(Always and Forever- Prologue)

"I'm sorry Peyton I just don't feel that way for you anymore." Anthony said calmly holding my outstretched hands across the table in his. 

It felt as if all the air had been knocked from my lungs and I could hardly breathe. All of this had taken me by complete surprise and my body was still in shock.

I stared back at his smooth face and debated on whether I wanted to slap it or ask why. So instead I just settled for the confused look. 

"W-what?"  I asked pulling my hands out of his 

"Baby this is a good thing. Now we're free to date whoever we want to in college." He offered.

I shook my head in disbelief. "You mean you're breaking up with me?"

The fact that he was acting so calm about this was ridiculous. How can he stand there and act like 2 years didn't even matter to him? Was it something I did? 

"Peyton, you act like you're surprised by this?" He sighed.

"Surprised?" I laughed like a crazy person, letting some of my anger finally seep in. "Now what would ever make you think that?"

I can't believe he was doing this to me right here in front of everybody in the restaurant. As if being broke up with wasn't embarrassing enough now everyone gets else get to share in my humiliation. This was not what I expected when he said he had a surprise for me tonight at dinner.

"What's wrong babe? You look a little sick?" He asked with traces of worry on his face. It made it worse that I could not tell if his reaction was sincere or not.

"Don't you dare call me that. And of course I'm sick. I thought that you were coming here to propose to me tonight instead you're breaking up with me. Who wouldn't be sick?"

He chuckled humorously at my statement. "Propose to you? Come on Peyton we are 18."

I stood up and threw my napkin that rested in my lap on the table. "Then maybe you should be careful how you word things from now on. Excuse me for taking "I have a surprise for you tonight" the wrong way."

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Let's not overreact."

I'm smiled down at him in fake sweetness before speaking. "Anthony dear."

"Yes?" He asked.

"Go to hell!" I finished before storming out of the restaurant with rage.

As stepped up to the curb outside the building and hailed a cab I was experiencing a mix of emotions ranging between hate and sadness. Some part of me wanted I go back into that restaurant and demand some answers while another part of me wanted to forget this whole humiliating experience ever happened. 

Then again how could I ever face him or those complete strangers ever again? I'd love nothing more than to just forget their faces. 

When I got inside the awaiting cab I did my best to put this all behind me. I had a graduation party with my best friend tonight and there's no way in hell I'm letting a jerk like my Ex ruin it for me. I'm having fun with or without him. If I can.

The driver pulled up outside the busy hotel and I pulled out my phone to call Nathan. Thank God I have him or there would be no way I could make it through this night. 

I'm scrolled through my contacts until I came to his name and mashed the call button. After 3 rings he answered.

"Calling to tell me all about the amazing proposal?" He asked as if it were the first thing on his mind.

I almost burst out into tears at his question but I held back. I really didn't wanna think about that right now. In fact, I didn't want to think about it ever.

"Peyton, you there? What's wrong?" He asked when I never responded. 

I waited to make sure my voice of void of all emotion before answering. "I'm fine, just here to party. Where are you?"

"Wait you're here? Where is Anthony?" He asked confused.

I sighed. "I don't really feel like talking about it right now. Wait until I've had a few drinks and then we'll see."

"I'll kill him." Nathan said seriously. "If he did something to you- "

"It's nothing like that." I said quickly. "I'll tell you later."

"Okay I'll meet you by the door." He said before hanging up.

I put my phone back in my pocket and got out of the car. After making sure the doors were locked I walked to the front of the hotel to meet Nathan.

"Hey beautiful ready to party?" He greeted me.

"Point me toward alcohol and I'll be just fine." I said.

"Good idea, maybe it will lift your depression." He replied. "Drunk Peyton is always more fun."

"We're in Vegas what's to be depressed about?" I defended.

"Ask yourself that question." He stated.

I rolled my eyes at him and pulled him into the hotel after me. If it weren't for his family owning hotels all across the world then there would be no way we could ever have this party. Nathan was famous for this in school. He was known as the one who threw awesome parties and the ladies man. That's who my best friend Nathan is.

"Is Kristen here yet?" I asked as we found the drinks.

"Probably, I'm sure she's already found a date to." He stated.

"Probably." I agreed.

Nathan leaned over the bar and grabbed the bottle of Tequila and two shot glasses. I watched him as he filled them up and handed me one.

"Shouldn't you let the bar tender do that?" I asked taking the glass and downing to shot.

"My family owns the place. We can do whatever we want." He said pouring me another one.

"That sounds good to me." I said.

I took in the second one and held it up for a refill and he gladly gave it to me.

"Don't let me do anything stupid tonight." I said taking the bottle from him and turning it up. "Because my goal tonight is to forget this day ever happened."

"I won't as long as you do the same for me." He laughed.

"Deal." I agreed. "Now let’s get out there and show these amateur dancers how it's done."

(2 hours later)

“I told you that you couldn’t beat me.” Nathan laughed after he finished his drink and placed it back on the bar.

“You beat me by on beer.” Tray argued.

“I still won.” He stated.

Tray shook his head and walked off, probably to go find someone else to challenge and loose to. Tray had just finished loosing against Nathan at who could drink the most beer in 15 minutes. I can’t believe he never learns.

“Come on babe let’s get some air.” He said throwing his arm over my shoulders and leading me though all the people and then outside.

We found two chairs sitting outside by the pool and sat in them. Nathan almost dragged me down with him when he tried to make us sit at the same time and I burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” He asked.

“You.” I stated.

“Hey if you drank as much as me then you would be a little wobbly to.” He defended.

“Sure, sure.” I chuckled.

I leaned back in my chair and threw my head back in the chair. Truth is I was feeling a little bit nauseous and this is what helped when I felt this way. I suppose I did have a bit too much to drink.

“So, you never did tell me what happened tonight.” Nathan stated.

I sighed knowing I should tell him. “Anthony broke up with me.”

“Thus explaining no engagement ring.” He noted.

“Yeah.” I answered quietly.

I really hated to go over all the details but I knew Nathan wouldn’t judge me for it. In fact it’s all a little embarrassing to tell you the truth. I can’t believe I got so excited over all this and told everyone I thought he was going to propose and then go to dinner only to be broken up with.

How can I ever face anyone again? I guess I’m lucky to be leaving for college this summer and won’t have to deal with it anymore.

“You know, I never thought he was good enough for you anyway.” Nathan said.

I looked over at him and smiled. “Thanks Nate.”

“You know if I had you then I would propose.” He stated.

I let out a loud laugh. “Yeah right.”

He looked at me seriously. “No really, I would.”

I just find it hard to believe that Nathan would honestly do that. I know he was trying to cheer me up. Although he wasn’t a bad looking guy at all, actually he was pretty hot. If he were really interested in me and he proposed, I would think seriously on taking him up on his offer.

“I think I need a few more drinks before I can even finish this discussion.” I joked.

“Are you sure, you look a little sick as it is?”

“I’ll live.” I said getting up from my chair smiling as I walked to the pool. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

I jumped in the pool before he even had the chance to get up and laughed at him for being so slow.

He stood up from his chair and pulled off his shirt showing off his perfectly toned body and smiled at me. “Laugh now but when I catch you it’s payback.”

I don’t know why but those words excited me and I was very much looking forward to what he had in mind.

*****

I woke up with my head pounding and my stomach sick. It didn’t help that it was like 100 degrees in the room to.

I pushed the blankets off my body and sat up in bed. Once I was able to focus on my surroundings I instantly realized that I was in one of the honeymoon sweets in the hotel.

How in the hell did I get here? I must have drunk way more than I thought. I rarely blackout when I drink.

The slight snoring coming from the person next to me sent me into a panic and caused me to jump from the bed. I then realized I was completely naked and pulled a sheet from the bed to cover myself up.

Oh no. I totally slept with a stranger last night didn’t I? Man this is going to be embarrassing.

I ran a slow hand through my matted and tangled hair while deciding what to do. I suppose I could at least get a look at the guy before I leave.

 I tiptoed over to his side of the bed and watched as the covers rose and fell. I slowly reached me hand out and took the sheet between my fingers gently pulled it back hoping to not wake him up.

The first thing that appeared was the blonde tasseled hair that looked really familiar to me but I kept raising the sheet anyway to get a better look.

Just as it passed his shoulder I saw the tattoo and I knew then exactly who it was. NATHAN!

I jumped back and held in my scream before running around the room to pick up my clothes. Oh man, this is by far the worst thing I’ve ever done. How could I be so stupid?!?!

I slipped my dress over my head and my shoes on my feet before going in search for my pocketbook.

Once I spotted it on the chair next to the bed I ran to it and put it on my shoulder.

“Peyton?” Nathan mumbled causing me to freeze.

Oh no I’m caught.

I easily tiled my head to look at him and noticed that he was still sleeping. Realizing this I let out a sigh of relief as I placed my left hand over my chest and that’s when I noticed it. .

On my left hand was a huge rock exactly where a wedding ring would go and I highly doubt it was a coincidence. There is no way a ring would be on this finger unless I was married. I guess it would hurt to check though.

As I pulled the covers back on Nathan a little more I looked at his hand as well and sure enough it was exactly what I feared. On his left hand there was a wedding band signifying his marriage to me. Last night we weren’t suppose to do anything stupid but instead we were married! How am I going to get out of this one?

How could I be so stupid to end up marring my best friend? He will never forgive me for this once he wakes up. The best thing I can do is just move on with my life and pretend this whole never happened.

He has college and his whole family business to run and he don’t need me messing that up. He has his whole life planned out and I’m sure marriage wasn’t on the list.

As soon as I get where I’m going I will send him the divorce papers and it will be like this never happened.

Yes that’s exactly what I’ll do!

I studied my friend one last time before kissing him on the cheek and disappearing from his life for good. Maybe one day in the distance future we can meet again as acquaintances and start fresh with no hard feelings. At least that’s what I hoped for anyway. I hate to lose my best friend over this.

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A/N

Pic of Peyton to the side >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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This chapter is dedicted to @Distrazione for the amazing new cover.