**Bad language warning**
(Peyton POV)
I arrived at the park at around 5 pm exactly. I sat on one of the swings, swinging on it for a little while. The park was quiet, with a few other people in it. I saw a girl standing under a tree, calling to a young boy in the branches. I saw a woman trying to coax her young daughter to go down the slide. I saw an elderly man walking his dog alone, no one near him. The park was filled with a strange, yet comforting silence. Perhaps it was only comforting because I liked silence. Nevertheless, I let the thought slip out of my mind, and instead let my mind wander as I sat on the swing. I took some time to count the leaves in a nearby tree, which sounds ridiculous, but is actually pretty interesting. Each leaf on a tree is different from the rest, even if it doesn't always seem that way. One leaf can be a different shade of green than the others, or be slightly longer or shorter. As I aimlessly counted the leaves, I ran a hand through my long hair. My mom adored my long hair, but my dad always nagged at me to get it cut. I personally didn't care either way. I would've probably gotten a pixie cut by now if my mom wasn't so picky about my hair length. I had set my mind on getting a pixie cut as soon as I entered college, though. I was planning on going to Indiana State to study interior design, which was a hobby of mine. I would sketch rooms and design them, putting bits of furniture just so. I never told my parents though, not that they hadn't asked. I had never really been vocal on my future, ever. I would never tell my mom or dad, but I didn't really want to marry or give birth or any of that. I just wanted to become an interior designer.
Soon, it was a quarter to 6. My mom hadn't texted me, which meant she wasn't home yet. She always texted me if she got home and I wasn't there.
I went to the park a lot, as it gave me something to do. After Parker drove all my friends away, I didn't have anyone to hang out with. Not that I really cared though, friends often brought drama with them. And I hated drama. Of course, people always tried to say that friends didn't bring drama, or that the company was worth it. After what I went through, I never believed them. It was horrible to be lonely, but it was better than having to deal with the difficulties and drama that came with friends. Plus, betrayal only comes from those you trust. Why give trust to people who could easily shatter it?
"Trust yourself and only yourself", I always said. It sounded selfish, but it was the motto I lived by, and it was what had worked for me.
It soon became 6 o'clock, and the sky became red and orange and pink. I always loved sunsets, because the sky always became so pretty. I admired the sky, how beautiful it was. I always wished to learn how to paint, solely to be able to paint sunsets. Alas, I never bought paint, and whenever I tried to paint, I always failed horribly.
As the minutes crept slowly past, I sat watching the sky. A little while passed before I noticed someone new had come to the park. I took a double-take when I realized it was Michelle Willows.
I wondered what to do, as I wanted to question her about what had happened today. After a minute or two, I collected myself and walked over to her. I walked and stood over her, and it took her a minute to realize I was even there.
"I didn't know rich, popular girls went to parks." I commented, gazing at her sitting there.
"I am a human, and I have interests." Michelle replied, rather calmly.
"I saw what happened in the cafeteria. Why did you reject Parker?" I asked.
"Because he's an asshole. He's kissed over half the girls in the school, yet he claims to be in love with me and only me. I call bullshit."
I blinked, surprised. "Wow. I never would've thought you of all people would hate the famous Parker Reynolds." I spoke, my voice laced with venom as I said his name.
"Pfft." Michelle responded, evidently slightly amused. "He's just an asshole in ripped jeans. Parading around thinking he can have any girl he wants and never commit to just one. He's a player, and I'm not his pawn."
I pursed my lips and walked away. Who would've thought that the Michelle Willows would hate Parker Reynolds, of all people? I took the chance to walk back home, letting my thoughts engulf my mind. If Michelle truly hated Parker, maybe she wasn't as awful as I thought she was. Nevertheless, I still hated her. That, I knew. I walked slowly home, giving myself time to not only think, but look at the scenery. It was so beautiful outside, and I wondered why I didn't go out more. Then, I remembered that going outside meant the possibility of having to talk to people. I shivered as I thought to myself, maybe staying inside is better.
It took me a solid 45 minutes to walk home, and I was stunned to realize my mom still wasn't home. I went upstairs and into my room, checking the clock. It was a little past 7 pm, and I was starving. I called my mom, but it went straight to voicemail. My dad wasn't picking up either. After a half hour of waiting, I decided to walk myself to get something to eat, as I was starving and I knew my parents probably wouldn't be home until 9. I grabbed my keys and walked outside, clutching them tightly in my hand. And thus, I began to walk.