Opposite Force

Chapter Thirty-One

Mikaela Martin | Present

Peyton texts me back in the morning, and for the first time in nearly twenty-four hours, I can breathe without feeling like I'm going to choke and die.

Peyton: Hi! Sorry my mom took away my phone yesterday!! Ya I had a feeling there was more wanna hang out after school we can talk

Peyton: And just hang out I miss u

Me: Yes! I can't wait to see you. 😊

This is why I love Peyton. I try not to think about how he doesn't love me anymore while I dig through my closet for a cute outfit. I go with a slightly too-tight sweater dress, knitted tights, and slouchy black boots. I'd be ashamed of myself for using my body this way, but I'm past the point of shame. I just want my boyfriend back.

Maybe he wants me back too. He does miss me after all. Maybe our memories aren't necessary for this relationship to work. Maybe Peyton can be happy without them. Happy with me. Happy making new memories. I just have to show him that I'm worth the effort.

My heart rattles against my sternum as I walk up to Peyton's house and ring the doorbell. "You look wonderful, Mikaela! Such a cute dress," Denise exclaims as she opens the door. Peyton stands behind her, grinning. I think this is a good sign.

"Thank you." I flash a smile back at them.

"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Denise asks.

Sort of, but I have bigger fish to fry. Peyton misses me. I have to seize this chance before it slips away. "No, not hungry, but thanks."

"We'll be in my room, Mom," Peyton announces. "Ready, Mikaela?"

"Ready." For a second, I think he's reaching out for my hand, but then it flies forward, and I realize that he's just swinging his arms as he walks down the hallway. That's alright. He wouldn't want to hold hands in front of his mom. I get that. It's okay. Everything is okay. Maybe better than okay. Things might even be good.

He pushes the door shut and takes his usual seat on his bed. Last time, I left space between us, but I'm not going to this time. I roll my shoulders back and climb up, plopping down right beside him.

"So, what was up with you and Liam?" Peyton asks.

Deep breath in, deep breath out. "We've been friends for more than ten years. We got in a fight because he said he liked me at formal but was, um, really awful about it. He apologized, so we had lunch together a couple times because I didn't want to hang around Annalise some days, but yesterday, I found out he betrayed me earlier this year. I told him I won't be his friend anymore."

"Oh. I'm sorry he was mean to you." Peyton nods, frowning. "That's it? Nothing else happened?"

"That's the summary, yeah," I awkwardly laugh and mumble at the same time. I really don't want to go into all the details. Talking about Sean and Rachel upsets me, and today isn't a day for sadness. Today's primary emotion is determination.

"Jake's such an idiot," Peyton laughs.

That went smoother than expected, although I'm still very, very curious as to what lies Jake told him... "What did he say to you?"

"Just dumb stuff," he sighs. "Want to watch a movie?"

This feels too good to be true. "You aren't upset or anything?"

"Nah. Oh, by the way, I said no to hanging out with Gigi. Sorry. My brain is still kind of confused about stuff, but it's feeling better. Like, clearer."