17-year old Paige is absorbed in life, love, attitude and rebellion, but when normal teenage turmoil is turned upside down by something she can't explain, has she pushed her family too far? All 4 sisters. Paige-centric with Glen/Kyle
A/N: Thanks for the feedback! Hey, it took me a while to get inside Paige's head for this chapter. Still not sure if I like it, but it needs to be here…anyways, on with the story…
Disclaimer: Everything to do with Charmed Not mine!
Chapter 8: Things can only get…worse?
I'm not sure where I am as my eyes slide open. Damn, waking up with everything being so fuzzy is becoming way too regular of an occurrence. I'm not likely to forget what happened in a hurry with a fresh reminder currently pounding in my head. It feels like a hangover, only it wasn't nearly as much fun to get here.
"Mom?" I say when I notice the dark-haired figure sleeping on a chair at the side of my bed. "You're still here…" I sigh happily.
"Paige? No sweetie, it's me…" And it's Prue that turns towards me. It might be just my morning haze but my usually pristine sister looks terrible; her blue eyes are dull and framed by dark rings, and she's very, very pale.
"Is Mom still here?" I sit up carefully so I can get a better look.
Prue looks confused, "Lay down Paigey…I think you hit your head before"
Well I know that, that's why it hurts so much, "No Prue, Mom was just here…before I fell asleep"
"Paige" She says slowly, "You have been asleep for hours; you even slept through us all bringing you here…and Mom wasn't here sweetie, you know that she's…gone…you remember that, right?"
I roll my eyes at my big sister, who is looking worriedly at me, "What? I know that Prue, but she was right here before, I tell you! She's so beautiful…" I say wistfully with a small smile expecting that my big sister will return it. However, her mouth is set in a straight line and her blue eyes are wide. She stands up, pushing her raven hair off her face with a sigh. She comes over to the bed and sits on the edge, I scoot up so she can sit down properly, hugging my knees to my chest and Prue pulls the blanket up so it covers my shoulders and her arms linger around my shoulders for a while, for a moment I think she is going to pull me close. Just as I think that I want to hug her too, she backs away.
"You don't believe me…" I whisper. This is what I was afraid of; I don't know what I can tell them now.
Prue finishes fiddling with the blanket and her hand moves to an unruly lock of my hair which she pushes behind my ear. She lifts my chin so I'm looking into her eyes.
"Paige, you want to tell me what happened?" She breaks my gaze to glance at my arms, which I now notice are bandaged up. I cross them tighter. What am I supposed to tell them? I haven't had a chance to think about the whole magic thing myself…what if someone shows up again? They need to know soon, but I have to think about it first.
"I can't remember" I lie, but I have to glance away, so transparent Paige.
"Okay" She says, the doubt in her voice is clear and she stands up off of the bed, she won't push it, not yet, but the look in her penetrating eyes says that it won't be long before she does. She gets up quickly and leaves swiftly.
It's only when she's gone that I take in the harsh white wash walls and the stinging bleach smell.
I'm in the hospital room all alone
---
Piper bursts through the door, half an hour later, with Phoebe right on her heel. I'm glad to see them, just hours ago I never though I would, ever again. So, I guess I can forgive Piper for being in such a bouncy mood even though I still feel like I've been run over by a sizeable truck.
"Sleeping beauty finally woke up then" Piper sing-songs whilst plopping her weight onto the bed, laughing at the face I make. "Here" She tosses me a bag, in amongst the paper I finally find a sandwich, and I'm even happier to find that it's a Piper special.
"Where's Prue?" I ask through a mouthful of food whilst Piper occupies herself running her fingers through my hair.
I don't miss the look that is shared between them.
"Um, she went to tell Andy that you were okay…" Out of all my big sisters Piper is the worst liar, she blinks too much and her cheeks go pink even when she tells little white ones. I'm gonna go along with the game, for now.
"Anyway" Phoebe cuts in "You don't want Prue bringing you food, do you? I mean that girl can burn things that don't even need cooking."
"You're one to talk" I retort. Phoebe pouts and we all laugh out loud, both of us are rewarded with a swift pillow in our faces. As the giggles fade an awkward silence blankets the room, Phoebe chews her lip and Piper fidgets where she stands until finally, she dares to break the silence.
"Are you okay Paige?" She asks lightly, but I know there's more toher question than that.
I scan Piper's face carefully, looking at the sincere expression that crosses my face. She's waiting until I say something, after all that's the Piper way. Surely I can tell Piper? If anything she will be the one to see right through any lie I tell, she is blessed with an ultra-sensitive sister radar, which is equally a curse, if you're Phoebe, Prue or Me.
"Nope, I'm just tired" I chickened out again. I decide to yawn to add effect.
She looks at me sceptically for a long moment, "Okay baby girl, you should have a nap then" She gets up, and smoothes my bed covers tucking me in, she's in full mother hen mode now. Phoebe watches intently and I sort of feel like a lab specimen under experiment.
"Night little sis"
"Sweet dreams Paigey"
It's quiet now, but for two pairs of feet trotting across the white lino floor before they disappear behind the heavy plastic door.
---
I blink awake to the harsh neon light of the hospital, with a smile on my lips feeling better than I have in while…almost refreshed. I realise that the hideously patterned curtains are drawn around my bed and as I ponder this puzzle, I'm distracted by a snotty voice from beyond it.
"…as you say, due to the traumatic events Paige has been witness to, along with what you say is alcohol abuse and a suicide attempt, I think what we've got here is classic self-harm – it can be for all sorts of reasons, very complex, in this case it might be a physical expression of survivors guilt. Am I correct that she hasn't responded positively to any attempts to talk about what happened…I think then, I would recommend that she spend sometime here… "
All this information flashes through my brain and is processed in a second, just before it crashes as I realise what they're really saying. That's all it takes to make me leap off the bed, thrashing to find the gap in the curtains to get on the other side.
"What's going on?" I ask, looking between all my sisters, all wearing a deer-in-headlights expression. I shoot a look at a fourth figure sitting with them; she's conspicuous by her blonde hair, which is pulled into a smart, tight bun. She opens her mouth to speak but I cut across her.
"You think that I hurt myself…" I ask with disbelief, slowlycrossing my bandaged arms in front of me.
"Paige, We were talking and your sisters and I think that it would be a good idea if you stayed here for a little while." The blonde woman says in a nasal voice. Wow, interfering and patronizing. The woman sure has a lot going for her, I ignore her and continue staring down my three sisters.
"You think that I hurt myself" I repeat louder.
"…I better leave you all to have a chat about this." Somebody give the woman a medal, it's the best idea she's had all day. I eyeball her closely as she gets up and leaves.
"Sweetie," Piper begins, she looks like she's about to cry, "We just want to help you"
"Help me, there's nothing wrong with me, I'm fine now!" I can't help it I have to yell.
"Then, you need to start talking to us Paige, how did you end up in the hallway, unconscious, with a knife by your side? Why were you asking for mom when you woke up? Why are you screaming 'ATHAME" in your sleep…c'mon Paige, you owe us some answers" Prue says seriously.
I guess this is big revelation time; it's the only way… I take a deep breath, "Magic" I say in a small voice.
"What?" There's a chorus.
"It's magic"
"Still, What-now?" Piper says again.
"I have magical powers, I got injured because a man was after me – Mom said he was a demon, she protected…"
"Paige, stop" Prue says. Her eyes are blazing. "Look, that's some elaborate yarn, even for you to spin…but including Mom? That's a new low." What happened to my sympathetic big sister of a while ago?
"You think I'm making it up, I can prove it." I close my eyes, but I'm too angry too focus. Nothing happens, no blue light, nonothing. When I open my eyes, Phoebe is looking at me like I'm an alien, and Piper is wide-eyed, trembling quietly. Prue is all about the anger, her forehead is cemented in a frown and she's looking at me through narrowed eyes.
"Okay-okay, that didn't work, I know that I can't explain it right now, but you have to believe me, please. Please trust me." Yuck, I'm almost begging.
Prue stands up directly in front of me, crossing her arms, "You haven't exactly been trustworthy of late, with all the drinking, sneaking out, and we think that it's best for you to stay here. You can sort yourself out…and, and get better" She says quietly. I don't know why I expected them to listen, they didn't even try. Piper sobs quietly, well, if anybody should be crying it's me, the one who's about to be abandoned. Prue goes over putting a hand on her shoulder; Piper intertwines her fingers with Prue's. How about chucking some of that solidarity in my direction, no chance, I scoff to myself.
Phoebe is all quiet, an anxious expression distorting her pretty face. She might be my last hope; after all she has been my ally for my whole life…
"Pheebs" I plead. "Don't let them do this" I'm almost overcome with tears of my own.
She looks from me, to Piper and Prue. I know my answer as she cowers visibly under Prue's penetrating stare.
"I'm sorry Paige" She says without looking back at me and I know that I've lost her. With all the rage rolling around inside of me it's blotting out all other feeling.
"The Doctor says we have to go now, we'll be back to visit soon…Paigey, Paigey?" Piper's voice gets lost in it too. They all get up to leave and finallymy rage boils over.
"Well done sisters, I see you've finally got your perfect excuse to get rid of Paige the Pain…Enjoy the peace, you can bet I will…"
Prue is the last one to exit, as she shuts the door behind her, she says something that I don't quite hear.
Then they're gone.
And I'm still here.
All because of magic.
Hope you enjoyed…please review :)
