Make Me Perfect

Chapter 14 - The Next Puzzle Piece

"Come on, Peyton!" he laughed, "Jump!"

I giggled, "Daddy it's high!"

My father stuck out his hip, "At eight years old you're not going to jump off a five foot high diving board? Come on hunny!"

I shrieked, and with a laugh I leaped off the board and into the water below. The cool water engulfed my body, and I kicked until I broke the surface. My dad grabbed my arm, flinging me up on his shoulders, "Peyton wins the gold!"

I laughed, jumping backwards into the water again. I held myself up on the wall of the pool, wiping the water from my face as I hugged the edge. "You think I can win the gold?" I asked my dad, giggling in the process.

He lifted me up onto the ground, letting my feet dangle in the water. "Peyton, you are perfect. You can accomplish whatever you want."

"Perfect?" I whispered.

My father smiled, kissing my cheek with a nod, "Perfect indeed."

~~~~~

"Hey. Wake up." Cursing.. "Come on, this is ridiculous, Peyton! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes, my dream rudely awakened by Aiden's voice. Except it wasn't a dream, but a flashback. I sat up, looking around to find myself sprawled on a hospital bed, however still in my normal clothes, no montior's beeping and nothing attatched to my skin. I sighed in relief, glancing at Aiden, "Why am I here?"

He let out a breath, caressing my cheek with his hand, "Thankgod. You have a nasty habit for passing out," he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, suddenly feeling a sharp stab of pain in my upper arm. I cringed, glancing down at my wound. It was stitched up, with a little dry blood circling around the edges. Suddenly I remembered being sliced by that asshole in the police station.

"Why did you take me to the hospital?" I asked, obviously thinking the gash wasn't that bad.

Aiden smirked, "All the clinics were closed. Which, brings you here."

I nodded, startled by the sudden opening of the hospital room door. "Officer Peck," I nodded, digging my teeth into my lip.

He nodded, "I'm glad you're alright. But I'm supposed to ask," he ran a hand through his greying hair, almost as if it was awkward, "You're not pressing charges, are you?"

I shrugged, "There's no need to." Peck grinned, nodding as he spun around to leave. I cleared my throat, "On one condition," I snapped. He sighed, spinning back to me. I smirked, "You tell me something I don't know about my father. If you do that, I won't press charges."

A smirk played on the officer's lips, "You're a sneaky woman."

"Tell me about it," Aiden mumbled beside me.

I shot him a look, turning back to the officer. "Do you know why he committed suicide?"

He wavered on the idea, "Ms. Lemming. Your persistence is good now, but it may come back to bite you in the ass." He reached into his bag and took out a blue folder. He shook his head and handed it to me. "You can keep it," he said, but before I could thank him he held up a finger, "Ms. Lemming, I must inform you that some secrets are better left.." he hesitated, "Secrets."

I narrowed my eyes as I took the file from his hand, "I'll take the risk," I snapped.

He raised his hands in surrender, then glanced at Aiden. "Quite a handful you got there," the officer said with a chuckle. "Good day to you both, and Ms. Lemming I hope you heal up nicely. Be sure to check in if you need anything, but my end of the deal is complete, so no promises," he said with a wink before rushing back out of the room.