Chapter 5: Going for a Stroll
***
I woke up to the bright beautiful sun blazing through the curtains as the sound of my alarm clock sprung me happily from my bed.
Just kidding, no one actually does that.
I woke up aggravated as I realized I had slept in until 12:13. I usually wasn't one to wake up during noon but I guess my water bed got the best of me and I fell into a deep slumber. I haven't had a good nights sleep for a while so I'm glad I got to sleep in today. My eye lids finally fluttered open after my small snooze and I bounced in shock at the sight of my room, but then quickly remembered why I was here. I seemed to be doing that a lot... Sighing, I forced myself out of my bed and I went downstairs, navigating myself into the kitchen to find a sticky note on the fridge.
'Hi dear, we're at work. We always leave at 5am and we're home 11:30 at night. Be safe please, text if you need anything. 555-264-1902'
"Wow, fantastic." I muttered sarcastically.
Just great, I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life alone. I didn't want to be selfish or feel as if no one was paying attention to me, but it was hard not to feel this way when just weeks ago I was surrounded with all the attention I recieved and gave back with my friends and family.
I chucked the note to the floor in annoyance and opened the fridge. I grabbed a peach and went back up to my room. Debating on what to do, I decided to open some left over boxes and start hanging up my posters from Of Mice & Men to Sleeping with Sirens. I loved covering my whole walls with posters of bands and such. I ripped up some pages from old magazines and taped them to one of my walls.
On the smallest wall of my room, I pulled out my overly-filled photo album, plucking out a few pictures of my old life. With my old friends and now, not-alive parents. I had the urge to cry as I redecorated my bedroom walls. The pictures I was hanging made me upset because they brought back to many great memories that I know I could never repeat again.
I missed my old life and I've been in New York for a day, but in the back of my mind, I was telling myself that maybe, just mayber, something good may come out of this.
***
It's been hours and I can't believe I have to be alone like this everyday. I understood that hard hours my guardians had to work but I couldn't help but feel lonely, and overwhelmed with sudden feelings that hit me every second.
This sucks.
I smiled at the wall I had just created. I had taped hundreds of posters and pictures onto my one wall, creating a huge collage. Normally I would keep going until the whole perimeter of my walls are covered in posters and such, but I had ran out of magazines. I also had to throw out more than 50 because they got tangled and messed up in the packing boxes.
Maybe I should've folded my posters more properly...
I backed up until my back touched my bedroom door and I let my eyes roam over my entire room. I had painted my vanity and dresser black so that they could match my bed post. I hung up a small nail polish rack and put up a picture frame of me, Daniel and Melody on my night-table. I also pulled out a few candles from 'Bath and Body Works' and placed them around my room, lighting them so that it smelled of Cotton Candy and Pink Lemonade.
I walked over to my couch and I opened my purse to get my cellphone but my eyes caught onto something else. I found the card to my parents' funeral. It was 1 month from now, back at home, 1 week before Christmas. I didn't know why it was in such a long time, but I didn't bother to question it. Trying not to sob all over again, I throw the card onto my desk, ignoring its presence and pull out my laptop, trying to avoid reality.
After hours of doing nothing but roaming Tumblr, I decided to go for a walk I was planning on doing today, around the neighborhood. Finally finding something to amuse my bored self, I throw on my TNA sweater and put on some thin leggings. I quickly tie on my black Converse. Grabbing my keys, cellphone and over-the-shoulder purse, I head out the front door. My nostrils were immediately attacked with the aroma of fresh hot dogs and onion rings. It was about 5:30 and it was loud- cars zooming everywhere. I plop my hood on over my dull brown hair and start walking, looking at my new surroundings.
The signs were stacked on top of each other as arrows guided the drivers around the what-seemed-to-be complicated city and pedestrians constantly pushed past each other. I couldn't tell you how many times I got elbowed in the past 5 minutes. The streets were packed and there were many warm coffee shops. I notice many different huge schools and wondered which school I would be being go to. Hopefully it's not a school where I'd want to shoot my brains out.
As I walked down the wide side walk, my eyes turned into slits as I noticed a small street with little shops and saw the sign Booster Juice. Doing a mental happy dance, I ran across the street like a maniac until the Booster Juice sign was only meters away from me. Wow, at least they have good smoothie shops. I excitedly walk up to most delicious smoothie shop and pull open the door. My eyes roamed the small shop and I inwardly gasped at the amount of teenagers sitting at the tables.
Jocks and teenage girls who were ridiculously pretty all turned around and stared at me as I slowly walked in. The bell of the door jingled above my head and my heart flew to my stomach as I jumped up in fear. I couldn't help but notice all the attractive boys here that looked about my age. I felt scared again... That feeling in my stomach that made me want to vomit everywhere. I started shaking and sweating, instantly.
My anxiety.
Knowing it's best to probably leave the shop before I vomit on everyone and embarrass myself, I tried to walk out avoiding the tons of eyes on me but instead I bumped into something hard and flung backwards. I felt my feet fail me, twisting forwards.
I was falling...
...no I was not.
I felt my face falling forwards but right then and there, my head hit someones...
"Crotch?!" I yelped.
His muscular arms caught me as his smoothie crushed between my chest and his arm. The smoothie splattered against his white shirt and I gasped, stepping out of his reach. He just caught my forearm tightly with one arm while my head flew into his male area... and he spilled his smoothie while he was at it?
"Oh god..." I mumbled, rubbing my temples as my eyes stared at the orange smoothie spilled everywhere.
My eyes started at the bottom of his ratted converse shoes all the way until I met his breathtaking eyes, and right then, my panties fell into a twist.
I felt a small gasp escape my lips and I mentally rolled my eyes at this dramtic, cliche moment. I didn't know this actually happens in real life- the boy catches you with his arms around your waist, saving you from your fall. Did they forget to mention that he managed to spill his smoothie too? Do they forget to mention how awkward the eye contact is, or how there's usually a huge crowd howling in laughter? My dull brown eyes met his dark brown, almost black eyes.
This is so freaking cliche! He wore a simple white t-shirt that made his muscles stand out clearly, with designer jeans that sagged slightly below his hips. The belt slightly showed from his jean straps but was still low, showing his 'Hollister' boxers. His hair was gel-ed up perfectly, with small pieces gently falling down to his forehead. His face was flawless, and his shoulders were broad. My mouth was watering and every thought in my mind was trying to avoid that fact that I had just brutally embarrassed myself in front of everyone.
My eyes caught onto his wrists that held a small, skinny bracelet that looked torn and old. It was made of cloth and the ends were tearing. If someone were to try and tug that bracelet off, it looks as if it would easily rip. Why did he have a piece of string around his wrist? I ignored the weird question and was snapped back to reality.
I mentally slapped myself and stuttered as I frantically waved my arms around, "S-sorry. Oh god, your shirt. I'm sorry," I muttered, reaching out to the the little basket by the door that held napkins. I hurridly grabbed one and shoved it into his chest and he took it with a little chuckle.
"You're in here to buy a smoothie but you just had to run into the glass door and fly backwards into me, did you?" the guy asked me, his voice deep but so mesmerizing.
He was hotter than Daniel.
Peyton he's talking to you!
"Uh, y-yes," I shoved my hands in my pockets. Girls turned to stare at me and I was getting glares from everyone. "I mean no... No I'm buying a smoothie. I uh- didn't mean to fly backwards into you..." I shuffled awkwardly, still taking in his appearance. "Sorry I feel like an idiot."
"Staring are we? Don't worry, I'm used to girls drooling over me. I guess my parents had a good fuck, eh?" he smirked as he wiped away the orange juice that had fallen onto his leather jacket. I saw a small orange stain on his white t-shirt which he seemed to notice too, but he quickly moved around his leather jacket, hiding the stain from my eyesight.
I cringed, looking at him with wide eyes at his sudden, blunt, boy-ish profanity.
"Right... Uh, I'll go now," I stuttered even more as I grimaced at his comment. I'm never one to be scared to talk to others. I was outgoing and confident and maybe a little conceited myself but he was just too much to handle.
Why am I getting tongue twisted? He's only a guy but he looks so... threatening and intimidating. With all that orange juice all over him? God Peyton, you're weird.
"Here, I'll buy you a smoothie," he offered, smirking. "Hey can we get someone to clean the floor?" he called out to the lady at the cashier who was glaring daggers at us. She stiffly nodded and turned around, walking into the back.
"No, no it's okay. I uh, have to go. Sorry about your smoothie," I replied quickly, wiping my sweaty palms on my hoody. "And your shirt..."
I quickly turned around and made sure that I didn't run into the glass door again by eying the handle slowly, and reading the sticker that said push on the right hand side. Taking one last glance at everyone in the shop, my eyes caught specifically with a girl with bleach blonde hair, glaring daggers at me; I quickly looked away. If looks could kill... then I'd be dead, bleeding internally and coughing blood.
I shook my head from the gross thoughts and rushed as I pushed the door open and ran down the road, across the street, shouldering pedestrians as I walked all the way back to my new home.
***
I lay on my bed, still thinking about the encounter I had with that guy. It all felt too fake, running into a hot guy and right away knocking your head just a little above the area of his private parts. Why did he have to be hot? I silently wished he was ugly. He caught all of me, with one hand? I wondered if he went to the school that I was assigned to and I couldn't help but wonder if I'd see him again.
He's probably a bad-ass that only populars talk to. Maybe we could be frien-
I interrupted my own self, thinking that I'm not popular anymore. I was... But here I am- starting over. I wheeze at the thought and get comfy in my bed, ready to fall asleep.
***
I wake up to the front door slamming shut and lift my head swiftly, rubbing at my forehead. I hear stomps up the stairs and I let out a weak squeel, questioning who in their right mind would walk up the stairs so loudly. My breath caught in my throat as my door slams open and I bring the covers up and over my head. I felt the static of the blankets rub against my hair and small bolts of electricity tickle my scalp. Why the hell was this comforter fleece? My thoughts were soon interrupted by the intruder who stood close to my bed, their big green eyes attacking my unnoticeable brown ones.
"Peyton! What's wrong?!" my Aunt screamed, pulling the blankets away from my grasp. I sigh a breath of relief and hug my aunt tightly. She hugged me back. I pulled back slightly and wipe the sweat drizzle from my forehead.
"God, I thought you were an intruder or something!" I panted. "Why the hell do you walk up the stairs like that? Are you trying to like, steam out some of your agression problems or something?"
My aunt laughs with closed eyes, making me giggle- for the first time in a long while.
"Sorry dear, the wind was really strong and the door slammed shut. I wouldn't normally shut it so loud at night. Oh and hunny, we need to get you medication for your anxiety as soon as possible okay? You also can't be going anymore nights without sleep so we need to book an appointment as soon as we can. Some melatonin will do ya' good. The earlier the things are done, the better the future gets," my Aunt continued, a positive smile dazzling her face.
"Oh okay. Why so sudden?" I question, laying my head back onto my pillow.
"Not sure really, I was thinking a lot about you at work and I just, I can't risk your health going into a downward spiral."
"Thank you Sharon, I don't think I've said that enough," I whisper. "Love you."
My Aunt smiled and kissed my forehead. "I love you too sweetheart. I'll always be here for you."
Something about her eyes in the dark resembled my mom's deeply. I managed to imagine the hug she gave me, be my mom's. The night was good, because you couldn't really see clearly. During the night, in the dark, you only imagined what you wanted to see, and you only hear what your ulterior mind is hearing and so that is what I did. I imagined hard, that for once, that was my mom saying goodnight. It gave me a small sense of closure.
I felt the rock in my stomach disappear and the sensation of vomiting disappear. For once since my parents' death, I felt safe at the comforting words.
"You're waking up tomorrow at 6:30am for school. Okay, set your alarm hun. Goodnight." my Aunt explained before she swung my door handle and walked out. I grabbed my cellphone from below my pillow and examined the time.
11:45.
I quickly set my alarm to 6:20am and fell straight into my deep slumber once again.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Hopefully I make some friends.
***
A/N 2015: Proofread and rewrote this chapter because of the hundreds of comments of some people complaining about how shitty this was. Keep in mind this was written when I was 14 when I thought only myself and friends would be reading... If you notice anything wrong, please message me the chapter # and what you have noticed (grammar, accidental messing up of the tshirt colors...) Thanks for reading!