How to Stay Afloat

~17: Where She Gets a Reality Check~

CHAPTER 17:

Where She Gets a Reality Check

~~**~~

"Just so you know, if Archer hadn't beat the shit out of him, I would have," Peyton said seriously. "Nobody gets away with insulting my best friend."

I gave her a grateful smile. We were walking down the hallway towards the Cafeteria.

"Thanks for not asking me what all that was about. Chase and I have a history together. I wanted to tell you so badly when it was going on but he asked me not to tell anyone and when things ended I was just so embarrassed. . ."

Peyton suddenly stopped walking making me stop as well and the next thing I knew I was being engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.

"You're not obliged to tell me everything that's going on in your life Fallon. You're like a sister to me." She said softly. "I just hope you know that no matter what happens, I'll always be in your corner and I will always support you."

Tears sprung into my eyes as I hugged her back. "I love you Peyton West. Thank you for being my friend."

She stepped back and vigorously wiped under her eyes. "Okay, enough of this sentimental bullshit. So tell me how things are between you and Mechanic Boy? Seriously at first, I could not fathom why you had a crush on him but then I saw him without a shirt in the auction and I totally get it. . ." She wiggled her eyebrows at me suggestively.

Peyton linked her arm with mine and we started walking again when we started getting dirty looks from people for stopping in between a busy hallway.

I laughed and elbowed her in the rips playfully. "For the last time Peyton, I do not have a crush on Archer, we're just friends."

"Yeah right." Peyton rolled her eyes at me, clearly unconvinced.

I tucked a stray lock of hair behind my year. "I was the one who set him up with Caroline Williams." An uncomfortable knot tightened in my chest even as I spoke those words.

Peyton stopped in her tracks once again causing the guy behind her to bump into her, he gave her a dirty look and she flipped him the bird in response.

She turned her attention back to me. "You did what?" She practically yelled. "Why would you do that?"

I winced. "Because he told me that he liked her." I could feel the lump in my throat, the tip of my nose stung. I had the sudden urge to burst out crying.

Peyton immediately sensed the change in my demeanor because her arm was suddenly wrapped around my shoulder comfortingly. "Whatever, who cares? Guys suck."

I chuckled, my mood lightened a little.

"Speaking of guys." I gave her a sly look. "You never really told me how your date with Crew Cut went?" I asked referring to the cute guy who'd won a date with her at the action.

She actually blushed.

Peyton West the girl who'd once made the captain of the rugby team cry for making fun of her hair.

The girl who once punched a guy unconscious because he'd catcalled us as we were walking by.

That Peyton West actually blushed when I mentioned a guy.

I didn't think I'd ever seen her blush over a guy before.

I could feel my lips splitting into an eager smile.

"Tell. Me. Everything!" I squealed.

~~**~~

A lunch tray dropped down on the table in front of us, distracting me and Peyton from our conversation.