A/N: The principal's name was changed to Mr. Hawkins. (: (I changed chapter 3 too…)

If you have already read this story: Graham and Skylar talk toward the end of the story and Parker helps Skylar instead of leaving. The flashback is a little different but not by much. In the flashback, Skylar is in middle school as long as the rest of them and it's not as mean on Parker's behalf.

Chapter 4-Cold As Winter

I slowly made my entrance toward the principal's office and put the ice on my throbbing head. I was hoping that maybe he would give an injured girl some slack and he wouldn't completely take out the rest of his anger on me.

I looked at Parker and he scoffed and glanced toward the window, obviously not wanting to make any eye contact with me. Sadly, I couldn't really blame him. He had been in here for an hour with Mr. Hawkins and I'm sure his parents weren't going to be very fond of him getting in trouble, let alone missing sixth hour. And I…well, me missing one class was probably not going to kill my mom.

I cleared my throat, noticing that Mr. Hawkins' chair was turned around to the wall, "Uh…Mr. Hawkins?"

Parker laughed, "He's not here, numb-nuts."

"Well you could have said something!" I barked back.

"Well I see you two are enjoying each other's company." Mr. Hawkins' voice said, in a dry tone, obviously not amused.

"He-" I composed myself, knowing that if I continued to talk, I was going to be in more trouble, "I'm sorry."

Mr. Hawkins nodded, walking around me, to go sit down at his desk. He stared at his desk for a moment, rearranging everything like the neat freak that he was, then looked up at me and smiled. "Take a seat, Ms. Summers. We might be in here for a while."

I nodded, sitting down next to Parker and then looked up at Mr. Hawkins, waiting to hear what our punishment was going to be.

"I had already talked to Parker and I am going to say exactly what I told him." He paused for a moment and then looked at me and sighed, "I really hate to be saying this to my best students—"

"But you have to because it's your job…" I muttered underneath my breath.

"What was that, Ms. Summers?"

"She said that you have-" Parker started and I glared at him.

"Shut up, Parker."

"Can you please stop fighting?" he groaned in frustration.

"Yes sir." We said in unison.

"As I was saying, I really don't want to be telling you two that you will be serving detention. It breaks my heart, really it does, but someone has to be held responsible for the mess in the cafeteria and I was told by several students that you two started it. Now, I have already asked Parker for his side of the story, but I want to hear your side as well, Skylar." He said, "So, Parker, you will not interrupt her because you had the opportunity to tell your side with no interruptions."

Parker nodded and I wanted to laugh in his face, but decided it probably wasn't best.

"Well," I began, "I was going to get a fork for my lunch and I accidentally bumped into Parker and I ended up getting it all over Parker's shirt. I was going to apologize, but he started yelling at me, telling me that I needed to watch where I was going. Then, I started telling him that the world didn't revolve around him and before I knew it, he was spraying a packet of ketchup all over me. I was angry so I put a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on his head and then he stuck it down my shirt and walked away. Then I threw a cupcake at his head and hit his neck and after that, somebody yelled 'food fight' and then I tripped." I explained.

"I see," Mr. Hawkins nodded, "Well, that's not exactly how Parker said it, but it's very close."

"I promise I'm being honest." I said, "I'm sorry for causing the food fight Mr. Hawkins."

Mr. Hawkins gave me a thankful smile and nodded, "Well, I'm glad you came clean, but if I let my two favorite students get away with something this big, I'm afraid you two will be a bad example and it will give the other students an excuse to start behaving poorly. So, I'm willing to work with you two on what your punishment will be."

"Well," he thought for a moment, "We need more people on the homecoming committee and with Parker's popularity, I'm sure he'd be perfect to get the word out for more students to come and he can help decorate and Skylar, with your brains, you'd really help both the decorating committee and help give them some ideas. I've already talked to Ms. Creston and she's willing to let you two help every day after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays."

"Sir, I have practice after school on those days." Parker said, "And I-"

"I understand that, Mr. Winters. I have talked to Coach Daniels and he has agreed to move practice to practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays instead and one will be Monday mornings." He said, "In addition, you two will be serving detention every day on Saturday from 10 o'clock to 3:30 every day for 9 weeks."

"And finally, you two will be cleaning up the cafeteria today after school after your first meeting for Homecoming committee. Understood?"

We both nodded simultaneously and he nodded. "Well then, now that we're all clear, I will see you two after school today. Have a nice day." He excused us.

I got up from my chair and tried not to groan. I walked out of the main office, towards my locker. "Do you always to be such a kiss ass?" Parker said, catching up to me.

"Do you always have to figure out a way to get out of punishments that you know you deserve?" I said, opening my locker, hoping to find a change of clothes to get out of the smelly, food-stained clothes.

"Sweetie, I'm Parker Winters, I always get out of punishments."

"Don't call me that." I said quickly, closing my locker after grabbing my books, "And good for you. I'm sure you're proud of that."

Parker clenched his jaw, "Y'know it's no wonder you're single. You're such a bitch."

"And you're an asshole. Now that we covered the basics, I'll see you after school." I said, walking away, leaving him to stand by himself.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"I'm assuming you are Skylar Summers?" Samantha Creston stared at her clipboard then back up at me, as if she already knew my life story.

Samantha Creston was the school president and she was more of a 'goody-two-shoes' than I was. She was a part of almost every single club that one could think of, she had a 4.5 GPA, and she had perfect attendance. She was the girl that everyone hated because she was one of those 'party-poopers'. She judged you before you even said one word to her and she was a smart ass too.

"Yes ma'am." I gave her a smile, "Now let's get this started." I sat down at the round table and spun around in my chair.

"Skylar," she gave me a serious look, "I really didn't want Mr. Hawkins letting you be a part of this committee, let alone Parker, so can you please sit still and take this seriously?"

"Sorry…" I muttered, rolling the chair forward, laying my hands on the table.

"Now," she said, looking around at the table which had about twenty other students, "Where's your partner in crime?"

"I-"

"Right here, babe." Parker winked at Samantha. I scoffed, knowing that I couldn't have been the only girl he gave stupid pet names too.

"Now let's get the show on the road!" he said, sitting down next to me.

"Alright, now that we have everyone here, I want to let you all know that I have been thinking about themes for the dance and here they are." She said, spinning the whiteboard in the room around to show us the ideas.

"So, I really liked 'Under the Sea'-" a girl began.

"Hold it." Parker laughed, "Hell no. 'Under The Sea' is so overdone. No, we need something that nobody has done."

"How about 'A Night Under the Stars?'" I suggested, getting a few nods and a dirty look from Parker.

"What are we, Shakespeare?" he chuckled, "That's too damn cheesy. Besides, if one boy hears about that theme, nobody is going to come."

"Um-" a boy interrupted him, "I hate to break it to you, Parker, but the theme of Homecoming is always a surprise. Nobody will know what the theme is until they arrive."

I looked at him and saw that it was Graham Trinity. His hair was a very light brown, it was styled and he had the type of cute that a baby would have, yet he was still pretty 'sexy'. His shoulders were square and he had the physique of a surfer.

I haven't talked to Graham since freshmen year and he had definitely grown out of the squirrely, short, and skinny-guy-with-no-muscle look. He had finally managed to hit his growth spurt and everything had finally become proportional. His pale olive skin was clear and there wasn't a sign of a single black head.

I smiled at him and he gave me a small smile in return. "Either way," Parker said, giving me a weird look, "All I'm saying is that her idea is horrible."

"So, do you have any bright ideas?" Samantha looked at him dreamily. So much for not wanting Parker here…

"Before you ask him that, are you sure you aren't being biased about whose idea you're going to be picking?" I stared at her, now knowing that she was one of Parker's admirers.

I didn't blame for her at all for being one. He was the star basketball player, he was undoubtedly gorgeous, and he was a smart guy. Not only that, but he was told to be really good in bed. The only reason why I wasn't a part of his fan club was because I didn't just have eyes. I had ears and I had a brain. I've seen him rip girls' hearts apart and then stomp on them. As amazing as that sounded, I thought I'd skip out on that.

Samantha began narrowing her eyes in anger, but then she gave me a small, fake smile, "Of course not, Skylar, but as the head of homecoming committee, I should and will listen to everyone's ideas." She said, "I am definitely not biased." She said firmly, looking at Parker to continue.

"Well…" he said, looking at everyone, "I was thinking we could do a masquerade ball."

Samantha beamed and smiled at him, standing up to write it down on the 'Idea Board'. "That's a great idea Parker."

I raised my hand to comment and Samantha looked at me in disgust, "Yes, Skylar? What comment do you have now?"

"Well, I don't know about all of you, but aren't masquerade balls kind of fancy?" I said, "Most schools like to keep homecoming pretty casual right?"

Graham nodded in agreement, "She's right. Homecoming is usually when guys don't have to go and rent out a tuxedo and girls don't have to buy really expensive gowns. That's what prom is for."

Samantha nodded as if she was trying to show that she understood what we were saying. "I understand what you are saying, but don't underclassmen deserve to have at least one fancy dance? Masquerade balls are really fun!"

"Have you been to one?" I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

Samantha's cheeks turned to a light pink and she looked back at the board and scoffed. "No, but it doesn't matter. They look fun. I say we should have a vote. All for the masquerade ball, say 'I'." she said.

The majority of the seniors and juniors said 'I'. Everyone except Graham and I. "All opposed, say 'Nay'."

"Nay." I said, "Not that it really matters." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Then it's settled. We're doing a masquerade ball." Samantha smiled.

"Well, I guess we're done here, right?" I stood up from my chair.

"Yes, you're excused."

"Clean up time." I smiled at Parker and he groaned.

"I could help you, Parker." Samantha gave him a flirtatious smile.

I rolled my eyes, wanting hydrogen peroxide in my eyes—that would have been much better than watching yet another girl drool over Parker. In fact, I wanted to dip my ears in acid so I could go deaf too.

I stood up and walked out of the room, knowing that Parker wasn't going to be much of a help anyways when it came to cleaning the cafeteria. He was smart and athletic, but he was still lazy.

"Hey Skylar, wait up!" a voice called as I continued to scurry down the hallway.

I turned to see Graham running after me, "Hey." I said, smiling at him.

"You sure did book out of there." He chuckled, "You don't like Samantha?"

I laughed, "I don't really like any of Parker's admirers. They're all the same."

"They seem to admire his looks more than his personality." Graham nodded.

"Don't you just love it?" I said sarcastically, "And then they go and blame everyone else for their broken heart." I said, "I hate people like that."

"Is that why you hang out with Drew?"

I stared at Graham suspiciously. "Yeah…why?"

"I'm just wondering." He said, "You and Drew have been really good friends for a really long time and I was just wondering if it was because he was attractive or if he's much nicer and he's got the whole package." He chuckled.

I stared at Graham. He looked nervous. He looked intrigued, almost curious to the point where he was afraid.

"Yeah, Drew is awesome." I said, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

Graham's face lit up, but before I knew it, it was gone as quickly as the speed of light. "Well, he seems nice. So, what did Hawkins give you guys for your guys' punishment?"

"Some detention, cleaning up the cafeteria, and well, homecoming committee."

"Ah, sounds fun." He said, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

"Definitely." I said, copying his sarcasm, "So why are you doing homecoming committee? I mean, I'm sure it can be fun and all, if you like that kind of stuff, but you don't seem like the type."

Graham laughed and nodded in agreement, "Well I don't really want to be doing it. My parents asked me if I could so I could go and get to know a few people."

"Did you get to know a few people?"

"Sure. They're all the same though—smart, over-achievers who like to take control over everything." He rolled his eyes.

"I can tell…" I muttered.

"Yeah, it's not the best thing in the world to spend my time with. But hey, I met you, didn't I?"

I smiled, my cheeks heating up lightly, "You-"

"Skylar, I thought you were heading to the cafeteria."

I turned around to see Parker. "Well I was, but I was talking to Graham. Is that a problem?"

"Hawkins is going to be angry if he sees that you'd rather be talking to some guy instead of doing what you're supposed to." Parker said, his jaw clenching. Was he…jealous?

"Alright." I rolled my eyes, knowing it was pointless to argue with Parker, "I'll catch ya later, okay?" I looked at Graham who just smiled at me.

"Yeah, how about I join you at lunch?"

"Deal." I smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow."

I walked off, without even waiting for Parker to catch up to me. What was his problem anyways? Usually he was the one goofing off and not actually wanting to do work. Not only that, but he was interrupting a nice conversation that I was having with a nice boy.

I got to the cafeteria, looking around at the huge mess. There was food all over the floor, all over the tables—heck there was food on the walls. Styrofoam plates covered the floor and tables, empty cartons of milk and juice were all around the tables, and my Tupperware was still lying there on the ground where I had hit Parker.

"Well, I'm glad you guys decided to show up." Mr. Hawkins came in, smiling, "Well, how did the meeting go?"

"It was awesome." I said, trying to keep it as simple as possible.

"Well that's good." He nodded, then looked at Parker, "Parker, what did you think of it?"

"It was cool, I guess." Parker shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets, "I came up with an idea that everyone loved and that's going to be the theme of homecoming."

And I thought I was the kiss-ass student.

"Brilliant!" Mr. Hawkins beamed, "Everyone loved it?"

"Everyone but Graham and I…" I muttered, as I started to go and grab the three trash cans around the commons to put into the center aisle.

"What was that Skylar?"

"Everyone loved it. It's a cool theme." I said, grabbing plates and cartons of milk to throw into the trash.

"Well that's just superb, Parker. Just superb! And did I mention that this looks good on college application?"

"What? Getting detention?" I muttered once again.

"What, Skylar? You really need to learn how to speak out. I can't hear you."

"I said that I'm glad it will look good on an application." I lied through my teeth, "I want to go to Yale." I said.

"No way…" Parker muttered.

"What is it with you two and muttering today?" Mr. Hawkins chuckled, "What did you say Parker?"

"I want to go to Yale too…" Parker said, trailing off.

I stared at him. There was no way the two of us actually had something in common.

"I thought your dad said he wanted you to go to UCLA for basketball?" Mr. Hawkins said, giving him a confused look.

"I'm keeping my choices open." He snapped.

"Alrighty." Mr. Hawkins nodded, ignoring Parker's sudden foul mood, "Well, the mop is over there," Mr. Hawkins pointed toward the closet in the commons, "Along with any other cleaning supplies you might need. Have fun you two." He said, walking out of the commons.

I sighed, looking around at the mess once again. "So, you want to go to Yale?" I looked at him, "What for?"

"None of your damn business." He hissed, "Look, you don't know me, so don't act like you know me." He said, walking toward me, glaring.

"I wasn't trying to act like I knew you!" I said, "I was trying to get to know you, but if you're going to be an asshole, then there's no reason to." I huffed.

"Good." He said angrily, "I don't need some smart-ass bitch in my life. Go get the mop."

I rolled my eyes and went over to the closet to grab the mop, broom, and a few cleaners that we might need. I walked back over to where Parker was standing and parked the mop there, along with the mop wringer, dropping the broom and rags and such.

"What do you want to do?" I said, moving my eyes around each object.

"Nothing." He said, "But I might as well help because you're going to rat me out."

"Pretty much." I said, "We'll start with the trash though. We can't really mop and clean off the tables without getting the trash out of the way."

"Okay." Parker said, starting on the tables on the right side.

I started on the tables on the left and started taking a trashcan down the table to start throwing things away. I looked over at Parker and he kept throwing things away angrily like what Mr. Hawkins had mentioned was still bothering him.

Even though I had asked Parker a reasonable question, trying to be nice, Parker could never do the same thing. Parker has always been bitter to me. Parker had always hated me or something because there hasn't been one time that Parker has been nice to me. Okay…well maybe once. But that's a story for another time. This time, it's about how big of a heartless jerk this boy was.

Skylar's History Class 104:

I stared blankly at my locker, just going through the motions of turning my locker dial. I was a twelve year old dweeb who had just lost their dad in an airplane crash. My mom had come to around eight o'clock with tears in her eyes and asked me to go sit down with Rae in the living room. We both sat down and before I knew it, the words that came out of her mouth were that Dad had died.

"Skye," Drew whispered to me, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder, massaging it, "It'll be okay. Your teachers will understand what you're going through. They'll go easy on you. You just need to take a breather. Everything will be okay. I'm here for you."

"I really miss him, Drew…" I whispered, my voice cracking as tears filled my eyes for the umphmillionth time that day.

"Please don't cry again, Skye. I can't take it when you cry. It breaks my heart." Drew whispered to me, as he continued to rub his hand up and down my back.

"I—" I choked on my words and before I knew it, Drew wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug.

Tears streamed through my eyes as I pressed my head against his chest. "I don't know what to do anymore, Drew. My dad is gone. Rae doesn't understand what's going on, my mom is a complete mess and she's never home, and I don't know how to take care of Rae. Rae is only four for crying out loud! I'm only 12! How am I supposed to take care of her when I can't even take care of myself?" I sobbed into his chest.

I tightly gripped his shirt, trying not to want to kick a locker. I was angry, I was tired, I was sad, and I was completely lost.

"Ow, Skye, you're going to tear out my chest hair." Drew moaned.

I stopped crying and then looked at him, giving him in an inquisitive smile, "Since when did you have chest hair?"

"I was checking myself out this morning and I saw—"

I looked at him and narrowed my eyes.

"I'm kidding!" Drew laughed, "I just wanted to put a smile on your face." He smiled at me.

I frowned, "This is me, not smiling." I said, still pulling him in for another hug.

"I can feel you smiling." Drew chuckled.

I giggled and hugged him tighter, "Thanks Drew."

"Don't worry about anything. If anybody even so much as touches you, I'll touch them."

I looked at him again, giving him a disgusted look, "Touch them?"

"Not like that!" Drew laughed, "Get your mind out of the gutters!"

I giggled, wiping away my tears. Even with Drew by my side, I still felt hopeless. I didn't know what to do and I had already thrown my guitar out in the garage. I felt like it was wrong for me to enjoy myself with the guitar anymore without my dad. I broke down and skipped dinner.

"Sorry…" I laughed, breathing in to calm myself down, "Do I look like I was crying?"

"Ummm…"

"Don't you dare lie to me Andrew Dietrich Shields." I glared at him.

"I was just trying to be nice, but if you really want to know, your eyes are a bit puffy, the tip of your nose is red, and you sound a little stuffy." Drew sighed, "But that's how most people look after they cried."

"Hey Summers!"

I looked over to see a twelve year old Parker staring at me with mischief in his eyes. "I heard about your dad. I would say I'm sorry for you, but you-"

"Watch it, Winters." Drew growled at him, "Shut up."

Parker rolled his eyes, "Plus, by the way, my dad told me he saw your mom at a bar getting drunk. My dad said she was so drunk that he had to drive her home. Your mom is poor, stupid alcoholic." He laughed.

I stared at him and trying to blink away the tears that were beginning to fill my eyes. I started to walk in the opposite direction, but Drew stopped me. "Drew let me go." I said sternly.

"No." Drew whispered.

Drew looked up at Parker and glared at him. "What is your problem, Parker? She just lost her dad! She doesn't need a guy like you reminding her every freaking second!"

"I don't have a problem." Parker scoffed, "She does. Now one less person loves her. Not only that, but her mom will stop loving her too if she decides to keep drowning herself in alcohol."

I ripped my hand out of Drew's arms and ran out of the school, crying harder than I had all day.

Parker Winters was as cold as his last name. He was the bane of my existence and not only that, but I never really figured out why.

A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the wait. I was busy these last few days, hanging out with a friend of mine. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter and I looked over the chapter, so hopefully there aren't any grammatical errors.

Shout-out(s):

HelgaBertoni: Well I'm glad you liked the last chapter! Thanks for reviewing once again and hopefully, the next chapter will be up soon!