| "We need to go down to the resturant. I don't know why, but your dad wants us down there," Ayzlin informed Peyton. He took her hand and led her slowly down to the resturant, where they were seated in a booth with Jack and a dark-haired woman. The four greeted each other. Peyton told his father and the woman about the ring he'd bought for Ayzlin. "So, anyway, what'd you call us down here for Dad?" Peyton asked. "Um, Peyton, this is Megan. She's your mother." " She's your mother." The words reiterated themselves over and over inside Peyton's head. "How did you know we were here?" Peyton asked her. " I've been in touch with your father since a year after I left." Peyton looked to his side at Ayzlin. She looked confused. "I know it must be strange for you, Peyton, to all of a sudden have me just show up. But, I've missed fifteen years and and I want to get to know my son. I want you to come live with me in Florida for the rest of the school year." For Peyton, the idea contained mixed feelings. Going with his mother meant reconnecting with the single most important person to his past. But what about the most important to his future? What about Ayzlin? Ayzlin too had mixed feelings about it. She was glad Peyton had this chance to go and get to know his mom, but she didn't know where that left her. She wanted Peyton to be happy, but she wanted them to be together. Both of them knew that at seventeen, even caring for each other the way they did, long-distance relationships rarely lasted. ============================================================================ After Peyton's mother left the hotel, Peyton walked Ayzlin to her room and then went to do some thinking on his own. Ayzlin hung up her coat, pulled her hair up into a ponytail and plopped down on the bed. Instinctively, she picked up the phone and called Drew. He answered with a tired hello. "Did I wake you up?" Ayzlin asked him. "Nope. But, you got the day off today, we didn't." "Oh. I'm sorry. Do you feel like talkin', or do you want me to call back later?" This is one thing Drew loved about Ayzlin. Even when she really needed to to talk about something, she was willing to wait. "No, it's fine, we can talk. Do you wanna come down to my room or I can go down there, it doesn't matter." "Would you mind if I came down there?" "No, it's fine. I'll be waiting." Ayzlin hung up the phone and walked out of her room, locking the door behind her. When she reached Drew's room, she quietly knocked on the door, and he opened it. "What is it?" Drew asked. "Well, you know Scot gave me the day off, and so I did like he suggested and spent the day with Peyton. We had a great time and he gave me a promise ring." She stuck out her hand and Drew examined the ring. He nodded. Ayzlin sat down in a chair and Drew plopped down on the bed, as she continued her story. "We came here and we were just outside of Peyton's room when Jack called my cell phone and told me and Peyton to go down to the resturant, and he was down there- with Peyton's mom." "His mom?" Drew asked, suprised. "Yeah. And she wants him to go live with her in Florida for the rest of the school year. It's his decision, but I don't know what he'll do. I'm scared Drew. Scared of losing the one guy I have loved romantically," Ayzlin confessed, the tears starting to flow. "Don't cry Ayzzie. Everything's going to be just fine. Maybe you and Peyton need this to see if you were truly meant for each other. Remember, that's what you told me with Kylie? You are a beautiful, young girl, and you are going to be just fine. I promise. And have I ever broken a promise to you?" "No," Ayzlin replied, wiping her tears. The two hugged and then continued to joke around until they were both ready for bed. Chapter Ten |