Chapter 2: TV

Peyton's POV

I sit on his couch... waiting for him. Jenny's already asleep. His parents are working... My dad is gone somewhere working...

Do you feel like a chain-store

practically flored

One of many zeros

kicked around bored

So I wait for him. I long for him. For his presence, his smile, those amazing eyes. The way he makes me feel when he's around. Like everything makes sense. Like everything is OK

Your ears are full, but you're empty

holding out your heart

to people who never really

care how you are

How could I be so blind before? How could I not notice that he was out there? Nathan, Lucas, they're nothing compared to him. To the wonderful dad he is, to the caring friend he is.

I love him so much. But I can't tell... He's dealing with too much right now: a daughter, custody, school, basketball. He needs to stay focus. He needs for me to be his friend. Nothing more

But I want him so much... I need him so much... He sees through me. He sees the real me. He can get into my soul. And I just want him.

The door opens

"Hi" he says smiling.

"Hi. She's already asleep" I reply softly. He looks so tired... And I just want to hug him and kiss the tiredness, the angst, the pain, away, all of it.

"I'm gonna kiss her goodnight" he says...

I stay there. I don't wanna leave. I don't wanna leave him. I turn the TV on... some stupid show, I don't care. I just want an excuse not to leave.

He comes back and sits next to me. I just melt by the nearness of him. So close, yet so far away...

"Wanna stay for a while and watch TV" he asks

I just nod. Anything to be near you...

The show goes on. He's so tired he falls asleep next to me. I just watch him sleep and touch his hair...

Sighing, hoping, and dreaming that may be one day...