Behind The Scenes

Chapter 4 - Peyton's POV

My life was in chaos.

The girl I like hates me, I'm going to her best friend's party with a girl I don't really even know, and Sabrina and Corey are probably going to walk right up to me in a few minutes and beat my ass up with a stick.

The last thing she said to me was "get the fuck out of my life". I'm a jerk. I'm a jerk that can't handle himself. I'm a heart breaker.

"Yes," I heard Michael say behind me. He was on the phone. "Mhm. It's okay. Yep. I completely understand. Tell Rowan to get well soon. And take some rest. I hope she recovers soon. Yep. Ok. Mhm. Thanks, Mrs. Blanchard. Okay. Bye."

I stopped in my tracks. Rowan was sick?

Michael tapped me on the shoulder. "Son, I heard you declined the offer I gave you yesterday."

"Jackie? Yeah..." I replied nervously. "I uh, I'm 19, Michael! I can handle myself." Lies.

"I really hope so, Pey. Rowan's sick. We won't be able to film Girl Meets Slushie today. I'll need you, Corey and Sabrina to rehearse for Slushie again. In your trailers. I have something to handle. Gotta go. Catch up later," Michael jogged away.

I had a heavy heart. Rehearsal with Sabrina and Corey? ...bad news.

I knocked on Sabrina's trailer. She opened the door without looking and I went in, scared for my life.

Sabrina's trailer was simple; white and a little purple. It smelled like roses and lavenders.

Corey was already there, sitting on an arm chair, his legs propped up against a tiny table.

"So," Sabrina said. "I heard from a little birdie that you're going to the party with Olivia." She glared at me and sat down next to Corey, giving me the chills.

"Yeah," Corey continued slowly. "And not Rowan."

I gulped.

"Look, I can explain... Olivia asked me and I thought Rowan was mad at me so I said yes."

"Believable, Huckleberry. Now just excuse me for a moment- NO," Sabrina looked really really really mad.

"I can't just deny Olivia now!"

"Oh yeah you can! I'll just un-invite her!"

"You can't! It'll make the paparazzi suspicious!"

"What I'm saying is, Rowan's our best friend. She's sick today, I dunno why, but I don't think she knows about you and Olivia. If you tell her, she'll be crushed. Like, crushed crushed. Get what I mean? I mean, come on, let's be real here; it's pretty obvious she has a crush on you. If you tell her, you'll break her heart. She'll never be the same again. Trust me, Peyton." Corey is so protective over Rowan. They're best friends. Why can't Rowan and I be best friends? :(

"I... I won't." I said cautiously. I told her last night! Didn't Rowan tell them?

"Good. I trust you Ranger Rick. Come on, Cor, let's start rehearsing."

I had a stomach ache for the rest of the rehearsal.

*****

After work, I kept calling her. I don't know why. I knew she wouldn't pick up.

I tried texting her; but she blocked me. I was so stupid! Who would tell their crush they were going to a party with another girl?!

I called her home number, hoping she would pick up. But it was Carmen. Again.

"Hello?"

"Hey, is this Rowan?"

"No... It's Carmen. Who's this?"

"Peyton."

"Ooh, hey! Shane, get off my dress! Hold on a second," Carmen sounded real frustrated.

"Okie I'm back!"

"Yeah, uh, would you please pass the phone to Rowan? It's sort of important."

"Sorry, but she says she doesn't wanna talk to you. She's been feeling bad all day, and don't tell anyone but...yesterday night? I heard her crying in her room. I don't know why, but I think it's because something someone said to her. She told me she was hurt and sad."

"Tell her I called. I really need to talk to her. Thanks, Carmen."

She hung up.

Calling her wouldn't make a big difference. I'd have to make it up to her.

*****

After dinner, Dad started watching TV and old comedies...eh. Mom just washed the dishes, and I told her I was going to Austin (North)'s place for a bro thing.

Mom just nodded and kept singing to the radio.

I put on my hoodie, a pair of sneakers and a pair of jeans. Then I ran out of the door, bolting straight for Rowan's place.

It was dark and cold...The weather described my feelings perfectly. Yep. That's me.

I ran for what seemed like hours until I saw her house. I saw her room. The lights were still on. Good. I crawled into her backyard, and climbed up the pipes beside her window.

I leapt onto her balcony and saw her; sitting on her bed, listening to music and reading a book. The...fault in our stars?

The window was unlocked, so I crept in and hugged Rowan. She screamed.

"Peyton, what the hell?!" She took her headphones out of her ears. "What are you doing here?! How did you get here?! Why are you here?!"

I grinned at her adorkableness. She was so cute.

"Stop smiling at me!" She said angrily. "It's not funny! Why are you smiling at me like that?"

"Because you're cute when you're angry."

I saw her cheeks flush, but she wasn't moved. "Get out of my house!" She whisper shouted at me. "If my mom knows about this, she'll never let me see you again!"

"So you want to see me again?"

"Shut up, you idiot," she said, whacking me on the head with her book. Ah, the reason why I love that little dork.

"Rowan?" Her mom shouted from downstairs. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Rowan shouted back. "Everything's fine."

Rowan looked at me shyly. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with Olivia, all cuddling and stuff?"

"No, I don't even-"

"You shouldn't be talking to your 'sister' behind your 'girlfriend's back."

"Row, I know you're mad at me, and I totally get why. I just need you to forgive me."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because we're friends."

She was still. Damn, I just friend-zoned her. Shit.

"Yeah, friends, whatever. You can kiss this friend goodbye."

"You want me to kiss you?"

"You're such a dork."

"Yeah, but I'm your dork," I saw her smiling. Just a bit of her happiness brightened up my day.

"Look, I don't like Olivia, okay? We're just going as friends. I don't really even know her that well."

"Okay... I'm sorry if I overreacted. I'm still mad at you though."

I laughed. I saw Rowan's warm eyes twinkle.

"So...if she didn't ask you... Who would you have asked?" She asked curiously.

"You." I said, without thinking.

Her face brightened up. Just that; and it made my day. She was my ray of sunshine. And no one can take her away from me.

*****

Heyyyy TOLD YOU I WOULD MAKE IT UP lol anyways... I'm gonna sleep now please remember to vote and comment! ilysm. TY xx -rach