this was quite the plan. The halls were always choked with people by this time of the morning, and it was the next best thing to try since we didn't have Biology until Thursday.

"This some kind of joke, Thompson?" someone asked.

"Not at all. And it's just gonna take a minute, I promise," Parker assured, finger moving up to his lips. "If both your ears aren't pierced, you're free to go and enjoy your day, or just move further to the back."

A good number stepped back. Who would have thought they'd actually listen to him?

He continued, flashing a grateful smile. "Thank you. Now, if your hair is any colour apart from dark brown or black, you can also go about your day."

Again, the people crowded at the front thinned---redheads, blonds, and students with hair that was dyed all sorts of colours all moved, sticking around to see where all this led. I remained where I stood.

"Okay, um, only brown-eyed people have to remain. The rest of you can leave now, thanks for the help."

The number left was even smaller, no more than ten.

I felt pressure on my shoulder as Laura squeezed it. "I'll be watching from my locker." I opened my mouth to ask why she was leaving when she widened her bright green eyes to silence me. "I dunno what Parker's up to, but I'm glad it's in your favour. This is your chance, Adrian. Don't ruin it with wrist kisses." A wink later, I could only see her retreating back.