Author's Note: Okay, haven't written one of these in a while but just wanted to say thanks (as always) to ALL you readers, reviewers and lurkers alike. I love reading your comments and please keep them coming. Also, just had to mention LivingInTheOCSucks because you are as faithful as they come...reading all my fics and always having something great to say (even about the naughty ones that Jess coerced everyone into reading, lol...I'm still blushing!) But anyway...you guys SO work. Please keep up with the support!
Peyton pulled the thin sheet up to her chin. There was a chill in the air and it had nothing to do with room temperature. She felt empty…depressed. There was a looming sadness so profound it felt like a ton of weight over her body. Of course that's how it always was when the high came down. But when it was happening, what an incredible high it was! Rick would put some white powder onto a mirror and divide it into lines and they'd use a rolled up dollar bill to snort it. Seconds after inhaling it, the powerful feeling of pure euphoria would set in. Suddenly all the problems of the world would simply disappear. Her heart would start pounding and she'd feel energized and alert and almost happy. She didn't need food or sleep or anyone for that matter. It was a wonderful and intense indescribable feeling like floating. And then a few hours after the partying ended, the feeling would slowly slip away. Peyton could literally feel it leaving her body and then it would be completely gone. With it would go the happiness and the energy. In its wake, a broken, depressed girl too tired to even move would be left behind.
Peyton stared at the bag of blow on the nearby nightstand. She couldn't believe that she would actually partake in such a thing. She knew the facts and statistics. She had gone to all the DARE meetings in Jr. High. She knew that drugs were bad. She knew they were habit forming and did all types of damage to the brain and other internal organs. She knew they made you stupid. But after all that, there she was lying naked in a dealer's bed, snorting up an entire paycheck from Thud magazine.
She had met Rick at a club. She had gone just to sit at the bar and wallow in her own misery and self pity for a while. He'd smiled at her and made small talk. At first, not wanting to be bothered, she had blown him off. But he was persistent in a cool sort of swaggering way. He made her laugh and he bought her drinks. He showered her with attention. And he didn't know or care about her situation with Jake, Jenny, or Nikki. She could just be a stranger having a good time. With Rick, there was no long term commitment and no chance of a broken heart. Then he had pulled out a bag of cocaine. She watched him snort it, then he asked her to try it. She had refused at first but as the minutes passed, Peyton found herself intrigued. She agreed to try it and the high was like nothing she had ever experienced before. She kept wanting more and more.
If Jake and Jenny's leaving had an impact, Peyton's life was now 110 percent out of control. Her work for Thud was seriously lacking and she'd barely made it to classes that she was flunking anyway. The Tree Hill friends who had in essence become her family, were now more like passing strangers. Peyton Sawyer spent her days surrounded by thugs and thieves.
"It's after seven", she yawned. "I've got to get out of here."
"What's your deal?" Rick grunted as he lit a Camel Light.
"I'm supposed to meet my friends. Brooke, Anna and Haley are expecting me for dinner."
"Screw them. Besides, I thought we were partying tonight."
"We are", Peyton shrugged. "I'll just come back later."
"Whatever."
All Rick was interested in was partying and getting drunk and high. It didn't make him a difference either way what Peyton chose to do. She sighed as she crawled out of bed, looking for her underwear and jeans.
"Rick, can I do a few lines before I go?" she asked. "I just need a little pick up, you know, to make it through dinner."
"You got some cash for me?" he asked.
"No. Um, I'm kind of running low…"
"What? You think this shit is free?" he growled. "I ain't running the Cocaine Salvation Army for needy college kids, Peyton."
"I know. Look, my accounts are drained right now. All I have is my credit card but my dad is supposed to wire me some money tomorrow. Rick, listen, I promise I'll pay you back, okay? You know I'm good for it."
"Alright", he finally sighed. "Help yourself to my stash. I want the money by the end of the week…or else."
"Or else what?"
Rick smirked.
"Or else we'll have to figure out other ways for you to work off your debt."
Peyton managed a small smile as she dressed, quickly sniffed her lines and left his seedy apartment. Her face bore a smile on the outside but inside she felt like screaming…crying. The last thing she wanted was to be some sleazy dude's crack whore. That's what she was starting to feel like. But the cocaine was too good to give up. The feeling set her free…and she needed to be free.
Peyton made the drive across town to a popular seafood restaurant down by the River Court. In a table in the back, she could see Brooke, Anna, Haley and Jules, fiancée of Nathan and Luke's uncle Keith. Brooke spotted her at the door and waved her over.
"Well, well, well, Friend", Brooke smiled. "Girls, look who finally decided to join us."
"Brooke, you know I wouldn't miss this."
"Really? I'm surprised you even remembered your way here. We haven't seen you in like forever."
"I've been busy, I guess", Peyton smiled with a shrug. "I don't know. I've been around."
"I hear you have a new beau", Jules smiled. "What's he like?"
"We're just hanging out. He's cool."
It was obvious Peyton wanted to leave it at that as Anna and Haley caught each other's eye. While the boys were cautious and Jules was oblivious, Brooke saw the Rick hook up as nothing more than a healthy sure fire fling to get over "he who could not be named" as she referred to the absentee Mr. Jagielski. But Haley and Anna saw more and Anna was the only one Haley had shared her drug suspicions with as well. Regardless, something was horribly creepy about Rick and the whole situation.
The girls made small talk about shopping, school, the weather and various other goings on in their lives as they enjoyed a spread of steamed clams, crab cakes and fried shrimp. The food, as always, was delicious and everyone dug in…everyone except Peyton of course. It did not go unnoticed by Anna and Haley as the blonde spent the better part of the night picking at her meal. They desperately wanted to confront her, to help her but they didn't know how. The last thing they wanted was to alienate her and drive her back to the waiting but sleazy arms of her new boyfriend.
"Well guys, I totally appreciate the invite and we must do it again but I'm afraid I have to eat and run", Jules announced after leaving her share of the tip and gathering her purse. "I want to plan something special for Keith tonight."
"Special?" Haley questioned with a smile.
"Oh leave the soon to be newlyweds alone", Brooke teased. "Let me guess Jules, does your little surprise include candlelight, Victoria's Secret and whipped cream and strawberries?"
"Actually, it's just a new custom built tool set for his shop I bought him but I do like your idea better, Brooke."
"Tigger!" Haley blushed. "Let them save something for the honeymoon."
"Please, Tutor Girl! Trust me, you have a lot to learn."
"I've got to run girls…oh shoot! I wiped off my lipstick and I guess I left the tube in my other purse."
The girls quickly searched their bags for a suitable substitute to help Jules out.
"Try this one", Peyton suggested. "It's Sheer Rose."
"This is really pretty. Thanks", Jules said as she applied a coat using her compact mirror.
When done, she tossed the lipstick back to Peyton and said her good byes. Peyton went to put it back into her own purse but the contents spilled.
"I'll help you", Anna, who was sitting closest, offered.
"Thanks."
The two grabbed Peyton's change purse, wallet, a pack of gum and keys.
"Here", Anna said, handing Peyton what appeared to be a small vile.
Examining closer, it was easy to see the white powdery substance inside. Peyton froze as she and Anna locked eyes. Quickly Peyton snatched it away and hid it in her own bag. Anna's heart pounded and her eyes widened. So it was true. Haley hadn't been imagining things. Rick was no longer just the rude, shady guy they didn't want in their exclusive little crew. There was something more and it was serious. Peyton was in serious danger and something had to be done…quick. There was no time to wait and it was on the tip of Anna's tongue. If she let Peyton get up and walk away from that table, it might be too late.
"Peyton, we need to talk!" Anna blurted out. "Guys…"
"Um, is it ten already?" Peyton interrupted. "Damn, I just remembered my dad is coming back into town tonight."
"Your dad?" Haley questioned.
"Uh yeah. I really wanted to surprise him. I don't want to be late. I don't know how I let it slip my mind. Gosh, I'm so stupid sometimes. I hate to bail but I've got to get out of here…"
"Okay. If you've got to go", Brooke shrugged. "Tell that fox of a father of yours that I said hi."
Anna bit her lip. Peyton was nervous and fidgety. Anna knew she was lying. She was onto Peyton and Peyton knew it. She was looking desperately for a way out.
"Peyton, wait!"
"Anna, we'll talk later. Okay? Really, I'm sorry to cut out but I have to go."
With that, she bounded from the table and practically ran out of the restaurant. Anna sighed and mouthed a quick silent prayer that her friend would be alright. Maybe she couldn't do anything that night, but she was still bound and determined. Someone had to step in and save Peyton from her life and her depression…and especially herself.
