Dedicated to perfectfantasy for the banner she made in the sidebar! PS, there's also a dance (;

This chapter was TEN pages long on microsoft word! I normally only get 6-8 so this is a lot!  I hope you liked it because it's just a lead up to the saddest chapter yet that will be coming soon (: I'm letting you know this right now, it's going to have a cliffhanger.

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Step, shimmy, jump, and twist.

            I bit my lip as the sweat sheeted my skin during this routine I was doing. Dance was cancelled and school ended a half-hour ago. Dillon won’t let me walk home alone because one time some jerks threw paint-balloons at me while they drove by.

            The two weeks have passed by all the same. People hating me, Jace wanting to apologize, dancing… The only difference is that even though Dillon still hasn’t completely forgiven me and we’re still far away from being how we were before all this fake relationship crap, he at least talks to me.

            I heard the door open and I turned around to see some of the cheerleaders walking through here to get down to the football field. Kayla, of course, was among them and a smirk spread across her face when she saw me standing there.

            “Whore,” She spat out. “I hope you had making out with Sean in front of everyone today.”

            I remained quiet until they had walked out the doors leaving me alone again. I sighed and thought back to English class where I did indeed kiss—not make out—Sean for our Romeo and Juliet scene. Let me tell you, it wasn’t a good ordeal.

            The scene began with Romeo’s first lines that Sean delivered perfectly. I guess working in Hamlet actually became of use to us. When our first kiss was delivered, a couple people in the room whispered about how this was probably happening when Jace and I were ‘together’ and I was most likely cheating on Sean before I caught him with Kayla.

            As the scene continued I said my last words, “You kiss by the book.” Then we shared one more kiss before Mrs. Sunday interrupted us with a huge round of applause and some words.

            “Wonderful!” She had said as she contributed the loudest claps in the classroom. “That was amazing, you two! Do any people in the audience have any words of advice for them? Any compliments? When peers assess you then studies show that you take what they say more into account than what I would tell you. ”

            I watched as a grin rose onto Kayla’s face and her hand went up. Oh, please no. This was horrible as it was. I listened in horror as our teacher called on her.

            “Juliet is supposed to be a beautiful, strong woman, Peyton. I would’ve thought that you could’ve acted more like her instead of being like yourself. The only thing that saved you here was that you’re great at faking love.”

            A course of taunts went through the room and my eyes went to Dillon’s empty seat because he went to the bathroom. He would’ve stuck up for me while I couldn’t even open my mouth.

            A snort became the loudest of them all. I looked over at Lauren who had her arms crossed over her chest and an annoyed look on her face. “Kayla, Peyton is a great actress.” Is she sticking up for me? Had my best friend finally forgiven me? Her eyes found mine and they were filled with betrayal. “She’s a great liar.”    

            Mrs. Sunday who was oblivious to the drama occurring in the room motioned for Sean and I to sit down while I watched all my classmates get the respect for their scene that I never got.

            I shook my head to clear all thoughts from the scene in English class and went back to dancing.

            Twist, skip, and fall down.

            After I messed up I hit the ground without even hearing the door close.

            “Don’t just give up now. Isn’t the Dance Bash tomorrow? You can’t stop trying.”

            When I turned around I saw none other than Jace Harley. I had managed to avoid him in the past two weeks by skipping school a lot and going the opposite way as him in the hallways. The only time that I would be sure to see him was when I had dance and he had soccer but other than that, nothing. Well, until today.

            I went to grab my ipod from its dock but he spoke again. “No! Don’t stop dancing.” I just stared at him, not knowing what to do in the awkward silence. “Please, try again.”

            “Why should I?” My voice, surprisingly strong, rang out through the small gym. “Everyone else wants me to.” Even he had to hear the double meaning in my words.

            “For me?” He reached down a hand for me to pick myself up but I didn’t take it and got up on my own. “Come on, Peyton. Please just do one dance for me.”

            I couldn’t resist the look on his face and he knew that. With a little sigh and nodded toward my ipod. “Pick a song out of the play list that’s on right now. I have a routine for those.”

            He turned on More by Usher and went to stand in the corner while I began the routine. I felt his eyes on me during every twist, turn, kick, and shimmy. At one point I put on hand on my hip, the other on my head, and moved my hips in circles and his eyes widened a little before maintaining his appropriate posture. By the end of the routine, I spun in a circle for a few turns before ending in the splits on the ground as the song ended.

            I sat up and stared at Jace who had a million emotions written on his face.

            Regret. Sadness. Astonished. An even lust was there before they all went away and was replaced with an unreadable expression.

            “I, uh, didn’t know you were that flexible,” He said awkwardly and ran a hand through his hair.   

            “Then you don’t know me.”

            He studied me for a moment before just giving up like he told me not to do. “I guess I don’t…”

            The words hurt. Truthfully whether he knows it or not, Jace is the person who knows me most in the word. I told him so many things that I never once dared to tell another soul and with what happened later on, it’s hard to believe that he’s the one who I trusted most and the person who lied and hurt me the most.

            “Well, I wanted to tell you something but I guess I’ll let Cara do it…” He cleared his throat. “It’ll make more sense with her anyways.”

            “Wait, what—“ I tried but he had already fled out the door.

            I waited out the rest of their soccer practice in the small gym alone until five minutes before it ended. I slowly walked down to the field and waited by the stands while the boys walked off the field. Some of them laughed when they saw me and started muttering jokes about all the guy’s I might’ve hooked up with while I was ‘going out’ with Jace or Sean. They’d shut up when Dillon would slap them over their heads as he walked by.

            “Ready to go?” Dillon asked me and I nodded just slightly before we started walking to the parking lot. The other people on the team were following us while talking with their teammates while Dillon stayed with me as we passed the cheerleaders.

            “Hey, Peyton!” Kayla waved a little too ecstatically and she had a glint in her eye. “I’m leading practice today and I made up a cheer for you to do sometime!” She jumped up while the guys crowded around her to see her do her little cheer. With every word she did some kind of move. “One, two, skip a few. Who’s Peyton going to screw? Three, four, want no more. Peyton is a huge whore. Five, six, see what fits. Peyton just cannot sit. Seven, eight, turn the plate. Peyton is just so fake.”

            When she concluded everyone around us was laughing except Dillon, Jace, Sean, Luke, and I. I met my tear-filled eyes with Jace’s regretful ones and just glared at him.

            “Tell the truth,” I whispered and when he averted his gaze from mine, I knew he wouldn’t. I grabbed my brother’s arm and dragged him away from the taunting people and to the car.

            “Don’t listen to them, Peyton…” He muttered once we were inside. He said it unsurely as if he didn’t know what to believe.

            I ignored him and pressed my face to the window to see everyone standing there still, smiles on their face, obviously enjoying high school and their life. I wonder how long this would last. Would I have to live out the rest of the year and my senior year labeled as a fake and a slut? Would anyone believe my story? I gritted my teeth together because I knew they wouldn’t unless Jace came clean.

            When I got home, I threw my school bag into the closet and brought my other bag filled with clothes for the Dance Bash tomorrow up into my room. I had an outfit for every dance I was supposed to do except for my solo.

            I just sat on my bed doing nothing in particular until my phone rang out. I reached down for it in confusion because no one has called me in weeks except for Jace wanting to apologize. The funny thing is, Jace is acting just like how Sean did back when I broke up with him in the summer three months ago. Was it only three months? That’s weird. So many things have happened since then it might as well be a year ago.

            “Hello?” I answered and a familiar voice answered me.

            “Hey, Peyton!” Cara’s voice came on. “Do you want to do me,”—she muttered something else that I couldn’t quite catch—“a favor?”

            “It depends on what it is.”

            She sighed, “I knew you would say that. Do you like my family?”

            “Two-thirds of you.”

            She laughed. “Well, my mom really likes you and even though Jace told her that you too broke up, she wants to see you. Jace said that you broke it because you two were just so different and ended it as friends. She doesn’t know the background story about him being an asshole and the relationship being fake so we want it to stay that way. We’re going to pumpkin patch tonight for Halloween to go through the corn maze—it’s a tradition of ours—and she’s begging for you to come. So please, please come just to make my mom happy?”

            I loved Jace’s mom. Even though I’ve only seen her a few times, she’s always been the parent that I’d love to have in my life. I’ve heard others—Jace, Cara, and Dillon—say that ever since Jace and I ‘dated’ she’s been happier because her family is moving on from Alan’s death. Did I want to hurt her? No. Did I want to pretend that everything was great with Jace? No.

            I sighed and ran a hand through my red hair. “Fine, but I’m staying with you more than I am with him.”

            “As long as you’re not completely hating him then that’s fine. We’ll pick you up at seven so be ready!” Then she hung up without much as a goodbye.

            I sat in my room alone for a while until Dillon knocked on my door. She poked his head in after a few seconds and started talking. “Hey, are you going to be okay if I go out tonight?”

            “Go out with who?”

            He smiled at me sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, I’m sort of going on a date.”

            I raised an eyebrow. Was it Lauren? Were they lying about how their kiss was nothing? “With who?” I repeated.

            “Alyssa…” He smiled. “Has she been giving you a hard time because if she is then I’m canceling it.”

            I shook my head because even though everyone else would make comments that were complete lies, she just doesn’t talk to me. Actually, that’s one of the nicest things. “Nope, you’re good. Have fun tonight with her.”

            “Maybe you could make plans with… Uh…” He trailed off because he knew that everyone hated me and-slash-or thought I was a whore or liar.

            “I do have plans. I’m hanging out with the Harleys tonight.”

            “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Peyton?”

            “I’ll be fine,” I lied. “I won’t be out too late because I want to get a good night’s sleep before the Dance Bash tomorrow. Did you hear that we completely sold out?” I decided that a subject change was completely necessary. I didn’t want to get another lecture on Jace.

            He nodded. “Almost everyone in the senior class bought a ticket. I hope it’s a good show.”

            I smiled, “Me too.”

            After sharing a few more words with my brother, I helped him get ready for his date. By the time 6 o’clock came around, Dillon gave me a little kiss on the cheek before he set out to go pick her up. This leaves me an hour to myself. After a shower and dinner, I decided that I actually have to make an effort in looking good because I have to be the old Peyton in front of Jace’s mom. The old Peyton who actually had people who liked her, a great ‘boyfriend’, who was fun and nicely dressed, and had a great brother. I can’t be the Peyton who I am now because I’m supposed to be helping them by pretending that everything is all right.

            I watched as their car pulled up into my driveway and I looked into the mirror, ready to burst into tears already. I looked like myself. Wait, not myself. When I smiled you could obviously see through it and down to the heartbroken, sad teenager inside. I went downstairs when the doorbell rang and faced Jace who looked cozy inside of his fall gear.

            “Thank you so much for doing this,” He told me awkwardly. “My mom has been going on non-stop about how excited she is to see you again.”

            “It’s not a big deal…” I mumbled and locked my front door behind me. “It’s not like I have a million people trying to hang out with me.”

            He didn’t say anything as we walked to where their car was perched in the driveway. I opened the door to the back seat and climbed in as Jace took the passengers seat, Cara next to me, and Jace’s mom, Ella, driving.

            “Peyton, honey!” She cried when I came in. “I’m so glad that you came! I know you must be busy so this is really nice of you.”

            I saw Jace look down sheepishly and I gritted my teeth together. “Yeah, super busy.”

            The car trip was awkward but Ms. Harley—Ella—was chatting like nothing was wrong. When she decided she was done, she turned on the radio and the song ‘Just The Way You Are’ came on which brought back painful memories.

            “Jace! Isn’t this the song you used to ask Peyton to homecoming? It’s shame that you two broke up.”

            My eyes found his from the rearview window and I just stared at him, all the anger and pain being brought only to my eyes. Once we actually got to the pumpkin patch, the four of us got out of the car and walked up to where they were selling tickets for different attractions. All around us were Halloween decorations and even little kids in costume already. I checked the date on my phone and realized that the holiday was in only a week. Had time really gone by that fast?

            “Four tickets for the haunted corn maze, please,” Ella told the cashier and my eyes widened.

            “Haunted? As in scary?” I hissed to Cara. “You never told me that this was scary!”

            She grinned at me, “Jace told me how you hate scary movies and things like that and we really wanted you to come.” She noticed the look on my face. “Come on, please? This was Alan’s favorite thing to do and I know that it hurts mom to come here.”

            The mention of their deceased brother made me give in and soon we were all standing in line.

            “Peyton, are you cold? Do you want my jacket?” Ella asked me because I was shaking. Let me tell you, it wasn’t because I was cold.

            “No, I’m fine, thank you though.” The words felt foreign in my mouth. I’m not normally this polite to people. Normally a thank you would suffice but I’m trying super hard to please her.

            The uneasiness in my stomach grew as we got closer and closer to the entrance. It turns out that they send you in groups of fifteen then send the next group ten minutes later. By the look of it, we’ll be next.

            “Peyton, calm down!” Cara whispered through her laughter. “It’s not that bad.”

            I perked up. “Really?”

            From my left, Jace snorted. “She’s lying, Pey.”

            My eyes connected with his and for a moment it felt just like old times. He must’ve realized it too because he gave me a little half smile before wrapped his arms over his chest in a protective manner.

            I sighed and pulled my jacket closer to my body and my hat tighter on my head. Maybe I could just disappear completely.

            Finally we were about to go in when I froze. “I-I don’t know if I can do this! This is going to be—“

            “Jace Harley?” I heard a very familiar voice yell towards us. I turned around to see Kayla and her clan of followers staring at us. Thankfully my hat concealed my red hair or she would’ve known that it was me. Since she yelled his name, another pair of people perked up a little father in line than Kayla and them were. My eyes connected with my brother’s and I quickly looked away from him.

            Here’s Dillon, Alyssa, Kayla, and all the others? How much worse can this night be?

            My eyes landed on Kayla’s for a second and her eyes widened just a bit to know that she thinks that I’m here. Hopefully she’d just think I’m someone else but I didn’t risk it.

            “I’m going in!” I yelled and pushed past the couple going into the haunted maze in front of us, I handed them my ticket, and sprinted in. I heard yelling behind me but I didn’t stop until I knew that I was out of everyone’s eyesight.

            I stood alone as I breathed in and out to calm down my heart. You know, maybe this isn’t so bad. Nothing has tried to scare me so far.

            A loud noise and a scream took place not too far from where I stood and my heartbeat quickened. Okay, maybe I’m an idiot.

            I reached down for my phone in my jeans and I pulled it out to reveal that I have no service in this dark maze. I groaned internally and just sat on the ground, not caring if someone came to scare or torment me… When I say that I mean the people from school, not the hired people.

            “Peyton! Thank goodness, why did you run away?” I looked up a few minutes later to see Jace out of breath and leaning over me.

            “I just wanted a little workout.”

            He rolled his eyes and I stood up on my own. “I went ahead of my mom and sister but it still took me a while to find you. Here, let’s get back to them…” He trailed off while looking around.

            “Can’t find your way back?” I let a little ghost of a smile appear on my lips but once I realized that he saw it, it was gone.

            “I’m fine… I, uh, just don’t know where Cara and mom went, that’s all.”

            We walked around for quite a while until I was sure that we were nowhere near the entrance or exit. I huffed out a puff and cold breath while following Jace as he led us.

            Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Here, let me lead—Ah!” A scream erupted from my mouth as someone dressed in a clown suit popped out of the corn with a chainsaw. I immediately started running again with Jace following close behind as well as the clown-thing. You see? This is why I hate scary things. they’ll follow you everywhere you’ll go.

            Finally he stopped and I had tears staining my eyes, shakes went through my whole body, and I was freezing. I was about to say something when another scream followed by a laugh came by us.

            “Oh, hey Jace! How’s the maze treating you?” I stepped out from behind him to see Lindsay staring at me. “Oh, why the hell are you with her?” She sneered and I looked down at the ground as the others assembled around us.

            “My sister invited her—“

            “Your sister actually likes her?” Kayla cut in now. “Wow, she must feel pretty sorry for her if she’ll actually invite her places.”

            Jace and I didn’t say anything.

            “Here, why don’t you come with us, Jace? You can leave her here, she’ll be sure to be a great addition to the maze!” Kayla smirked at me. “She’ll be scaring everyone—“

            “Jace! Peyton! Oh, good. We found you two!” Ella appeared followed by Cara who was glaring at Kayla and her followers.

            “Hi, Ms. Harley! How are you today?”

            Jace and Cara’s mother narrowed her eyes at my enemy. “Fine… Kayla right? You dated Jace a few years ago,” She stared at her some more. “You look different. Now, Jace and Peyton, say goodbye to your friends! I think I know how to get out of here.”

            She pulled us away and none of us said goodbye to our so-called ‘friends.’ We kept going through the maze and I found myself being behind them all.

            “Hey,” Cara nudged me. “I heard what they were saying about you. I didn’t know it was that bad.”

            I shrugged a little. “That’s not the worst. Actually, comparing to what they’ve said in the past, this was more like a compliment.”

            Her jaw clenched then unclenched. “Look, you need to start sticking up for yourself—“

            “I can’t! I don’t have the guts to do it.”

            She thought about it for a while then talked again, “Why don’t you do it through a dance or something? Jace told me how confident you get while doing your thing.”

            The words hung deep into my mind the rest of the night. We got out of the maze with a few more screams but I wasn’t really paying attention. They took me home after getting a late dinner then I said goodbye to them before unlocking the door to my house and going in. Dillon wasn’t here yet but it didn’t matter.

            I got a quick glimpse of the clock and it said that it was almost eleven and I should probably be getting to bed but the only thing I did was change into some comfier clothes before going to my dance studio.

            Cara was right. I might not be able to verbally stand up with them but dance is something that can speak to everyone.

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