fandomhigh | Library, 3/13

"If we could charge it to Darla's account somewhere, that would make it the perfect getaway." Parker shook her head. "Can I help you find something while you're here?"

"Uh, journalism texts, I have a mid-term I was going to work on over the break, but I kinda got distracted."

"They're over-- here, let me show you." Parker came out from behind the desk and walked over to one of the farther stacks, near the edge of the library, then ran her fingers down the rows. "Got it, there's a few here. Any of them should work, I think Professor Jerusalem wasn't using any of them. God knows about Skeeter."

"Considering what she's teaching us in Journalistic Integrity, I doubt it," Callisto said, as she pulled one of the texts off the shelf. "Speaking of journalism, whatever it was that had you in the bottom of a winecup last night seems to have avoided the radio."

"Oh. That." Parker swallowed, and leaned against the bookshelf. "Yeah. I owe Jaye a lot of chocolate for not mentioning it." She palmed her face, and said, "And you an explanation, don't I?"

"Well, you don't owe me an explanation, but if you want to talk about it..."

"Kind of do." Parker folded her arms. "There's details I can't get into with Angela or Rory. Or anyone else, really. But you-- you might get some of the details that aren't just me having no impulse control."

"Okay, when I'm the one who can understand things, it's getting bad," Callisto said, not unsympathetically. "I assume you don't really want to talk about this where other people can hear?"

"Yes," Parker said, looking grateful. "No one can overhear this if we go just inside the Special Collections study area? If that's okay?"

"I'm not going to get turned into a newt am I?"

"Not if we stay within sight of the doors," Parker said, smiling and leading the way. "And since we'll only be fifteen feet away, we should be safe."

"Okay," Callisto shrugged, and followed Parker. "It's just that I've heard stories."

"And they're all true. There's nowhere else a shrub or a radio receiver can't hide, and this isn't a safe conversation to have anywhere in reach of those." Parker shut the door behind them. "Besides, I'm a Library Aide. As long as we don't mess with the books, we're safe."

She gestured to the leather couches in the corner, sat down, then stared at her clasped hands for a minute. "Um. Okay. Jarod and me. Right." She shrugged. "We kissed yesterday, and I think it was a huge mistake."

"You and Jarod, can't say I'm entirely surprised," Callisto said. "Why exactly do you think it was a mistake?"

Parker studied Callisto for a minute, and said, "You've been in the military, and-- your home, they have kings, and queens, and that kind of ruling society. Right?"

Callisto shrugged. "Gods, warlords, kings, there's a lot of people who have power, and even more who don't."

"Right. This is the part I can't talk to Rory or Angela about, because they'd look at me like I was insane. Even Zero wouldn't get it, and she grew up around crazy rich people. But at least they were well-meaning crazy rich people." She sighed, rubbing her head. "My father is a lot more like a king, than the corporate officer I keep telling people he is. And the kingdom he's in charge of is called the Centre." Parker was quiet for a moment. "No one says no to my father."

"Not even you, I take it," Callisto said. "I'm also guessing that Jarod isn't really the kind of person that he'd want aattached to the heir to the throne?"

"I can't. I've tried. He talks to me about responsibility, and loyalty, and suddenly I'm agreeing with whatever he says. Until later, when I just feel sick." Parker folded her arms across her stomach and smiled without humor. "If I'm the frickin' princess, Jarod is the unknown kid they rescued off the side of the road. And now expect to slave away in the dungeons out of gratitude for the rest of his life." Her smile turned evil. "But at least he's not there now."

"Well, if this was the kind of tale the bards tell, Jarod would be some sort of prince in hiding," Callisto drawled. "However we both know that the world rarely works like that ~~even though it actually does in my canon~~."

"Even if it worked like that, it wouldn't help. He doesn't have to be a prince. He's the golden goose, or the harp. I don't know. A wizard." Parker swallowed. "He was a prisoner. And one of the only friends I had. Which was not something that made my father happy, when he found out. If he knew where Jarod was... he'd have his trolls drag him back."

"It's a good thing he has protecters in the form of a tiny ninja and a crazy hooker then, isn't it?"

"Very good." Parker smiled, then sobered. "But. It does make getting even more involved with him rather problematic." She studied Callisto for a moment, then said, "Forgive me for bringing this up. But you, and Angel-- are you planning on sticking together past graduation?"

Callisto rubbed the back of her neck. "Honestly? I don't know."

Parker was quiet for a second, then said, "Marty and Angela, I can see making it work, even with a weird ten-year age gap. Rory and 'someone', still have a lot of options, even with a helluva commute. Jarod and I-- even if I thought it was a good idea, even if I didn't wonder if he just imprinted on me like some baby duck-- it's got a limited lifespan. So I guess, I wonder, is it worth it? Knowing that. You could stay here. Or he could go with you. But you can't stay in high school forever."

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Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections

Re: Sixth period - Now NFB, in Spec Collections