LOCKDOWN

Chapter 24

Last night was a blur. Well...not all of it. I could remember our most intimate moments in perfect detail, as if they were in slow motion, but the aftermath was what had me confused.

After bringing me a glass of water and handing me my clothes, Peyton had told me she was tired and bid me goodnight. I wasn't necessarily expecting a 'post sex cuddle' (if it really even was 'sex') but I suppose I had hoped she would hang around for a little while longer.

After she had gone to bed, I lay downstairs on the couch feeling confused. I in no way had any regrets about what had just happened, but I did want to know what it meant to Peyton. She had initiated it, so I had to assume that she wanted to do it, but as always her actions afterwards left me confused and filled with self doubt. Did she regret it?

I trudged slowly to the bathroom the next morning after having fallen asleep on the downstairs couch. It felt like a lifetime ago that I was in this bathroom, picking up after Peyton when she left the towels and products all over the floor.

After washing my hair and my body, I sat on the floor of the shower and let the water run over me, wondering if there was anything I could have done to have made Peyton want to stay. I didn't know how long I stayed there for, but when I got out my fingers were wrinkled and resembled prunes. As I dried myself off in the mirror, twisting my wet hair up into my towel, I noticed a deep red mark that had formed on my neck overnight. I may not have been well informed when it came to sex, but I knew a hickey when I saw one.

My eyes travelled down to my chest where I saw lighter bruises littering my skin. I hadn't even felt Peyton making these, being too enamoured in the pleasure she was giving me. I wasn't angry, but I'd just never seen my body look like this, nor expected it to.

I threw on a tank top and tracksuit pants before making my way downstairs, passing Peyton's now open bedroom door. I could hear her talking and laughing downstairs, responding to muffled voices that were no doubt coming from her phone. I instantly felt insecure, realising that the last time she had spoken to someone on the phone, she had insulted me. I thought twice about joining her, but it was too late.

"Morning," she smiled at me as I emerged from the staircase, patting the cushion next to her on the couch.

I sidled over toward her, sitting next to her and pulling my legs up to rest my chin on my knees. I readjusted the towel to hide the red mark on my neck, hoping that no one would see it.

"G'morning," I mumbled, giving her a shy smile.

"Say good morning, boys," Peyton said to her phone, facing the screen towards us as she put her arm around me and pulled me into her side.

"Morning!" they all chorused.

I knew deep down that Peyton wouldn't acknowledge what happened between us last night, especially in front of the boys, but that didn't stop me from wishing that she had pulled me in and kissed me good morning. Long gone were the days where I had questioned my attraction and feelings for Peyton. I knew for certain how I felt and it didn't bother me at all. The only thing that bothered me was the fact that I had absolutely no idea if Peyton felt the same way.

"Who would've thought we'd see the day where McMann and Mitchell actually became friends!" one of the boys, Liam, said with a laugh.

Peyton's arm pulled me in tighter, ruffling the towel on top of my head.

"Zara has been a very good hostess," she chuckled, smirking at me. "And I'd say I've been a pretty decent guest."