Peyton Moormeier (rumors don't lie)

Peyton and I have been going to the same school for a few years now, but we have always been from different universes. He's the one who enters the cafeteria and the conversations die down. The king. Not because he's kind or fair—it's just that they fear him and simultaneously covet him. Bold, abrupt, with that perpetual half-smile that means, "Just try to come near him." His company is the school's elite, his word is law.

I'm not one of his group. I have enough female friends, and guys sometimes look at me, but without fanaticism. I don't get into arguments, but if I get into trouble, I'll respond.

Peyton and I developed a strange relationship: in the hallway, he'd say, "Move away, can't you see?" and I'd say, "Move away yourself." Sometimes we'd exchange a few rude remarks, sometimes he'd look at us as if he were studying us. And then we'd go our separate ways.

But a couple of weeks ago, rumors started circulating around school. At first, I didn't pay attention—you never know what they're saying. But the rumor turned out to be loud: "Peyton's in love with you." People started looking at me sideways during recess, and my friends started whispering. I just brushed it off, but something nagged at me. Especially when I caught his gaze in the hallway—now it wasn't just searching, but somehow... heavy.

And so this evening, I was sitting on the windowsill, it was getting dark outside, and this "in love, not in love" thing kept going round and round in my head. And suddenly I broke down. I took out my phone and wrote. The first one. I typed: Murmayer, what are these rumors going around that you have a crush on me!? I waited about 5 minutes until I received a response. P: mm, do you want to know the truth, princess?)