Piper was hiding behind the sheds. The smell of mud and flowers floated up to her. She spent every day behind the sheds, avoiding the general population of Hallandale High. They didn't understand her, they didn't even see her most of the time. Piper had perfected the art of being invisible over the lonely years. Going unnoticed. Unobserved. Unseen. She preferred it that way.

Piper had given herself her haircut, using a pair of safety scissors she bought at the local chemist. Her clothes were plain, nothing fancy. Of course she kept all the stuff her Dad gave her, trying to let him believe that he was being a good father. Which he was. Sometimes. He just didn't really get her. But she kept them at the back of her wardrobe, a pile of sparkly, glittering, expensive dresses, just right for the daughter of a movie star. She didn't want to hurt her Dad. Gods, he was already hurt enough. She sighed again and twirled one of her messy braids around her finger, counting down the minutes until the bell went for class. She wondered if he would ever get over Mum. Mum. Piper shook her head. Pushed her thoughts away. Her Mum was dead, so what was the point in thinking about her?

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The buzzers piercing sound cut her out of her thoughts. As she moved silently along the wall she spotted Jason Grace. The most popular guy in school. His sandy hair was windswept and falling around his face, framing it with gold. Pure blue eyes sparkled as he laughed, throwing one arm around his girlfriend, Reyna. She was beaming at him, black hair swishing...

Piper looked away. Walked to class and sped through her work. Not too fast though, too fast would get her noticed. She didn't want that. Even the teacher's eyes slid past her when they chose their next victim.

After school, she walked home, and wandered quietly through the back door of her house. Mansion.

'Hey honey. How was school?'

'Hi Dad. The usual, how did the audition go?'

His face lit up. 'Great! I got the part easy'

I smile, genuinely happy for him. 'That's great Dad, I'm glad.'

'Hungry?'

'No'

'You never are'

She just forced a smile, 'Maybe tomorrow she called, as she slipped up the stairs.

'If you say so'

Piper ran up to the third floor, where her bedroom was, and collapsed on her bed. A blonde face was still hovering at the edge of her thoughts. She smiled to herself. Jason Grace. Her hope, her impossible dream. She fell asleep in the fading golden light, with Jason Grace penetrating her thoughts.