Lost

Chapter Twelve

~Chapter Twelve~

Song of the Chapter: Never Gone- Colton Dixon

Peyton's POV:

Beep Beep Beep Ugh I hate that freaking noise! It's Monday morning and you know exactly what that's means-School.

I slam my hand on my alarm, causing it to shut up. I slowly slide my legs off the side of the bed and walk over to my bathroom. I begin to straighten my long brown hair and when I'm gone I apply less make-up than usual for some odd reason.

Once I am completely finished in my bathroom I walk over to my closet and pull out my high-rise skinny jeans and my worn charcoal sweater. I pull on my black boots and grab my backpack and walk downstairs. In the kitchen I grab a granola bar and walk out to my car.

My house has felt so empty ever since Justin left Saturday afternoon. My mom and Chuck still aren't back. Although I am not really complaining about that; I know that once they come home my life will go back to hell. Pure hell.

I finally get to school and walk to my locker. See I Chaz on the way there. "Hey Chaz!" I practically yell at him from across the hall.

Chaz stops in his tracks and turns to face me. Once he realizes it was me who called him and ran towards me and spun me around in a hug. He is my best friend, other than Amanda. It's so funny that some of the people in school think we are dating because that's how close we are.

"Are we in a good mood today?" Chaz questions.

"Mm-hmm. No parents in town all weekend," I say while smiling at him.

No, Chaz does not know what Chuck does to me. No one does, well except for Justin.

"And you didn't have a party because...?" I elbow him in the ribs and he wraps his arm around my shoulder and we walk over to our lockers. Luckily they are only three lockers apart.

"I had some... Uh stuff going on..." I begin shoving books into my locker and taking others out.

"Like...?" Chaz keeps prying.

I was just about to open my mouth to respond but I feel someone wrap their arms around my waist. Without even turning around I know whose arms they are. I quickly remove them from my waist and face him. I was right, it is Justin.

"So guess who just got the best locker in the school?" Justin exclaims.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Peyton? Is this what you had going on?" Chaz motions between me and Justin.

"Um sort of, but not really. We have an understanding, and I think we will be friends again," I say while Justin gives me a slight side hug.

"Well it looks like a little more that just friends if you ask me," Chaz laughs.

"Anyway," Justin says changing the subject. "I just got the best locker ever. Right between my two best friends!" Justin grabs Chaz and me and hugs us both.

"Justin, y-you're crushing me," I say losing my breath. He quickly releases us and opens his locker.

I grab my last books for my first class and close my locker. Right when I turn around I see Amanda coming towards me. "Is that Peyton Baker going to class?" She yells walking towards me.

I lightly shove her, "Yes, I actually am going to a class. Is that a problem for you?" I tease.

"Not at all. It's great to have my best friend back."

The four of us all begin walking to homeroom together. All of my friends are in the same homeroom including Ryan but he's still out of town visiting his grandparents. In the classroom we walk to the back corner furthest away from the door.

At this moment, I kind of feel sorry for Justin. Even though he grew up here people still stare at him like he is from outer space or something. I glance over at him and I can tell how hard he is trying to not be bothered by all this. He's so strong. I'm kind of jealous of him for that, I wish he could help me be that brave.

After about thirty minutes it is time for the next class. On the way to mine I feel Justin grab my wrist and pull me into an empty classroom. "Hey Peyton, how are you doing?"

I look up at him and I can tell he's sincere. "I'm actually doing great. Thanks. For everything."

"That's good, but you know that's not what I meant," I nod. "How are you going to be when your mom and Chuck get home?"

I pull my eyes away from his and look out the window. "Justin, I'm scared. I hate being home when they are home. I just- I just don't know how I'll get through this."

His arms pull me into his chest and he holds me tight for a few minutes. Ever since he got I've been noticing small details about him, like he's gotten, taller, stronger, and I hate to say it but hotter.

"I want you to know that I will not break this promise to you. I will always protect you. If you ever don't want to go home my house is always open to you."

I look up at him and softly smile, "Thank you." I whisper. "You never fully left me."