Will he believe me? I mean, it does sound crazy that some person is using a video of us making out for reasons unknown.
The phone rings and rings on the other end. It occurs to me that he might still be in class, since he told me he did have an early lab today. The call goes to his voicemail and I smile when I hear his deep voice telling me to leave a message. Shaking off the fuzzies, I hang up and groan to myself, feeling like I’m all alone in this.
I reach over and hesitantly turn on the screen in front of me again. Thankfully, the video is gone. I proceed to do the same thing with the other monitors and have the same result.
When the phone vibrates in my hand, I look down at it and see Parker’s smiling Facebook photo.
The moment I say, “Hey,” Parker replies, “So, couldn’t stop thinking about me, huh?” He laughs into the receiver and I can’t deny the grin he’s brought forth.
I gain my composure and slap on a serious face. “Someone videotaped our little session last night.”
“What?”
“You, me, sucking face last night. Remember?”
“Oh, I remember. I was just confused about the whole recording thing. That’s kind of hot, though. Do you think you can forward me that video?”
“Parker, I’m not fooling around here. Someone recorded us, and is now trying to use it against me. Doesn’t that bother you?” I ask, frustrated with his guy humor.
“Are you sure this person is trying to use it against you, and isn’t just one of your friends playing a joke?”
“I’m positive. I’ve been getting texts from this unknown person ever since the night of the party—and the night my friend went missing…” I trail off, thinking about Janice.
“Wait, your friend went missing? The one you were with that night?”
“Yeah, she’s officially missing today, even though I’ve known since Sunday.”
“Do you think this person who’s texting you has anything to do with your friend?” he asks, and I can hear the concern setting in. I think he believes me now.
“I have no idea. I’m getting really worried about all of this,” I reply. I hear his heavy sigh on the other end, as if he’s contemplating what to say next. I wish he was right here so I could be in his arms.
The bell rings, cutting off Parker before he has a chance to finish consoling me. The damn bell had to go and ruin it. I groan, realizing my independent study is over and I still haven’t written a single word on my essay. Not even my name.
“I have to get to my next class, but we need to talk ASAP. Will you be at the paper meeting today?” I ask, my voice shaking as I retrieve my messenger bag from under the table.
“I agree we need to talk, but I won’t be at the meeting today. Family stuff,” he replies, sounding distracted.
“Guess we’ll just have to talk somewhere else, then. That might be hard, though, since I’ve been grounded for life.” I release a hollow laugh.
“Are you going to be okay until then?” he asks, and I can tell that his full attention is resting on my answer. He really does have his moments of unconditional caring.
“Yeah, I think so. Just a little freaked out by this whole thing. That’s all.”
“And rightfully so. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Okay. Promise?”
“Promise,” he answers, making me feel a little more secure than I was before we talked.
Chapter Twelve
As I’m leaving the computer lab I hear the crackle of the school’s intercom. There seems to be some kind of discussion going on in the background of the principal’s office where the microphone is. Then it quiets and the principal’s voice comes through loud and clear.
“Will Danielle Marks please report to the principal’s office? I repeat, will Danielle Marks please report to the principal’s office? Thank you.”
“What the hell? Oh my god, the video! Please tell me this is not about the video,” I murmur to myself, feeling nauseous.
I can’t even begin to describe the sensations that course through me as I make my way to the front office. Dread is pretty much the first thing that enters my mind. Then I think about Parker and what it would do to him if that video gets out. My dad would kill him, Mr. Whitman would kill him, and the principal would kill him—after killing me first, of course.
Rory and Alex come up next to me, flanking me on