Chapter 10 - Care

Peyton was still a little saddened that week, but at least she wasn't avoiding Brooke anymore. They talked every once in a while, and as the days went by, Peyton was slowly getting better and happier again. Brooke's birthday was coming up once again. Her parents didn't even mention anything this year, and it's not like she would've believed anything anyway.

- Dad? Can I talk to you? – Peyton entered the kitchen after school.

- Sure honey, everything ok?

- Yeah… it's just that… you know Brooke's birthday is tomorrow, and I thought maybe we could throw her a surprise party here? I could invite everyone in school, and we could get a lot of food and soda, I think she'd like that.

Larry smiled as his daughter asked him that. But then he realized he couldn't afford a party. Not now anyway, with the money problems they were going through. It was time to tell her.

- Honey… daddy has to tell you something, come here.

She sat by his lap and looked at him, serious.

- What is it, dad?

- Look, since mommy died… you know we spent a lot of money with the hospital bills and with the funeral. And I've been trying to get us some money here, but things are… a little complicated.

- So what are we gonna do now?

- I think… maybe I'll have to get bigger jobs again. You remember, like I did before? I won't stay away as long as I did. But I won't go unless you say it's ok, alright?

- It must be fun going on a boat, staying there for days, knowing new places, isn't it, dad?

Larry was a little surprised by his daughter's reaction. He expected her to be sad or worried, but she was smiling and asking about his job. They'd never talked about it before. He wasn't this close to Peyton before Anna died.

- Yeah, it's amazing. We get to visit a lot of places and get to know new people…

As Larry kept talking about his job, Peyton could see how much he missed it, and how much he loved doing what he did. He had already stayed there for a whole year because of her. And she thought it'd be selfish to keep him from doing what he loved. He had been through a lot too, and he deserved some time to himself. Sure, she didn't want him to go, and she needed her father, but he said he wasn't gonna be away as long as he did, maybe it was for the best. Plus, if they needed the money, there weren't many other choices.

- Dad… it's ok. You should go.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, I am – her voice was so sure, so Larry had no doubts. But she did. She wanted to tell him not to go, that she wished he could stay at least for a while longer. But she couldn't.

- I promise you I'll be gone for a few days, then I'll come back. And while I'm away, I'll get the best sitter ever, alright?

Peyton nodded.

- So… this means we can't have a party for Brooke?

- I'm sorry honey. But you know, I know this manager of that big store in the mall, the one where you bought that little angel bracelet once, remember? So… you could go there with Brooke and get her something, and I'll pay for it later.

- Really? She can choose the present?

- As long as she doesn't choose a TV or a stereo, it's ok – Larry grinned.

- Thanks dad.

Peyton hugged her dad, still sitting on his lap, and then went to her room. She had to draw… something, anything. So she turned the stereo, loud, and laid in bed with a pen and a piece of paper. Sometimes it was all she needed.

A couple of hours later, she grabbed the phone and dialed Brooke's number.

- Hey Brooke.

- Peyton! Thank god you called, you must save me! I'm so bored I've been watching the soap opera! There's this girl, she just found out the guy she likes is actually her half brother, and now she's yelling at him like it's his fault or something. I mean, get it together, woman!

Peyton giggled, which was something basically only her father and Brooke could get her to do.

- Great, cause I was thinking if you wouldn't want to sleep over here today.

- Sure! I'll bring a movie and we could have like our own slumber party!

- Be sure to rent a decent movie, please. I'll even let you choose anything, as long as I don't have to watch the yelling of the out of control half sister!

- Alright – Brooke answered, laughing – I'll be there.

- Okay, bye.

Peyton didn't even hear the doorbell a few hours later, she only saw Brooke bursting into her room with a movie in her hands. When Peyton saw the cover, she looked at Brooke and rolled her eyes.

- Brooke… Clueless? Again?

- Hey, you said I could bring whatever I wanted! – Brooke protested.

- Yeah, fine, let's just watch it. Whatever.

- Wow, since you're so excited about it, we could watch some other thing… - Brooke stopped for a moment – Alright, who am I kidding? We are so watching that movie. Come on, P. Sawyer, get your chicken legs here.

Brooke was already in the living room, sitting on the couch and waiting for her friend. Larry passed by.

- Hey Brooke – then he saw the movies on her hands – So you convinced my daughter to watch that again? You must have some special power. Maybe someday you can convince her to eat my noodle soup too.

- Dad, your soup is even worse than that movie, so I'd rather watch it for the next 10 years!

- You know I should be offended, but you're right – they all laugh – I'm gonna make you girls some popcorn.

- Your dad is so cool! – Brooke said as Peyton sat next to her and Larry went to the kitchen.

- Yeah… he's the best.

Peyton smiled but Brooke noticed a little sadness on her voice.

- Everything ok?

- Sure, why wouldn't it be? – Peyton answered and turned her attention back to the TV.

- Come on, you think I don't see when something's wrong and you're not telling me?

Peyton sighed.

- My dad's gonna start working again. Like he did before, you know? So he's gonna be away for a few days, maybe a week… and he's only gonna stay here for a few days till he has to go again, and again…

- Sorry, Peyton… but hey, you know I'll come here all the time to check on you, right? I mean, I'm always here anyway!

- I know you will – she smiled – I'm just gonna miss him so much – there was silence for a while, until Peyton put the movie back on – But I won't worry about it now. He's here for now, so… let's watch the movie!

Larry came back with a lot of popcorn and placed it in front of the girls. They smiled happily and kept talking while watching the movie.

An hour later, Peyton was fast asleep, her head on Brooke's lap, and Brooke was so focused on the movie that she didn't even notice. When the movie ended, she turned to talk to her friend and only then she noticed she wasn't awake.

- Peyton! Peyton! – she carefully shook her friend – Wake up! The movie's over and I'm sleepy, and your head won't let me get up to go to bed!

- What? – Peyton lifted her head up, barely listening to what Brooke was saying – The movie's over already?

- Yeah, and you don't have to sound so happy about it! Now come on, Goldilocks, let's go to bed – Brooke got up yawning and waited till Peyton did the same.

- Hey! It's past midnight already. Happy birthday, Brooke - Peyton hugged her.

- Well, thank you, best friend! It's good to have someone remembering your birthday without me having to remind everyone – she said, happily.

- I wouldn't forget it. Now come on, let's get some sleep cause I was having the best dream till you woke me up – Peyton puts an arm around Brooke's shoulder and they both go to Peyton's room and fall asleep almost immediately.

- Brooke, come on, it's your birthday! – Peyton jumps in bed, waking Brooke up. It was almost noon already.

- Peyton? Are you crazy? Wasn't I the one who was supposed to be jumping and trying to wake you grumpy ass up?

- Well, who's grumpy now, huh? Come on, Brooke!

- I'm not grumpy, I'm just… – Brooke lets out a huge yawn – a little sleepy. And did you know it's kinda scary when we change personalities?

- I see that – Peyton was unusually happy, which was good considering the week she'd had – Dad made us this really cool pizza for lunch, you have to see it!

- Oh my god, those huge frozen pizzas with the crazy toppings I love so much? He hasn't made those in a while!

- I know… Blame the single parent cooking class for that! But since it's your birthday and all, he decided we should have a special meal! Let's go.

- Oh, I'm there! – Brooke jumps out of bed and runs towards the kitchen, quickly followed by Peyton.

They have lunch, and laugh a lot while eating, cause it seemed Larry put every single thing in sight on that topping, and somehow it turned out good. Of course he was a master at it by now, since the pizza thing was all he could cook shortly after his wife died. The girls watched TV and played the whole afternoon, and in the evening Peyton dragged Brooke to the mall.

- Peyton, what exactly are we doing here? The store closes in like half an hour, and the line for the cashier is huge! – Brooke said, staring at this pink picture frame with the drawing of a little girl in it.

- Do you like it? – Peyton pointed her head to the frame.

- Yeah… but there isn't even time for me to pay… plus I don't have any money here…

- Who said we're gonna pay for it? – Peyton had a huge smile on her face, and Brooke had an incredulous look, but she smiled too.

- Are you kidding? – she laughed.

- Nop… come on! – she carefully took the picture frame, put it in her bag and they ran away from the store till the parking lot, where Peyton took the present and gave it to Brooke – Sorry it's not wrapped… I just got it!

- Oh my god, I can't believe you did this! That was so cool! And thanks for the present.

- It was fun, wasn't it? – Peyton laughed too – We should do this more often.

Brooke's mouth fell open in a way overdramatic gesture.

- So we're gonna become criminals now? I think just the present's enough, Peyton, thank you very much!

They were laughing when they saw one of the security guards leaving the mall, so they quickly grabbed their bicycles and went fast, laughing all the way back to Peyton's house.