Kimberly caught up to Peyton and got her attention only by walking in front of her and stopping. "What the fuck was that Peyton?!"

"Leave me alone Kimmy."

"No. That was uncalled for. Sadie did not deserve that. What has got into you?"

"Oh, and none of this is your fault right?"

"How is any of that my fault?!"

Peyton mocked Kimberly as she repeated her words from earlier, "Don't worry Sadie. She has nothing against you. She is just rendered speechless by your absolute beauty. What the fuck was that Kimmy?! That's why she is so hellbent on the fact that I like her! Now she thinks I'm a perverted stalker!"

"Oh, and that's my fault? You being a creep by not talking to her, always stealing glances at her and going off on her about Adam without giving any proof had nothing to do with it right?"

"Whatever! You could have backed me up you know!"

"How?! You two were going at each other like vicious rabid dogs. No one could have gotten a word in edgewise!"

"Fine! It's all my fault. I'm sorry for blaming you and sullying your good name. Forgive me, I'm a bitch."

Coming to Peyton's aid, the bell rang and she took that opportunity to say she didn't want to make either of them late for class and rushed off in the direction her next class; which was to her joy in the opposite direction to that of Kimberly's.

After school Peyton quickly packed her bag and was thankful for the teacher keeping Kimberly back long after the bell had rung. She sent Kimberly a quick text as she hurriedly made her way home.

Captain shit is in my habour. I'm rushing home to let him dock and drop anchor in the comfort of our toilet at home.

As soon as Peyton got home she went directly into the bathroom and took a shower in an attempt to clear her head. The shower did not do much for her mental state but at least she was clean and feeling fresh.

When she stepped into her room ready to change she was startled by Kimberly's presence. Kimberly sat on Peyton's bed in wait for her arrival from the bathroom.

"I have to change Kimmy." Peyton stated and in her head that statement made it clear that Kimberly should leave.

She did not. She continued sitting there looking at Peyton.

When Peyton pointed at the door Kimberly shrugged, "it's not like I've never seen you naked before."

Peyton sighed heavily and ignored Kimberly as she went about changing her clothes. She refused to entertain Kimberly before she was fully dressed.

"What?!" She said with great irritation once she was done and faced Kimberly again.

"We need to talk don't you agree?"

"No."

"Come on Peyton, I'm sorry okay. But we have to talk about this. You can't keep all that anger pent up inside..."

Peyton cut her off, "I can and I will. There's nothing to talk about."

"Come on boo, I'm your best friend. I know this is eating you up on the inside. I know Sadie hurt you. Please, talk to me." Kimberly practically begged by the end.

Peyton felt her emotions rising once more but she definitely did not want to deal with them. She did not want to feel all that hurt right now. She did not want Kimberly to see her cry. Again. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to forget.

"Leave me alone Kimmy."

"Boo, please!"

"No Kimmy! Just leave me alone. Please!"

Kimberly stepped close to Peyton and tried to pull her into a hug but Peyton dodged it and pointed at the door. She felt herself breaking at Kimberly's kindness and she refused to let it get to her. "GET OUT KIMBERLY!!!" She yelled only because she knew that's what it took to get Kimberly to listen to her.

The hurt look on Kimberly's face and the slouch in her posture as she left the room broke her heart but it's what she needs right now. For her own sanity.

When Mr and Mrs Dexter got home Peyton still refused to come out of her room. She refused to accept the food they placed by her door. She refused to talk.

"WOULD EVERYBODY JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE! PLEASE?!" She screamed through her closed door when, for the sixth time someone knocked on her door and tried to talk to her.

She felt trapped. She felt as though she was losing her mind. She hated that feeling. She wanted to be free.

By eleven o'clock, when she was satisfied with how quiet everything was and so was sure everyone had fallen asleep, she sneaked out of the house and ran.

The cold wind in her face felt revitalising. Every time her feet hit the road she pretended she left a piece of her troubles right there. She knew where she was going. She had scored this new town for a new secret hiding place like the one she had in their old town.

When she got there she admired her surroundings. The place was beautiful. It was secluded, off a track and seemed to not have too many visitors. If any.

There were trees and bushes but enough clearing to see to walk about. Peyton ventured further this time than the last two times she had visited. As she walked she heard the distinct babbling of water. Following the sound, she eventually came upon a small brook.

She found a nearby tree and sat below it leaning up against its trunk.

She felt a strange sense of peace.

She also felt guilt for treating Kimberly and her parents the way she did. She hated herself for her behaviour.

She sat there for quite some time thinking about everything in her life. As she thought, a pressure began to develop in her chest and it only grew with the racing of her mind. Thinking of Sadie for some reason brought the tears, which were threatening, crashing down her cheeks. She sobbed loudly; only because she was certain no one was around.

"Come on Peyton! Compose yourself!" She scolded when she had had enough of her self pity.

She went to the little brook and wet her face washing the tears away.

When she sat back down under the tree she pushed her hand into her jacket pocket and pulled out an almost full bottle of cough syrup.

She looked at the bottle and spoke, "well, you're better then nothing."

After uncapping the bottle, she raised it in the air, "cheers!" She proceeded to down almost half of the contents of the bottle in one mouthful.

She started singing to herself the only song she felt it fit to sing at that moment, Crawling by Linkin Park, while she sipped on the remainder.

♪♫♪♫♪♫

Crawling in my skin

These wounds they will not heal

Fear is how I fall

Confusing what is real

There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface

Consuming, confusing

This lack of self control I fear is never ending

Controlling

I can't seem to find myself again

My walls are closing in

Without a sense of confidence I'm convinced

That there's just too much pressure to take

I've felt this way before

So insecure

♪♫♪♫♪♫

She sighed heavily as she rested her head against the tree and let the empty bottle roll out of her hand. "I am so fucked up..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peyton awoke with a start. Where the fuck am I?

She looked around and it took only a few seconds for her to recall last night. Right...

She got to her feet and stretched. I don't feel like going to school today...

She decided to honour her feelings. She took a very slow and casual stroll back to the house which took nearly an hour.

When she entered the house she checked the time. It was half past ten in the morning. She made a beeline for the bathroom to wash off the dirt from sleeping on the ground.

When she got to her room she was greeted by a note stuck to her door.

She took it down and read it.

Peyton, we are all very sorry for pushing you last night. We are sorry you felt that you had to run away. We love you and we care about you. Please let us know that you're okay. We are worried sick!

It was signed by all three of the Dexter's.

There was the guilt again.

She put the note on her desk and changed her clothes. Her phone was on the night stand next to her bed where she had deliberately left it last night.

She sat on her bed and picked up the phone and sent a quick text to both Mr and Mrs Dexter.

She sent Kimberly a different text.

By the time she had finished sending Kimberly's message both Mr and Mrs Dexter responded to her. They both said something along the lines of they're sorry and it's okay, they're not mad just leave a note or something to let then know when she leaves the house and where she goes.

She didn't answer partly because she didn't know what to say and partly because she got a response from Kimberly.

Hey boo!!! I'm the one who should be apologising. You warned me but I still pushed you. I forgive you and I hope you can forgive me. Where are you now? Where'd you go last night?

Oh, okay. Well I'm glad you are and were safe. Are you coming to school? Everybody is asking about you. And they say hi.

Peyton checked the time and realised it was indeed lunch time at school.

True. Casey, Justine, Kirk...

She knew she should not ask but she just could not resist.

Uh... She's just in a bad mood.

For some reason that bit of information saddened Peyton. More.

She's not talking to anyone. She seems upset, hurt and angry.

Peyton's heart ached her just a little more.

No, but once or twice she glanced across at your seat. And she glared at Casey when she said that she would call you later.

Okay boo. I love you. Can't wait to see you :) don't forget to eat!

Peyton didn't bother to answer because she had no intention of eating but would not say that.