Chapter One

Peyton has always been a bit of a player. All through 10th and 11th grade they had slept with almost every girl twice. They were also a bit of a partier. One day in class. "This is our newest student. Make her feel at home. Have a seat Miss Philips." Alex goes and has a seat next to Peyton. Peyton smiles at Alex when they notice her staring at them. Peyton pops their gum. The two pay attention to the lesson. Peyton notices Alex staring at them every so often. Peyton chuckles. Once the class was over Alex books it out the door. Peyton follows. They notice that Alex's locker is right next to theirs. "Hey beautiful. I'm Peyton." Peyton offers their hand. Alex shakes it nervously. "Alex." Alex goes back to gathering her books for next class. "So Alex. You signing up for any of the school's teams?" Alex shrugs. "I don't know yet. I was thinking about joining the cheerleading team." Peyton smiles. "You totally should. If the captain gives you any trouble just come talk to me. I run this school." Alex closes her locker. "It was nice meeting you." Alex walks away. Peyton whistles. "Damn." Peyton's best friend Ryan comes over. "Careful there. She's Eric's sister." Peyton snorts. "He doesn't scare me. I can kick his ass in fucking ten seconds." Ryan chuckles. "Sometimes I question my sanity with you." Peyton and Ryan walk to class. Once Peyton is done their work they hand it in and sit back. Their phone vibrates.

DMan- Yo word is you have the hots for Eric's sister

StonerGod497- What the fuck? Who told you that?

DMan- Ryan

DMan- I'm just kidding yo. I saw you with her

StonerGod497- You asshole

DMan- You love me. I'll see ya at lunch

StonerGod497- Maybe. Maybe not

DMan- Come on I was just playin'

StonerGod497- It's not that

DMan- Okay. Later

StonerGod497- Later

Peyton puts their phone away as the bell rings. Peyton catches up with Alex. "Hey." Alex smiles. "Hi. Sorry about earlier. I was just not feeling fully awake." Peyton shrugs. "It's cool it's cool. So what you doing right now? Like what are you planning to do for the time you have for lunch?" Alex puts her books in her locker and then grabs her purse. "I was planning on going to the cafeteria and buying some food and then eating it in study hall. Why?" Peyton offers their hand. "Come with me. I have a better idea." Alex looks confused but takes Peyton's hand anyway. The two walk to Peyton's car. Peyton gets in and unlocks the door for Alex. "Come on." Alex gets in and does up her seatbelt. "Where we going?" Peyton drives off. "You like sushi?" Alex brightens up. "I love it." Peyton smiles. "Well then you'll love this place." Peyton pulls into a parking lot and parks their car. The two walk into the restaurant after Peyton locks the car. "Hey Neil. The usual please." Neil nods. "And for you miss?" "I'll try the same please." Neil nods. "Have a seat and I'll be with you soon." Alex and Peyton go have a seat in a booth. "So are you from around here?" Peyton smiles. "I wasn't born here no. I was born in Spain but my parents moved here when I was 4. I've lived here since. You? You and your brother from the same place?" Alex shakes her head. "I was born shortly after my parents and him moved here from England. When I was six we moved to San Diego but then moved back here when I was 10. They didn't like it there much." Peyton chuckles. "I can understand. I stayed at a motel there in grade 9 for a ball game tournament." Alex and Peyton eat. Once done. "What kind of sports do you play?" "Off school time basketball but for school time football. Were you a cheerleader at your other schools?" Alex nods. "Do you know when the practices are?" Peyton nods. "They're after school. There's one today after school so if you want I can stay and I'll drive you home afterwards. That's up to you." Alex nods. "Okay. I'd love that." The two smile at each other. "We done?" Alex nods. Neil takes the plates. "I'll see you next week Neil." Peyton leaves money on the counter. Neil takes it. "You be good. I'll see you." Peyton and Alex leave. Back at the school. "Do you have a free period?" Alex shakes her head. "Sadly no. I'll see you after?" Peyton nods. "I'll see you." Alex gets out of the car and walks to class. Peyton slams their fists into the steering wheel. "Fuck!" Peyton takes out their pack of cigarettes and takes one out. Peyton lights it and smokes away. As they finish the cigarette Ryan knocks on the window. Peyton opens the door and Ryan gets in. "You fell for her didn't you?" Peyton shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe. I've never been in love with anyone before." "You like her at least." Peyton smiles. "That I do know. She makes me feel good. I can't remember the last time I felt this good." Ryan pats Peyton's shoulder. "Okay. Hey Kara and I are going to a party on Friday. You coming?" "Wouldn't miss it." The two fist bump. Peyton and Ryan walk to class after Peyton locks the car. Peyton sees Alex staring at them at the corner of their eye and smiles. Peyton writes down their name on Facebook on a piece of paper and rips it out of the book. Peyton hands it to Alex. Alex takes it and reads it. She smiles. Peyton smiles back. At the end of the school day Peyton walks with Alex to cheerleading practice. Peyton watches Alex kill the tryouts. "Damn girl you got some moves. Keep practicing and you'll maybe get a permanent spot on the squad." Alex smiles. "Thanks." "I'll see you tomorrow." Alex nods. Alex runs to Peyton and the two hug. "I'm so excited." Peyton smiles. "I'm happy for you. You go get changed and I'll meet you outside. Cool?" Alex nods. "Cool." Peyton goes and waits outside while Alex goes to change. When Alex goes outside she sees the captain of the cheerleaders all up in Peyton's space. Alex starts walking towards them. "Come on babe. I miss you." Peyton shakes off Ashley's hands. "Grow up Ash. We never really dated. We only hooked up a couple times. Stop being such a control freak. It was fun and it was hot but that's it." Ashley walks off. "What was that about?" Peyton shrugs. "Nothing. She's just obsessed with me. Lets go." Alex gets in the car and does up her seatbelt. Alex sits in silence. "At the end." Peyton nods and parks into the driveway. Peyton turns in their seat. "So there's this party that my friends and I are going to on Friday and I was wondering if you wanted to come with." Alex smiles. "Sure. I'll go." Peyton smiles. "Great. I'll pick ya up at 7:30." Alex nods. "Okay." Alex gets out of the car. "Thanks for the ride." Peyton nods. "No problem." Alex closes the door. Peyton drives off once Alex walks into her house and closes the door. Peyton pulls into their driveway and turns off the engine. Peyton gets out after grabbing their bag and locks the car. Peyton then walks into the house and leaves their bag by the basement stairs. Peyton goes through the mail. "Mum there's something here for you." Peyton's mother comes upstairs from the basement. Peyton hands over the mail for their mother. "Thank you. Dinner will be ready soon." Peyton nods. "Okay. I'm gonna go do my homework." Sally nods. Peyton goes downstairs after grabbing their bag and starts on their homework. Peyton's phone vibrates.

Alex- Hey

Peyton changes their nickname to StonerGod497

StonerGod497- Hi

Alex- So you're a stoner huh?

StonerGod497- Kinda yeah. Is that an issue for you?

Alex- Nah. I smoke too every now and again

StonerGod497- Cool cool. So what's up? I'm kinda in the middle of doing homework

Alex- Oh sorry. I'll make it quick then. I have a question for you

StonerGod497- Sup?

Alex- Are you with anyone?

StonerGod497- No Why?

Alex- Just heard some rumors from my brother

Peyton growls and finishes their homework. About 5 minutes later.

Alex- Sorry if I upset you

StonerGod497- Not your fault. Sorry I didn't reply right away. I had to finish my homework cuz if I didn't I wouldn't have finished it until 6 am tomorrow

Alex- It's okay. So what's this party we're going to on Friday?

StonerGod497- Probably just some lame apartment party

Alex- You don't like apartment parties?

StonerGod497- Nah cuz we always get caught

StonerGod497- Also about the rumors

Alex- You don't have to explain to me. Your business

StonerGod497- I don't really do relationships

Alex- Oh. Interesting. Why not?

StonerGod497- I haven't found that right one I guess

Alex- I see. Well I better go

StonerGod497- Me too. I'll see you tomorrow

Alex- See you tomorrow

Peyton smiles and plugs in their phone. "Dinner is ready!" "Okay!" Peyton goes upstairs to eat. "Dinner is delicious mum." Sally smiles. "Thank you dear. So how was school?" Peyton shrugs and finishes their food. "Same old. I met a new student today." Sally raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's his or her name?" "Her name is Alex. She's trying to get on the cheerleading squad permanently." "Oh that's amazing. For her I mean. So she'll be at your games then." Peyton nods. "Maybe. Who knows. She's only a alternate." "Right. Right. Well I'm off to shower and then bed." Peyton smiles and nods. "Okay I'll clean up." Sally stands up and kisses Peyton's forehead. "Night dear." "Night mum." Sally goes upstairs and Peyton cleans up the kitchen. Once that's done Peyton goes downstairs. Just as Peyton changes into their PJ's their phone vibrates. Peyton grabs it.

"Hello?" "Hi." "Oh hey. What's up?" "I know I shouldn't be listening to rumors and shit but I gotta know." "Know what?" "Are you planning on kissing me at the party just to screw with my brother?"

Peyton clenches their fist in anger. Peyton then punches the wall.

"I would never do that to you unless you wanted me to. Who told you that ridiculous rumor? I'll kick their ass." "It was my brother's friend Justin." "Okay. I'm off to bed now." "Okay night." "Night."

The call ends. Peyton plops onto the bed and sighs. "Fuck." Peyton goes to sleep after brushing their teeth.