Coming Home

Chapter 12, Results of The Search

"Ugghh," I groan while sitting up. I definitely pulled something when I twisted so that guy wouldn't hit me in the face. Kind of ironic since I ended up with a cut and bruise on my face anyways. I fell my face. Somebody cleaned up the cut and all the blood. My eye still hurts though, along with my head, neck, upper back, and shoulder. I try to stand up but almost fall. I limp towards Peyton's room to see if she is awake. "Shit," I curse as I almost fall and grab onto the wall. "Peyton?" I call her name out quietly in case she's asleep and continue walking towards her room.

Of course, that's the case. She's sleeping but I don't want to wake her up. I turn around and bump into Lucas. "Oh sorry," I say looking upset him as he holds me with his hands on my arms. "How are you feeling stranger?"
"Um. I hurt. A lot. But I think that's all it is. All I really care about though is Peyton. I feel so bad. I mean I watched her go into the room. How could I've just left her with that guy?" I feel tears begin to brim my eyes.
"Hey, hey! That wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known that he was going to do something so awful," Lucas saying pulling me into a hug. I go to hug him back but slightly whimper bringing my right arm up over his shoulder.
He looks at me concerned. I just shrug it off.
"Where's Brooke?"
"Oh she's sleeping on the couch downstairs."
I kind of frown because I feel bad that I took the guest bed.
"Your eye looks pretty bad, are you sure you're okay?" He asks while putting his hand up to run his fingers lightly over the bruise. I wince. "Sorry but I figured. I'm going to go get you a ice pack."
"Okay fine," I say giving in. "Thank you Luc."

Lucas comes back up the stairs and hands me an ice pack. I put it on my eye and Peyton wakes up. "Hey, sleepy head." I say.
"What happened to you?"
"You don't remember?" I look at Lucas. "What do you remember?"
"You, Brooke, and I went to a party."
Lucas continues the story.
"Some guy drugged your drink. Nothing happened though. Brooke and Kierston stopped him. Speaking of Brooke, I'm going to go and wake her up."
"Lucas wait," Peyton stops him. "Thank you," she continues "and I'm sorry."
"For what?" He asks.
"All sorts of things."
He walks out. Something happened between those two. I wonder what.

"So did that guy hit you?"
"Kind of. He pushed me off of him when I purposely pulled him off of you by the shirt. So that the shirt would get tight around his neck for a few seconds. Then I hit my head on the dresser behind me."
"Well thank you. I can't believe you would get physically hurt to save me."
"Of course. We are sisters you know," I wink and pull her into a hug. We share a really nice sisterly moment in that hug that lasted a minute or two. Then we hear Brooke and Lucas coming. I scoot beside her knowing that Brooke is going to hug her.

"Peyton. I'm so glad that you're okay and I'm really sorry."

A little afterwards Lucas drives Brooke back to her car and I go home to take a Tylenol. I then go and lay down for a little.

I take a shower and then go to Haley's. I just really need to talk to her right now. I don't even try to cover up the big bruise on my eye. (The pic above is about how bad it looks but keep in mind there is a minor cut above her eyebrow. Nothing too serious but it's definitely noticeable.) I know that my best friend will be there in my time of need.

I walk right into Haley's. She told me to do that in general and I never really acted on it but she said especially if I ever need anything. This seemed to fit. "Haley." I call walking up the stairs. I open the door to her room to find her kissing Nathan. "Oh. I'm so sorry, it's just you said walk in if I need anything and.. Clearly it's a bad time on my part. Sorry again," I say turning around.
"Wait Kierston," Haley says jumping up.
"Kierston, your eye. What happened?" Nathan asks. 
"Quite a story actually. Involves some douche pushing me into a dresser. Pulling a muscle or two, and conveniently hitting my head on something."
"Oh my god." Haley says taking my arm and sitting me down on the side of her bed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I am really happy for you guys. Haley, you're my best friend. Nathan," I hesitate. "I just really want you both to be happy. I just wanted one of Haley James' short pep talks and a hug. That's all," I say with a slight smile.
"Aw," hales says bringing me into a hug. "However the douche was, he isn't worth it. He's a low life and you still look hot, even if you have a purple eye." We all Burst out laughing. Ahh Haley. Using the legit color of the eye to describe a black eye. This is why I love her.

Nathan leaves after a bit. He and Haley kiss. He and I exchange a friendly hug. We are finally moving past what happened between us. However, I won't forget.