Harry and Payton

Chapter 15

    After Harry left, things weren’t the same for Payton. She felt as if she had nothing to do and no one to talk to. Her brothers had all started school again so she was home alone for six hours and bored out of her mind. She kept the list Harry had written her in her room taped to her mirror so she could wake up and read it every morning, but sometimes it was just enough to remind her that he wasn’t downstairs waiting for her anymore, which ruined her day. She knew sooner or later she’d get over it, but she wasn’t sure when. 

    She placed her bowl in the dishwasher and looked out the window to see a red Pontiac pulling into the drive way. Payton furrowed her eyebrows and watched the car carefully, waiting for it to back up and pull out of the drive way just as quickly as it’d come in. But it didn’t. The car shut off and Payton’s heart slightly raced, not because she was eager or scared, she actually didn’t know why. A dark blonde haired girl with natural looking highlights and olive skin stepped out of the car. Her ribcage length hair blowing over her shoulder in the slight breeze. Payton instantly recognized her best friend, her eyebrows shooting up as she scrambled towards the door. Payton threw the door opened to see her best friend standing in front of her, a slightly surprised expression on her face.

   “Payton.” she gasped, a smile pulling at the coners of her lips. Payton let out a small laugh before lunging into her open arms.

   “Amber.” she responded, hugging her tight. Amber returned the hug and rocked Payton back and forth, smiling into her shoulder. 

   “I’m surprised you’re home, I thought you’d be somewhere else with the other girls.” Amber sighed, letting go of Payton, who quickly shook her head and giggled.

   “Not until next week.” Payton responded, waving Amber into the house. She quickly followed behind Payton, smiling and kicked off her grey Ugg’s before skipping into the living room after Payton.

   “I’ve missed you like crazy, school isn’t the same without you.” Amber sighed, flicking a piece of hair out of her dancing green eyes with suspicious little yellow flakes. Payton adjusted herself to face Amber and nodded.

   “I’ve missed you too, I can’t believe you came to see me.” Payton chuckled slightly. Amber teasingly hit Payton’s knee and joined in her laughter.

   “Of course I would come see you, you’re my best friend no matter how famous you get or how many celebrities you meet,” Amber responded. Payton instantly ducked her head to hide her smile as Harry popped back into her head. “Speaking of celebrities, how’s Harry?” Amber giggled, giving Payton a wink. Payton mock-rolled her eyes and slightly shook her head before looking back up at Amber.

   “He’s great, if you’d come a few days earlier you could’ve met him.” Payton responded, giving Amber a shrug. Her jaw dropped and she shot up.

   “You mean…he was here? In your house?” Amber asked in disbelief. Payton simply nodded and looked down at her nails as Amber plopped down in front of her, hitting her knee. Payton’s head shot up to look at her as Amber stared at her, eyes wide with her jaw still open. Payton let out a giggle and shut her mouth for her, cocking an eyebrow.

   “Next time he comes to visit you’re definitely coming over.” Payton reassured, placing her hand on Amber’s slender shoulder. 

   “Good,” Amber replied. “Want to grab a cup of coffee?” Amber suggested. Payton opened her mouth to quickly agree before shutting it again. Amber moved her head closer to Payton’s, urging her on, the smile on her face slowly fading. 

   “You know I’d love to,” Payton started, giving her a small, apologetic smile. “But—”

  “I know, the fame and you don’t want to cause anything, sorry, I completely forgot…I guess,” Amber said, exhaling noisily. “I guess I just liked it better when you weren’t famous.” she finished, going quiet. Payton nodded and looked down at her hands.