I sat on the couch trying to read my book but failing and flipping it over multiple times. It eventually fell to the floor. I sighed, picking it up and deciding I would get myself a glass of water. As I was coming back from the kitchen I heard some shuffling across the door. I stared at the door for a moment before shrugging and returning to the couch, when I heard the shuffling again when I sat down. I shrugged again.

Again.

Maybe someone was trying to break in but couldn't decide what was most effective and now he was in a heated discussion with his partner.

Or maybe I'm starting to hear things and I'll soon be able to see through walls. About time.

I stared at the door long enough to hear more than one person moving around and muffled voices. I got up from the couch and went to the door. After a second of trying to listen, I pulled the door open soon opening my mouth in shock. I had just caught a glimpse of Max and Peyton making out.

I couldn’t help but gasp loudly. “Oh my God,” I muttered as they quickly pulled apart. I covered my mouth quickly and winced.

Max removed his hands from Peyton’s back and adjusted his pants while Peyton tried to smooth down her hair and pull down her shirt. It was the fastest I'd ever seen Peyton compose herself when caught "in the act", of which there have been many instances unfortunately. I still can't believe she hasn't learned to stay farther down the hallway, or learn to have my skillful cat-like stealth, or something in between the two that was just as effective.

“Oh hi Brooke,” she waved awkwardly.

“Hey Brooke how are you?” Max asked not making direct eye contact.

I slowly waved with my hand at the back of my head. “Hi.” I looked between the two of them, waiting for their response.

Peyton cleared her throat and turned towards Max. “Well, thank you Max,” she paused “For that. I’ll talk to you later. Goodnight.” She pushed past me and went inside. I could only eye Max who stood awkwardly before walking away, as I closed the door.

I turned around leaning against the door. “Here we go."

She paced over to the couch before letting out a long sigh. “Before you say anything, you need to know the whole story.”

“What story?” I asked walking and sitting down, trying to hold in any laughter threatening to come out. “That you and Max have a thing?”

“It’s not a thing!” she argued.

I laughed. “Then what exactly is it? You can’t tell me you’re going out with him,” I said crossing my arms.

“What if I am? What do you have against him?”

“Nothing! He’s Max but he’s nice. But you! You’re constantly judging and picking on him and being mean. Even before I met the guy you would come home saying how Max was getting on your nerves again and how you wanted to strangle the French out of him,” I explained.

She hugged a small pillow before releasing it and throwing it on the couch. “I know. I was serious back then when I said he got on my nerves because he did,” she sighed “But, he got to me you know? It’s like one day I turn around and I have feelings for this French idiot who laughs at his own jokes.”

I looked at her for a moment before asking. “You really like him?”

She sat up, blowing her bangs out of her face. “Yeah I really do, even if I wish I didn’t. And you can’t help who you like.”

“Well I’m happy for you. I kind of had a hunch something was going on for a while. I’m just curious why you didn’t tell me.”

She frowned. “I wanted to, believe me. I wanted to jump up and down but I guess I thought you’d judge or not believe it. And he felt the same way about the team so we decided to keep it a secret,” she shrugged.

I nodded. “So where’d you guys go anyway?”

“He took me out to dinner and we just walked around, you know talking about each other. We’re still trying to get to know each other better.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Wow I didn’t think Max was capable of actually having a normal conversation,” I mumbled.

“Brooke,” Peyton hissed giving me a look.

“Okay I’m sorry. You really seem to like him.”

She nodded. “I do. No matter how much I wish it wasn’t him, I can’t help it. You can’t control your feelings towards someone. They just happen you know?”

I pulled my legs up resting my chin on them and wrapped my arms around them as I nodded. “Yeah.”

Peyton let out a small giggle. “Huh.”

I gave her a confused look. “What?”

She shook her head. “Oh nothing. Just wondering what you’re thinking of. Or who.”

I felt my cheeks turn pink. “What are you talking about?” I tried to play if off.

“How long have you liked Sidney?”

I smiled softly fiddling with the loose strings on the couch. “Maybe for a couple of days.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice full of curiosity and excitement. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” I answered quietly. “I knew there was something there I just didn’t know what it was and the other day when we went to Max’s house we were just sitting talking about random things and I just felt different.”

“Good different?” she asked.

I nodded. “Good different. He’s incredibly sweet and nice and he makes me feel good.”

A grin grew on her face. “So?”

I frowned. “So…?” I waited to hear what she was trying to say.

She took a deep breath seeming a bit frustrated I didn’t get it the first time. “So go for it.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What?”

She sighed deeply. “Brooke, do I need to spell it out for you? Go get Sidney.”

“Peyton, no.” I said sternly.

“Why not?” she complained.

“Because,” I paused trying to think of the right answer. “Because he’s Sidney Crosby. He has way more important things to deal with than girls. He rarely has time to himself, let alone to date. And most importantly he could never like someone like me. He doesn’t even think of me that way. This isn’t even a discussion worth having.”

She stared at me, not saying anything. Her face showing no emotion what so ever. She sat still without moving a finger for a while until I gave her a slight shake. She shook her head a bit before taking in a deep breath. “Brooke,” she said disappointingly and a little irritated, which was a surprising combination when speaking to me.

I tilted my head at her. “What?”

She let her head fall back on the couch. “Why! Why Brooke?”

“What?” I yelled.

“Why do you have to be so damn considerate of others!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked trying to understand her.

She sighed fixing her eyes on me. “What’s wrong with you? Why do you have to be considerate of everyone else’s feelings but your own? You always do this. Put everyone else’s needs before yours. And you constantly put yourself down, thinking you’re not good enough, when you are. You’re amazing Brooke and any guy who doesn’t see that is blind. And if someone really liked you, they’d make time for you and tell you they feel the same, which Sidney does. Everyone’s seen that but you. He likes you Brooke.”

“What?” I asked slowly squeezing the pillow even tighter.

She let out a small laugh. “Everyone could see that he liked you the day he met you just by the way he looked at you. You had a thing too, you just didn’t know it yet, until now. Brooke you have to stop being so afraid and stop analyzing everything. If you want something go for it. Don’t think about what other people want. Stop being so afraid of everything.”

Her eyes felt like they could burn holes right through me. I had never seen her so angry towards me. She had never given a lecture like this. She'd mention it a few times but it was nothing I couldn't shrug off. I didn't know how to react to this. A flow of mixed emotions came running through me and I didn't know which one to act on.

I guess she had noticed my indifference because the regret grew on her face with each second that passed by. "Brooke? I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out as bad as it did." She looked sincerely sorry for what she had said and if I wasn't still in shock I'd hug her right then and there.

She hesitantly tried to reach for me arm to shake me but I didn't let her.

I let go of the pillow and slowly got up. I stared at her blinking, not knowing what to say. After what seemed like an eternity, but was really 30 seconds, I finally sighed. “I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I left Peyton without another word coming from either of us and shut my door. I changed and climbed into bed turning off the lights.

Her words echoed in my head not allowing me to sleep for the rest of the night.

Notes

I still haven't gotten an offer about a laptop.

Oh, did I mention I'm getting kicked out my house and have no place to go? I wish I were joking.

You can at least comment or help up my subscribers.

I'll bake you cookies.