"It's present time!" Brooke bounced expectantly.

Peyton smiled contritely. "My daddy was supposed to take me shopping yesterday, but he was busy. I didn't get it yet."

"Oh."

Peyton knew the brunette was disappointed. Brooke loved opening presents.

"But don't worry." She assured her. "Daddy said he'd meet us at your favorite store tonight and we can get it."

"I get to help pick it out?" Brooke perked up.

The curly-haired blonde nodded. That was the deal.

Brooke grinned. "What time are we meeting?"

"Umm, seven, by the fragrance counter." Peyton supplied.

"Perfume?" Brooke's eyes lit up.

Peyton laughed. "That's just a place to meet. You can get whatever, it doesn't have to be perfume. Especially since you're too young for that!" she added when Brooke started to pout.

"Am not!" The brunette protested. "Nine is definitely old enough to start smelling good."

"For who?" In her opinion, most perfumes stink, anyway.

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Only everyone, Peyton. My mom said a lady shouldn't leave the house if she smells plain or bad."

"So take a shower." The blonde replied dryly.

"Ha ha." Brooke stuck her tongue out and changed the subject. "We have a few hours before we meet your dad. What do you wanna do?"

Peyton knew that was a courtesy question. She laughed, "You're the birthday girl!"

"I am!" Brooke squealed, bouncing again. "Wanna go to Tanya's and try on couture dresses?"

"Will we even fit into them?" Peyton frowned.

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Why am I even friends with you? Haven't you ever been into the back of the store? They have stuff for girls our size. We can model the fanciest dresses for each other. It'll be fun!"

It wasn't Peyton's idea of fun, but she'd do it for her best friend. "Let's go."

"Yay!" Yet another bounce as Brooke led her to their bikes.

-x-

Anxiously craning her neck, Peyton mumbled, "Daddy, where are you?" She looked back to where the birthday girl was rifling through purses. He was already over half an hour late.

The store would be closing soon.

Brooke wandered back, aptly reading the situation from the blonde's face. "That's okay, Peyton, we can do this later."

She shook her head. "He promised. I'm your best friend...I'm supposed to give you a present on your birthday. Like we always do."

"It's okay if it's late." Brooke put her arm around Peyton. "Or if you don't get me one. I mean, we're best friends. There's no rule about presents."

Peyton frowned. In the three years they've been friends, birthdays always came with presents. She didn't feel right not getting her something.

Brooke shrugged, "My parents bought me a ton of stuff, anyway. They gave it to me yesterday, right before they left town."

"That's from them. This is from me." Peyton stubbornly replied.

"So you'll give it to me later." Brooke tugged on her arm. "Come on, the store's gonna close soon and it'll be dark when we ride home."

Peyton felt close to tears. She was angry with her dad for forgetting. But she smiled tremulously, nodding as she moved to follow Brooke.

Winding their way through the displays, Peyton was so focused on not crying, that she almost missed it. Brooke's attention was caught by a really elaborate bangle-bracelet set in silver and purple. She reached out to wistfully finger them as they passed.

Peyton pulled her to a stop. "You like those?"

"Yeah." Brooke nodded. "They're pretty and my favorite color!"

"Is that what you'd want?"

"Sure." She shrugged.

Heart pounding, not believing what she was doing, Peyton bit through the plastic tag holding the bracelets to the sensor, slid them over her wrist, and pulled her jacket sleeve down to hide them.

"Peyton!" Brooke hissed.

The blonde tugged her hand, "C'mon. Let's go."

Neither of the girls spoke as they exited the store and practically ran for their bikes after alarms didn't sound. The entire ride to Peyton's house was silent, the girls only staring at each other breathlessly when they reached the porch.

Finally, Brooke broke it. "I can't believe you did that!"

"Me neither." Peyton admitted. Her hands were shaky as she slid the bracelets off and offered them. "Happy birthday, best friend."

Brooke accepted the gift, admiring the bangles on her wrist. "Thank you."

Peyton bit her lip; the guilt was overwhelming.

Knowing her, Brooke looked Peyton directly in the eyes. "I love you. This is my favorite present, because you did it to make sure I got one. It's better than anything anyone ever bought me."

"I love you, too." Peyton murmured as they hugged.

But she still felt guilty.

After Brooke left, Peyton paced the living room waiting for her dad. He was never this late.

"Sweetie, I'm sorry." Larry blurted as soon as he opened the door. "The job ran long. I promise, we'll go Monday."

"Daddy, are you still friends with Stan? He works at the store, right?"

He nodded. "He's the manager. Why? Want him to open tomorrow just for you?" He teased.

"Umm." She focused on her shoes. "I didn't wait to get Brooke's present."

He knelt down by his silently crying daughter. "What happened?"

"I—I stole a bracelet set." She choked out. "It cost s-seven dollars and I was mad that you made me m-mess up her birthday."

Sighing deeply, Larry hugged her, letting her cry. When she finished, he tilted her chin up, "Baby—"

"I'm sorry, Daddy!"

"Baby, you know what you did was wrong, right?"

She nodded miserably.

"But I understand. On Monday, we'll go talk to Stan. You'll confess—"

Her eyes widened in horror, but he continued, "—and I'll pay for what you took. But you're grounded the rest of the weekend."

Peyton was confused. "Only one day?"

"Yes. Because you told me the truth right away. And I broke my promise to you, too."

She threw her arms around him. "Thanks, Daddy. I love you."

"Just don't do it again."