Peyton tossed and turned. She tried counting sheep. She listened to the radio. Even a regular dose of Tylenol PM wouldn't do the trick. She was restless and she couldn't sleep. Too much was on her mind.
It had started off such a fun night. All the friends were together having a good time drinking and dancing and laughing. Anna was in such a good mood. Then Felix and Teresa had to come and ruin it. He'd made a joke, one off color, stray comment and that had changed the tempo of the entire night. Anna had appeared angry and embarrassed. She had pushed Peyton away and humiliated her in front of their friends. She had right away downed several drinks and found a dance and make out partner. Then she had left with the stranger without even so much as another word.
It confused Peyton. What had happened? Why had Anna reacted that way? It worried her, too. It wasn't the smartest thing in the world to go off with strange men. What if something happened? But more than that, Peyton was bothered. She couldn't pinpoint her own feelings but it was almost like jealousy.
Rubbing her eyes, she rolled over to face the door and like a mirage, there was Anna. Peyton didn't know if the image was real or if she was hallucinating.
"Looks like you had a rough night", she smiled as she walked over to the bed and sat down.
It wasn't a delusion. She was real.
"You and me both", Peyton managed.
"Peyton, I'm sorry for what I said to you earlier. Everybody was laughing and… I totally freaked out. I…I don't know what came over me."
"Don't worry about it. It's cool."
"I do worry about it and it's not cool. We have this really awesome friendship that I cherish and I do something stupid that could have ruined it."
Peyton nodded.
"We all do stupid things. It's okay. God knows I've done my fair share. Anna?"
"Yeah?"
"What about…you know. That guy tonight."
"Who Brian?"
"Yeah."
"Another dumb move."
"Did you guys…"
"No. Goodness no. I wasn't really feeling him like that."
"Felix seemed please."
Anna rolled her eyes.
"My brother is an idiot. I thought you knew that by now. Anyway, just because he's all domesticated now with Teresa, it's like I'm expected to do the same. Sure dating is fun and all but there's more to life than that. It's more to me than that. My family just doesn't see it."
"Relationships are hard", Peyton sighed.
"And a real hassle", Anna chimed in.
"I second that. Yeah, being single can get lonely sometimes but maybe that's better than getting hurt."
"Pain can be controlled, Peyton whether it's emotional or physical. You just turn it off. Tune it out. Pretend it doesn't exist. Make yourself numb."
"Build a wall?"
"Exactly."
Peyton laughed bitterly.
"Yeah, I know a thing or two about that."
"Sometimes you have to, you know, to protect yourself."
"Sounds like you're speaking from experience."
Anna shrugged.
"Life isn't always fair…or easy."
Peyton could certainly relate. She'd had her fair share of knocks, twists and turns in life.
"Yeah but times like these really help. When you have your friends to share it with."
"I've never had a friend like you before", Anna smiled. "It is nice."
Peyton smiled back and nestled into the covers.
"You tired?"
"Beat!"
"You can crash here…you know, if you want."
Anna thought for a bit before agreeing. She slipped off her shoes and got comfortable on the opposite side of the bed. Brooke and Haley had crashed at Peyton's before, both girls sleeping so close in that very same spot but having Anna there made Peyton feel different. It was a nice feeling.
"Maybe we could do something cool tomorrow", Anna suggested. "Go music shopping or something."
"Okay."
Anna smiled in the darkness and turned her body. Her leg briefly brushed against Peyton's and the blonde felt a chill that had nothing to do with the room's temperature.
"Good night."
"Night, Pey."
And the sleep that had so successfully evaded her all evening suddenly arrived without protest. Peyton was out like a light, eyes closed, breathing softly into her pillow. Anna smiled as the moonlight shone in through partially open blinds. Peyton looked like a blonde angel. She was a truly special girl. She was a beautiful girl. Anna could not resist gingerly moving a lock of hair that had fallen in Peyton's face.
She knew she had freaked out earlier and she knew why. It was happening again. No matter how hard she tried to fight it, the feelings were coming. Anna knew it and deep down Felix did as well. Part of her wanted to fight them, to be normal. Another part of her yearned to succumb. Anna closed her eyes. It was all too much to think about. It had been a long night and a lot had happened.
Smiling at the soft snore of her friend, Anna just watched her sleep until the Sand Man had claimed her as well. Her lids grew heavy and her eyes closed. Both girls had given into exhaustion, physical as well as emotional.
It was a familiar scene in Peyton's bedroom. Yes, many times Haley and Brooke had slept over and the girls had shared a bed. But as Peyton stirred, then happily sighed, she inched closer to the warm body beside her. Anna did not move but instead seemed to unconsciously gravitate to the touch. They were bonded. Emotionally joined. Mentally in sync. Friends. Soul mates. Maybe even a little bit more.
