"Peyton! Let's go! Please!" Sadie begged.

"Yeah okay!" She answered irritatedly as she stood.

"Thank god!" Sadie exhaled as they began walking out of the room.

Sadie was in a total hurry to get out of the house and so she seemed to be practically running, leaving Peyton struggling to keep up with her. She was a good two feet ahead of Peyton by the time they got to the bottom of the stairs.

Sadie was almost by the door when Peyton was blocked by four boys who forced her to a stop. She turned to try and get around them only to realise she was encircled by a group of drunk, hateful teenagers.

"Fuck..." she cursed under her breath.

She looked for Sadie but she really could not see past the sea of people who were now surrounding her. Before she knew what was happening she found herself pressed up against a wall with two guys holding her firmly and harshly against it. Another guy stepped in front of her, "you know what your problem is?"

Peyton didn't dare answer. She just stared off into the distance.

"You never got a good dick in you. That's what you need. That will cure you of your homosexuality."

Peyton grew increasingly nervous. For some reason all her witty comments were a no show. She just could not respond. She cast her eyes around looking at everyone who just cheered this asshole on.

You've got to be fucking kidding me! Girls are in this too? Have you no respect for your fellow females?

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Peyton jumped slightly and looked at the guy who was threatening her.

How the fuck did I get myself in this?! How the fuck am I going to get out of this?! FUCK!!!

Peyton squeezed her eyes shut as the guy approached her and squeezed her breasts. "I'll straighten you out babe..." He said in her ear causing her to shiver in disgust.

Peyton's eyes flew open when she felt the guy fall onto her suddenly. She couldn't help but let out a small smile at the sight of Sadie holding a lamp in the air and threatening the two guys who still gripped her. "You want a taste of this too?!" She yelled at them, "let her go you fucking assholes!"

Peyton was suddenly free and being pulled out of the house by Sadie. "Where's your car?" She asked.

Peyton pointed to Kimmy's car parked off by itself. Sadie proceeded to pick up the pace, practically running, until they got to the car.

Once they were safely inside, Peyton sped off only slowing down about ten minutes after. Only then did she begin to feel any semblance of calm. She looked over at Sadie who had her head leaned against the window as she stared out of it with silent tears streaming down her pretty little cheeks.

"It'll be okay..." Peyton said softly as she stared ahead.

Sadie glanced at her, "why'd you do that Peyton?! It wasn't necessary!"

"But he hurt you!" Peyton argued.

"Yeah but two wrongs don't make anything right! And then look at what you got yourself into! You could have been hurt! What the fuck is wrong with you Peyton?! Are you insane?"

"Something like that..." Peyton mumbled.

Why the fuck did I even open my mouth?! I should have just stayed quiet until we get home!

For the next half an hour Peyton abided by the speed limit but only because she was in Sadie's presence. She wanted to stay with Sadie as long as possible regardless of the fact that the girl seems to hate her. While she drove her thoughts began to get the better of her.

What the fuck have I done? Oh my god... Sadie is right... I am insane. But I couldn't let Adam get away with what he did to her. I am such a fucking idiot! Why did I even answer my phone?! But then again, Sadie needed help. She could have called the police. Why the fuck did she call me? Why did she come back for me? Well, she needed the ride home. But she could have waited until they were done with me. Why'd she do that?

That was one question Peyton really wanted an answer to, "why'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Save me."

Sadie sat up straight, wiped her tears away and turned to look at Peyton who turned to look back at her, "I'm not a complete bitch..."

"You didn't have to do that. I could handle myself."

"Right... because you doing a real awesome job before I stepped in."

"Whatever."

"Peyton, seriously though, I could never have left you like that. You needed help. I just did for you the same thing you did for me."

Peyton nodded, "yeah I guess..."

After a couple minutes Peyton smiled to herself as she spoke, "well, if there's ever a serial killer who bludgeons people to death with a lamp I'll know who it is."

She turned just in time to see Sadie smiling at her. Sadie turned her head immediately as she answered with the smile ever present on her face, "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

They were entering their town when Peyton spoke again, "umm... you're gonna have to give me directions. I don't know where you live."

"I umm... you could just drop me by the park."

"What?! Sadie no. It's five in the morning. It's still dark out. You had a fucked up night. I am not leaving you by some park. I am taking you home."

When she got no response Peyton looked to see Sadie fiddling with the buttons on her shirt.

"You don't want to go home huh?"

Sadie just shook her head answering several seconds later, "I'm not ready to face home..."

"It's okay. I understand."

Peyton continued driving, she knew exactly where she was going to take Sadie. When they passed the park which Sadie had requested to be dropped by she spoke, "you passed the park."

"I know."

"Where are you going? I don't want to go home by you either!"

"That's not where I'm taking you."

"Well where are you taking me then?"

"You'll see." Peyton said offering Sadie a small smile.

She drove for another twenty minutes before pulling the car off the road and into some bushes.

"Peyton, what the hell?"

"Just trust me okay." Peyton said as she brought the car to a stop.

It should be safe here.

"Alright, let's go." She said to Sadie with a smile as she got out of the car.

Apprehensively, Sadie followed suit remaining silent until they got to the brook. "Oh wow! This is beautiful!" She said in awe.

Peyton simply smiled, "I know right?"

"I've been living here all my life and I never knew about this. How'd you find this place?"

"I was in desperate search of a secret hiding place..."

"Secret hiding place?"

"Yeah... someplace I can go to clear my head when shit gets too much for me. I've always had one."

"Does Kimberly know about this?"

"She knows I have one but she doesn't where it is... you're the first person I've ever brought here."

"Why?"

"I have no fucking clue..."

Peyton took a seat on the ground leaning against a tree and indicted for Sadie to join her. She did and they sat in silence for about half an hour before it was broken by Peyton, "I'm sorry."

"For what? You didn't do anything."

"For losing my cool with Adam and then for getting myself in trouble with those guys and you having to bail me out. And for arguing with you that day in school. You have your views and I have mine. I have to respect that. I'm sorry. Plus, who knows, you're probably right."

Sadie turned to Peyton then, "hey, I was wrong too. I have to respect your views as well. Even though it is something I do not believe in, it's your choice and it's not as if it's something illegal you are doing. And as for that whole situation just now... I'm just glad I had the strength to do that. I could not let them hurt you Peyton. I had to do something. Also, I'm actually glad you did what you did to Adam. He really is an asshole. I was just lying to myself all this time because I thought he actually loved me. And I thought I loved him. I just wanted someone to love me so badly that I let myself take all manners of crap from him. So, I am the one who is sorry. I should have listened to you when you told me things I already knew but refused to acknowledge. I should have ended things with him since back then. But, like I said, I'm an insecure idiot and I was desperate for love."

Peyton's eyes welled up at Sadie's confession and the only thing running through her mind at that moment was, I love you. I will treat you the way you deserve. If only you'd give me the chance... Let me love you Sadie. Please. I won't hurt you. At least not intentionally. I'll be good to you. I'll treat you like a queen. Just... give me the chance.

Peyton opened her mouth but she had absolutely no idea what to say in response. Just as she was about to say just that - that she had no idea what to say - Sadie's phone began to ring and she thanked the heavens for rescuing her.

"Speak of the devil," Sadie said as she looked at her phone, "it's Adam."

Before Peyton could react Sadie answered, "what Adam?!"

Peyton listened intently to Sadie's every word.

"No!"

"No! Adam!"

"Not this time!"

"She's my friend."

"That's none of your business."

"Leave me alone Adam. Stop calling me. We're done!"

"Yes done as in I break up with you. It's over Adam. Leave me alone!"

She hung up the phone then with a huff, "sorry about that..."

Peyton waved her off, "it's cool. You sure about that though?" She asked while pointing to Sadie's phone on the ground.

Sadie nodded, "yeah. I should have done that months ago..."

The two of them sat there just staring at each other for a long time until Peyton broke it by turning and leaning against the tree. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the tree. "We're going to be late for school if we don't leave now."

Receiving no response, she opened her eyes and turned her head to see Sadie in the same position she was in a while ago. Sadie shrugged, "I don't feel like going..."

"Okay. Let's skip then." Peyton said with a smile as she turned back her head and closed her eyes once again.

She was enjoying the silence and the cool morning breeze when her heart suddenly skipped several beats and she gasped. She opened her eyes to see Sadie's face a mere few inches away from hers. Her hand immediately reached up and she touched her lips. They tingled.

When she looked Sadie in the eye she whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Peyton smiled, "don't be."

She leaned forward then, closing the few inches between her and Sadie and rejoined their lips continuing what Sadie had started.