False Smiles – Chapter 6
The Day Ahead…
Piper headed to school that day, an hour before she was meant too. She couldn't stand that thought of having to sit with Prue in that car and listen to Prue giving her another lecture; even though Prue never meant to lecture Piper it always seemed that way, about how to fit in and that when things got really bad that she could come and talk to her. Piper still didn't think that Prue understood what she was going through; she thought no one ever would. Piper arrived at school just as the buses were pulling up, they always arrived early and thankfully Courtney would never dare take a school bus she was always driven by who ever she was dating that week. Piper walked up to the school doors and for once didn't hear the taunting words following her all the way. She walked into the building and headed for the library, she walked in and smiled hello at the librarian then took her usual seat as far back as there were seats. She lifted out her French book and decided to get in some extra revision for the test they were having that day. She sat reading through her notes and trying to memorise words that she didn't know that well… but it was no use. Her mind wasn't on French it was on Prue, how could I let Prue find out? Now she feels really bad… like she's responsible or something, just because I can't keep it together for more than twenty seconds before I start crying or hurting myself. How can I put her through this…? I'm dirty, how can I ever be clean again now that Prue knows what I've been doing to myself… maybe I could just tell her that I don't need to tell Grams everything that's been going on. I could just tell Prue that I got things sorted out and speaking to her helped so much that I should just keep things to myself from now on… that's what I'll do. Piper gathered up her things and headed out of the library she walked aimlessly through the corridors of the school building and looked in the empty classes. She glanced at her watch; it was a ten to nine Prue would be arriving any second. Piper hurried up and left the building where she bumped straight into Courtney. Both their books went flying into the air and they were knocked off their feet,
"Oh Sorry," said Courtney, for the first time in a real voice then she looked at Piper who was still sitting on the ground "Oh its just you… well watch where you're going you stupid idiot!" she yelled and snapped her fingers; a couple of girls surrounding her bent down and picked up her books. Piper pulled herself onto her hands and knees and began to pick up her books, she reached for her French notes but Courtney's foot struck out at them hitting Piper's hand and sending her notes rushing into a puddle. Piper sniffed and tried to hold back tears as she lifted her French notes out of the puddle and shook them off. Then she fled into the building, as the tears began to fall down her face again. She ran into the building carrying her wet notes in her arms and straight into the girl's bathroom. She slammed the door behind her and sat down on the bench that sat at the wall; she threw her notes on the ground and pulled her bag open. Piper began to dig around in her bag, searching desperately for something… then she laid her hands on the thing she was searching for and pulled it out… it was a small plastic bag which she opened instantly and pulled out the small razor blade.
***
Prue pulled up at the school parking lot and walked quickly over to school. She was worried about Piper, she should never have let her go to school in that state, and she just hoped that she was alright. She walked up and saw Courtney's gang huddled round Courtney who was talking especially loud to get all the attention.
"Did you see the look on the little maggot's face? I mean what that little, what's she called again?" she asked and looked around her group for an answer,
"Piper Halliwell," chirped one of the lemmings that surrounded her then she continued
"Piper Halliwell! Well she really needs to get a life and for god's sake watch where she's going at least. Did you see what she did to my notes, the corners are all scratched and stuff. I should really get her back for this one… what would be a fitting punishment for such a terrible thing?" she asked, though it was not really a question, just an indication that she had already begun to scheme against Piper. Prue started to walk past but heard Piper's name and stormed over to the circle of people. She pushed her way through and grabbed Courtney's arm,
"What are you talking about?" she demanded, knowing that they wouldn't tell her,
"Nothing to do with you Prue," said Courtney she sounded innocent but the look on her face was anything but.
"Sure, my sister… my business and you had better leave her alone! Why must you tease her?" she asked
"Because…" started Courtney who looked round at all her group then back at Prue, "She's a freak!" she burst into a fit of laughter; along with the rest of her gang but it was stopped quickly when Pure grabbed Courtney's throat and pushed her up against the wall,
"She is not a freak! Now what did you do to her this morning?" yelled Prue causing a lot of people to look round,
"Noth…" began Courtney,
"If you say nothing you loose all your pretty blonde hair," Said Prue,
"But it was nothing, really. I just yelled at her for knocking my books out my hands and knocking me down… that's all," Prue smiled and so did Courtney,
"Oh you mean these books?" she asked taking them out of Courtney's arms,
"Yes," replied Courtney, Prue looked the books up and down, and then threw them as far as she could. The books bounced a couple of times and then landed in a smaller puddle than the one Piper's had.
"Whoops!" said Prue as she watched the books, then she turned back to Courtney, "Where did she go?" demanded Prue,
"Where did who go?" said Courtney,
"You know damn well who, where did Piper go… and you better tell me the truth,"
"What if I don't what will you do?" asked Courtney smirking,
"Go ahead… lie to me," said Prue looking deep into Courtney's eyes, scowling at her.
"She ran in that way," said Courtney smiling at Prue, and pointing in the opposite direction of the way Piper had run. Prue looked where Courtney was pointing; she turned back and smiling removing her hand from Courtney's neck. Courtney shook her head as if trying to loosen up her neck, but before she could Prue pushed her hand against her forehead banging Courtney's head off the wall behind her. Courtney let out a squeal when her head hit then looked at Prue,
"Bitch! How dare you!" she yelled,
"You want to lie to me again… tell me where my sister went," demanded Prue,
"She ran into the toilets," said Courtney, holding her hand on the back of her head,
"Are you telling me the truth this time?" Asked Prue,
"Yes!" said Courtney, raising her voice.
"Thanks, that wasn't so hard now was it?" said Prue smiling as she headed for the toilets. Her walk slowly becoming a run.
***
Piper sat in the toilets, the razor blade resting on her wrist. She was breathing heavily and looking at the small razor resting on her exposed flesh. I should just put it away… I can just put it away and everything will be fine. She looked up when she heard footsteps coming down the hallway she looked up and saw Prue standing at the door looking down at her. Her eyes were wide and her mouth open, Piper looked up at her stuck like a rabbit caught in headlights. Prue marched over to her and smacked the razor out of her hand,
"Piper what are you doing? Anyone could have walked in here and then this thing would be all over school… is that what you want?" she asked looking at the crying Piper,
"No," she paused and looked up at a very exasperated Prue, "I just want it to stop, that's all… I just wanted it to be over. I don't want to be like this… I don't want to cry myself to sleep at night, or cut myself when things get a harsh. I just wan to t be normal… like you," said finished and cuddled into Prue shoulder.
"You are normal sweetie, loads of teenagers go through this sort of thing and they all get past it and so can you, we'll tell Gram's tonight about everything that's been going on and then together we can get things sorted out. Ok?" replied Prue holding her sister close to her chest.
"Ok," she began but they were both shocked when she heard the bell ring, "I'd better get to class…"
"Why not just go home, I'll tell the office your not feeling well or something," suggested Prue,
"No, its best that I keep busy, I'll see you later then?" she asked
'Definitely," they got up and started to leave after Piper had washed her face.
Meanwhile outside the toilet door, Courtney was listening contently to the conversation between Prue and Piper.
"I can't believe… Piper is a psycho! This is dangerous information… in the wrong hands. But in mine it's deadly!" she laughed and then ran quickly for her next class… geometry, which she shared with Piper.
