Read Online Scattered Colors by Jessica Prince - Free Book Online Page B

endearment passed his lips but it was too late. By Stella’s gasp, she’d heard and misinterpreted its meaning. “Are you two…? Oh, my GOD!” she squealed, jumping up and down. “You totally are!”
    I held my hands up in an attempt to calm her mini-freak out. “We’re just friends, Stella. That’s all.”
    Parker threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “That’s right. Weird-named Freya over here finally showed some mercy on me. We’re the bestest of buds now. We might even go and get one of those little heart necklaces that say ‘best friends forever’. You know, the ones that break apart? What do ya say, gorgeous? I’m calling the be frie for part. That piece is totally mine.”
    “Awe,” she cooed. “That’s so cute.”
    Parker cocked his head to the side as he studied her. “Anyone ever tell you you’re like an energetic little fairy?”
    At that, Stella and I both broke out in a fit of laughter.
    “What? What’d I say?”
    The bell rang for us to get to class and the two of us linked arms, leaving Parker behind as we made our way to Mrs. Wilkins’ room. He jogged to catch up just as we entered. I kept my head down, ignoring the threatening stares from Brynn before taking a seat at my desk. I could practically feel the hate radiating off her as her glare burrowed into my back.
    “Her panties seem to be in an exceptionally tight bunch today,” Stella whispered as she sneered at Brynn. We both chuckled as we pulled our books from our bags.
    “What are you two giggling about?” Parker leaned in and breathed against my neck.
    “Lean back,” I hissed, both thrilled and anxious at his close proximity. My stomach felt like a million hummingbirds had taken flight in it. Despite my earlier revelation that being friends with Parker was a good thing, I wasn’t quite capable of handling the nervous energy I felt around him. I didn’t want to be attracted to him; I wanted to think of him strictly in a platonic sense. But he just had to go and be so damn cute. The jerk.
    “What’s the matter, gorgeous?” I could hear the smile in Parker’s voice as he spoke. “Does me being close make you feel all tingly?” I grabbed my pen and turned just far enough around to pop him on the head with it.
    “Ow! Dammit! What was that for?”
    “You’re gonna get us both in trouble.” I tried to make it sound as though I was concerned about the teacher catching us talking during class. The truth was it was the prying eyes of the other students around us that had a ball of apprehension tightening my chest.
    “You know, if we weren’t besties, my feelings might be a little hurt right now.” Stella giggled from beside me, and God help me but I couldn’t hold back my own laugh. Parker just made it too easy to forget all the difficult things.
    “Just so you know,” he leaned in and whispered against my ear again, sending a thrill up my spine. “You smell really, really good this morning.” My stomach did a massive somersault. Oh, Lord. That boy was going to be the death of me

    Going into Biology later that morning, I made sure to walk at a fast clip past Parker’s table, only offering a limp wave in acknowledgement. I should have known that wasn’t going to satisfy his appetite for attention. As soon as my books were on the table, his large shadow was looming over me. I looked up to see him standing on the other side across from me, his signature smirk firmly in place.
    “What, no hug hello?” he asked cheekily.
    A low groan rumbled in my chest. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
    “Ooh, nice SAT word, gorgeous. I’m impressed.”
    There was no way I could let Parker or anyone else in the room see just how much he was affecting me, especially with Seth looking back at us with a confused expression, so I did my best to play up my annoyance.
    “Will you please go back to your table? It’s not even lunch time and you’re already bugging the crap out of me.”
    “All