Your Own Disaster

Peyton stopped by Tric the following day going over inventory and making sure everything was in place for the all ages night that was swiftly approaching that weekend. She did this not out of habit but to lighten the load of Karen who was balancing the café on top of the club. Time passed quickly as she went over every little details being even more meticulous than usual. It was something to take her mind off the drugs, something to keep her busy hoping to fight the addiction considering she had flushed the last of what she had down the toilet.

All was quiet except the soft click of the cd cases and the gentle scratch of her pen against the paper. The silence waned almost immediately at the crash of the door returning back to its place. Peyton thought nothing of it figuring it was only Karen coming to check on her. She listened more closely at the footsteps. They did not resemble that of Karen Roe's whose were light against the wood. No, these footsteps were heavier like that of a mans. She dared not to turn around or even breathe. Instincts begged to take over telling her to move and hide, but she stood there completely frozen.

The footsteps kept getting closer and Peyton's heart rate increased drastically. Her muscles tensed as she felt the cool breath of the stranger slick her neck. A light chuckle caressed the side of her neck.

"Relax Peyton, it's me." came the husky voice from behind her.

Peyton's breathing evened out and her heart rate calmed, her muscles, however, remained tense. She dared not to turn around to meet his stare. If there was one thing she was afraid of it was to look in his eyes. There was no depth, no emotion, which had all been wiped away with the drugs. Soon she feared her eyes would be identical to his.

"Hello Rick." she managed continuing to sift through the cds. His arm draped over her shoulders. He was so at ease with her, could he not feel the tension in her muscles beneath her skin or was he just completely oblivious to it.

Silence passed between them for several minutes. A common conversation between them now. It was easier than actually pretending she had any use for him other than to get what she needed.

"About time you called, I was wondering how long the last of what I gave to you was going to last." the cold drawl enveloped her completely immobilizing her. The cds fell back into place as she released them finally turning to face Rick.

"It's been a bad week." she replied gruffly averting her eyes to her shoes his fingers playing nervously with the hem of her shirt. Rick merely laughed scratching at the scruff on his chin.

"Everyone has bad weeks kid. It's a good thing I like you."

That did not fool Peyton; she had been able to see right through him since the moment they met. She only played along to pacify him so she could get what she needed. Rick was merely a pawn in her master plan. When the time came to move on from him she would find someone else to use. Someone who could give her something better.

"Yeah, Rick whatever. Do you have the stuff?" she asked bluntly finally looking up at him though she still refused to meet his blank stare.

"Woah woah, not so fast now Peyton. Let's talk kid. I want to hear how you've been." a devious smile played on his features. Peyton rolled her eyes, this was just another game he played with her. Holding out on her until she finally cracked and spilled the details of her life to him. He was so manipulative it drove her crazy.

"Come on Rick, no games today. Just please give me what I need."

Rick merely laughed at her. "Oh so you've retreated to using begging."

Peyton looked down at her shoes for a moment. When she returned her gaze upwards he was immediately on top of her, his face only inches away from hers. "Are you willing to get on your knees Peyton and beg? Beg for Rick to give you what you need. Plead with me, 'I'll give you anything Rick. Anything.' " he mocked her in a high pitched voice.

"Huh Peyton are you willing to do all that. Just for this plastic bag?" he rummaged in his pocket pulling out a small plastic bag filled with a white substance holding it in front of her. Waving it in her face as a sign of victory. He had her cornered.

She retreated away from him tears slicking down the sided of her cheeks. "No." she shook her head.

Rick laughed menacingly once again. "Okay then Peyton, then tell me what has been going on in your little teenage world?"

Peyton inhaled and exhaled deeply. "Things haven't been going well. Brooke is dating the new guy Felix and she has almost no time for me. All the while Lucas Scott finally admitted he still wants to be my friend. And I still miss Jake." she finished dropping her head silently crying.

Rick clapped slowly, "Aw pity party for Peyton. Jake goes away and poor Peyton can't seem to nurse the hurt. Oh wait, yes she can." his smile was devious as he pulled out the plastic bag once more.

She reached out her hand ready to grasp the bag between her fingers. Suddenly she saw the hurt look of Brooke if she were to find out. She saw the disappointed look of Lucas and Haley. Most of all she saw her deceased mother's crying face from up above. God what was she doing? She was ruining her life, breaking down everything she had ever worked for. She recoiled her hand slightly. Then another wave hit her. All she could feel was the pain in her heart. Suddenly her addiction kicked in knowing all she had to do was one line to numb the pain and then another and another. It was a vicious cycle but she could no longer tear herself away from it.

Her hand grasped the bag pulling it from Rick's fingers. She could feel the instant gratification pass through her. "You got money to pay for that right?" she very nearly missed him say gruffly.

Peyton froze in spot. Immediately her hand flew to her pocket which was empty. Her mind shot to her bedroom. She could picture the money sitting on her desk she had intended to use it for this occasion. It wasn't there when she left though. She gasp bringing her hand to cover her mouth.

"Shit." she murmured remembering she had used it to go grocery shopping the afternoon prior to her encounter with Lucas.

Rick raised a brow at her, "You can pay me for this right?"

Peyton shook her head rubbing her brow in frustration. Rick would not simply get away with this, he was not stupid. Some sort of payment would be involved.

"Rick, I don't have the money. Could I pay you back later?"

"What like an IOU?" both brows arched at her.

She nodded pocketing the bag. "Mhm, I left it at home and you're busy. We'll meet up again soon and I'll have the money for you."

Rick seized the opportunity moving closer to Peyton placing an arm around her blocking her only escape route. His breath slicked cold against her neck as he pressed his lips there. "You know Peyton, there is another way you could pay me back." he whispered seductively running his lips to her jaw fingers entwining in her hair while his other hand played with the hem of her shirt.

She tried to break free but he was just too strong. "No Rick please. Not now, I will pay you back I promise."

He let go of her adjusting his jacket, "You're damn right you will."

Those were the last words she heard him speak as he left. She shuddered slightly still feeling the ghost of his lips at her neck. He had not been kidding and she knew that. How could she lie to herself? Rick was always crossing boundaries, she would be no different. Just a way for him to get pleasure and her to succumb to the one thing that weakened her.

Suddenly the urge overcame her. Sprinting to the bathroom she hovered over the bathroom counter spilling the contents of the bag on to his marble surface. Shuffling through her pocket she managed to find a twenty dollar bill rolling it tight. Tears began to stream down her face. Drugs, it was all ugly. She hated the way she looked doing it. Dirty money shoved up her nose inhaling something that would only numb the pain for a short period of time. It was all so ugly. Doing lines was the easy part. Dealing with the emotional stress after she came down from her high was something like a rollercoaster ride. For now though, she would enjoy her high, pretending she was flying, and the feeling of not feeling at all. It felt so good.