Phoebe
Prue looks around nervously, casually straightening out her nice jacket and skirt. She closes her eyes tightly, and tries not to let tears of anxiety fall. I try to keep my mind blank, free of emotions. I look back on the times before everything happened, and know if I were that person that I was before, I would be letting out my emotions freely now. I find myself getting more and more like Prue everyday. Quick paced, one track mind, all of it scares the shit out of me. Prue grasps my hand tightly, and Piper holds on to me, her shoulders clenched.
The verdict sounds. I can't hear it. Can't hear anything. It's like the judge's mouth is moving, but that's all it is doing, moving. I feel like everything has gone in slow motion, and I can see Prue's relieved smile tug at the sides of her mouth, little by little. She hugs me, and I stand as stiff as a board. Everything zooms back into space, and color returns to my eyes. I cry, and I don't even know why. Not guilty. Not guilty is good. So why do I feel so terrible? Why do I feel like I would be happier if they had said something else? The only alternative… I can't look anywhere but at my fight, and at the whiteness of Piper's skinny arms. She squeezes me again and whispers, "We'll get out of here soon, babe, don't worry."
I give her my best smile, and tug at my dress, which is making me sweat. Prue strokes my hair, and ties things up with the court, along with Andy. The worst thing was when I had to get up and testify. Everyone's eyes were on me, especially his, those pleading eyes. I can't help but remember about how troubled his life was, and I started to say that, but couldn't, because of what he did to me. I guess I'm just selfish.
His dad got in trouble too; he is sentenced to jail, because of some alleged drug crimes, and of course, domestic abuse. I try not to listen to Ryder's punishment, but it's coincidentally the only thing that comes in through my silence barrier.
"I hereby sentence you to two weeks in the building for Juvenile Delinquents, exactly three months community service, and permanent probation. There has been a restraining order filed against you. You must not go within one hundred feet of Phoebe Marie Halliwell." Ouch.
His eyes are on me, glaring, tears in them at the same time, and I know those eyes will be burned in my mind forever.
PiperIt's raining on the car ride home, although it would've been better if it were sunny, to celebrate that bastard never coming after Phoebe again. She sits silently, pressing her nose to the glass on the window. Her eyes are red, and I reach into the back to give her my hand. She squeezes it. No one talks the whole way. It brings me back to the time when we came back from the hospital after learning about Grams being so sick. I can't believe how far ago that was. Phoebe closes her eyes.
We haven't really talked about everything for so long, that it's begun to build up. The court made sure we would go to therapy, which Prue isn't so happy about. She's a firm believer in solving problems on her own.
Phoebe on the other hand has been herself in weeks, and weeks. I guess I can't blame her. All of us have changed since the ordeal. The moment the doctor told us Phoebe had in fact been sexually abused, but not raped, stopped our hearts. Therapy was helping her a bit, but not as much as we all hoped. She still felt something for Ryder; she still felt pity for him. Since everything happened, I still hate him. I couldn't care less about what happened to him, because he ruined us. Just when we were all about to get better, Prue finally having a love life, and us getting along better than we ever had, he came along and brought us more emotions than we ever needed or wanted.
The doctors almost bagged on me, about having an "eating disorder". Ryder even tried to tell Phoebe once, but no one really found out. They thought I had been malnourished, because we didn't have a legal guardian, which caused a whole spiel with Prue and the court, which Prue luckily won. Prue has been careful that I eat every piece of food she gives me, now. She doesn't get why I don't gain any healthy wait. I don't tell her. I don't want to. I like the way I am right now. Prue suddenly stops, at the house, and Phoebe jumps.
"Come on Pheebs," Prue says. She looks tired, and over worked. She hasn't had one romantic night with Andy since this whole thing started.
PrueThe house is chilly when we get in… Too chilly for my taste. Piper and Phoebe run up to their rooms, and I sit at the kitchen table. Slumping against the hard wood, I feel tears slide easily down my face. I hate everything that happened, and myself for being so irresponsible. Everything went exactly the way I didn't want it to go, except for the fact that Andy likes me. My hair falls over my eyes, and I want Andy to be here, and hold me. I want him to tell me everything isn't my fault, even when it is. I can't believe that a few months of taking care of my sisters turned me into this.
I can't believe that he terrorized my little sister. My baby sister who I promised mom I would always and forever protect. There are goose bumps on my arms that I try to ignore. I've ignored too much though. I was trying to ignore the fact that Grams is dying, and the fact that I hate my situation right now.
"Hi, Prue." A little voice says behind me, happily, "We just got back here." I turn around and see Ava, followed by Andy who stands tall. He looks every bit as tired as I am. Ava and Andy have been spending so much time helping me out, and staying over at the manor. I like to think they both enjoy it.
"Hi, Av." My voice sounds cracked and dry.
"Prue, you tired?" She asks, climbing up on the table.
"Yes," I yawn, "Very."
Andy says nothing, but wraps his arms around me. He finally speaks, "Ava baby, it's time for a nap."
"No nap!" She says, yawning.
"Yes nap." Andy hoists her onto his shoulders; "You can sleep in Prue's bed this once."
"Fine."
The two disappear, and I'm alone again, my eyes fighting to stay open.
Andy comes down a few minutes later, "Piper is sick." He says.
"What? How?" I ask.
"She just threw up. She told me she was just feeling under the weather and went to bed." Andy's green eyes are on me, "I'm worried about her."
"I don't know." I say, and lean my head into his shoulder. "I'm so tired, I can't think."
He offers his hand, which I take, and leads me off to the couch. "I'm tired too, let's snuggle. We can worry about everything later."
"That would be nice," I say, lying down on the couch, my face buried in Andy's shoulder. "I don't want to have to worry anymore."
"I can't guarantee you that," Andy says, sleepily, pulling his arms tighter around me, "But let's get a good night sleep and then worry, okay baby?"
"Okay," I say, and shut my eyes. "Wait, what are the girls doing?"
"They're sleeping too." Andy yawns.
"Good," I mumble one last time, and drift into dream land, thinking that Piper and Phoebe are safe there too. At least for now.
fin
Everyone thanks for R&Ring and I've had such a fun time writing this, it's been really great, and I'm so glad people liked it. I'd like to thank Anna and Eve for helping me with ideas, all the people at BOS for support, and all you guys for reviewing, cause without reviews, there is absolutely no motivation!
I'm sorry for making the ending bittersweet, and not quite finished, but that's life. (I know I hate it when people do that too)
Who knows, maybe after im finished with all the stories I'm currently working on, I'll write a sequel, but I'm not promising you ;-)