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"Anything interesting?"heasked.

"Not really,"Parkersaid.

"Idon't believe you.You laughed atsomething."

"It's nothing.That guy, Kell. He and I got grouped together for a class project. I'm going to meet with him to talk about it. You should see the samples he just sent me. Makes me question hisabilities."

"Oooooooh,"Williamcooed.

Nate lookedup from his drawing and giggled. "Oooooh," heechoed.

"You're goingto meet him, huh? Group project? It's a sign. Are you going over to his place?" William grinned athim.

"Hell no,"Parker said,scowling.

"But he lives here. Why not?"

"Idon't wantto make this any more personal than it has tobe."

His brother gave him a look."You're funny,Parker."

Parker ignored him."I'll be back in a couple hours. Bye, kid." He ruffled Nate's hair, grabbed his backpack from the corner and headed out thedoor.

Kell was standingin the parking lot, looking slightly annoyed. "So," he said. "Tell me why my worksucks."

Parker sighed."I said, I'msorry."

"Apology not accepted, jerk,"Kell said, a playful defiance in his tone. "So, where are wegoing?"

It wasstrange--hearing that provocative sort of response from Kell was oddly exciting. He'd always seemed so passive in class, so to see this other side of him... He likedit.

"Send Noods,"Parker said, and Kell looked at him quizzically. "It's a ramen restaurant," he added,quickly.

"Iknow,"Kell said. "I've been therebefore."

"Oh.Well, good. I haven't eaten anything all day and I'mstarving."

They walkedthrough the parking lot towards his Bentley, which stood out like a sore thumb amongst all the other cars surroundingit.

"Fancy,"Kell said, and Parker, for what might've been the first time ever, felt a slight burn of self-consciousness.

He unlockedthe car and they got inside. Kell sank into the leather seat and looked around the car with wideeyes.

"I'm thinkingabout getting rid of it," Parker said. "Getting something a bit morepractical."

I'm just sayingthat because I'm embarrassed,hethought.

"Icould straightup live in this car," Kell said as Parker started up the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. "I always thought that you lived in some giant mansion somewhere. Your parents are rich,right?"

What kindof question was that? "Yeah, something like that," Parkergrunted.

"Sorry,"Kell said. "I didn't meant to berude."

"Why areyou always so damn jittery?" Parker asked. "Justrelax."

"Sorry,"Kell said quietly. He breathed out a sigh and looked out the window. "I get worked upeasily."

"Obviously,"Parkersaid.