Kevin's POV:

It's been about two weeks since I last spoke with Peyton. After all that happened last time...I don't know how I'm going to face her when I see her again. I really miss her though and I want to talk to her, be honest with her, but I just can't bring myself to do that. I'm such a coward, I wish I could be like one of the heroes in my books. Maybe then I could save the day, not ruin it like I always seem to.

But you just can't be a hero when everyone sees you as a villain. Even if you didn't do the crime, even if you couldn't possibly do anything to stop it from happening, your still blamed for it and your still the villain. But after three years, you start to believe that maybe you could have done something, that maybe you were to blame for someone else's crime. That you were a villain.

Could I have done something?
Yes
I couldn't have hurt him
Yes you could've, you were just too scared
You don't hurt the people you love
And yet...

The pencil I was using to write breaks. My knuckles are white from holding it so tight. I sigh and look down at the letter I was writing. It's for Peyton, I don't want to talk to her in person or on the phone so I thought I'd write her a letter. It's stupid, I know, but this is the only way I can bear to talk to her.

I'm sharpening my pencil when I hear a knock on the front door. I do not feel like socializing right now but considering I'm the only one home, I kinda have to. The person knocks again, this time with more force.

"Hang on! I'm coming!" I yell a bit annoyed.

I head towards the door and open it. And it's...

No

Please no

Why is he here?

Steve Thompson is standing at my front door wearing an expression that I can't quite read. The world seems to go still for a moment as Steve and I stare at each other. Me with fear and anxiousness, him with a mix of emotions that look like hatred, anger, and...

Sadness

"Listen, we need to talk now." He says quietly. It takes me a minute to nod. I really, really don't want to let him in, but who am I to argue with a guy three times my size? I lead him to the small living room and he sits on the sofa. I, however remain standing, it feels wrong to sit when there's so much tension in the air. The room stays silent for several minutes before Steve breaks the silence.

"Listen Kevin, you know I wouldn't be talking to you unless it was about something really important, so you need to listen to me."

I nod because I'm still too nervous to speak. I know what this is about, I knew this would happen sooner or later. I just didn't know it'd be today.

"It's about Peyton, I know you've been talking to her."

"Steve I-"

"Listen!" Steve yells. Then he speaks slightly softer. "Just listen okay? This is hard for me, you know. I-I never thought that things would be different when Peyton woke up, I thought we'd go back to the way we were. But she had this whole different life in that coma, a life without me, without her. I mean she didn't even remember me when she first woke up. And she still doesn't remember us. And-"

He cuts off. I look up and realize how hard he's trying to keep it together. I knew things were hard on him but I didn't think it was this.

"It's okay, I know its hard." I immediately regret those words.

Steve's head shoots up. "Stop it! You don't get to tell me that it's okay! You have absolutely no idea how hard it is!" he yells. Every word feels like a knife and I take a step back. Steve takes a shaking breath and continues.

"Look, what I'm saying is that Peyton has made me realize how much I've failed her. I can't protect her Kevin! I always thought that I could but she's right, I wasn't there for her then and because of that I don't deserve to be with her now. I'm giving her some space, some time to forgive me, but I need you to promise me something."

He pauses and looks into my eyes. "I need you to promise to look after her. And your right, you don't have any right to do so after what you've done, but your the only other person she trusts. So stop ignoring her, answer her calls, go to her house, just make sure she's okay."

Is he really asking me to look after Peyton? The villain? Can I promise to do this? I want to but the questions, the words people will say to me if they saw me even near Peyton...

I won't be able to make it up to her, I never will. But doing this, making sure she's safe, maybe it's a start. Maybe people will stop glaring at my family like we're bugs on the sidewalk. Maybe parents will stop whispering to their kids to stay away from me at the store. Maybe everyone will finally see my point of view of the accident and stop blaming me for something I couldn't help, stop treating me like an outcast.

Just Maybe

"Kevin?" Steve asks bringing me back to reality.

"Yes?"

"Do you promise?"

I take deep breath. "Yes, I promise to look after her. I promise."

My voice shakes and my hands tremble. Steve nods and stands up. Without a word, Steve gets up and walks to the front door. He's about to walk out when he does the unexpected.

He hugs me.

The he rushes out of the room and I'm left there stunned.

Did he really just do that? The king of school, the person who probably hates me the most, just hugged me?

Maybe things really are changing.

My knees hit the ground. A few tears escape my eyes and a feeling I haven't felt in a very long time overcomes me.

Hope

Thank you for reading! 500 reads, guys I can't thank you enough for it, I never thought it'd get this much. You guys are amazing! A special shoutout to Saycheese13 , I can't thank you enough for all your support!-Vanna💜