I Stole Your Girlfriend

by Gulsvik Doneck

  "Kimmy?"1

  "Peyton! Oh my god! I... I... I was so worried!" Kimberly bent over and hugged her friend gently. "I'm so sorry boo... I should have done something. I should have protected you. I'm so glad you're okay." Breaking away from the hug, Kimberly stood back upright and looked at her friend with tear-filled eyes. "How are you feeling?"

  Peyton was nothing shy of confused. "Huh?" The only response she could muster.1

  "I'll get the doctor..." Kimberly said sadly as she turned and began walking out of the room.

  "Kimmy wait!"

  Kimberly stopped immediately and rushed back to the bedside.

  "I'm in the hospital? Why?"

  "You don't remember?"

  Peyton shook her head. "What happened?"

  Tears flowed freely now as Kimberly sat on the bed next to her friend. "What's the last thing you remember?"

  Peyton squeezed her eyes shut as she thought long and hard. "Uhhh... I remember us going to the cinema... and I remember that girl from the cinema. She was cute." Peyton couldn't suppress the smile which forced its way onto her face at the mere thought of some random girl.2

  "That's all? You remember anything else?"

  "Uhhh... I dreamt that girl just now I think." Peyton blushed as she recalled her dream.

  "That's nice but do you remember anything else after seeing the girl?"

  Peyton closed her eyes once more and thought hard, "well... I remember seeing her sitting in front of us eating her popcorn, sipping her drink, twirling her hair on her finger and smiling at some text on her phone."

  "Peyton! Come on, I'm serious!"

  Peyton's eyes shot open and she glared at Kimberly, "what the fuck Kimmy?! I'm just answering your question. Geez! What do you want from me huh?"1

  Kimberly got off the bed, "look, I'm sorry okay. Let me just get the doctor. He'll be better at this."

  "Wait Kimmy. I'm sorry. I just have a huge fucking headache, I feel like shit and that really is all that I remember." Peyton's tone was so broken and pleading even she could hear it. "I sound so pathetic..."

  Kimberly sat back down and hugged her once again, "I'm sorry boo. I was a bitch. It's just that I was really worried about you. I thought I had lost you and then seeing you be so flippant about this just made me upset... But I realise that you really don't remember. I don't know if that's a good thing or not."

  Peyton exhaled and placed her head in her hands. She felt confused and frustrated in addition to the fact the she hurt all over.

  "I'll go get the doctor okay? He'll explain everything."

  "No. Wait." She looked up, "I'd rather hear it from you. Please. What happened to me Kimmy? Why don't I remember? Why am I feeling like such a fucking wreck? Why the fuck am I even in the hospital? I need to know Kimmy and I want you to tell me not some stranger. Please?"1

  Kimberly smiled an empty smile and nodded, "okay."

  For the next half an hour Kimberly went through every detail of what she knew in the hopes that something will jog Peyton's memory.

  "So... I wonder what happened when he took me away?" Peyton asked when Kimberly was finished with the story.

  "Well, I can only tell you what we suspect from what your parents, the doctors and the police have said."

  "And what is that?"

  "We think that your parents beat the crap out of you and kicked you out and then you somehow overdosed on sleeping pills... It's a real good thing that dog found you in that alley..." Kimberly paused to compose herself because she had begun to cry again. "I... I don't know what I would have done without you boo. Why didn't you come to me?"

  Peyton hung her head as a few tears left her eyes, "I'm sorry Kimmy... I just... You know I never come by you first when it's bad..."

  "Yeah but why?!"

  "Because... I don't want you seeing me like that. I have to get my shit together first you know?"

  "No! I don't know! Sometimes you're such an idiot! That does not make sense. The whole point of me being there for you is so that you can come to me at any time especially when you are at your lowest. Don't you trust me?"

  "Yes I do! How could you even ask that?! I just... I don't want you thinking less of me. Sometimes I'm a real fucking mess and... and it's embarrassing okay."

  "Look, Peyton, you never have to feel embarrassed around me okay? I don't judge you. But what was with the sleeping pills though? How did you even get that?"

  "It's mom's. Somehow she managed to get her hands on entire bottles of three different kinds and so I jacked a lot over the last couple months."

  "Why? You never told me you had trouble sleeping."

  "I don't really have much trouble sleeping."

  "So then what are you doing with sleeping pills huh?"2

  "Geez Kimmy, are you that clueless? To get a high. To get an ease."

  "An ease? How the fuck does that work?"

  "When I take them it's like all of my problems drift away. I feel almost giddy. I can't hold a single thought in my mind for too long; especially bad ones. I feel like my mind is just flying in the clouds and I don't have a care in the world. And then, I'm able to sleep a peaceful sleep, without any bad dreams. It's just to get a break. That's all Kimmy. I swear."

  "How many do you usually take?"

  "It depends... if I'm not feeling too bad I might take like two or three but if I'm feeling a little worse I might take like four or even six. I know what I'm doing though. You never suspected anything right?"

  "So then why the fuck were you almost dead by the time you got to the hospital huh?! You were practically dead Peyton! That does not seem like someone who knows what they're doing!" Kimberly was getting increasingly upset. "Peyton... the doctors said that if five more minutes had passed before they got to attend to you you would have been dead!" Kimberly was crying now.

  "Look, Kimmy, I'm sorry okay. I really don't remember what happened. It could have been from the beating I got from my parents you know."

  "No! They said that the injuries weren't bad enough to cause something like that. You just lost some blood, fractured a couple ribs and got a couple hematomas. None of that was enough to nearly kill you. It was the pills! They had to pump your stomach!"

  Peyton reached forward and grabbed Kimberly's flailing hands, "hey hey hey. I'm sorry okay. I really don't remember what happened so I can't say anything with certainty. I guess I was just feeling really fucking terrible. And I made a mistake. I love you Kimmy. I would never leave you like that. I promise. It was just a moment of weakness. I guess I need help... I should have said something a long time ago..."

  "Yes. You should have. My parents work in the hospital for crying out loud! They could get the best of the best help for you boo. But don't worry, everything will be different from now on."

  "What do you mean?"

  "You're going to be living with us. And my parents said that we're going to move."

  "Move? Why?"3

  "A fresh start. Away from all the memories and the people here. They say it will be good for you. A sort of therapy."

  "No! I will not disrupt all of your lives!"

  "You don't have a choice. It's already being done."

  "But what about school? And your parents' jobs?"

  "We're not moving very far. Just to the next town. They will still work here and we will be changing schools. It will be fun! Like a new adventure or something." Kimberly beamed at the idea.10

  Peyton sighed heavily, "I guess... since I have no choice and all. As long as I get to be close to you. I need you Kimmy... More than I would like to admit."

  Chapter 12

  It has been a hectic two weeks for Peyton and her new family. Kimberly's parents were serious when they said they were going to do something about Peyton's situation. Peyton is now, after a lot of favours, legally adopted by Kimberly's parents. Her parents are also facing charges for child endangerment.18

  Just as promised, Kimberly's parents have moved them to the next town. It's not far but it's still a big change. Bot
h Kimberly and Peyton are going to attend a new school in that town until they graduate.2

  Peyton did all she could to convince them that all of that was not necessary and the fact they took her in was good enough for her but Mr. and Mrs. Dexter would shut her down every time and continued about what they thought was best for her.

  Peyton sat on her new bed in her new room in her new home just thinking about everything that had happened in the past two weeks. Her memory had eventually come back to her and when it did, she cried like someone had cut off her hand without anesthesia.

  She jumped a little when someone knocked on her door. "Yeah?"

  The door opened to reveal a smiling Kimberly, "hey boo, you up for some company?"1

  Peyton nodded and shifted on her bad making room for Kimberly and patting the spot. Like a little child Kimberly clapped her hands and cheered as she ran and jumped on the bed. Peyton smiled at her antics, "what's up Kimmy?"

  "Nothing. Just checking to see how you doing. You ready for school tomorrow?"

  Peyton took in a breath and slowly let it out, "yeah, I guess... You know, usually I love school but for some reason I'm nervous about tomorrow."1

  "Maybe because it's a new school and we're starting in the middle of the year so everyone's attention is gonna be on us."

  "Yeah. I guess you're right." Peyton turned to face Kimberly and smiled, "so... I hear you were planning on marrying me."6

  Kimberly turned red and buried her head in her hands, "oh my god! She told you that?!"4

  Peyton tousled Kimberly's hair as she said, "what are you embarrassed about? I thought it was sweet."

  Kimberly finally looked at Peyton, "you did? But it's so weird though..."

  "I know, but it means the world to me because you were thinking of some way to help me even though you're not into that at all."

  "Well I did mean it and if this doesn't work out for any reason, I'd still do it."1

  Peyton started to laugh, "but, that'd be so wrong."

  "Why? Gay marriage is legal you know."

  Peyton could not control her laughter.2

  "Okay, what the heck is so funny?" Kimberly couldn't help but smile as well just from seeing Peyton so elated.

  "Because... it'd be... incest..."13

  Kimberly burst out laughing now too, "oh right! I didn't think about that. So you know, now it means that you have to stop crushing on me."2

  Peyton got serious at that point, "I know. But no matter what I would always like you a little more than I should... sorry."1

  "Hey, it's okay. I was just kidding about that. It's not like we're actually sisters."

  Peyton nodded before she fell into a moment of thought. "Hey Kimmy..."

  "Yeah boo?"

  "I umm... I need to find that girl..."3

  "You mean the cinema girl?"

  Peyton nodded.

  "You really like her don't you? Okay, I'll help you find her."

  "No, well, yes, but that's not the point. That's not why I wanna find her. She's straight and dumb remember? And... I've already found her... kind of..."1

  "Okay, wow, I'm lost. Why do you wanna find her then? How did you come to the conclusion that she is dumb? And what do you mean you've already found her?"2

  "I wanna tell her about Adam. She deserves to know the truth. She's being played and she seems like a sweet person. It's not right what he's doing to her. And she's dumb because she's with Adam. And... well... It was not easy but eventually I found another account that Adam has on facebook and I found her through that. He has his relationship status saying that he's in a relationship with her. That little fuck!"1

  "Well technically he isn't doing anything to her again. You guys aren't together anymore. So he's with her alone now."1

  "Yeah, but he did do it to her for a whole fucking year!"

  "Are you sure this is not just a tactic to get to talk to her?"1

  "Kimmy! No!"

  Kimberly put her hands in the air, "okay, okay. Whatever you say boo. So, what's her name then?"

  Peyton smiled involuntarily, "Sadie. Sadie Wells."

  Chapter 13

  It was Monday morning and the first day for Peyton and Kimberly at their new school. Kimberly's parents opted for a private school hoping that there will be more discipline and an overall better learning experience for the girls there. Being a private school, there was a required uniform for all students. The girls had a simple knee length black skirt while the boys had a long black pants and both wore the same polo t-shirt with the school's name printed on the back and were required to wear plain black sneakers. There were three optional colours in each polo - white, red and blue. Both Peyton and Kimberly had two in each colour.10

  Kimberly was already dressed and ready sitting at the dining table with her parents waiting for Peyton to come for them to have breakfast together before going their separate ways.

  As Peyton descended the stairs, pulling and tugging at her skirt in discomfort, Kimberly burst out in the most obnoxious laugh she could have mustered. She slapped the table with one hand and held on to her stomach with the other as she let her laughter rip through her. By this time Peyton had reached the dining table with her face twisted as she was clearly upset.3

  "Hell fucking no!" She exclaimed when both of Kimberly's parents let out their suppressed laughter joining Kimberly as they too held on to their stomachs.

  Peyton slammed herself down on the chair as she glared at her three new family members. "I thought family was supposed to support you not make a mockery of you!" She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest and continued glaring at the three of them.

  After another two minutes Kimberly was finally able to sip some water and speak, "I don't think they've ever seen your legs..." she said as she pointed to her parents.

  They both shook their heads in amusement.

  "And the sun definitely has never seen them either." Mrs Dexter laughed.4

  Peyton pouted, "they're not that bad!"

  "Have you seen the colour of your legs compared to the rest of you?" Kimberly asked with a huge smile on her face.

  "Oh hush! It's not my fault this school is exposing my precious goods!"

  Mr Dexter burst out in laughter again, "those are your precious goods?!"

  "Leave my legs alone! They're suffering enough stress having to be exposed, they don't need you guys making fun of them too. Can we just eat?"9

  It took the three Dexters a couple minutes to compose themselves before they were able to join Peyton in eating breakfast.

  Since the move and living with the Dexters Peyton has begun eating a bit more. She still doesn't eat much but at least she eats a small breakfast and a small lunch. It's a start and Kimberly was very proud of her.

  Halfway through the meal Kimberly began snickering again, "have you even ever worn a skirt?"

  "No. Well, I mean until I was four and started demanding to chose my own clothes my mother dressed me as she liked so, yes, I have worn skirts and dresses; just never as my own choice."

  Through a small laugh followed by a snicker Kimberly said, "well, it suits you."

  The three of them began laughing again but Peyton was not going to take it silently this time. She picked up a piece of sausage from her plate and pushed it in Kimberly's ear. Kimberly swatted her hand away, "hey! What's that for?"

  "Being annoying."

  "What about them?" She pointed to her parents.

  "I'm not dumb. I'm not going to attack them with my food. They make living possible for me. I'll just pout and glare at them. But you, I can harass you all I want because it seems you're already doing the same to me. Payback's a bitch." Peyton smiled triumphantly at Kimberly as she put the last piece of her toast in her mouth.1

  They were soon done with breakfast and Mr and Mrs Dexter left for the hospital leaving Kimberly and Peyton to clean up the dishes and make their own way to school.

  They had offered several times to give the girls a lift to school but they both refused. Walking to
school together was their tradition and they weren't about to change things now.2

  "I'll be back." Peyton announced as she dashed off up the stairs.

  She came back down two minutes later feeling much more comfortable than she had been all morning.

  "Hey! Where the hell did you get that?"

  "I bought it." Peyton announced simply. "I went to the school and bought two last week."

  "You know you're gonna get in trouble for that right?"1

  Peyton waved her off and picked up her bag, "you ready? Let's get going. We don't want to be late."

  She proceeded to begin walking to the door leaving Kimberly staring at her in disbelief. She mumbled to herself, "I cannot believe you went and bought the boys' uniform. You're gonna be in so much trouble..." as she picked up her bag and followed Peyton out the house.12

  As they walked Peyton glanced at Kimberly who was obviously still not liking the idea of her wearing the boys' uniform. "Oh, come on Kimmy, you really see me wearing a skirt all day in a public place? It was bad enough at home with you guys."

  Kimberly sighed heavily, "I know it's uncomfortable for you but sometimes you've got to follow the rules boo."

  Peyton shrugged, "I'd much rather get in trouble for being myself and comfortable than be ridiculed for how I look because I'm conforming to the rules and uncomfortable."5

  Kimberly had no counter argument for her or at least she didn't see any as being worth it. Peyton would always find a justification. It is damn near impossible to argue with Peyton sometimes.7

  The walk to school was short, only ten minutes so they were soon staring at their new school and all the students making their way in the building as they spoke animatedly with one another.

  "Well, they look friendly..." Kimberly said in an attempt to psych herself up for whatever was in store for them.5

  Kimberly began walking again but she was stopped by Peyton who grabbed hold of her arm. "What's wrong boo?"

  "I'm nervous. I really don't know why though..."

  "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you're wearing the wrong uniform and you'd get in trouble on your first day?"

  Peyton shook her head as she finally met Kimberly's eyes, "no. I'm not worried about that. It's something else. I don't know what though. I'm just really fucking nervous."