She is a tall, slim blonde with long legs and the face of an angel; her smile makes your heart melt in an instant. Peyton has always had feelings for her, but she was too shy to confess them back then. It wasn't until much later that they started dating. Her father used to be very rich, which explains why he could afford to buy his daughter everything she ever wanted: a mansion in the country, expensive cars, private school... Most of all though, he loved Peyton enough to give up his life so she can live hers happily. And as long as Peyton remembers it, her father will never truly die.
You are standing on the front lawn of your childhood home. The house itself looks almost exactly how you remember it from your memories. Only now there is something different about it; something that doesn't match what you recall. Maybe because the grass has grown a lot more since last year? Or perhaps because it has been replaced by gravel instead? Whatever it is, this place feels cold and empty without him.
Your parents didn't want to sell this house out of respect for their late son, but they couldn't keep living here either. So they sold it to some young couple who wanted to start a family. They probably don't even know what a treasure they have found here. You wish you could tell them how grateful you are to them. But then again, maybe you shouldn't disturb them. After all, they're already doing so much for you.
A large oak tree grows on the side yard between the house and the street. You sit under its shade on one of the benches that surround the tree. An old swing hangs from the branches above you. If you were younger, you would've jumped right into it. Instead, you pull out your phone and call Peyton.
"Hey, P," you say. "How's it going?"
"It's okay," she says. "I'm at work."
"What kind of job is it?" you ask.
"Oh, you know..." She laughs. "It's just some boring office job. I hate working in an office! Why do people need to sit behind a desk all day anyway?"
"Well, when you grow up and get married and have kids of your own, you'll understand," you say.
She sighs. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
The conversation seems to run dry after that. You decide to change the subject. "So, how are things with you?"
"Not bad," she says. "We had another argument last night."
"About what?"
"About his new girlfriend," she replies. "He thinks she's really pretty and sexy and stuff."
"Sounds like him," you reply.
Peyton laughs. "I told him he should try being faithful once in a while."
You laugh with her. "Yeah, I think he'd actually enjoy that."
There is a pause. You see Peyton biting her lip.
"Did you ever cheat on him?" you ask.
"No!" she says quickly.
"Why not?"
"Because I love him," she replies.
You both chuckle.
"But if I did," Peyton continues, "wouldn't you mind?"
"Of course not," you reply.
She smiles. "Okay, that's good to hear." She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before continuing. "Do you still like me?"
"Yes, of course I do," you reply. "I've liked you since forever."
She smiles. "Good, because I kind of have a crush on you too, you know."
"Really?" you say. "That's great!"
"And I mean it," she continues. "Like, I wouldn't mind being your girlfriend or whatever you want to call it."
"Wow," you say. "Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me that."
"Well, we haven't done anything yet, but you know, whenever you're ready," she says. "Whenever you're ready."
