Lucas walked through the halls, trying to avoid people the best he could. He wasn't in the best of moods. He couldn't believe Peyton was shutting him out of his life they was she was. She wouldn't even talk to him. He walked into his first period class and scanned for Peyton. She was sitting in the back corner again, drawing as usual. Lucas plopped down into his desk and pulled out his books. The teacher started his lecture but no matter how hard he tried Lucas couldn't pay attention. He was too busy worrying about Peyton.
Peyton could feel his eyes on her as he entered the room but she refused to look up. She didn't want Lucas involved, and she was going to do everything she could to make sure he stayed out of her twisted life. She sat back and drew as time passed. Before she knew it the bell rang and she didn't ignore it this time. She packed up her things and rushed out the class before anyone else. Peyton made her way through the gradually crowding halls.
"Peyton" she ignored the voice and continued walking. "Peyton slow down, I need to talk to you."
"What?" she said turning around. She was shocked to see someone other then Lucas standing in front of her. "Ricky" she mumbled overcoming her shock.
"Hey you" He smiled at her and raised his eyebrows. Peyton just stared at him. "You know I've been thinking about you a lot lately."
"That's nice." Peyton was starting to get restless. She wanted to leave and just go to class.
"Yeah, well I was just kind of wondering whether you wanted to go out with me. And not just on a date, I mean be my girlfriend." He looked at her with hopeful eyes.
"Yeah, well I was just kind of wondering how a basketball player could sound so pathetic." Her voice had a slight edge to it. She got ready to turn around and then she spotted Lucas walking towards her. 'Maybe if I'm not available he'll get the hint and move on'. She thought to herself. She didn't want o hurt him but she was convinced it was for the best. She took a deep breath. "But, I don't see the harm." She flashed her best flirtatious smile. She watched a smile spread across his face as he draped his arm over her shoulder. He walked her to her class. She could feel Lucas's eyes burning through her. She ignored the urge to turn and look at him, she had a boyfriend now.
Lucas watched Ricky put his arm around Peyton and felt his heart shatter. She may have been blocking him out but she available for anyone else. He pushed back the tears that threatened to betray him, and walked to his next class. The end of the day could not come soon enough for Lucas. But, when he entered the gym he wished he was still in class. There in the middle of the court shooting baskets was Rick. Lucas shook his head and went into the locker room. He glad the cheerleaders didn't have practice. He didn't want to watch Peyton with Rick, it just made him miserable.
Lucas spent the entire practice avoiding Rick. When he finally able to go home he couldn't have been more relieved. He strolled into his room and collapsed onto his bed. He inhaled the fresh warm dryer smell and he burring his head into his sheets.
"Rough day" Lucas picked up his head and gazed at his mom. After throwing his head back and moaning he collapsed into the sheets again. Karen just shook her head. "Well I have to go down to the café, there's food I the fridge if you get hungry." She watched her son nod his head the best he could as she turned and left.
Lucas rolled over and glared at his computer screen. He looked into Peyton's empty room and his mind flashed with things should was probably doing. He got up and shut her site down. He didn't want to see her; he didn't want to think about her. At least he could prevent one.
Peyton sat upright on Rick's bed. He was no better then Nathan, all he talked about was basketball. The only difference was Nathan complained, Rick bragged. As far as Peyton was concerned he didn't have anything to brag about, he really wasn't that good. She sat there tune out what he said, just thinking. With Rick she didn't have to worry bout hurting him. He didn't care about her like Lucas did and she didn't care about him. "So, do you have anything to talk about other then basketball?" she looked at his bewildered face, waiting for an answer she already knew.
"Well, if you don't wanna talk we could always do other things" he walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Um, how about not" she said standing up. He was only reassuring her that she had nothing to worry about. Rick wasn't going to make her come out of her shell. H would let her be and use her for what he needed, or at least try to. If he didn't care about her, she couldn't hurt him. If she didn't care about him, he couldn't hurt her. That was the way Peyton wanted to keep things.
"Peyton, come on."
"Listen I said no, I'm just not in the mood." She glared at him before she slid past him and over to his desk.
"You were always in the mood with Nathan" his tone was arrogant. Peyton froze were she was and closed her eyes. She buried the emotions that were trying to show themselves.
"Well you're not Nathan" She said in a cocky voice. She turned to look at him, waiting for his next stupid remark. He walked over to her and leaned into her neck.
"Maybe you should treat me like you did him. I think that would be the best for everyone." She turned her head to look at him the best she could, comprehending what he said.
"Look Rick, I don't wanna screw you right now so get over it." She brushed past him but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
"I think you need to fix your attitude. I don't know how the hell Nathan put up with you. You must have been one hell of a fuck." His voice was cold and cruel. Peyton could feel her stomach turning. She was pissed off and her emotions were running wild.
"I think you need to fix you own damn attitude" She shot back, trying to suppress everything but her anger. She tore her hand away from him. "I'm not about to be at your beck and call every time you want some. If that's what you looking for I suggest you go find yourself some whore."
"I thought I did" Before she could stop herself, Peyton reached up and slapped him across the face, leaving a handprint behind.
"You bitch" he screamed at her.
"Serves you right" As soon as the comment left her mouth she felt herself being pushed up against the wall.
"Don't you ever do that again." He brought his face close to hers, and then closed the distance between them bringing his lips to hers. Peyton snapped her neck to the side and brought her knee to his shin.
"Don't YOU ever do that again. What the hell is wrong with you, you twisted little freak." She screamed as she made her way to the door. "We're through"
"Oh no were not. We're not through till I say so" He said picking himself up and limping to the door.
"Maybe in you little world that's how it went, but not now" Peyton closed her eyes as she felt a sharp pain on her face. It traveled down her body and added to the knot in her stomach. She turned to leave as he grabbed her arm once more.
"This is my world, welcome to it" He gave her a quick kiss and let her go. "Bye Peyt." She looked at him with confusion and then walked out the door. She got in her car and drove home. She wanted to go to sleep and make the day disappear. Tomorrow was another day, but one she didn't have to deal with yet.
Peyton woke up to the beeping of her alarm. She groaned and rolled out of bed, dreading the day before her. She looked over at her computer and saw a message from Rick.
-I'm sorry about last night, I shouldn't have pushed you like that, it was wrong. It's just that you kept pushing me and I snapped. I promise I'll never do it again. Love you Peyt, cant wait to see you today- She rolled her eyes at his 'apology' and went over to her closet. She picked out a pair of hip huggers and a loose black t-shirt, and then headed for the bathroom. After getting dressed, Peyton reached for her make-up bag. She looked at her self in the mirror and took out her cover-up. She dipped her finger in the moist cream and then brought her hand up to her eye. She gently massaged the cream over deep blue and black blemish surrounding her eye, flinching in certain spots.
'Maybe I did deserve this' she thought as she started on her eyeliner. She put every thing back in its proper place and stared at herself. She had sent her life causing people pain, bringing out the worst in them, not getting anything in return. Once again she was bringing out the bed side of her boyfriend, the only difference was she was gunna be on the receiving end of pain as well. She wasn't going to get away with ruing somebody's life.
Peyton felt as thought she could never get or do anything right. Her whole life was just one big mess. Deep down she knew what she was saying was complete bull. No women asked for or deserved to get hit but a guy, especially not punched. But, the emotion that was on the surface told her she was finally getting what she deserved. "At least I'm doing the right thing for Lucas" she thought as she turned out the bathroom light and headed for the door. It was going to be another long day at school. There was a new pain for her to hide and a new act for her to put on. But Peyton was used to it.
As she pulled into school, she took a deep breath to prepare herself for the day ahead of her. She stepped out her car, raised her head high and walked over to Rick. She looped her arm around his as he leaned down and kissed her. He show was a good one, and no one would ever know the truth.
Lucas watched Peyton and Rick roam around the halls. She was doing fine without him. It was almost as if she had forgotten he ever existed. She moved on and left him standing there. All Lucas could do was sit around choking on the dust that trialed behind her.