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Chapter 4: Dates with Leo

Piper, Leo, Shelia, and Darryl had fun on their 'date' to the café on campus. Piper didn't really see it as a date. How could going to café on campus with your best friend and two people you hardly know count as a date?

"So, Piper, where is your family from?"

"San Francisco."

"Siblings?"

"Thrtwo. Two sisters. Once older, one younger." No one seemed to notice her almost slip up. "So what about you, Leo?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Only child."

"Good thing," Darryl said. "I don't think his parents could take it if they had two of him." Darryl was rewarded by having a napkin thrown at him by Leo.

"Hey, I was a good student. I wasn't a trouble maker."

Darryl let out a snort. "That's because you weren't there half the time."

"So? I was easily bored. I was so smart I didn't need to be there."

"He is one cocky ass dude," Darryl whispered to Piper loud enough so Leo could hear.

"I already figured that out," Piper said just as loudly.

Leo made faces at them. "Ha ha."

Shelia looked at her watch. "Oh. No! We've been sitting here for two hours!"

"Is that a bad thing?" Darryl asked, a little hurt.

"No," she said with a smile. "I have class in ten minutes. My books are still in the dorm. I should get going."

"I'll go with you," Darryl said, jumping up from his seat.

"All right, but you better be able to run," she said as she headed out of the café and broke into a run once she was out of the door.

Darryl looked at Piper in confusion. "She was on the track team," she told him and understanding washed over his face before he ran after her.

Leo laughed softly at the sight. "So you think he'll catch her?"

"No way in hell."

Piper and Leo both stood up, preparing to leave. "So, um, Piper, would you like to have dinner tonight?"

Piper thought about it as she shouldered her purse. Did she? Leo was arrogant and conceited, yet he seemed to have a gentle side. Did she really want to go on a date with him?

What can I lose? College credit, maybe, she thought as she remembered she had class at eight. "Sorry. I'd like to, but I have class at eight."

"What time does it end?"

"Nine-thirty."

"Okay then. I'll meet you at your dorm at ten."

"But"

"No argument."

Piper smiled. "At ten."

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It was pitch-black dark at nine-thirty when Piper walked out of the science building and headed back to her dorm. She was somewhat excited about her date with Leo. He was hot, that was for sure. And he seemed to be good-natured. She was also a little nervous. She was starting a new life and she was unsure what to expect.

She heard a noise behind her. She turned around and saw nothing. It was just like the night before. Strange noises, no one there.

"Who's there?" she shouted, dropping her book bag by the tree. No one answered. "Who are you!" No one answered.

She felt something hit her shoulder. "Ow!" she cried in pain. There was another thing thrown at her. "Stop it!" she shouted, but no one replied.

She grabbed her book bag and ran to her dorm as fast as she could.

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Piper stretched her arms as she woke up. Her date with Leo had been great last night. He had taken her to a small deli just off of campus. The owner was a short, stout, friendly Italian man. Since there had been no other customers, he gave them a wink a walked into his office, leaving her and Leo alone.

They had talked about anything and everything. As much as she enjoyed the food and conversation, there was an even better part. The kiss Leo had given her at the door to her dorm was short, but filled with all the sweetness she could imagine.

She opened the door to her room and stepped into the living room that was the center of the three bedrooms and one bathroom. Shelia was already sitting on the couch, watching some horrible soap opera.

"I can't believe you're watching that," Piper said with disgust.

"I can't believe you stayed out so late with Leo."

A smile played at Piper's lips. "Well, what can I say? I had a great time."

"Spill," Shelia ordered. Piper told her everything about the previous event. When Piper described his kiss, she gave a squeal of delight.

"Can I ask you something, Piper?"

"Sure."

"Yesterday, when we were at lunch with Darryl and Leo, you almost said you had three sisters. You did the same thing the day I met you. I've heard you switch between the names Prue, Phoebe, and Paige. That's more than two sisters. Piper, we've become close. You can tell me; you know I won't tell."

Piper hung her head down. "Paige was killed six years ago."

"I am so sorry," she said, her eyes expressing her feelings just as well as her words. "If I had know, I wouldn't have pressed it."

"It's okay. I'm actually glad you asked. It's nice to talk about it once and a while."

"If you ever need to talk," Shelia said, putting her arms around Piper, "I'm here to listen."

"Thanks," Piper said, hugging her back. It surprised her how close she and Shelia had become. Shelia truly was her best friend right now.