Takes place the day of my story Thunderstorm (which is almost a week before Grandpa…just FYI)

Amelia Lawrence

"I'll pick you up here, Kay Parks," Rebecca says as she parks her car outside the school.

"How come Dad or Bones aren't getting me?" he asks one hand paused on the handle. "I'm still going over there right?"

"For a week, yes," she confirms, a stab of guilt shooting through her at his almost panicked expression; it is only recently that she has realized how much she has played with his emotions by not having a structured schedule with his dad. She was thinking about placing something on paper even before she got a 'suggestion' from Brennan about it. She smiles reassuringly with an apology in her eyes, rubbing her hand over his hair, which has darkened as he has aged.

"Your dad and Dr. Brennan were afraid that they might have to stay late for a case," she explains. "But you are going, for a week. I promise."

"Okay. I'll see ya later, Mom," he smiles, looking like his father.

"Have a good day, baby," she says to a closing door as he bolts out just as the bell rings.

"Hey Parker!" calls his friend Jimmy, walking up to him as he enters the building with their other friend Isaac.

"Hey what's up?" Parker smiles, walking through the crowd of students.

"We get our partners for the science project today," Isaac says sounding depressed.

"Relax, maybe you'll get someone smarter than you. Which is everybody so you have nothing to worry about," Parker teases; running into the room to flee his friend's playful punch.

Soon the classroom is full of chattering students, until the second bell rings and the teacher calls for attention. Throughout the class, Parker pays close attention, truly enjoying learning. Even though he also does 'normal' things like play sports with his friends, he still maintains high grades, which is starting to put a strain his friendships. He glances over at his friends, hoping that he doesn't get either one as a science partner as he knows they will slack off.

"Okay, everybody, I'm going to tell you who your partners are. When I name your partner, one of you please move to sit next to the other," says the teacher, picking up an open notebook. "James Anderson and Isaac Monroe. Lisa Bane and Wendy Cole. Parker Booth and Amelia Lawrence. Henry…"

"Too bad for you Parks," teases Isaac as he and Jimmy chuckle at him. "All on your own."

"Yeah right," Parker rolls his eyes, gathering his things and standing up. "Amelia is only the smartest kid in our class. Poor me."

He walks away from their frowning faces, having a feeling that they will soon part ways. Students around him are walking around, trying to find and sit with their partners, and jostling him in the aisle. As one student sits down he almost runs into the girl who is now his partner.

"Oh," she says with slightly wide green eyes. "I thought I would go to your desk."

"Oh um," he looks back and sees two other students already there. "Too late. Yours?"

"Okay," she nods, and turns around again.

As he sits next to her and they begin to look at their list of possible assignment choices, Parker glances sideways at the dark haired girl. She is new to the school, entering only the month before, so he doesn't really know her. But in the short time she has been there she quickly and easily out beat him for star pupil. Although he has seen her walk around with some of the girls, she doesn't really seem to belong to any group.

"Stop staring," she says mildly, still concentrating on the paper in front of her.

"Wha-I wasn't-wasn't staring," he stutters, embarrassed at being caught.

"Even though your face wasn't pointed towards mine, your eyes were," she explains with her head down but he thinks he detects a teasing tilt to her voice. "Therefore you were staring."

"Therefore?" he questions, smiling. "What twelve year old says therefore?"

"One who reads," she retorts back.

"Reads what?" he snorts. "Charles Dickens as a bedtime story?"

"As a matter of fact," she says looking at him with a full smile.

Parker feels himself smiling back but not really knowing why. He can't quite place it but something about her seems very familiar to him. He feels relaxed around her, which is crazy because he has just barely met her. After a few seconds of smiling at each other, they turn as one back down to their paper.

"We don't have to decide until Friday," she says, sounding more mature than her twelve years. "So I think we should choose two or three and do basic research at home."

"Why?" Parker asks confused.

"To see which will keep our interest and isn't too difficult to complete," she answers as if it should be obvious.

"Ok, I guess that makes sense," he mutters, frowning at the paper. "How about the first one?"

"No, too easy," she instantly dismisses, pointing at a subject farther down. "This one."

"I can't even pronounce that, Mia," he complains, grabbing his pencil and scribbling over the subject. "Next. How about-"

"Why did you do that?" she asks almost angrily, her eyebrows knit together. "And don't call me Mia."

"What?" he says perplexed.

"Why did you scratch out my idea?" she huffs, feeling insulted. "I didn't do that to yours!"

"What's stopping you?" He says, waggling his pencil in her face.

She tightens her mouth in annoyance before snatching the pencil out his hand. Surprised at her quickness, he watches as she angrily scrubs out his suggestion, the pencil tearing the paper. When done she places the pencil back in his still outreaching hand, smiling smugly with challenge in her eyes.

Parker stares back at her for a few seconds before his lips start to curve. She frowns at him as he starts to chuckle until the humor starts to get to her too and she starts to laugh quietly. Soon they have their hands over their mouths, their heads all but laying on the desk, laughing. Slowly they pull themselves together, wiping tears from their eyes, ignoring the strange stares they are getting from their fellow classmates.

"Okay, how about the third one?" Parker finally gets out, holding the pencil out to her in case she doesn't agree.

With a wide smile she takes the pencil and circles the choice. "I like it."

"Okay," he smiles back with a nod.

"You know Parker," she says, leaning forward. "I think we're going to be good partners."

Parker looks at her for a second, knowing that she is right. They are the two smartest kids; the most devoted to their work. Not only that, but he likes her; she's interesting and tough, different than the other girls in class. He knows that their project is going to be great and is looking forward to working with her. But he doesn't want her to know that, for whatever reason. So instead of nodding or even smiling, he hunches his shoulders, tilts his head and scrunches his face though his playful smirk is visible.

"Eeehh."

Dont know how i feel about this. i'm trying to get back in the mood to write for my multi chap fic, hopefully this wasnt too bad.