Saturn

Chapter 4

…..

I woke up in a stranger's bed, bottles clinking on the bed as I sat up, wrapping the dirty blanket around my thin body. Another bender, another night of meaningless sex with a stranger after having copious amounts of alcohol. I groaned, rubbing my eyes as my head pounded, grabbing my clothes from the floor as I dragged myself out of bed.

I quickly got dressed, not bothering to wake the guy asleep on the other side of the bed or leave a note, I never did. I quickly took a couple of Panadol from my bag and made my way to school, putting on some sunglasses to cover up my red eyes. Haley was waiting at my locker when I arrived, obviously trying to wipe something off the front of it. I sighed and made my way to my locker, the word SLUT emblazoned on the front.

"Just a typical Thursday then?" I say as I make my way through and open my locker, grabbing my books for the day.

"I tried ringing you last night, got your voicemail like 7 times" Haley says as I shut my locker again.

"Sorry, I was out" We begin to make our way to our first class, English and I can feel Haley's eyes on me, studying me.

I turn to her, stopping in the hallway "What?"

She reaches up and pulls off my sunglasses, groaning as she sees my bloodshot eyes "You're hungover?! At school?"

"Drop it Haley"

"No, I can't 'drop it'. I can't just stand by and watch you do this to yourself!"

"I'm fine!" I shout indignantly, catching the attention of a few students

"No, you're not Peyton. And I don't want to come in to school one day and hear that you're in the hospital or find you lying dead somewhere! I can't keep watching you do this"

"Then stop! You wouldn't be the first person to abandon me, you certainly won't be the last"

"Well maybe people would stop leaving if you stopped acting like such a bitch!"

I tense up like she's just slapped me, she might as well have. It probably would have hurt less, I swallow, a lump in my throat forming as try to avoid eye contact with her. I can hear a few whispers from around us, a few laughs and one stupid freshman muttering "catfight". Out of the corner of my eye I can see Brooke and Lucas, standing on the sidelines as I destroy another relationship.

"You know what?" I mutter "You're right. I've been a total bitch. I'm sorry to have been such a burden Haley, I'll take it off your shoulders now" I say as I push my way out of the crowd.

/

I became a hell of a lot stronger after that, my skin turning from porcelain to steel and my walls higher than ever. I didn't really mind being alone, it meant that I never had to fake being happy for anyone and I never had to talk about how I was 'feeling'.

Nate had tried calling me a few times since the fight but I ignored him, he'd probably leave soon enough anyway, why wait till then?

I was no longer the weepy, fucked up cheerleader with two dead mothers. No, I was stronger than that now, choosing to ignore every judgemental look at school and focus on getting the fuck out of here.

I spent most of my nights either out getting hammered or staying home, avoiding any high school parties as I had no desire to be looked down on for the entire night.

I ground out my cigarette under my old leather boot and sighed heavily before making my way into school, daring anyone to look at me the wrong way. My locker was emblazoned with the usual graffiti but I just ignored it and pulled out the books I needed.

I managed to get through my first four classes without any fuss, staying silent in the back of the classroom as I drew. And then in lunch something surprising happened, Brooke spoke to me for the first time in months. She had someone found out where I was now spending lunch and cornered me.

"You know this isn't going to work? This whole 'damsel in distress' act you have going on, it's going to bring Lucas back" she snipes

I roll my eyes, flinging my used cigarette under my boot "No offense Brooke but I really couldn't give a fuck about you and Lucas. Go satisfy your ego complex somewhere else"

"You know maybe it's for the best that you're all alone now, I mean look what happened to your mums. Everyone who loves you seems to die"

My hand hits her face before I even realise I'm standing up, a loud smack echoing as she stumbles backward, clutching her face.

"You know what's funny? I wanted so bad for us to be friends again, now… you're nothing. You are nothing Brooke Davis" I spit out, grabbing my bag and storming off.

Little did I know someone had been filming us.

In my 6th period Math class I was called up to the principal's office, Brooke sat in one chair, a purple bruise growing across her cheekbone.

"Sit down Ms Sawyer" Principal Turner says in a stern voice.

I sigh, sitting down in the chair next to Brooke, refusing to make eye contact with her.

"Now, a student has come forward with a tape showing you hitting Ms Davis over here across the face, it also shows you smoking on school property which you know is forbidden"

I scoff "Really, you got one of your lackeys to film us? Show everyone how poor little Brooke was attacked by vicious, crazy Peyton"

"You're the one saying it not me" She sneers and I feel like jumping off this chair and pulling her hair.

"Why you sad, insecure little bitch!" I shout.

"Language Ms Sawyer!" Principal Turner scolds, a furious look on his face "I know that you have been having a hard couple of months Peyton but this type of behaviour cannot be excused. You are suspended for three weeks, banned from doing any extracurricular activities for the rest of the semester and I'm going to call your father"

"You know what? Fine" I say, getting up from the chair "Suspend me, what do I care? I doubt this year could get any worse anyway" I say leaving the room.

Lucas is waiting outside the office, Brooke's books in his arms along with his own. Typical Brooke, can't carry a single book lest she break a nail.

"What's going on?" he asks as I step out.

I shake my head "Just the usual, punched your girlfriend, got suspended. Don't worry I'm sure one of Brooke's little minions will have posted it on YouTube by now"

He doesn't try to stop me as I walk away, the door opening again and Brooke's raspy voice filtering through the air.

"Oh Lucas! I'm so glad you're here"

I manage a quick glance over my shoulder and see Brooke wrapped around Lucas like a boa constrictor. Our eyes meet for a second and I manage a small smile before I turn the corner, leaving them in the empty hallway.