Always and Forever

Prologue

(Always and Forever- Prologue)

"I'm sorry Peyton I just don't feel that way for you anymore." Anthony said calmly holding my outstretched hands across the table in his. 

It felt as if all the air had been knocked from my lungs and I could hardly breathe. All of this had taken me by complete surprise and my body was still in shock.

I stared back at his smooth face and debated on whether I wanted to slap it or ask why. So instead I just settled for the confused look. 

"W-what?"  I asked pulling my hands out of his 

"Baby this is a good thing. Now we're free to date whoever we want to in college." He offered.

I shook my head in disbelief. "You mean you're breaking up with me?"

The fact that he was acting so calm about this was ridiculous. How can he stand there and act like 2 years didn't even matter to him? Was it something I did? 

"Peyton, you act like you're surprised by this?" He sighed.

"Surprised?" I laughed like a crazy person, letting some of my anger finally seep in. "Now what would ever make you think that?"

I can't believe he was doing this to me right here in front of everybody in the restaurant. As if being broke up with wasn't embarrassing enough now everyone gets else get to share in my humiliation. This was not what I expected when he said he had a surprise for me tonight at dinner.

"What's wrong babe? You look a little sick?" He asked with traces of worry on his face. It made it worse that I could not tell if his reaction was sincere or not.

"Don't you dare call me that. And of course I'm sick. I thought that you were coming here to propose to me tonight instead you're breaking up with me. Who wouldn't be sick?"

He chuckled humorously at my statement. "Propose to you? Come on Peyton we are 18."

I stood up and threw my napkin that rested in my lap on the table. "Then maybe you should be careful how you word things from now on. Excuse me for taking "I have a surprise for you tonight" the wrong way."

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Let's not overreact."

I'm smiled down at him in fake sweetness before speaking. "Anthony dear."

"Yes?" He asked.

"Go to hell!" I finished before storming out of the restaurant with rage.

As stepped up to the curb outside the building and hailed a cab I was experiencing a mix of emotions ranging between hate and sadness. Some part of me wanted I go back into that restaurant and demand some answers while another part of me wanted to forget this whole humiliating experience ever happened. 

Then again how could I ever face him or those complete strangers ever again? I'd love nothing more than to just forget their faces. 

When I got inside the awaiting cab I did my best to put this all behind me. I had a graduation party with my best friend tonight and there's no way in hell I'm letting a jerk like my Ex ruin it for me. I'm having fun with or without him. If I can.

The driver pulled up outside the busy hotel and I pulled out my phone to call Nathan. Thank God I have him or there would be no way I could make it through this night. 

I'm scrolled through my contacts until I came to his name and mashed the call button. After 3 rings he answered.

"Calling to tell me all about the amazing proposal?" He asked as if it were the first thing on his mind.