"Do you think mom is right?" Sadie asked Peyton as they lay on the ground next to the couch for the night.

"About what?"

"Moving."

"Yes I do."

"But I can't leave dad on his own. He can't even pay the rent."

"He can't or he won't?"

"Peyton..."

"Come on Sadie, he's an adult. He is making his decisions. I do not see him considering you at any point. I agree with your mother."

Maggie had told Sadie that she did not like the living situation she was in and that she would rent her a proper apartment in a safer neighbourhood but she was to leave her father because in her opinion he was endangering Sadie. Not to mention he is perfectly capable of getting a job and seeing after himself. It is not Sadie's responsibility.

"You could always stay with me." Peyton suggested.

"Nah. I don't want to intrude. Plus, I've grown accustomed to having the space basically to myself and I have definitely become accustomed to living by my own rules. Plus... I like being able to spend time alone with you."

"I completely get what you mean. I had a fucking hard time adjusting to living with Kimmy. Always having people asking where you are and why. There was a certain freedom I had living with my parents. But I do have my own room. We can spend time together there."

"No offense, but that's not good enough for me. As much as I like Kimmy, I can't stand her walking in every time I am having a moment with you."

Peyton blushed at Sadie's confession, "so does that mean you want to have more moments with me?" She meant for it to come out sounding rude and suggestive but it ended up coming out sounding shy and insecure.

Sadie turned and looked at her, "of course I do. I don't want to just have moments. Eventually I want to have entire periods of time."

Peyton chuckled, "way to explain yourself love."

Sadie nudged her, "you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I think I do. Hey... are you gonna read that letter?"

"Yes... I'm just not ready... I know it's stupid but I want to wait a few days..."

"It's not stupid. If you want you can always let me know when you're going to read it so that I can come over in case you need a shoulder to cry on."

"Thanks Peyton."

"Anytime love. I forgot to ask... Astrid is the reason your mom thought you were into girls right?"

"Yeah. Well, as least I can't see it being for any other reason. We were a little too close if you know what I mean."

Peyton chuckled, "Yeah, I understand. We should try and get some sleep now though we still have homework to finish for Monday."

"Goodnight Peyton."

"Sweet dreams love."

As Peyton drifted off to sleep she replayed the question she had asked Maggie in her head; a small smile graced her lips as she replayed Maggie's answer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hi mom!" Sadie answered her phone cheerfully.

"Hi baby girl. Are you busy now?"

"No. I'm just doing some crosswords."

"You finished your homework?"

"Yep. I just have to do a little more studying for a test on Friday but it's only Wednesday so I'll do that tomorrow."

"Okay good because I don't want to interrupt your studies. Now, your school called me today."

"I hope you don't mind, I gave them your number on Monday."

"I don't mind at all sweetheart. I am honoured."

"Wait, what'd they call you for?"

"That's what I want to talk to you about. The principal said that a teacher, Ms Kruger, is complaining about you and your involvement with Peyton."

"What?! Why is she such a crab?!"

"Sadie!"

"I'm sorry mom but she is!"

"What is going on Sadie? She said something about you "infiltrating her detention to perform inappropriate lesbian activities with Peyton". She is also claiming that Peyton is a "bad seed". I told the principal that I will speak with you and sort this out. What is going on Sadie?"

"Thanks for saying that she claims Peyton is a bad seed."

"Well, I met Peyton and she is nothing but a sweetheart."

"Well, she is but she does have a bit of a temper and she can be very rude and defiant."

"So is this teacher right about..."

Sadie cut her off, "wait, let me finish. Ms Kruger despises Peyton. She is always getting her in trouble."

"The way I understand it from the principal, Peyton is in lunch time detention for the remainder of the school year for being constantly disrespectful."

"Yeah but Ms Kruger provokes her!"

"Sadie, calm down. I am just trying to get to the bottom of this and what you involvement really is."

Sadie explained to her mother everything that went down between Peyton and Ms Kruger.

"Well, I do not deny that Ms Kruger is wrong and excessive in her punishments but Peyton is also wrong. She should not react to Ms Kruger's bad attitude. She should be the bigger person."

"I know. But it's Peyton and she has serious anger issues amongst others. She didn't exactly live a charmed childhood."

"I do not dispute that Sadie but that is no excuse for her to be disrespectful to those in authority."

"I know but it's really just with Ms Kruger. I mean, look at how she was with you and Fiona."

"Okay Sadie. Now, how did you get involved in this detention? Ms Kruger does not even teach you."

Sadie sighed, "well... I missed Peyton at lunch all of last week. Some days I didn't even get to see her at all. So... this Monday when the detention had started I walked into the class and told Ms Kruger that I was having evil thoughts and that I needed to be punished and I heard that she was holding lunch time detention for several students. It is actually almost a class full of students! Anyhow, she was glad to have me and told me to sit anywhere. I saw there were students working together on assignments and stuff so naturally I sat next to Peyton."

"Sadie... that was not necessary. You could have just spoken to Peyton over the phone in the evenings."

"I know mom. That's what we did last week but it was not enough... I miss her mom. I want to actually talk to her in person. I want to see her. Things did not start off too well with us and we recently worked everything out and I just want to spend as much time with her as I could..."

"You are in love with this girl aren't you?"

"Yes. Are you okay with that?"

"I am. I like her. I just have one question, what was Ms Kruger referring to when she said you were engaging in inappropriate lesbian activities?"

"I really am not sure. Maybe it's because Peyton wears the boys' uniform and well we do smile at each other a lot. Oh wait, I think I know what she is talking about. Today something went in my eye and when I was rubbing at it Peyton put her hand on mine and then moved it from my face before she leaned in and blew in my eye. That's really the only thing she could be referring to. Trust me, I am not brave enough to have any public displays of affection with Peyton or any girl. I have only just technically come out to you. The only other people who know are Astrid and Peyton. As far as my friends thought, up until last week that is, I am a homophobe."

"Okay baby girl. I understand. Thank you for telling me all of this. I truly am happy to be able to have this again. I missed you a lot."

"I missed you too. And you have Peyton to thank for this. She is the one who knocked sense into me."

"Well, I already told you I like her. You made a good choice in befriending her. I think she is good for you. I have never seen you this happy."

"I really am happy mom. And she has had a very positive effect on me and I think I have done similar for her."

"Sadie sweetheart, I heard a song the other day and I would like to sing it for you. It's kind of like some advice I would like to give you. Would you like that?"

"I would love that mom! Please do. I missed you singing to me..."

"Okay, here goes... I don't know if you know it. It is called Tell Her You Love Her by Echosmith."

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Tell her a story

Tell her the honest truth

You treat her better

Make sure to see it through

Don't be just everything she wants

Be everything she needs

When she says she loves you

Tell her you love her too

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Give her a reason

Reason to love all you do

She'll tell you secrets

You'll tell her secrets too

She'll tell you all her hopes and dreams

You'll tell them too

When she says she loves you

Tell her you love her too

Tell her you love her too

But don't you run away run away

When you get tired

'Cause this will slip away slip away

And start a fire

That can never be put out

Oh hurry time is running out

But don't you run away run away

Before you tell her you love her

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

When she says she needs you

Tell her you need her too

You tell her clearly

Speak what your heart wants you to

Tell her she's lovely

Always tell her the truth

When she says she loves you

Tell her you love her too

But please don't run away run away

When you get tired

'Cause this will slip away slip away

And start a fire

That can never be put out

Oh hurry time is running out

But don't you run away run away

Before you tell her you love her

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫