Disclaimer: I don't own charmed or any of its characters.
Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 8, I'll get back to that at the bottom. First, I want to apologize for how long it took me to get this chapter up, and tell you guys a little story about my first week of the summer holiday...
Well in a bid to not to be lazy, I got up early (yes shock, shock horror early!) to go swimming with my uncle and auntie. We agreed on the way there that I would pretend I was 16, because I couldn't use the gym otherwise. When asked how old I was guess what I said? Well after about 6 seconds of standing there looking like a gormless idiot, I stuttered 'Fifteen' (!) I don't cope well under pressure. I panic. It wasn't my fault! So at the end of that ordeal, I couldn't use the gym, and ended up looking like a prat. Not to mention the fact that they probably thought I was lying about my age to get in cheaper...
Anyway, embarrassing memories in the past. About this chapter. Its another one of those 'you better appreciate it' chapters. I've been staying at my Nan and granddads for the week. Whenever I sat in my room trying to write it, I was being 'antisocial'. Oh and I always use a pencil to write stuff out in rough first, and pencils need sharpening right? So I sharpened my pencil on a piece of paper, and put it neatly on the shelf in my wardrobe, intending to throw it away later. But my Nan found it, and by the way she reacted, you'd have thought I'd committed an offence punishable by death! The lead was nowhere near her carpet! (Don't get me wrong, I love them to bits. But I'm a teenager. I need to live in a world where I can spill!)
Okay I've got my little moan out now. God I ramble! Sorry about that.
CHAPTER NINE
Reconciliation's.
Her eyelids fluttered open.
Piper promptly covered her mascara streaked face with a pillow. It was partly to stop the harsh sunlight from seeping into her tear reddened eyes. It was partly a futile attempt to smother the headache pounding persistently in her temples.
It wasn't working. That, and lack of air forced her to surface.
Piper sighed.
Okay. She could lie here all day if she wanted to. Cry, refuse food, and basically feel sorry for herself. It was probably a good diet plan, but a complete waste of a perfectly good Saturday.
On the other hand, she could go downstairs, glare at Phoebe over a plate of waffles, and continue avoiding Leo, which had become quite a habit over the past week.
She dawdled into the bathroom still contemplating her final decision.
The awful sight reflected in the mirror should have persuaded her to race across the hall, and hurtle back under the sheets.
It didn't.
Piper twisted the shower on; smiling when the steam that accompanied the hot water misted over her unflattering reflection.
Half an hour later, a damp and slightly pinkened Piper was slouched at the kitchen table, waffle in mouth, and twinkle in eye, with the overwhelming desire to put everything right in her crappy life.
Always the pessimist, Piper was actually quite surprised. Hadn't it only been last night that she had cried herself to sleep, distraught about unwanted magical powers, and over friendly neighbours?
"You look happy." Phoebe observed warily from the safe distance of the doorway.
"Surprisingly happy in fact…"
"Uh-huh. Waffles?"
"Are they poisoned?" She asked slowly.
"Not to my knowledge."
"Look, Piper…"
The suspicion on Phoebes face slowly melted into guilt.
"I, um, well… I didn't really, you know, mean what I said last night…"
Piper raised an eyebrow sceptically.
"Seriously!" Phoebe insisted.
"I didn't… it just, seemed like a good thing to say at the time, and-"
"Hang yourself. Hang yourself ! When is it ever a good time to say something like that?"
Phoebe pouted remorsefully.
"Its not. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
In spite of herself, Piper nodded.
"And make me waffles?"
The doorbell rang.
"Your on your own there kiddo." Piper laughed, hurrying to answer it.
She heaved the door open.
It was Saturday morning. Not a lot had happened since Tuesday. Leo had gotten lost twice. He'd had a hell of a lot of homework. And he'd steered clear of the tuna-mayonnaise… All things consistent with the first week at a new school.
Piper was avoiding him.
He had no proof of this of course. But seeing as she lived just next door, and he hadn't caught a glimpse of her in three days, Leo figured it was a completely reasonable conclusion to come to.
Well he'd concluded. He'd worried. And he'd finally decided to do something about it.
Now he stood on the Halliwell's doorstep and, short of Piper slamming the door in his face, he was very much unavoidable.
"Leo…"
"Hey." He said smiling softly.
She didn't return his smile. In fact, an alien invasion looked more likely than Piper smiling at this moment in time…
"Hi."
"You okay?"
"Fine. Leo wh-what are you doing here?" She stuttered.
"I live next door remember? I, um, I came to talk to you about Tuesday."
Piper averted her eyes.
"And I would have talked to you about it on Wednesday, or Thursday or Friday, but you've been avoiding me."
"I wasn't avoiding you." She assured him stubbornly.
"I was just… Trying my hardest not to run into you."
"In other words: avoiding."
"No."
"Yes."
"It wasn't! It…It-"
"It was what?"
"Are you gonna stand on my doorstep arguing all day, or are you gonna come in?"
"Well, I didn't want to seem rude…"
Piper smiled faintly, moving her arm that barred the door.
Leo walked in, ecstatic that she was actually talking to him, and practically delirious that she had smiled.
Piper looked at him expectantly.
Leo swallowed.
"I-I had this big speech all worked out in my head, and its just gone…"
"You should have written it down."
"Yeah… It went something like: I apologize for upsetting you, and you forgive me."
Leo looked down, knowing full well that he had left off the part where he declared his undying love for her…
"Look," He continued.
"I'm really sorry. I don't know what I as thinking. I mean, you seem really nice, and I really like you, and you were upset. I just-"
"Please say that you were just trying to comfort me." Piper pleaded desperately.
Leo blinked.
What was he supposed to say?
He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He wanted her to feel the same. He wanted this to be easy… God, he wanted her to smile…
Leo met her anticipating gaze.
"Yeah." He lied.
"Oh, thank god." Piper sighed.
"You don't know how much I've been worrying about this."
She had no idea…
"I mean, if Jeremy found out…"
"Yeah." Leo smiled, trying to ignore the ripping sensation in his stomach.
"I'm glad that's sorted." She said.
"Me too."
"We're, um, we're still friends, right?"
"Of course."
Piper smiled. Finally. But the gesture brought him no comfort. Piper didn't want him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, in a 'friendly' hug. Leo held her. She had no idea that his heart was breaking…
Leo closed his eyes. He had imagined this conversation so many times over the last few days. Why had he not once anticipated it hurting so much?
(What did you think? REVIEW! And tell me. That reminds me:
RENEEXOXTYLER15: Thank you, I will!
HALLI-HALLIWELL: Thanks. I hate the heat too.
CHYP: Thank you. Your reviews always make me laugh. Their so... to the point.
HEATHER1021: I agree. Thank you!
XxSTEPHxX &PAIGE HALLIWELL-MATHEWS:Thanks for the ideas!
I'll update as soon as I get a chance to write the next chapter.
You guys are all really good reviewers to me, but everyones being mean to Tasha (ReneexoxTyler15) shes written a really good story, called Lifes a bitch, and then you die. its REALLY great, and she deserves more reveiws than she's been getting for it.
Just one more thing: i forgot to say that the song i used in the last chapter, was called Take me away, by Avril Lavigne. (Did i spell her last name right?)