Page 46 of Heartless

“The boy that tricked you into cheerleading? The one your mother hated?”

“You picked up on that.”

“She didn't make it hard for me not to. Why did she hate him?”

“Besides her fear of him influencing me more than she could? He was a quarterback. I wanted to become a cheerleader. She thought I was doing it just because of him.”

“Were you?” He asked and sounded genuinely curious.

“No. I was sick of ballet. I wanted to try something new.”

I felt his gaze on the side of my face. “And did you enjoy being a cheerleader?"

“I did,” I smiled at the memory. “It was exhilarating to be part of a team and support the school during games. It was liberating in a way that ballet never was. At least for me.”

I saw with my periphery that he nodded. “Sometimes we have to break free from the expectations others have for us and do what truly makes us happy.”

I turned to face him fully. “And what makes you happy, Parker?”

He surprised me with his answer. “I honestly don’t remember.”

***

I could feel the shift in my dynamic with Parker. We weren’t exactly friends, but we were friendly. There was even a level of understanding between us that didn’t exist before. But apparently I was the only one sensing the change, because Parker sent the person who hated me the most at The Gem to inform me I was to leave my room by noon the day after the family dinner at my mother’s house.

“I would suggest you start packing immediately,” Melany looked at me like I was finally getting what I deserved.

“He can’t kick me out. I have a contract.”

A contract I was very pleased we had signed after all.

“Mr. Wilson said you might bring that up. He told me to tell you to check your email.”

Mel walked out and I grabbed my phone.

There was an email from Parker’s assistant Katie.

Ms. Hartley,

The Gemstone Hideaway Retreat needs this room for other purposes and we can no longer accommodate you in it. Please pack your personal belongings by twelve p.m. today.

I have arranged a staff member to come and move them to the Pink Diamond, where you will live until the end of your stay at The Gem.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best wishes,

Katie

I blinked at my screen and read the email again. I was moving to ?he Pink Diamond.

There was only one question in my mind.

Why? Genuine care? He already showed he had a protective side when he helped me get rid of George and then when he openly challenged my mother.

I wanted to dial Parker and ask him, but I also wanted to live in ?he Pink Diamond, and history had proven that one of my main talents in life was pissing Parker Wilson off. So I decided it was better for me to move first, ask questions--aka annoy Parker--later.

I packed and left the main building with a huge smile on my face. A smile I made sure Melany saw on my way out to the gardens. By the sour look on her face she must have learned where I was going and she wasn’t happy about it.

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