I Stole Your Girlfriend

by Gulsvik Doneck

  Peyton shrugged again, "if you say so."

  "Okay, I understand that the Dexters have adopted you. Tell me about that. What led to that?"

  Peyton gave Dr Kruze a very quick and very vague rundown of the events that led up to her current living situation.

  "Okay Peyton, so how do you cope with all that has happened to you?"

  "I try not to think about it."

  "That has never been proven to work. What do you do to deal with all the hurt and pain?"

  "Nothing."

  "Peyton please, work with me. I know you have to have some sort of coping method and to be able to help you effectively I need to know how you cope."

  Peyton was silent for a long time deliberating with herself whether or not to tell him the truth.

  If I tell the truth then he definitely won't give me any sleeping pills but I really want some. No, actually, I need some. I miss those little buggers. But then again, I could always find a way around that... I could get stuff elsewhere and use other things like the cough syrup...

  She was jolted from her thoughts, "Peyton?"

  "Oh... sorry. Um... well, I kind of overdose on sleeping pills."

  "Kind of?"

  She nodded.

  "Where do you get the sleeping pills?"

  "Stole them from my mother."

  "Okay. I am really glad that you decided to tell me the truth and you know now that I will not be prescribing any such medication for you right?"

  She nodded. I could kick myself so hard right now!!!

  "And what do you do when you do not have access to sleeping pills?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "You know what I mean Peyton."

  "Okay okay. Sorry. I use other stuff like cough syrup."

  Dr Kruze nodded, "and why do you use these things?"

  "Why else? It makes me zone out and then I fall asleep and for those few hours, everything is peaceful. I can get a break from this fucked up world. My mind floats away, I can't hold on to any thoughts, good or bad, and it's... it's almost euphoric."

  "So it is your escape from reality?"

  "Yep."

  "Have you ever attempted suicide?"

  Peyton fiddled with her fingers, "what does that matter?"

  "It matters a whole lot. That is a very serious matter."

  Peyton gave in quicker this time and told him the truth, going into some detail upon his request.

  "Okay Peyton, we are going to stop here today. But before we do, I want you to tell me one thing you like about yourself."

  "I can't. There is nothing. I told you this already."

  "There is and you will find it. You don't have to limit yourself to traits. You can name something physical. Just tell me something, one thing, that you like about yourself."

  With an exasperated sigh Peyton thought for a moment. "My ears."

  "Your ears?"

  "Yep. I like my ears. In my opinion they are perfectly shaped and well proportioned and well, I just like it when... never mind."

  "You like it when what?"

  "Nothing. It's stupid and embarrassing."

  "You can say anything in here. I am not judging you."

  "I like it when people play with my ears... I know that's weird but it feels nice... sorry..."13

  Dr Kruze chuckled, "it's okay Peyton. It's not weird. Lots of people like that sort of thing. I have heard of somethings that are weird and trust me, liking people to play with your ears is not anywhere near the weirdness list; by far."

  Peyton could not help but laugh, "okay then. If you say so, you are the expert."

  "Well Peyton, I don't know about you but I think we had a good session here today. We have only just begun and the road to your healing will be a long one but you have to be willing to put in the work. I am more than willing to be your doctor if you would like to continue your treatment with me. You are a wonderful young lady and I think you need to give yourself a chance to see what I and your new family and friends see."

  "I um... yes, I want to do this. I know I need help and I think I really can benefit from this. I do not like the person I have become and I know I need lots of help to get myself together. Yes, I would like to continue working with you and I will do my best but I cannot make any definitive promises. At least not yet. Thank you for your time and patience with me. I know I am difficult."

  "It was and will be my pleasure Peyton. And try to stop judging yourself so harshly all the time. Okay?"

  Peyton nodded as they both stood and shook hands before she left his office.

  As instructed, she called Mrs Dexter to inform her that her session was over but she declined the offer of Mrs Dexter coming back for her and said that she would make her way home on her own. She needed time to think about everything that just happened. She was not ready to deal with people just yet.

  Chapter 21

  It's been roughly three weeks since Peyton's first visit to Dr Kruze and she has seen him twice since. Slowly she is beginning to feel the difference. She is learning things about herself that she did not know and very slowly she is coming around to see things about herself differently. She is learning that she is not such a bad person after all.4

  Things at home have been good. She is still trying to come to terms with the fact that someone is always around and asking after her well being. She still feels trapped and it is still a burden to her to account to someone when she leaves the house. But, all in all, she is learning to deal with it all thanks to Dr Kruze's help.

  School has been quite the challenge for her but only because of Sadie. Every time she sees Sadie it kills her a little more inside. She is yet to broach that topic with Dr Kruze.

  "Hey, you okay?" Kimberly whispered to her since they were currently in class.2

  She nodded, "yeah..."1

  "Boo, come on, what's up?"

  "Sorry... it's just... I don't think I'll be eating lunch with you all today."

  "Why not?"

  "I... I just can't..."

  Peyton refused to say any more on the matter. It was a very touchy topic for her. On the one hand, she loved to see Sadie. Part of her actually looks forward to it. She loves to admire Sadie, see her smile, hear her laugh. But then on the other hand, part of her dreads seeing Sadie because it is just too painful. Her harsh, judgemental words always repeat over and over in Peyton's head and it saddens her.

  How can people be so cruel? Why did I have to fall for the straightest most homophobic girl?9

  After class, as they made their way to the cafeteria Kimberly brought up the topic again, "it's because of Sadie right?"

  "Kimmy. Please, just drop it."

  "Awww come on boo. It's me, you can tell me."1

  Peyton sighed, "fine, yes it's because of Sadie. I can't take the rollercoaster of emotions I go through when I'm around her. I want to be around her because I'm fucking in love with the bastard but at the same time I can't stand to be around her because I know she's judging me and chastising me in her head. I can see it on her face. She hates me. She despises my very presence. I disgust her Kimmy. And I know she only bears my presence because she's friends with my friend and I'm friends with her friends. It just... it hurts..."4

  Kimberly wrapped an arm around Peyton's shoulder, "I understand boo. We'll eat somewhere else from now on okay?"

  "No, it's fine. Don't inconvenience yourself because of my quirkiness. I'll just go to the library today, I have a lot of studying to do."

  "You can't eat in the library."

  "I know. I'm not hungry."

  "You've got to eat. Please Peyton, just a bite at least."

  Peyton shook her head, "I'll see you after school Kimmy."

  She turned and left Kimberly in the line at the cafeteria and made her way to the library. Once there she could not concentrate on her studies so she resorted to listening to some music on her phone and doodling in her notebook.1

  Later that very night Peyton was in a comfortable sleep for once when her phone jarred her awake w
ith its persistent ringing.

  With a loud groan she reached for her phone and squinted at the extra bright screen, "Private"

  Who the fuck calls someone with a blocked number in the middle of the night?!

  Peyton groaned again as she checked the time and saw it was 2:23 in the morning. She rejected the call and turned to try and get back to sleep. The phone began to ring again.

  Fuck!!!

  "Who the fuck is this?! Are you insane?! It's after two in the morning!!! I have school in the morning geez!"

  She paused for a moment and when she heard nothing she mumbled some curses under her breath and hung up. Before she do anything else the phone rang again, "WHAT?!"

  This time she heard sniffles. This caught her attention and she calmed a bit. "Hello? Who's there?"2

  The sniffling came again and Peyton suddenly got a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  "Who's this?"

  "Peyton?" The person whimpered.

  There was no way in hell Peyton could miss that voice anywhere. "Sadie?"3

  "I know I'm the last person you want to hear but..."1

  "What's wrong?"

  Sadie began to sob and Peyton's bad feeling just worsened.

  "Where are you?"

  "I... I don't know..."

  "Sadie, are you hurt?"

  She just continued to cry.

  "Don't worry, I'll find you. I'm on my way."

  Peyton threw herself off her bed, plugged in her headset so she could have her hands free and pulled on a shirt and jeans over her t-shirt and boxers and made her way downstairs.1

  "Peyton?"

  "Yes?"

  "I was just checking to see if you were still there..."

  "I'm here. It'll be okay."

  "Will you stay on the line please? I don't want to be alone."

  "Yeah, don't worry I'm not going anywhere. You have any idea where you are?"

  "No..."

  "Sadie, please, you have to help me out..."

  Peyton wrote a quick note and left it on the fridge:

  Hey guys, I couldn't sleep so I went to clear my head.

  I borrowed your car Kimmy. Hope that's okay.

  See you guys soon.

  Peyton.

  Peyton was grateful in that moment for Mr Dexter insisting that she got her driver's licence. When she got in the car and pulled onto the road and had no idea where to go she asked again, "Sadie? Come on you have to give me something to work with."

  "I really don't know Peyton... I was with Adam and he took me to some house party by some friend of his in his town but I don't know where the house is. I don't know this town... It's like an hour away from home... I'm scared Peyton..."9

  "It's okay Sadie. I'll find you."

  That information was all Peyton needed. Her mind began to work overtime.

  There is only one of three places she could possibly be. Wait, today is Wednesday... okay, so there is only one place she could be. There is only one idiot who has house parties in the middle of the school week.

  "Hey Sadie?"

  "Yes?"

  It broke Peyton's heart to hear Sadie's voice right now. It was so broken and scared.

  "I know where you are okay? I'll be there in about half an hour okay?"

  After another bout of sniffles Sadie responded, "really? Thanks Peyton..."

  By this time Peyton was speeding like a maniac way above the limit but she did not give a damn. The love of her life was in trouble and she was going to her rescue.3

  "Sadie?"

  "Yes?"

  "Are you some place safe?"

  "Yes. I'm in a closet."32

  "Okay."

  Ten minutes passed in silence before Sadie broke it, "I owe you one."

  "You owe me nothing."

  "Why are you even doing this? You must hate me."

  "I don't hate you and even if I did, you're in trouble I will never leave you, or anyone, to suffer when there is something I can do to help."1

  "But I was such a bitch to you..."

  "It takes two to tango. I wasn't exactly an angel in the situation."1

  "You sure are something else... I've never met anyone like you."

  "There's always a first time for everything love. Um... sorry..."

  "It's okay."

  "But if you thought I hate you and I wouldn't have come, why'd you even call me? Why not Casey?"

  "Because... I... I don't know... You were the first person I thought of... and I... I..."

  Peyton decided to put her out of her misery by interrupting, "I never gave you my number."2

  "I know..."

  Peyton decided to leave that statement to die. She thought it would be wise not to press that particular topic although she was dying to know how Sadie got her number and why.5

  I guess Casey gave it to her. Obviously... How else would she get it. Kimmy would definitely tell me if she gave Sadie my number.

  "Why'd you block your number though?"

  "Well... I wasn't sure if you have my number and if you do, I thought you wouldn't answer if you knew it was me..."

  "Well I don't have your number and I honestly do not know the answer to that..."2

  They fell silent again for several minutes until Sadie spoke again, "Peyton?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Are you almost here?"

  "Yes. Don't worry, I'm only five minutes away."

  Chapter 22

  Within five minutes Peyton was at one of the largest houses in the neighborhood she once called home. She could see all the drunk teenagers falling all over themselves as they "partied".

  What the hell is wrong with people? What do they get out of these things?

  "Sadie? I'm here."

  "You sure?"

  "Yeah. So you can come outside. I have Kimmy's car."

  "Can you come get me? Please?"

  "Sadie, come on, you're safe now. I'm here. It's three in the morning, let's get going."

  When she heard nothing but a few sniffles, she rolled her eyes, "Sadie!"

  "Peyton please! I can't come out by myself... Please come get me Peyton. Please!?" Sadie broke down into tears again.18

  "Okay fine! I'm coming!" Peyton frustratedly locked the car and grudgingly approached the front door.2

  She knew Sadie would be in one of the five bedrooms upstairs so she had to pass by a lot of people to get there. She sighed heavily.

  The things I do...

  She had promised herself that she would never set foot in this town again yet here she was, inside one of Adam's best friend's houses.

  To her dismay, one person recognised her and that's the last thing she needed.

  "Hey, it's that dyke bitch!"

  "What the fuck you doing here you rug muncher?!"10

  The harassment continued until she got upstairs. Up there people were too caught up with making out and other such activities to pay her any notice.

  She began checking the bedrooms and their closets she was in room number three and she still had not found Sadie. Room number four was out as well. When she got to the last bedroom the door was locked.

  "Okay Sadie is this some sort of a joke you're playing on me?"

  "What?! No!!!" She began to cry again.

  "Really? Well then why am I not finding you huh?"

  "Peyton, I'm not lying to you! I'm in the closet and I can hear the same music that's playing here over the phone. You're here."

  "Well then where the fuck are you? I checked all the rooms and their closets and the last room is locked."

  "That's where I am! I forgot Adam locked the door!"

  "Okay, well come unlock the door for me then. Wait, Adam is in there!?"

  "I can't. I'm not leaving this closet. And yes... Kind of..."4

  "Kind of? What the fuck does kind of mean?!"

  "Peyton!" Sadie whined.

  "Okay okay! Hold on."

  Peyton thought for a second then she got an idea. She went all the way back, as far as she could and then ran to
wards the door and jump kicked it. The breaking of wood was loud and her foot hurt like a bitch but the job was done. The door was open and that's all that matters.

  Peyton took in the sight before her in great shock. The room was a mess. There was obviously a struggle of some sort. Unconscious on the floor next to the bed lay Adam; half naked. Peyton stepped closer and looked at him. He was definitely alive.15

  Peyton remembered why she was there and promptly left him and headed for the closet. She opened it and sure enough there was Sadie, curled up against the wall of the closet looking like a scared, hurt little puppy.

  From what Peyton could tell, Sadie was also half naked and she looked as if she'd been in a fight.

  Peyton's heart shattered in that moment. "Oh god Sadie..." She whispered as she knelt down in front of the girl before her.

  "Sadie, what the fuck happened in here?"

  Sadie just burst out into loud cries and Peyton automatically pulled her into a hug.1

  Sadie leaned into Peyton as she cried. "I'm sorry..." She said as she sat up and tried to wipe her tears away.

  Peyton pulled out a bandana from her pocket and gave it to Sadie to dry her eyes.9

  "Thanks..."

  Peyton waved her off, "now what the fuck happened here?!"

  Sadie began to tear up again, "I... I was with Adam... He said he wanted to hang out. Just the two of us. At first I said no cause it's a school night and all but then I gave in because I really miss him. He picked me up at home and we were just driving around and talking, as usual. Then he said that there was this party he wanted to check out. I said no but he insisted. I told him to take me back home but he refused and brought me here. And well things got a bit out of control and then I called you..."

  "A bit out of control?! Sadie! Look at you! Look at the room and look at Adam! Things got fucking out of control! What the fuck did he do to you?! You better tell me the truth Sadie!" Peyton warned.

  "Peyton! Stop! Please!"

  "No! I'm fucking pissed! What happened Sadie?!"

  Sadie burst into tears again and only then did Peyton realise that she was being a bit unreasonable. Sadie is hurting, the last thing she needs is for someone to yell at her.4

  After a deep breath, Peyton pulled Sadie in for another hug. She rubbed circles on her back as she cried. "I'm sorry Sadie. I just... I have anger issues. Forgive me." She paused for a few seconds before continuing calmly, "I really need for you to tell me what happened though. That way I can know how best to deal with this okay?"2