Peyton has always been a bit of a player. All through 10th
and 11th grade they had slept with almost every girl twice. They
were also a bit of a partier. One day in class. "This is our newest student.
Make her feel at home. Have a seat, Miss Philips." Alex goes and has a seat
next to Peyton. Peyton smiles at Alex when they notice her staring at them.
Peyton pops their gum. The two pay attention to the lesson. Peyton notices Alex
staring at them every so often. Peyton chuckles. Once the class was over Alex
books it out the door. Peyton follows. They notice that Alex's locker is right
next to theirs. "Hey beautiful. I'm Peyton." Peyton offers their hand. Alex
shakes it nervously. "Alex." Alex goes back to gathering her books for next
class. "So, Alex. Are you signing up for any of the school's teams?" Alex
shrugs. "I don't know yet. I was thinking about joining the cheerleading team."
Peyton smiles. "You totally should. If the captain gives you any trouble just
come talk to me. I run this school." Alex closes her locker. "It was nice
meeting you." Alex walks away. Peyton whistles. "Damn." Peyton's best friend
Ryan comes over. "Careful there. She's Eric's sister." Peyton snorts. "He
doesn't scare me. I can kick his ass in fucking ten seconds." Ryan chuckles.
"Sometimes I question my sanity with you." Peyton and Ryan walk to class. Once
Peyton is done their work, they hand it in and sit back. Their phone vibrates.
DMan: Yo word is you have the hots for
Eric's sister
StonerGod497: What the fuck? Who told you
that?
DMan: Ryan
DMan: I'm just kidding yo. I saw you with
her
StonerGod497: You asshole
DMan: You love me. I'll see ya at lunch
StonerGod497: Maybe. Maybe not
DMan: Come on I was just playin'
StonerGod497: It's not that
DMan: Okay. Later
StonerGod497: Later
Peyton puts their phone away as the bell rings. Peyton catches up
with Alex. "Hey." Alex smiles. "Hi. Sorry about earlier. I was just not feeling
fully awake." Peyton shrugs. "It's cool it's cool. So, what you doing right
now? Like what are you planning to do for the time you have for lunch?" Alex
puts her books in her locker and then grabs her purse. "I was planning on going
to the cafeteria and buy some food and then eat it in study hall. Why?" Peyton
offers their hand. "Come with me. I have a better idea." Alex looks confused
but takes Peyton's hand anyway. The two walk to Peyton's car. Peyton gets in
and unlocks the door for Alex. "Come on." Alex gets in and does up her
seatbelt. "Where are we going?" Peyton drives off. "You like sushi?" Alex
brightens up. "I love it." Peyton smiles. "Well then you'll love this place."
Peyton pulls into a parking lot and parks their car. The two walk into the
restaurant after Peyton locks the car. "Hey Neil. The usual please." Neil nods.
"And for you miss?" "I'll try the same please." Neil nods. "Have a seat and
I'll be with you soon." Alex and Peyton go have a seat in a booth. "So, are you
from around here?" Peyton smiles. "I wasn't born here no. I was born in Spain,
but my parents moved here when I was 4. I've lived here since. You? You and
your brother from the same place?" Alex shakes her head. "I was born shortly
after my parents and him moved here from England. When I was six, we moved to
San Diego but then moved back here when I was 10. They didn't like it there much."
Peyton chuckles. "I can understand. I stayed at a motel there in grade 9 for a
ball game tournament." Alex and Peyton eat. Once done. "What kind of sports do
you play?" "Off school time basketball but for school time football. Were you a
cheerleader at your other schools?" Alex nods. "Do you know when the practices
are?" Peyton nods. "They're after school. There's one today after school so if
you want, I can stay and I'll drive you home afterwards. That's up to you."
Alex nods. "Okay. I'd love that." The two smile at each other. "We done?" Alex
nods. Neil takes the plates. "I'll see you next week Neil." Peyton leaves money
on the counter. Neil takes it. "You be good. I'll see you." Peyton and Alex
leave. Back at the school. "Do you have a free period?" Alex shakes her head.
"Sadly no. I'll see you after?" Peyton nods. "I'll see you." Alex gets out of
the car and walks to class. Peyton slams their fists into the steering wheel.
"Fuck!" Peyton takes out their pack of cigarettes and takes one out. Peyton lights
it and smokes away. As they finish the cigarette Ryan knocks on the window.
Peyton opens the door and Ryan gets in. "You fell for her, didn't you?" Peyton
shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe. I've never been in love with anyone before." "You
like her at least." Peyton smiles. "That I do know. She makes me feel good. I
can't remember the last time I felt this good." Ryan pats Peyton's shoulder.
"Okay. Hey Kara and I are going to a party on Friday. Are you coming?"
"Wouldn't miss it." The two fist bump. Peyton and Ryan walk to class after
Peyton locks the car. Peyton sees Alex staring at them at the corner of their
eye and smiles. Peyton writes down their name on Facebook on a piece of paper
and rips it out of the book. Peyton hands it to Alex. Alex takes it and reads
it. She smiles. Peyton smiles back. At the end of the school day Peyton walks
with Alex to cheerleading practice. Peyton watches Alex kill the tryouts. "Damn
girl you got some moves. Keep practicing and you'll maybe get a permanent spot
on the squad." Alex smiles. "Thanks." "I'll see you tomorrow." Alex nods. Alex
runs to Peyton and the two hug. "I'm so excited." Peyton smiles. "I'm happy for
you. You go get changed and I'll meet you outside. Cool?" Alex nods. "Cool."
Peyton goes and waits outside while Alex goes to change. When Alex goes
outside, she sees the captain of the cheerleaders all up in Peyton's space.
Alex starts walking towards them. "Come on babe. I miss you." Peyton shakes off
Ashley's hands. "Grow up Ash. We never really dated. We only hooked up a couple
times. Stop being such a control freak. It was fun and it was hot but that's
it." Ashley walks off. "What was that about?" Peyton shrugs. "Nothing. She's
just obsessed with me. Lets go." Alex gets in the car and does up her seatbelt.
Alex sits in silence. "At the end." Peyton nods and parks into the driveway.
Peyton turns in their seat. "So, there's this party that my friends and I are
going to on Friday and I was wondering if you wanted to come with." Alex
smiles. "Sure. I'll go." Peyton smiles. "Great. I'll pick ya up at 7:30." Alex
nods. "Okay." Alex gets out of the car. "Thanks for the ride." Peyton nods. "No
problem." Alex closes the door. Peyton drives off once Alex walks into her
house and closes the door. Peyton pulls into their driveway and turns off the
engine. Peyton gets out after grabbing their bag and locks the car. Peyton then
walks into the house and leaves their bag by the basement stairs. Peyton goes
through the mail. "Mum there's something here for you." Peyton's mother comes
upstairs from the basement. Peyton hands over the mail for their mother. "Thank
you. Dinner will be ready soon." Peyton nods. "Okay. I'm gonna go do my
homework." Sarah nods. Peyton goes downstairs after grabbing their bag and
starts on their homework. Peyton's phone vibrates.
Alex: Hey
Peyton changes their nickname to
StonerGod497
StonerGod497: Hi
Alex: So, you're a stoner huh?
StonerGod497: Kinda yeah. Is that an
issue for you?
Alex: Nah. I smoke too every now and
again
StonerGod497: Cool, cool. So, what's up?
I'm kinda in the middle of doing homework
Alex: Oh sorry. I'll make it quick then.
I have a question for you
StonerGod497: Sup?
Alex: Are you with anyone?
StonerGod497: No Why?
Alex: Just heard some rumors from my
brother
Peyton growls and finishes their homework. About 5 minutes later.
Alex: Sorry if I upset you
StonerGod497: Not your fault. Sorry I
didn't reply right away. I had to finish my homework cuz if I didn't, I
wouldn't have finished it until 6 am tomorrow
Alex: It's okay. So, what's this party
we're going to on Friday?
StonerGod497: Probably just some lame
apartment party
Alex: You don't like apartment parties?
StonerGod497: Nah cuz we always get
caught
StonerGod497: Also, about the rumors
Alex: You don't have to explain to me.
Your business
StonerGod497: I don't really do
relationships
Alex: Oh. Interesting. Why not?
StonerGod497: I haven't found that right
one I guess
Alex: I see. Well, I better go
StonerGod497: Me too. I'll see you
tomorrow
Alex: See you tomorrow
Peyton smiles and plugs in their phone. "Dinner is ready!" "Okay!"
Peyton goes upstairs to eat. "Dinner is delicious mum." Sally smiles. "Thank
you dear. So how was school?" Peyton shrugs and finishes their food. "Same old.
I met a new student today." Sarah raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's his or
her name?" "Her name is Alex. She's trying to get on the cheerleading squad
permanently." "Oh, that's amazing. For her I mean. So, she'll be at your games
then." Peyton nods. "Maybe. Who knows. She's only an alternate." "Right. Right.
Well, I'm off to shower and then bed." Peyton smiles and nods. "Okay I'll clean
up." Sarah stands up and kisses Peyton's forehead. "Night dear." "Night mum."
Sarah goes upstairs and Peyton cleans up the kitchen. Once that's done Peyton
goes downstairs. Just as Peyton changes into their PJ's their phone vibrates.
Peyton grabs it.
"Hello?" "Hi." "Oh hey. What's up?" "I know I shouldn't be
listening to rumors and shit but I gotta know." "Know what?" "Are you planning
on kissing me at the dance just to screw with my brother?"
Peyton clenches their fist in anger. Peyton then punches the wall.
"I would never do that to you unless you wanted me to. Who told
you that ridiculous rumor? I'll kick their ass." "It was my brother's friend
Justin." "Okay. I'm off to bed now." "Okay night." "Night."
The call ends. Peyton plops onto the bed and sighs. "Fuck." Peyton
goes to sleep after brushing their teeth.