A/N: Hey everyone! I'm soo sorry I didn't update sooner. Unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to install new chapters for the next few weeks since I'll be on a cruise and I'm not sure if I can type there. Anyway thanks for all the support and please keep reviewing!
Reviews: JanaRose: I totally forgot about Pig! Now what will Ron use as his pet? Thank you so much for all of your undying support-you are officially my greatest fan. I hope you continue to enjoy. :)
Chapter Five
Although the sisters tried to make Gwen feel as comfortable as possible, she still had some trouble adjusting. It was obvious that something was wrong, but the elder Halliwell's assumed she was simply undergoing a tough grieving process. They knew these next few weeks would be particularly difficult for Gwen, having gone through it themselves. They struggled in helping her in many ways, while still giving her a good amount of space. After all, they didn't want to be too smothering.
However there were still certain arrangements that had to be made, namely in the form of Gwendy's schooling. Because the sisters wanted to be fit in the eyes of social services and still offer her a chance at a normal life, they needed to quickly enroll her in a middle school. After visiting several in the area, the "3-P's" decided on John Muir, which was close enough to walk to should anything dire occur. Gwendy was very indifferent when she heard this news. Her mind was always elsewhere these days; she was caught many times with a far off look in her hazel eyes.
On Gwen's first day in a San Franciscan middle school, she came down the stairs in a cream turtleneck, a brown animal print skirt, and mahogany suede knee length boots-all courtesy of Roberto Cavalli and Piper's credit card. Her wavy hair was pulled back and ran long down her back. She had an apprehensive look on her face when she entered the kitchen and greeted her cousins.
"Morning Gwen, waffles or pancakes?" asked Piper with an overly cheerful expression or at least certainly one too merry this early in the day.
"Pancakes I guess," murmured Gwen while sitting down at the breakfast table across from Prue.
"Good choice. Her waffles always seem to be loaded down with waaay too much honey," Prue said as she took a sip of her daily coffee. At Gwen's amused smile, she continued. "So I'll be taking you to school this morning on my way to work, and Phoebe will be there at 3 to pick you up. Sound good?"
"Yeah that's fine, but you really don't have to drive me. I mean the school is in walking distance", Gwen pointed out as Piper laid down a stack of hot, steaming pancakes in front of her.
"True, but technically you are still in danger. So it would make us feel better if you got to school alive and in one piece", said Phoebe as she breezed through from the adjacent laundry room.
"But I'm 13, plus you said yourselves that I'm not completely helpless-I have powers you know."
"Yes, but powers we have yet to see. So how about after school we do a little magic practice session, and you can show us what you got," Prue suggested, trying to compromise.
Gwendy quickly averted her eyes and hesitated before answering. "Um, this afternoon isn't really good. I have to go to the library and check out a bunch of books for make up reading." She looked at each of her cousin's faces, searching for their understanding.
They didn't notice anything out of the ordinary and suggested they move the session to later that night instead. Gwen nodded and quietly sighed in relief.
After six hours of grueling classes, Gwen found herself (during her last period) browsing the aisles of a Wicca shop downtown. She felt guilty about lying to the sisters after all their help, but remained firm in her choice. She had made the decision a short while ago that like humans, demons should also receive punishment for the crimes they've committed. This was the reason she needed to find books related to Cronon and his followers. He couldn't just get away with killing her family and causing this much pain without a price. Gwen couldn't tell her cousins she'd ditched school and spending time with them to do some well needed research on her enemy. She also wouldn't dare check the Book of Shadows for any information, since she knew very well that this distinct family heirloom had a mind of its own. It was bound to the sisters and the Power of Three, and she couldn't risk any of them finding out her plans.