Ch. 26 - Peyton

"DADDY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" My nine year old self asked my father who was sitting at a wooden piano.

My father turned to face me, and he smiled. "I'm playing the piano. Do you want to join me?"

I nodded, sitting next to him. Music sheets were spread out, and my father was looking at them.

"Who taught you how to play?"

"Your grandmother before she passed away. We used to play all kinds of songs, and it was a lot of fun."

I smiled, eagerly. "Can you teach me?"

My father nodded,"Of course, sunshine."

As soon as my fingers touched the keys, the scenery before me changed into a hospital room.

My eyes fluttered open, and there was a beeping noise. Mg father was still, and his heart wasn't beating.

"Help! I need help!" I screamed out of the door.

But nobody was coming. Nobody was even looking at me.

It was like I wasn't even there.

"Dad! Please! Wake up!" I sobbed, shaking him.

"Help! Somebody please!"

I woke up with a start, making me sit up. I placed my good hand on my heart. I looked around my bedroom, and I took a deep breath.

"Princess? Is everything okay?" Brent asked, sitting up from my bed.

I came home this morning, and Brent spent the whole day with me. He even stayed the night so I wouldn't feel lonely. We watched Marvel movies all day while eating junk food.

"Yeah. I just had a bad dream is all," I said, running a hand through my hair.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Brent asked me, rubbing my back.

"It was about my dad. One minute we were playing the piano, the next I was seeing him dying and nobody was helping him," I explained, wiping away a stray tear.

"That sounds awful. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," I said before adding,"I really miss him."

"I know," Brent said, softly.

I laid back down, and I placed my head on Brent's chest. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I love you, Campbell," Brent told me, kissing my forehead.

"I love you, too," I replied, hugging him tighter.

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"Campbell."

Poke.

"Campbell!"

Poke.

I stirred in my sleep, and groaning, I snuggled deeper into my pillow.

"If you pour water on her, she'll get up," Nick suggested, making me pop my eyes open.

"I wouldn't if I were you," I said, looking over at them.

"And the she beast is awake!" Nick replied with a hesitant laugh.

"Where's Brent?" I asked, running a hand through my hair.

"He went out to get you some breakfast," Gaberial informed me, sitting at the end of my bed.

I nodded, and Nick said, "We came to wake you up to tell you that you have a visitor."

I furrowed my eyebrows,"Who?"

"Alec," Gaberial responded.

"He's downstairs listening to Mom talk about her cooking shows," Nick said, pointing towards the door.

"Well, I need a minute to brush my teeth and my hair. I'll come down in a minute," I told them, throwing off the blanket.

I was dressed in sweatpants and Brent's white sweatshirt. Yes, I have stolen another sweatshirt from Brent. I have a whole section in my closet full of Brent's hoodies and sweatshirts.

I walked to the bathroom, and I held my fractured wrist close to my chest.

My ankle is no longer hurting so no need for crutches. My ribs and spine on the other hand still hurt like nobody's business, but if I take slow steps I will be good.

When I got into my bathroom, I brushed my teeth and my hair. Nick and Gaberial left my room, and I sprayed some perfume on my clothes. I then switched my light off, and I walked out of my room.

"She is a pretty dog," I heard Alec say as I walked down the stairs.

I walked into the living room to see Alec playing with Summer while Mom watches them.

"Alec, hey," I said, making them look at me.

"Hey," Alec said with a kind smile. He threw a rubber ball, and Summer went running to get it.

"Can we talk outside?" I asked him, crossing my arms under my chest.

"Yeah, sure."

Alec stood up from the couch, and I opened the front door. He followed me out, and I smiled at Mom who was watching me with concern. She smiled back, and she stood up from the couch.

Shutting the door behind me, I looked back at Alec who put his hands in his letterman jacket.

"How are you doing?" Alec asked me as a cold breeze blew past us.

I shrugged,"Could be better, but my ankle is healed so that's a plus."

Alec smiled,"That's great. How you heard anything about Tim?"

I nodded,"Yeah. He was put in the Perry's care a couple days ago."

He came to visit me in the hospital, and I told him he was in good hands. He believed me, and we watched both Wonder Woman movies before he had to leave.

"Well, that's all I came here for so I guess I should go," Alec told me, taking a step down the stairs.

"I remember everything," I blurted, taking a step closer to him.

He turned back to face me. "That's awesome news."

I nodded, biting my lip. "I remember you talking crap about me during the homecoming game. You are number thirty-two on the football team. You tackled Brent, and you two almost fought."

Alec's face soften, and he looked surprise. "Campbell, you have to understand. I was going through a rough patch, and I was an asshole to everybody."

I laughed, humorless, "You said that I was an easy target and you wanted to take me home like I was an object, Alec. I am not an object for your entertainment."

"I'm sorry, okay," he said, angrily, before sighing. He sat down on the stairs, and he rubbed his temple.

"I lost my best friend, Peyton, this past summer," Alec said, making my eyes widen. "And it was my fault."

He stayed silent for a moment, and I sat down beside him. Alec didn't look up at me, but he noticed my presence.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," I said, taking ahold of his hand. "But I don't think it was your fault."

Alec shook his head, looking up at me. "No. It was my fault. I was the person who was driving her car. I missed a stop sign, and we were hit by a truck. Peyton died in the hospital an hour later in the hospital. We were friends since kindergarten, and she helped me through a lot.

Instead of grieving, I partied and used girls. I starting hanging around Dean and Evie who aren't good influences."

I furrowed my eyebrows,"I thought you and Dean were friends since kindergarten?"

"We were. We were the golden trio until Dean started hanging out with the wrong crowd. We tried to help him, but it didn't work. Dean and I  just started hanging out after Peyton's death."

I nodded, understanding. "I'm sorry about Peyton."

"Have you ever lost somebody close to you?" Alec asked me as fresh tears spring to his eyes.

I nodded, sadly,"My father died this past September. We just forgave each other, and we were starting to rebuild our relationship. His heart was too weak to handle all of his injuries."

"I'm sorry about your father," Alec apologized.

"He's in a better place."

"And I am really sorry about what happened during the game. I was just trying to get into Brent's head, and I had no idea I was hurting you. I am an ass. You have been nothing but amazing to me, and I'm truly sorry," Alec formally apologized.

"I forgive you," I said, squeezing his hand. "And if you ever want to vent or talk just know that my door is always open."

"Thank you, Campbell," Alec thanked me, rubbing his thumb over my hand.

I smiled,"What are friends for?"

Alec's smile faltered, and he cleared his throat.

"Campbell, I need to get something off my chest," Alec said, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"What's up?"

"I-I...screw it," Alec said before crashing his lips on mine.

I froze, completely shocked. When my senses came to me, I quickly pushed Alec off of me.

"Alec-..." I started to say, but I was cut off by a car door being slammed.

Alec and I looked in front of us to see Brent striding his way over to us.

And he had his fists clenched by his sides.

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Hey guys!!

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•Kensli•

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