1Alright, now I'm like 2 months further than I was last chapter. I hope this isn't confusing anyone, I'm just trying to get to the climax of the story but not leave out anything in between. But here is chapter 7...
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I knew that things were going to be happening this year that I would keep secret, every year is like that. I mean, everyone has their privacy and hidden truths, but I didn't know mine would be like this. I'm not even sure how I let it get this far. I didn't mean to lose anyone. I didn't even want to hurt anyone. But sometimes, stuff just happens. Stuff you can't explain, even if you want to...
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When I woke up today, I didn't know this would be the day that everything in my life turns around. It felt like every other day. Little did I know, today was the start of the biggest secret I ever had to keep.
Last night, at dinner with mom and Sam, we talked about how I would spend my week without them both. His office had decided to send him back to Baltimore on workshop in place of some other employee who couldn't make it. He wanted mom to go with him this time.
She agreed and that left me alone in the house. Paige was scheduled to come over this week too, but I guess her mom had second thoughts after knowing no adults would be here. She didn't really trust her. She didn't give her enough credit. I would have enjoyed the company, but staying alone was okay too I guess.
We discussed what to do in case of an emergency and how I was to keep the doors locked at all times. Pretty much the whole over protective parenting thing. My mom had even asked then neighbor to come check on me at least two times a day.
Her name was Margie Wills. She was an elderly lady, real sweet. I was to leave a note on the front door if I was going to be out or something so she didn't come for a check up and find me not here then freak out.
It all sounded like a good plan. They left tomorrow morning at 7 and would be home Sunday by the time I got off school. I told them bye and everything before I went to bed since I would be gone before them. A whole week alone. What could I possibly do?
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When I saw Leo after my laps on my way to my locker, he ran right up to me before I even got there. "Hey Piper. What's up?" he said real fast. Something was obviously up with him. Made me curious what though.
"Hey Leo. I'm just doing my daily routine and you?" I say as I keep walking. I get to my locker and open it. Throwing my duffel in the bottom. He hangs on the door and smiles at me. "What are you up to?" I ask hoping to get a clear answer instead of one of his smart remarks.
He looks at the floor for long time as I put my swim gear away and get my school stuff. It takes me a good 3 minutes and then I slam my locker and look at him in the eye. He's nervous and breaks contact to look the other way. "What is it Leo?" I ask again.
"Um...Piper, what are you doing tonight? I-I mean do you have anything planned?" he asks. Oh my god. Is he asking me out? That's my immediate thought after a question like that. I just look at him not knowing what to say. He's waiting un-patiently for an answer.
I totally blank out work and tell him "Um I don't know yet. I mean, I'm still free. Why do you ask?" He looks around. Now were both nervous and I don't even know why. It's not like he already asked the question I'm dreading.
He must see right through because he states next that it's nothing of the sort. "Oh don't worry, I'm not asking you out or anything like that. I'm asking more on the lines of a favor, I guess." he says. I feel both relieved and hurt about it.
"You remember how I was telling you my mom was in catering and all that?" he says. I nod, remembering. "Well tonight, she's hosting this banquet for this huge corporal party. There's gonna be like over 200 hundred people and were down like so many waiters and could really use all the help we can get. She rounded up a few people but she thinks it's not enough. So I was just wondering if your free and not doing anything, maybe you could come and..."
"Help out?" I finish for him. He looks a little more relieved. That helps me out too. "Yes, help out. She would really appreciate it and since you asked how these things worked, maybe you can see for yourself. They're actually pretty cool sometimes. So what do you say?" he finishes.
I want to say yes and I am about to when I remember I have to work. My boss, Kim, just gave us all a mini raise for attendance. Wouldn't that look bad for me to miss now? I even had promised little Casey I would help finish our puzzle we've been working on for almost a week now. I hate letting the kids down.
Then again, I guess I could call in sick. I mean everyone gets sick unexpectedly right? It's not like there's an appointed time for that. No one ever knows it's coming or when. Ok that's it, I'll call in. Just this once.
Even Greg wasn't anything to worry about since he was also out of town. His grandpa who lives in Texas or something had passed away, so him and his parent went over for the funeral. They didn't feel to bad because they weren't that close, but it's still sort of mandatory when you're family. He's coming back on Thursday.
Leo seemed happy that I could make it and I wasn't really bummed either. Plus he was right, I did want to see how these things worked. He had said to dress nice and he'd call for directions to my house before he came to pick me up.
We decided that would be easier since I was bad with directions and couldn't meet him there. I also felt better doing that because even if I could find the place, I didn't want to walk in and look like an idiot trying to find him.
So I guess I did have more plans tonight than I thought. And to think I was just going to do my hours at the Children's Cottage, go home to be a nerd doing homework, and get ready for tomorrow. I like Leo's plan a lot better.
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As soon as I got home I headed straight for the phone. I called Kim and told her that I had unforeseenly gotten really sick. I said it was probably just a 24 hour bug and I would be fine to get back tomorrow.
She insisted I be on the safe side and miss then too, but I reassured her it would be ok. Lastly, I asked her to please apologize to Casey for me and to leave the puzzle alone so we can continue when I returned. She believed it all and I ran to get ready.
It was 3:30 now and Leo said be ready by 5. The banquet didn't start until 6, but that extra hour was needed for set up. I only had an hour and a half to get ready, I had no idea what to wear, and I suck at putting up my hair. Where the hell do I start?
I jump in and out of the shower as fast as I can and head to my closet. I don't even own anything nice. How nice are we even talking–formal nice or casual nice? Oh god Piper your wasting time.
I end up putting on the outfit I wore to my honors banquet last year. It's a black flowing knee length skirt with black tights and strapped heels. The top is a silky black, sleeveless v-neck with a diamond broach in the middle. I look at myself in the mirror. Geeze, I should be the one at the funeral. I need color.
I change into something pretty similar to the black one, but with no broach and with purple and white flowers all over it. That looks better, not so grim. Now for the hair. That's where I'm in trouble.
I check the time–4:30. Great, 30 minutes to put up this mop on my head when sometimes the last thing it wants to do is work with me. I hope he's running late.
I blow dry my hair and run up to my mom's bathroom for her curling iron. I curl it as best as I can and just pull the top together with a clip, letting the rest fall down. They are loose curls, but they actually look nice.
I'm in the middle of putting on my makeup when my cell rings. I glance at the time–4:55. Wow, he don't mess around. I tell Leo how to get here and finish applying the eyeliner. I add some mascara, a light layer of purple eyeshadow, and top it all off with lip gloss. Maybe hair I can't do so well, but makeup I'm almost pro.
I take one last look at myself from head to toe and the door bell rings. I grab a light jacket, my purse I only use when needed and head upstairs. I'm kind of nervous to be doing this. I know it's no date, but I feel as if it could be. I'm going to be meeting Leo's family and working with them nonetheless.
I open the door slowly to reveal Leo looking...he looks whoa! He has on these black slacks with a black silk button up long sleeve shirt. And here I was worried about no color. But oh my god, he is so gorgeous right now.
"Hey Leo." I say as casual as I can make it sound without screaming how good he looks. I flash him a smile and he sends one right back.
"Hey Piper." he responds, looking me up and down. Did he just check me out? "Wow, you-you look great." That makes me feel even better knowing I wouldn't be the only one drooling puddles.
"Thanks Leo. You look really good too." Is that all I come up with? "Well are you ready? I don't want my mom to lose control if her car isn't back on time." he chuckles. "Yeah," I say "Let me just put this up and we'll go." I had to leave the 'Out with friend. Be back later.' sign to Margie in case she came over.
Leo looks at it and then back to me. "My mom's out of town. That's so in case the neighbor comes for a checkup and knows where I am. Parents can never be to safe you know." I say to answer his silent question. He nods and takes my hand, escorting me to his moms Lexus. Maybe tonight wont be so bad.
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When we get there I ask Leo if I really do look okay. I suddenly feel over dressed for some reason, nervous. He checks me out again. "Piper, like I said before, you look great. Some people here are going to look way more dressed up than you so just clam down. You look...beautiful." he says and smiles timidly.
I smile back. "Thanks Leo. You just made my night." I say. And we go inside. I still can't shake the nervous feeling, but now it's more for meeting his parents and my performance toward them.
When enter from the back and go into the kitchen. There are only 4 people there and out of the 4, 3 are in uniform. I assume the one that's not is Leo's mom. She is the boss and all. Owns the whole Carol's Catering business, well obviously. I see I'm right as we walk right up to her.
"Mom," Leo calls and she turns, "this is Piper." he motions to me. "Piper, this is Carol, my mom." She smiles big, a smile resembling Leo's. I see where he gets it from.
"Hello Piper, nice to meet you. I have certainly heard a great deal about you." she says, giving me a hug. Now I get it, their that kind of family. My family doesn't even hug each other, let alone complete strangers they are barely meeting.
I smile and hug her back. "Oh you have? And here, all I've heard about you is your love for cooking." I look at Leo, he looks the other way but I can still see his face trying desperately to hide that diffident smile. I look back at Carol.
"Oh yes, I've heard tons. But Piper I would just love to thank you so much for coming out to help us tonight. I really appreciate it and if I'm not mistaken, Leo really enjoys it too." she says glancing his way. I look again too. Oh my god, is he blushing?
"So mom, did you still need to finish setting up those tables?" he says trying to change the subject. Carols nods. "Ok, well me and Piper will get right on that." he says guiding me out.
The ballroom they're having this party in is huge. There must be at least 250 tables in here and there is still a dance floor in front of the stage. There are people everywhere. I take it they all do different things according to their outfits.
Leo has us both waiters tonight since we are dressed casually nice along with about 100 other people. I wonder why Leo only asked me. He had other friends. I saw him with many other people at school and yet he only asks me to come help out?
He shows me how the tables are to be set up and we start. Most of them were already done. I must have set up only about 20 and already I was getting tired, or bored I think. I sat at the one I had just finished for a break.
"Can't be tired already. The guest haven't even arrived. Imagine how you'll feel then when were walking up and down these rows passing out plates of appetizers, food and dessert."
I turn to find Leo hanging over the railing.
"I'm not tired. I'm bored. You never said we would be doing stuff like this. It's aggravating." I say sounding worn out when I just said I wasn't. He laughs at me. "Well you agreed to help. You didn't have to say yes. Plus, I also never said we would be staying to clean up after all these people leave, but we will." he says, juts joking I hope.
"Your kidding." I say up to him. He shakes his head no. "Oh god, Leo Wyatt, you are going to kill me tonight. Maybe work was the right way to go." I say without thinking. Then I look up hoping he didn't catch that. He looks confused.
"But I thought you said..." I don't let him finish. I cut him off "Homework. I meant maybe I should have stayed home to do some homework instead. Your gonna work me til I'm sore." He grins, "Got that right."
When everyone shows up, it gets real cramped and hot. Of course this place is big for this many people, but it's still suffocating to be with this many bodies. Although I just may not be used to it. Leo said his mom does this at least 2-3 times a month with parties this big. They are all probably used to it by now.
For the rest of the night, everything runs pretty good. I guess if all else fails in my scholarships, becoming a waitress wont be so bad. This is good practice. Taking orders, filling requests. Leo did say it was sort of fun, I can't help but to agree. Though I would be bound to get tired of it at some point.
Most people are done eating now and are all on the dance floor. I start to feel like I can't breathe. Leo walks up to me at that point and notices so he asks if I'd like to take a break outside. That is just what I was hoping for. We go out the back and start walking, start a conversation. We talk about so many random things, it's senseless.
We had just finished laughing at some old joke. "So you having fun?" he asks.
"So much I don't want it to end." I say dramatically in fake grief.
He laughs softly. "Fluent in sarcasm?"
I laugh too. "Only when needed...which happens to be everyday." Then we laugh together.
We were talking so much that we had walked pretty far away from the building. We didn't notice until we reached a wooden fence blocking off a forest type field. We look around and you could see the lights in the distance.
"Don't go tell me you knew where we were going this whole time and brought me here purposely." I tell him. He laughs and sits on top of the fence.
"Now why would I do and do that?" I look at him. "No I didn't. Honestly, I didn't even know this was here. I mean we've used this building many times, but I never came out this far. Never had a reason to." he says.
I climb up and sit next to him. "So I'm your reason now?" I ask.
He grins up at the sky. It really looks beautiful. The stars are out shining bright. The moon is full as it can be watching us like a spotlight. "Well I had to get you out for some air. You looked ready to fall over. How would it look for me to bring you out and you just pass out on me?"
I laugh. "That wouldn't look bad on you, it'd look bad on me. It'd look like I was hiding some major case of claustrophobia that I was afraid I couldn't handle." I say looking into the bright night sky.
"Yeah, your right. I could plead innocent to your downfall." he says. Smart ass.
"Geeze I was kidding." I say and nudge him, a little harder than I was aiming for though. He lost balance and fell to the other side of the fence on the green grass. It was soft but it doesn't mean that thump didn't hurt, even a little.
I jump off and go to his side laughing. "Are you okay? That was a complete accident, I swear."
He gets up and brushes himself off. "You know what? Your lucky that didn't hurt as much as it should have." he says walking slowly to me.
"Oh yeah? And why is that?" I say backing away just as slow.
"Because revenge is something I like to take seriously." he says and dives to me. I take off running the opposite direction. He chases me and I run into a patch of bushes. Just when I thought I got away, he surprises me from behind.
He tackles me gently to the ground and pins me down by my wrists. "I would apologize if I were you."
"Mr. Wyatt are you threatening me?" I say, pretending to be shocked. He laughs and when he moves his leg it hits my side. I start to giggle.
"Oh did I hit a delicate spot?" he says slowly loosening his grip on my arms. Great, now he knows my ticklish spot and that's exactly where he's headed.
"No. I was laughing at you. Your funny." I say trying to steer him away. It doesn't work.
"Really? So you wouldn't feel anything if I did this." he says and starts poking at my rib cage from both sides. I break out in harmonious non-stop laughter.
"Okay, okay, okay...I'm sorry, I'm sorry...LEO!" I scream out in fits of delight. He finally stops. And rests next to me on the ground. We're both worn out. He sits up on his elbow and looks down at me.
"You asked for it." he says with that teasing smile. I shake my head at him and turn the other way. He chuckles and looks at me again over my shoulder.
We lay there, comfortable, for what seems like a long time. I can feel his breathe on my neck when he talks. "Piper..." I like my name coming from him. Especially now. I know what that one meant.
I slowly roll over until I'm slightly under him. I look into his aqua emerald eyes. They are really beautiful in the moonlight. He stares down at me. Do I do it? I can't. What would it mean? Oh forget it... "Leo...I want to kiss you." I say, breathing barley steady.
"I wouldn't stop you." he says. So I do. I sit up a little as he leans down. Our lips touch and it's paradise.
He's warm, tender, and sweet. We let our mouths dance. They tango, they salsa, they do what they want.
Leo moves to where he is almost completely on top of me. His hands make their way to my waist, sneak up my shirt. My arms go over his head and loop around his neck. I run a hand through his soft silky hair.
We lay in the position for god knows how long. After it started, we just couldn't seem to stop. Finally we agreed we better get back to the dinner party we had left without notice. It was getting late anyways.
When we got back, Carol hadn't even noticed we were gone. There really were that many people. No one knew we had left for almost an hour. We probably could've stayed longer.
After everything, Leo drove me back home. He asked if I'd really be ok in the house alone. He even offered to stay overnight, but I wasn't really sure if that would work out. I know he just wanted to make sure I'd be safe and everything and that was sweet of him, but I still told him I'd be fine alone.
He walked me all the way into the house. A mildly expected good night kiss, and he left. I didn't feel bad about it. I didn't feel proud either though. I was entirely mixed-up about it. About the whole night.
What happened? What the hell did I just start?
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Whoa! That just sort came out from the top of my head. So let me know what you think...like if I moved to fast or what and all that stuff you know??...thanx–xoxo jen