I Stole Your Girlfriend

by Gulsvik Doneck

  Sadie did as she was told then Peyton handed her her toothbrush with toothpaste already on it. She needed no explanation for that. She brushed her teeth. When she rose from the sink she found Peyton standing beside her with a towel in hand. Peyton turned Sadie so she was facing the suddenly extremely gentle girl and she dried her face for her with the utmost care. When she was through with that, she led Sadie to sit on a chair in the kitchen where she brushed her hair and put it up into a high ponytail - simply because that was really the only hairstyle she could manage.1

  Peyton then gave Sadie a once over before leaving for her cupboard. She returned with a simple short sleeved t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. She handed them to Sadie and instructed, "change into these. I won't look." She proceeded to turn her back on Sadie.

  It took Sadie a couple seconds to get off the chair and do as she was told, looking over her shoulder every couple seconds to see if Peyton was peeking. For some reason part of her was slightly disappointed that Peyton didn't even attempt to steal a look at her.2

  When she was done changing she turned and cleared her throat. Peyton turned and she couldn't help but check Sadie out. 'You freak! The girl is distraught! Stop taking advantage of the situation!'

  "Where's your keys?"

  Sadie went over to the couch and slipped her hand under the cushion pulling out a set of keys and pushing it into her pocket.

  "Is your school bag packed?"

  Sadie nodded and pointed to her backpack on the ground by the table. Peyton walked over and grabbed it, "let's go."1

  She opened the door and Sadie walked out willingly which did surprise her. She locked the door behind her and took Sadie's hand in hers as they walked off.

  Peyton was not exactly sure where she was going at first then a thought occurred to her. She pulled up to the cinema and was grateful that Sadie asked no questions. She just go out of the car when it was parked.

  Peyton ordered them two tickets for, in her words, "whatever movie is starting next". She proceeded to buy them hotdogs, popcorn, chocolate and coca-cola. They ate their snacks - well Sadie ate hers and Peyton picked at hers - as they stared at the screen, neither of them really watching what was going on. They were both too caught up in their thoughts to concentrate on anything. They had yet to say a word to each other since leaving Sadie's apartment.

  When the movie was done and they returned to the car Peyton finally spoke, "how about some ice cream and a drive around town?"

  Sadie turned to her, resting her head on the headrest as she looked intently at Peyton. She smiled a small smile, "pistachio is my favourite."2

  Peyton beamed at her, "I'm a sucker for rocky road."5

  After their ice cream and an hour long slow drive, they were now seated on swings in the park and Sadie finally spoke, "thanks for everything Peyton."

  "It's the least I could have done. It is my fault you're in this state anyhow..."

  "No. You were right. I needed to call mom. I'm not mad at you or blaming you for anything."

  "Okay. Well, if you ever want to talk about it you know you can talk to me right?"

  Sadie smiled, "yeah. I know. And thanks for not asking or expecting me to talk about it."

  Peyton shrugged, "I didn't think it was a good idea to push you. And I trust that when you're ready you'll tell me about it. If you want to."

  They were silent for a couple minutes before Sadie spoke, "you were right you know."1

  "About?"

  "Mom."

  "How so?"

  "She doesn't hate me. She loves me just as she always did. And she wanted to apologise for hurting me."

  Peyton offered a small smile as she responded, "well I really am glad to hear that."

  "I'm sorry for the resistance I gave you and for being difficult earlier. It's just there was a lot for me to wrap my mind around and also I feel like a real idiot for hating on my mother. Plus... I umm... I kind of came to a realisation after my conversation with her and that just has me stumped."3

  "I totally understand. It's hard when you're in such an emotional state and dilemma. I hope I wasn't too forward tonight though..."

  Sadie smiled as she shook her head, "trust me, you weren't. Somehow you knew exactly what I needed when I didn't even know it myself."

  This statement caused Peyton to blush and she was thankful that it was dark so that Sadie could not see it. She did not want something stupid like her blushing to ruin the moment. "I'm just glad I could help and that you're in a little better place now."

  "I am too." Sadie smiled before looking ahead and continuing, "I asked her, she didn't cheat on dad. She explained everything to me. Apparently she was always a lesbian but when she came out to her parents at seventeen they forced her to marry my dad. Apparently he had proposed to her several times. He was head over heels for her and when she realised it she tried to love him back. Then she got pregnant with me and she tried harder to make it work. But one day she met Fiona, that's her girlfriend, and they fell in love. So she decided then to stop making herself miserable and do what was right for her. She honestly thought I would have gone with her. She said that she thought I was okay with the whole lesbian thing because, in her words, 'I really thought you were into girls'. She invited me to their house for lunch next Saturday."

  "Wow. Aren't you glad you gave her the chance to explain everything to you?"

  Sadie nodded, "yeah... I honestly feel horrible for how I treated her."

  "Did you tell her that?"

  "Yeah. And I told her that I miss her terribly. She says that she misses me too and she thinks about me everyday."5

  "Did you tell her the truth about your dad and such?"

  "Yeah... She not happy about it to say the least but I told her that I'm managing just fine on the money she sends and that I have great friends."

  "Am I to assume I am one of those friends?" Peyton asked playfully.

  Sadie pushed her so that her swing rocked a bit, "of course you are dummy."

  "Just checking." Peyton smiled. "I have two questions..."

  Sadie looked at her. She could guess what at least one of those questions are. It's Peyton after all. "Shoot."1

  "What did you say about lunch?"1

  "I said yes and she told me it would be okay if I would be more comfortable bringing a friend. She said she would love to meet my friends."

  "That's great. It might me easier for you that way." In her head Peyton assumed that Casey would be her friend of choice for that trip. It makes sense - they are best friends and Casey is a lesbian so she would be cool with the whole situation.

  "What's your other question?"

  "Did you ask her why she thought you were into girls?"

  "I knew you were going to ask that." Sadie smiled and she wasn't sure why. "No. I didn't."

  "Why not?"

  "I guess I'm not as curious about it as you are. You can ask her yourself next Saturday."4

  "Wait what?"

  "You're going with me."

  "Is that an order?"

  "Yes mam. You're the one who caused all of this to happen after all. Plus, there isn't anyone else I want to go with."1

  Peyton blushed once again. 'You have no idea what you are doing to me Sadie...' "Okay... Where does she live?"1

  "Three towns away from here. It's about four hours' drive."2

  "Okay. I'll borrow Kimmy's car."

  Chapter 32

  They sat in silence for several minutes and neither girl was uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, they were both quite content at the moment.

  "Hey, Peyton?" Sadie asked as she turned to look at Peyton.

  "Yes Sadie?" She too turned to look at Sadie.

  "Are you really in love with me?"

  Peyton nodded slightly, "yes Sadie I am."4

  Sadie's eyes began to fill up with tears, "even though you know I may never love you the same way?"5

  Peyton searched Sadie's eyes hoping to figure out what was going on behind the scenes. 'What is she thinking? W
hy is she asking this?' "Yes Sadie. It's kind of like waiting for a ship to dock at the airport. But I don't exactly have control over who I fall in love with. The same way I don't have control over who does or does not fall in love with me."8

  "I think it is possible to influence a person to fall for you."2

  "I really don't think it works that way Sadie."

  "Maybe it does. Maybe if someone is very persistent, and a really good person and friend to someone else. You know, show them kindness, love, affection, help them through difficult times. Maybe those things can change someone's opinions and eventually they slowly fall in love with that person. So much so that it confuses the fuck out of them but they know that they cannot live without that person. They need them. They love them."11

  The more Sadie spoke, the harder it became for Peyton to breathe. 'Why can't she just say what she means?! Why must she be so fucking vague?!'2

  When Peyton did not respond, the tears flowed freely down Sadie's cheeks. Peyton had no recourse but to look away. 'Why is she playing with me like this? She knows how I feel about her. Is she trying to get me back for all the times I harassed her? What sick joke is she playing?'

  "Peyton?" Sadie whimpered.

  "What's your point Sadie? You're not making any sense!"5

  "Peyton, don't you get how hard this is for me?"

  "And what about me?! Huh? Don't you think this is hard for me?! You're fucking with my emotions Sadie!"

  "And you're not fucking with mine?! I'm trying to tell you something that is hard for me and you're making it ten time worse!"7

  "That's great Sadie, blame me! You always find a way to blame other people!"

  "So you're not being difficult right now?"

  Peyton did not answer.

  "Peyton! I'm trying to tell you something!"

  Peyton snapped her head around to glare at Sadie, "yeah, well, I don't want to hear it!" She proceeded to push the swing as far back as her feet could reach and began swinging as tears rolled down her cheeks.14

  Peyton could not comprehend what was happening. She did not want to misconstrue Sadie's statement. She did not want to get her hopes up. She could not deal with the pain of being hurt. Again. She was content with just being friends with Sadie and dealing with her own feelings accordingly. The same she did with Kimberly. She was sure that eventually she would have gotten over Sadie but now she goes and does this. Right after sending a song saying that she could never love her the way Peyton wanted her to.

  Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Sadie was crying and her heart was breaking because of Peyton's cruelty toward her. Peyton felt guilty and she hated herself for treating Sadie that way but she too was confused and hurting.

  Peyton shut her eye tightly as she continued swinging. 'What the fuck am I supposed to do?!'10

  When she opened her eyes, Sadie was gone. She panicked a bit. Part of her wanted to fly off the swing and run after Sadie but another part was afraid of what would happen if she did that.2

  While she was deliberating on the best action to take, she was suddenly jerked to a stop before the swing was twisted around so that she was now facing Sadie. Sadie stood there, towering over her, holding tightly onto the swing's chains to keep Peyton in that position.1

  Ever so slowly, Peyton lifted her head and her eyes met with Sadie's. There was so much emotion in both girls' eyes that no words were necessary. They both looked deep into the other's eyes trying to read and understand what was going on beneath the surface of the other.1

  It came as a total shock to Peyton when Sadie bent down and kissed her firmly on the lips. When she pulled away and stood upright again, a few tears escaped her.1

  Peyton stood then and wiped Sadie's tears away with her thumbs before sticking her hands in her pockets; never breaking their eye contact. Ever so slowly, she raised her hand and gently cupped Sadie's face. When she was sure that she was not making a bad move, she slowly leaned closer to Sadie as she kissed her softly.4

  She pulled away and looked Sadie in the eyes again. When she saw no protest there, she went back in for another kiss. This time though it was not quite as soft. It was firmer, like the one Sadie had given her.

  As she deepened the kiss, Sadie's arms found their way up and around Peyton's neck resting comfortably on her shoulders. Peyton smiled into the kiss at this action and decided to make a move of her own. She moved her hands to Sadie's waist, receiving a combination of a gasp and a moan from Sadie because her hand accidentally grazed Sadie's breast in the process. She took advantage of that gasp, slipping her tongue into Sadie's mouth earning her a proper moan this time. She couldn't help but smile again as she pulled Sadie closer to her causing their bodies to touch slightly.

  Both girls were startled and pulled away from each other quickly as if they were doing something wrong when Peyton's phone rang out.4

  "For fuck's sake!" Peyton yelled. "Why?! Fuck!"

  She pulled out her phone to see it was Mrs Dexter calling her, she answered quickly and tried to hide the annoyance in her voice, "hi Mrs D."

  "Peyton, we gave you a curfew. It is half an hour past that." She said it firmly but not angrily.1

  "Shit... I'm sorry. I didn't realise the time. I'm coming now. Sorry Mrs D."

  She hung up and slipped her phone into her pocket looking at Sadie, "uhh... we have to go..."

  Sadie nodded and the two left the park wordlessly.

  It took only five minutes to get home and only when she parked the car and opened her door did Sadie speak to her, "you sure it will be okay?"

  "What?"

  "Me spending the night here."

  "Yeah. Don't worry, Mr and Mrs D are good people. They know I left to see you because you were upset so I don't think they would mind. They'd understand why I brought you. Trust me."

  Sadie smiled, for some reason she felt that she could trust Peyton. They got out of the car - Peyton insisted on carrying her bag for her - and quickly made their way to the front door. It was almost one in the morning after all.

  "Peyton? Is that you?" Mr Dexter called from what sounded like the kitchen.

  "Yeah. I'm coming." She called back as she turned to Sadie with a smile, "come, let's go meet them."

  Peyton could not stop the smile that formed on her face when she looked at Sadie admiring the house. She looked almost in awe.

  It was not a fancy house or anything but it was large. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fairly large kitchen, a dining room, a living room and a washroom. The yard was fairly large as well with a lovely garden courtesy Mrs Dexter and a patio with a chair swing and a couch.

  When they entered the kitchen Peyton spoke first, "hi, I kind of took the liberty of bringing Sadie home... As you know, she was upset and such and so I didn't want to leave her home alone tonight. Is that okay?" She looked between Mr and Mrs Dexter unsurely.

  They both smiled, "of course it's okay Peyton. Your friends are welcome here."2

  Peyton smiled and introduced them to Sadie and vice versa.

  "So girls, would you like some cereal or hot chocolate before you go to bed?" Mrs Dexter asked them with a warm motherly smile.1

  Sadie smiled a bittersweet smile remembering how her mother used to smile at her like that. She looked to Peyton as she answered, "I would love some hot chocolate please." She turned her attention to Mr and Mrs Dexter, "thanks for welcoming me to your home. It is lovely."

  Peyton smiled as she watched Sadie and Mr and Mrs Dexter interact. She was brought out of her thoughts when Mr Dexter called her name a bit loudly, "huh?"

  "Would you like anything?" He questioned.

  'Yes, I would like to finish what Sadie and I started that was so rudely interrupted.' "Oh... uhh... cereal? Please. Thanks."9

  "Why don't you girls go sit in the living room. We'll bring the stuff in a moment."

  They nodded and Peyton showed Sadie around downstairs before leading her to the living room where they sat silently and just a tad awkwardly waiting for Mr and
Mrs Dexter to arrive and ease the tension between them.

  Soon they were all done with their snacks and the two pairs bid each other goodnight as they went their separate ways. Mr Dexter turned around and called Peyton. When she turned in response he said with a grin, "no funny business."3

  She smiled shaking her head, "I won't."

  "Do want to take a shower?" She asked Sadie as they entered her bedroom.

  Sadie nodded in reply so Peyton went about getting a towel, boxers, t-shirt and pajama pants. "You can borrow these. Follow me." She said as she left the room and walked over to her and Kimberly's bathroom. She placed the towel and clothes on the counter next to the sink and spread her arms, "use anything you want. I'll give you a toothbrush." She went into a cupboard and pulled out a brand new toothbrush handing it to Sadie, "pink okay? It's the only colour we have."

  Sadie smiled brightly at Peyton. "Pink is fine."

  "Okay, so I'll leave you to it. You know where my room is." Peyton said as she double checked that Sadie had everything she needed before leaving, closing the door behind her.

  Sadie stood there for a moment in shock. When she got over that she went about her shower as she thought to herself, 'Peyton is such a sweetheart! I don't deserve her. Especially after the way I have treated her... I wonder if she will ever forgive me?'4

  When she was done and she walked back into Peyton's room she found Peyton sitting on the edge of her bed giving her the most adorable smile ever.

  "You look so much better than me in my clothes," Peyton said as she stood, "the pants is a little too long but hey, too big is a fit right?"

  Sadie smiled broadly, "I highly doubt that I do." She pulled the neck of the t-shirt up to her nose and inhaled with an almost dreamy smile, "they smell like you..."2

  "They're clean though."

  "I know they are silly. But they're yours so they smell like you."1

  Peyton scrunched up her nose, "I don't have a smell."2

  This caused Sadie to chuckle, "that's what you think."