The house of Parker(Book 2)

Fear, rejection, acceptance, loneliness, comfort, solace, happiness. Our feelings and the ability to analyze them are what quite possibly make us human. Will you act on your feelings out of impulse or will you sore to new heights of the bravery inside you to admit your feelings? Only then can you at last be at peace with the solitude of your mind.

Admitting your feelings to someone is a bold move. You have no way or knowing what’s to come or what might happen. Fear is what drives us into an acute state of paranoia. You are so scarred of rejection that your eyes are blind, not able to see the love there. It is right in front of you, it is real.

Today is the day I make my feelings perfectly clear to Parker. I think I already expressed my feelings by kissing him back, but I’m going to lay my heart out there and be blunt, I mean where’s the reward if there’s no risk? So tonight after our shopping trip I’m going to clearly admit my feelings towards him and hope for the best.

“We’re here,” Parker said temporarily letting go of my hand to turn off the car and get out. I unhooked my seat belt and opened my door into the blistering sun. I was never a summer girl; I was always a December baby. None the less, I couldn’t help but smile as Parker made his way to my side of the car, taking my hand.

“Where to first lover boy?” I said swinging our hands together, leading us aimlessly into the strip of stores.

“Well I was thinking we could go to this one over the top English dress shop.” He said smiling uneasily towards me.

“And where ever would I wear this dress to?” I questioned in an excellent English accent if I do say so myself.

“Well where kindofhavingthismasqueradeballsoon,” He mumbled too fast for my ears.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t catch that last part?” I said looking at him confused.

“It’s kind of my families’ turn to host this masquerade ball in a couple days. I know I should have told you about it sooner and I’m sorry.” He said smiling half-heartedly to me.

That was unexpected; I never thought Parker would host a masquerade ball. It wasn’t really Parker’s decision it was more of his families, but still. Wow, I’ve never been to a ball, or a school dance, hell I didn’t even know how to dance. Although the more feminine side of me was excited for this. I was excited to pick out a girly dress, and get “prettied up.” Don’t get me wrong, the tomboy Lily was still going to act the same, just in different clothes.

“Lead the way,” I said smiling up at Parker.

He looked at me mouth wide open and all. I swear I saw his jaw graze the ground. He was shocked I was so okay with it, and quite frankly so was I.

After Parker got a hold of himself he led us to an elegant England dress shop, which is exactly where we are now. We decided to divide and concur which meant he was on the west side of the store looking at all the elegant dresses there and I was on the east side looking at all the costume tuxes. We decided to pick out each other’s costumes, mask and all. My job actually wasn’t that hard, all I had to do was pick out a classy, yet mysterious tux for Parker to wear to the ball. Parker however had all the different colors and designs to choose from for my dress.

I finally came up with a black jacket, black pants, a white button-up shirt, a gold cummerbund, a gold tie that he would hang loosely around his neck, and finally a gold mask that went from his nose up. Overall he was going to look fierce. I grabbed all the separates and walked to a fitting room. I hung Parker’s outfit on a hook in there and went over to the west side where he was. As it so happens he met me half-way already done with picking out my gown.

“Yours is in the first dressing room.” I said smirking at him, confident I picked out an amazing outfit.

“As is yours,” he said giving me a smirk as well before walking past me.

I walked past him and straight to the first dressing room to try on my gown. I saw this gold gown Parker had picked out for me hanging up. It looked like a wedding dress. It was strapless and tight at the top, then big and luscious from the waist down. It looked gorgeous and I only hoped my plain self would look okay in it. With that I stripped out of my clothes and into the beautiful gown. I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped, I looked stunning. I didn’t want to go out and show Parker the dress because I felt like I was in some way not worthy or not pretty enough for this gown. I mean, WOW.

“Lily you in there?” Parker asked knocking on my door.

“I’m not coming out,” I stated stubbornly.

“Lily come out or I’ll break the door down, and you know I can.” He said with authority.

“NO!” I said folding my arms across my chest, even though he couldn’t see it.

Then I saw him place his hand on top of the door and with one swift pull, he broke the door off. I can’t believe he just did that! I looked at him stunned. He can’t just go around braking doors, what if I wasn’t decent!

“Parker!” I said outraged

He smirked and came at me lifting me up bridal style and carrying me to the big three way mirror.

“There,” he said setting me down and looking at us in the mirror.

“It appears we match,” he said laughing.

I smiled realizing my gold dress did in fact match his tux with gold attributes. He looked so handsome; when he looks like this it reminds me why I like him more and more each day.

“You look beautiful,” he said gazing at my reflection. I blushed and looked down.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“We’re definitely getting these,” he said in a confident business tone.

“No Parker you can’t, its way to expensive and-“

“Shhhhhhhhh, we’re getting them.” He said placing his index finger on my lips to keep me from protesting.

“Now go get changed, I’ll meet you out here when you’re done.” He said smiling and walking away. I watched him walk away dazzled, he looked so good in that tux. Once I finally got a grip of myself I walked into my changing room with the broken door, grabbed my things, and changed in the one next to it. Come on, I didn’t want people seeing me! Once I was done I carefully placed the dress neatly on the hanger, careful not to let anything happen to it. I walked out and was greeted by Parker entwining our fingers together and leading us to the front desk.

After we paid for our clothes, and the changing room door we decided to grab a bite to eat, and then continue shopping. We crossed the street, and I was about to ask Parker where we were going to eat when a short old lady grabbed my arm and held on tightly. I struggled against her grip, but damn this old lady was strong! I looked down at her wrinkly hand gripping my arm, and then looked up at her. She was wearing a black outfit and a black cape with the hood up. She had stringy white hair, her face was all wrinkly and she had one sparkling blue eye, while the other one was a lazy eye that was brown. Almost like she got the brown eye from someone else and she put it in place of hers in her socket.

“DEATH!” She screeched, “YOU HAVE THE MARK!”

I looked at her with horror. This lady is crazy, but I couldn’t help but look at her curiously. Why would she say that about me?

Parker then ripped the old lady’s hand from my arm and grabbed me dragging me along.

“She’s psycho,” he said leading me ahead to the restaurant. I couldn’t help but look back at the old lady who was waving her hands frantically in the air. It freaked me out, I couldn’t help it. This day couldn’t possibly get any more bizarre and weird. We were about to enter the restaurant when I heard someone shout “PARKER!”

I couldn’t help but glare, over the heads of people I saw a waving Brooke. She was coming towards us with a few shopping bags. If looks could kill she would be with the devil right now, well I guess that’s not possible seeing as she is the devil.

“Hey Parkey!” Brooke said once she reached us. She didn’t even bother to acknowledge my existence.

“Hey Brooke” Parker said uneasy. “Lily and I were just about to get some lunch.” Parker said smiling half heartedly, almost like he didn’t want to tell her.

“Great!” Brooke said “I’m starving.”

I glared daggers at her, she’s ruining my day! I was supposed to spend the day with Parker! Not Parker and Satan, just Parker.

“You know what, you guys go ahead I’m not hungry” I said turning around to go visit other shops without them.

“But I thought you were hungry!” Parker shouted as I was walking away.

“I lost my appetite,” I mumbled to myself.

Once I was a good block away from them I stopped and closed my eyes shut. Please come, please come. I thought in my head, but he didn’t. I was hoping beyond hope he would come after me, he would care that he just ditched me for Brooke. I guess I should expect it though, Brooke is his girlfriend. There just one big happy fricken couple. I sighed and started walking aimlessly that is until a came across a shop that read “Madam Estella’s fortune reading.” I wonder if that’s the lady that said I was marked for death. Curiously I entered the shop and was immediately taken back by the smell of incense and all the candles. The shop was dimly lit and had jars of what looked like chicken feet, brains, and other veil things. I walked up to the counter and rang the bell for someone to come out. Then behind the beaded curtains appeared the old women who had grabbed me on the street. I gulped frightened at what she might say.

“I had a feeling I would be seeing you again,” she said surprisingly in a strong voice, I would have thought her voice would have been warn and raspy for an old lady. She quirked an eyebrow at me and said “Come” She went behind the beaded curtains, but I stayed where I was. Once she realized I wasn’t behind her she peaked her head out from the curtain and said “Don’t you want to know your destiny?”

Hesitantly I followed her in the room that awaited.