New Beginnings

Chapter 8

      Peyton's mom's birthday is in a couple days so he asks me to go with him to the mall to help him pick something out. 

     The night after homecoming, we head to the mall. My kiss with Houston is in the front of my mind. I feel so guilty. I shouldn't have kissed him. If I tell Peyton now, I'll crush him. 

     We are walking through the mall. We've been to a couple stores and so far we haven't found anything. Peyton is frustrated.

     "Let's go to a couple more stores. I need to get her something. I don't want to get her perfume or anything. That's too predictable." I reluctantly agree and we trudge through the mall in search of a jewelry store.

     "Vanessa!" I hear my name being called behind me so I turn around. Houston and a girl about our age are walking towards us. I can't help the grin that breaks over my face. 

     "This is my cousin, Olivia, she can't drive so my mom made me bring her. How are you?"

     "I'm great, Houston. Thanks for asking." 

     I put my hand on Peyton's arm. "Houston took me to the dance last night."

     Peyton's jaw clenched. "Really? How was it?" 

     "Fun." Was all I said. 

     "I'm sorry I canceled. I had things I had to do." Peyton snapped. He turned to Houston. "Thanks for taking her." 

     "Hey, no problem. I love hanging out with her. You got a good one."

      "Yeah, I did." Peyton mutters. 

     Olivia tugs on Houston's arm. "Can we go in there?" She points to a clothing store. 

     "Sure. See you around, Nessa." Houston waves and is pulled off by his cousin.

      Peyton turns to me. "You're a liar. You told me you'd call Allison."

     "I never told you that. Besides, Allison was already there. She was part of the planning committee so she'd been there all afternoon. Houston was the only one who could pick me up." 

     "Don't hang out with him anymore." Peyton snaps.

      "Why? Why not?" I demand, crossing my arms.

     "Because you're my girlfriend not his."

     "I'm not your property." 

     "Do you like him?" 

     "I don't know. I think so." I said quietly. 

      Peyton's face turns beet red. "How long? How long have you been cheating on me?" 

     "I kissed him last night. But let me explain! Please!" I beg.

     "You better have a darn good explanation!"

     "You abandoned me. I was hurt and lonely. He was there to comfort me. If you hadn't stood me up, I wouldn't have kissed him."

     "So this is my fault?" He yelled. We were starting to draw a crowd.

     "No. This is my fault. I shouldn't have kissed him. I was wrong. 

      But you shouldn't have stood me up. You haven't been there for me recently. I know you are going through something really big but I want to be there for you."  I put my hand on his arm. 

     "You're a liar and a cheater!" He screams and throws his hands up in the air. I pull on his arm. 

     "You're making a scene. Please."

      He rears back and slaps me across the face. Hard. Stunned, I stumble back and fall to the ground. I hear footsteps and Peyton grunts.

       I look up to see Houston punch Peyton across the face. I scramble to my feet.

     "Please! Please stop! I'm fine! Just stop!" I pull on Houston's arm. He's holding on to Peyton's  shirt. Houston lets him go. Houston turns to me and puts his hand to my cheek. His eyes are wild and frightened.

     "Are you alri—"

     Before he can finish his question, Peyton punches him. Houston stumbles back, but he recovers his footing and lunges for Peyton. 

     "Stop! Stop it!" I scream. Two security guards rush towards us and break up the fight. They haul the boys back. 

     "You two. Get out of here. All of you." One demands. Peyton grabs my arm.  

     "Let's go." I try to pull away.

     "Let me go, Peyton," I demand. He lets go of my arm.

     "We're through." He snaps. 

     "We've been through since the first time you hit me!" I snap back.

     Peyton storms off. Houston is holding his nose, which is bleeding heavily. 

     "Come on, let's go wash it off." 

      I take him to the bathroom and we get rid of all the blood. 

     "I don't think it's broken. But it will bruise pretty bad."

     "I don't care about my  nose." He cups my face. "Are you ok? How many times has that happened?" 

     "This was the second time."

     "Two times too many." Houston mutters. He pulls me into a hug and I collapse into his arms. 

     "Thank you." Thank you so much." I whisper into his shoulder.

     "I'd do anything for you." He says.

     "I'm not ready for a relationship again." I tell him. 

    He pulls away to look me in the eye. "I understand. I'll wait as long as you need." 

     I give him a quick kiss. "I'll be fine." 

     "At least  let me drive you home." 

     "Ok."