Strength Of The World

Peyton woke up screaming and covered in sweat. Her parents came rushing into her room, her dad quickly walked over to her bed and put his hand on her arm. "Don't touch me! Please don't hurt me." She sobbed, jerking away from her father. He immediately jerked his hand away, and tried to comfort her by talking to her. "Peyton babe, its dad." He said in a soothing voice, her mom backed slowly out of the room to go make a phone call, "It's okay sweetheart. You're safe now, no one is ever going to hurt you again." He said, trying to reassure her. Peyton looked at him, tears streaming down her face and finally recognized who was sitting beside her. "Daddy." She whispered, and launched herself into his arms, a fresh set of tears running down her face. "Sssh, you're okay honey. You're okay." He said, rubbing soothing circles on her back, being careful to not agitate the bruises on her back. They sat there for a while, until they heard a small knock on the door frame. Peyton looked up and saw Zack standing in the doorway, wearing gym shorts and a tshirt with a severe case of bed head. "Zee, what are you doing here." Peyton asked confused. "Well, I heard you had a bad dream, and figured you'd want some company. I brought a movie." He said with a smile, holding up Need For Speed, which made her dad laugh, "Come on in son, but you know she already has that movie." He said, standing up from the bed and ruffling his daughter's hair. "Why is everyone hating on my movie today" Peyton said with a huff, which made the two men laugh. "Thanks for coming, Zack," her dad said shaking the younger man's hand. "Don't mention it Daniel, I'd do anything for my favorite girl." He said with a grin. Daniel Smith smiled and walked back toward his bedroom, saying "I still don't understand why you two ever broke up." As he walked away. Peyton chuckled as she looked at Zack, who had a huge grin on his face. "Alright Baker," she said, moving over on the bed, "get over here so we can watch this movie." Zack popped the movie into the DVD player and laid down next to Peyton. He opened his arm up so she could snuggle into his side and pushed play on the remote. Peyton was back to sleep within minutes. Zack kissed her forehead and smiled to himself, feeling sleep overcome him.

The he next morning before she woke up, Peyton was tossing and turning violently while mumbling in her sleep, which is how Zack woke up. He figured she was having another nightmare, so he shook her gently to try and wake her up before it got too bad. When he said her name her eyes popped open and she looked scared to death. "Hey, it's just me, your old pal Zacky V." He said with a grin. A small smile appeared on her face, "I'm sorry if I woke you up. Thanks for staying with me." She said, a little embarrassed. "Hey, it's no big deal. I told you to call when you needed me, and you needed me. I'm more than happy to be here, if that helps you sleep better." He said with a smile. She smiled back, then looked over to check the time. "It's only 8," she sighed, "I feel like I haven't slept at all." "Then we go back to sleep." Zack suggested, "You still have a while before you're supposed to go with the girls anyway." "Can I just say I'm not looking forward to dress shopping while covered in bruises?" She said with a heavy sigh. "I'm sure you'll look beautiful, even if you wear a paper bag." Zack said with a grin. She laughed at him and snuggled back into his side, "Stop talking to me so I can go back to sleep." She said, making him laugh loudly. "Yes ma'am." He said sarcastically. She lightly smacked him on the chest before getting comfortable and once again letting sleep overcome her.

The next time they woke up it was 10:45. "Feeling better now?" Zack asked, watching her stretch. "Much better, thank you." She replied with a smile. They walked downstairs together to eat some breakfast, her mom smiled when they walked into the kitchen. "I was beginning to think you two were going to sleep all day." She said with a smile. "I was exhausted mom, that was the first time I had slept in over twenty four hours." Peyton explained with a smile. "So what are your plans for the day you two?" Becky asked "Well, I have to go shopping with Val today. I have to find a new dress for the party tonight. Hopefully something with sleeves." Peyton told her mom, gesturing to the bruises on her arms, which were looking pretty brutal today. Zack clenched his jaw and said "I guess I'm going to hang with Matt and the guys today, maybe mess around with some music. Who knows what we will do. Val probably has a list of shit for us to do and we don't even know it yet." He said with a chuckle. "What time do you have to leave, P?" He said, looking over at the blue eyed girl he was so desperately in love with, even if neither one of them wanted to admit it. "I think Val wanted me at her house by 12." She said, "I've got to shower and stuff, try to cover this monstrosity up." She said, pointing to her right eye. "Alright, well I've got to head out. I'll see you later." He said, hugging her gently and kissing her cheek. Once he said his goodbyes to Peyton's parents, Zack headed for the door. Peyton was still in the kitchen with her mom, who was giving her a knowing look. "Don't even start, mom." Peyton said with a sigh. "I've been back one day and you've already got that look in your eye." "What?" Her mother asked innocently "I didn't say anything," "You didn't have to Becks. We all know what you're thinking." Her dad said, walking into the kitchen to put his coffee cup in the sink. "Well I happen to think Zachary Baker is a great young man. I would love to have him as a son in law one day." She said dreamily. "Oh my god mom." Peyton said, running a hand over her face, "I'm going to take a shower before you start planning a wedding."

Once she she was out of the shower she dried off and threw on a pair of destroyed skinny jeans and a thing white long sleeved shirt. She blow dried and straightened her hair, and tried to do her makeup the best she could to cover the bruise on her eye. She slipped a pair of shoes on her feet, grabbed her sunglasses and purse, and headed toward Valary's house.

When she pulled up to Val's house she automatically recognized Brian's car, which meant that Michelle was probably already here. A car pulled up on the street when she was getting out, and she instantly heard the squealing coming from the driver's side of the car. She felt his arms around her waist before she saw him. "Heyyyyyyyyyy P.Smith!" Jimmy said excitedly, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Hey J.Sully" she said with a laugh. She saw Leana walking up the driveway, and decided to wait on her. She greeted her friend with a big hug. "Hey Lea" she said softly, "Hey Pey, I missed you." The brown haired girl said, returning the hug. Peyton pulled away and she saw the look on Leana's face. "I know, I know." Peyton sighed, "It looks worse than it feels. Come on, let's go inside before Val comes out here and drags us in by our hair." The two girls linked arms and walked into Matt and Val's house, Jimmy already inside hugging everyone he saw. When Peyton saw Michelle, she had the same look on her face as Leana. "Okay, okay. No more sad faces you two. Or you'll have black eyes that match mine." She threatened, making the men in the room laugh. "Easy there champ, let's not forget we have a party tonight." Matt said, throwing an arm over Peyton's shoulders. "Okay, is everyone ready to go? I'll drive." Val said with a smile. After the other girls kissed their men goodbye, they all headed out the door and were quickly on their way to the mall, singing and talking the entire way.

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