Chapter Four

"Chris sweetie breakfast's ready," Piper called up the stairs to her son. Chris pulled the covers further over his head to block out his mother's voice. That didn't last long, because Piper was pulling back the covers. "Chris honey, come on time for school,"

Chris groaned something inaudible as Piper began to gently shake him. "Mom, I feel sick. I don't think I'm well enough to go to school," Piper felt his forehead. "Well you don't have a fever. I think you'll be well enough to go to school,"

"But what if I'm sick?"

"Then they can call me at P3. Chris it's your first day back after your suspension. You can't miss your first day back," Piper thought Chris was going to say something, but he didn't he just looked down at the floor. "Honey you can tell me if something wrong,"

"Nothings wrong mom," Chris answered with a fake smile.

"Sure?"

"Yeah. You know me I just don't like school,"

Piper gave a small laugh "Alright honey. Get dressed because your breakfast's getting cold," Chris nodded and watched his mother leave, dreading the day ahead.

Chris made his way through the busy halls of his high school. He had just finished Chemistry and wanted to get out before anyone noticed he was missing. He had gym now and he couldn't face it. It wasn't that he hated the lesson. It was basketball and he loved basketball, it was the only sport he was any good at. No the reason he could face the lesson was that Tommy was going to be there and the last time he had basketball with Tommy he had spent more time being shoved to the ground than actually playing the sport. Chris headed for behind the rubbish bins at the back entrance of the school, he was making his way over towards the old tennis court. None of the teachers came down here, this part of the school was off limits to both the staff and the students, but lately Chris had begun to come here a lot to think. As he turned the corner at the back of the old science block, which backed on to the old tennis court Tommy, stepped out. "Avoiding me Halliwell," he asked.

"Nnno," Chris stammered backing closer to the wall.

"I think we have some unfinished business don't you?" Tommy asked towering over Chris.

Chris didn't answer, he just closed his eyes waiting for Tommy to do whatever he was going to do. How the hell are you going to get out of this one Halliwell, he thought to himself. Option one he could call for his dad, but he doubted whether he'd actually come, plus that would risk exposure. Two, he could try using his telekinesis and send Tommy flying but again that would risk exposure. Three he could orb, but again with the damn exposure. God right now he'd give anything to have his mother's power to freeze. Option Four was to stand up for himself and try to give Tommy a good kick in before he got in first. Or five was to run.

Chris opted to run.

"Back off Tommy," Chris yelled pushing him away. But before he could get past, Tommy punched him hard in the face causing him to fall to the floor. What happened next was a blur. He remembered putting his hands up to his face trying to shield himself from the blows, wishing that he had someone to help him, the next thing he knew Tommy was being pulled off him and thrown at the wall. At first Chris thought he'd done it using his TK abilities. Then he saw that someone else was there too. Maybe it was his dad again. Maybe Leo had realised he was in danger and had orbed in to help him. Chris looked up at the figure, and for a split second thought it was him.

"Leave him alone," That wasn't Leo's voice.

"What's it got to do with you? This is none of your business," Tommy spat trying to get to his feet, the impact of the wall had knocked the wind out of him and he was struggling to catch his breath.

"I'm making it my business, now back off," the stranger answered forcibly. Tommy stood up, holding onto his side and quickly made his way back towards the building.

"You alright?" the stranger asked.

Chris nodded looking up at the tall guy with short blonde hair. He held his hand out for Chris, who took it, pulling him up from the ground. "Thanks for what you did back there. I'm Chris,"

"Nice to meet you Chris, I'm Matt," he answered, "What was going on back there,"

"That was Tommy," Chris explained "He's always giving me grief. He must have followed me here,"

"You cutting class?"

Chris nodded.

"Me too," Matt told him "Thought I was the only person who knew about this place," They made their way over to the wall Matt had just thrown Tommy against and sat down.

"I've been coming here a lot lately," Chris told him. "It's a good place to think,"

"Yeah I know," Matt agreed "So what year you in then?"

"Nine. You?"

"Eleven," Matt answered "So why you cutting class?"

"Mainly because of Tommy, I had basketball with him and I couldn't face it,"

"Is that the only reason?"

"No. I'm just having a rough time of it at the moment. It's a long story,"

"Well you could give me the cliff notes version if you wanted," Matt answered "That is if you want. I'm a good listener,"

Chris gave him a small smile. It was actually nice to have someone to talk to for a change. "My life's a little messed up at the moment. You see my dad's never really around much. I don't think he even loves me. My brother was kidnapped fifteen years ago when he was a baby and my dad's been looking for him ever since. I think he wishes that it had been me that was taken not Wyatt,"

"Wyatt's your brother,"

"Yeah. He was taken before I was born,"

"That's terrible," Matt answered shocked "And I thought I had it rough,"

"Why?" Chris asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Matt said shaking his head slightly.

"Believe me," Chris answered with a small laugh "After some of the things I've seen, I'd believe anything,"

"Alright," Matt said getting up "But not here, lets get out of this hell hole,"