When the bell had finally rung Peyton rushed out of the classroom and headed directly for her locker where she and Kimberly had agreed to meet right after school. Kimberly had not arrived as yet. Peyton was still waiting even after shoving her books in her locker and packing the ones she needed for the night in her bag.

She was getting impatient. Where are you Kimmy?!

She began pacing when someone spoke to her, "hey, what's wrong?"

She jumped and turned around to see Casey carefully packing her bag by her locker. She shook her head, "nothing."

"You sure?"

Peyton stopped pacing and walked up to lean on the locker next to Casey's, "I'm just waiting on Kimberly. I have something important I need to tell her."

Casey nodded in understanding. "She'll be here soon don't worry. Some teachers like to keep us back after the bell rings."

"Oh. That's dumbass..."

Casey chuckled, "it sure is."

"Hey, umm... I just wanted to apologise for this morning. I shouldn't have done that to you. I know you're having it hard enough already."

Casey blushed, "it's okay... I'm not mad or anything. What do you mean I'm having it hard enough?"

Peyton smiled, "we both know what I mean and when you're ready to talk about it, you can come to me okay?"

Casey bit her lip, "how do you know?"

Peyton just smiled, "I can tell these things. Being that way myself probably helps a lot."

"You are?!"

Peyton nodded. "So, just know that when you're ready to admit it to yourself and when you need someone to talk to about it, I'm right here."

Casey pulled her into a brief hug, "thanks Peyton."

They exchanged numbers and Casey decided she would wait with Peyton until Kimberly came. They were making random small talk when Casey said, "I want you guys to meet my friends. Maybe tomorrow at lunch? I usually eat lunch with them and you guys are free to join us whenever you want to."

"Well, I guess we'll take you up on that offer. You know, aside from Kimmy, you are like the only person I have ever spoken to this much."

"Really?" Casey beamed, "I feel strangely proud of that."

"You should."

Just at that moment Peyton spotted Kimberly walking towards them, "hey boo, sorry about that, the teacher kept us back. Hey Casey!"

They all relocated to Kimberly's locker as she packed her books.

Although Casey was present Peyton could not hold her tongue, "I have the most amazing story to tell you about what happened to me in the bathroom earlier!"

Casey snickered at Peyton's outburst. Kimberly, however, smiled broadly, "I think I know what happened."

"Huh?"

Kimberly smiled, "you met her didn't you?"

"What the? How?"

Kimberly began to laugh, throwing her head back in the process.

"Oh no you don't! You do not get to make fun of me twice in one day!" Peyton reached forward and began tickling Kimberly causing her to hiccup and attempt to swat Peyton away.

Casey looked on amused at the two best friends.

Mid tickle, Peyton froze when she saw Sadie walking in their direction. Kimberly forced herself to composure as she tried to figure out what had turned Peyton into a zombie. Before she had the opportunity to ask she heard someone speak behind her, "hi Kimberly! Casey!" There was a pause, "Peyton..."

Kimberly nudged Peyton, "say something you idiot!"

Peyton looked at Kimberly, "she knows you?"

Kimberly just smiled broadly and nodded, "we had last class together."

Peyton turned her attention back to Sadie who was now standing very close to Casey. She blinked a few times. Her head felt as though it was filled with cotton. What the fuck is going on here?

"Turns out I found out your name after all." Sadie smiled at her.

Peyton just blinked twice as fast.

"Well, I see you guys have already met one of my friends." Casey spoke. She turned to Sadie, "I invited them to have lunch with us tomorrow."

"That's cool. I also invited them." Sadie said with a smile. "Well, I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow then." She said with a wave.

Casey waved goodbye as well and they turned and left the beaming Kimberly and stupefied Peyton to figure out what just happened.

"What... what just happened?" Peyton asked still in a weird state of shock.

Kimberly's only response was another hearty laugh which earned her Peyton walking off in a huff. She soon joined Peyton and they walked in silence until they got home. Kimberly practically dragged Peyton to the living room and sat them down on the couch so they could talk. It was for moments like these that she appreciated the fact that her parents usual get home an hour or two later than her.

Kimberly told Peyton how she was in the same class with Sadie and the teacher had paired them up so they ended up talking. Kimberly told Sadie that her best friend was also new. At some point Sadie had left to go to the bathroom and when she got back she told Kimberly how she had just met her best friend and how she had gone all mute and she asked Kimberly what her name is. Before the end of class Sadie had, just like Casey, invited the girls to eat with them the next day and offered them a permanent place there if they desired. Apparently Sadie and Casey are best friends.

"You didn't tell her anything else right?"

"Of course not. I'm leaving that for you to figure out how to do on your own. Although it seems you cannot even say one word to her."

"Oh hush! I just... I... okay, I have no idea what the fuck happened!"

Kimberly laughed and went on to ask her about what her afternoon was like and Peyton told her all about the teacher who doesn't like her and the incident with the principal. She went on to gush about how gorgeous and beautiful and stunning Sadie is and how great she smells and to finish it off, how much of an idiot she is to be with Adam of all people.

They went their separate ways after the fairly long conversation to have a shower and get started on their homework.

"Girls! Dinner is ready!" Mrs Dexter called up to them from the bottom of the stairs.

They both made their ways downstairs in record time to find food already put out on the dining table with Mr and Mrs Dexter awaiting their arrival.

"Hey mom! Dad!" Kimberly greeted them both with a hug around the shoulders and a kiss on the cheek.

"Mr D. Mrs D." Peyton greeted with a slight wave and smile as she sat down and smiled at her plate. The Dexters' were so understanding of her trouble to eat but they insisted that she eat even a little at every meal time. So, when they serve food they always serve her a very small portion on a little plate and it always looked so cute and thoughtful she could not help but eat it.

"Peyton, we got a little something for you." Mr Dexter said while trying his damndest to stop from laughing.

"You didn't have to." Peyton said although she was extremely curious to find out what it was and why Kimberly didn't get something too.

Mrs Dexter bent to the side and picked something up off the floor and put it on the table.

"What's... Ohh..." Peyton's face turned red as she read the label on the bottle. "Really, you didn't have to."

They all burst out laughing, "it was just a joke. Unless you really think it will help your little situation." Mr Dexter laughed.

"No way in hell am I ever using spray tan." Peyton said. Plus, I've already found the perfect solution to that problem.

"So, how was the first day of school girls?" Mr Dexter enquired with an expectant smile after they all composed themselves and began to eat.

"Eh... it was okay." Was Peyton's short and simple answer.

"Okay? Just okay? That's all you could come up with to describe today?!" Kimberly said in a disbelieving tone.

"Yes. The food is great. Thanks! How was you guys' day?" She asked in an effort to change the topic.

"Thanks honey. And our day was good as usual. A little hectic but the same." Mrs Dexter replied and continued with a sly smile, "I would much rather hear all about what happened with you guys though."

"I second that!" Mr Dexter said with great exuberance.

Peyton sighed audibly and rolled her eyes as Kimberly began telling the tale of their first day at school.

"So, let me get this straight," Mr Dexter said in slight confusion, "you went out and bought yourself the boys' uniform and then wore it to school and then talked yourself out of trouble and into being allowed to wear it?"

Peyton could not help my smile broadly, "yep!"

"Wow. You should be an attorney or something." Mrs Dexter said, "in all seriousness."

"Well, the principal did suggest that I join the school's debate team."

"You should." Mr Dexter encouraged.

"Nah... I'm more of a sports person. I think I'll check out the athletic clubs that they have."

"That's good. It would be something good for you to do." Mrs Dexter said, "it will be a way of working off some of the stress and anger you have."

Things suddenly seemed to be taking a serious turn and Peyton grew uncomfortable. She hung her head and played with her food. She was only halfway through the small meal but she had suddenly lost her appetite.

"Peyton," Mrs Dexter continued, "you have to work on these things. You have to work it out and deal with it or it will bite you in the ass later on in life. Trust me on this."

Peyton just nodded. She knew that Mrs Dexter was right but for now she preferred to ignore everything that had happened to her and push it as far back into her mind as possible and move on. She hoped that one day she would even forget about it all.

"You cannot fully move on until you face everything Peyton. Ignoring something and pretending it never happened is not the answer nor is it a healthy thing to do." Mr Dexter added as if he had just read her thoughts.

Peyton just nodded, "okay. Can I be excused now please?"

"Sure." Mrs Dexter said in a sad voice as she looked at the girl across from her feeling her heart ache for her but knowing there wasn't much more she could do for her. At least not yet. She has to give her more time.

Peyton gave her thanks and got up. She cleared her dishes from the table and went to her room where she just lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling as memories flashed through her mind at a rapid rate. She felt so full of emotion yet so empty at the same time.