Secrets Aren't So Hard to Keep
I woke up the next morning still clutching the box. I'd dropped the test on the floor. I sat up and looked at my room. It was a bit of a mess but whatever. I picked up the test and tossed it in the box, placing it in my desk drawer. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked awful. I had big circles under my eyes and my whole body just looked tired. I headed out into the hallway. For once the bathroom was free. I closed the door and just let the water wash over me. Just as I walked out I ran into Phoebe.
"Are you ok, today?" she asked.
"Yeah…I guess so," I answered with a shrug.
"Prue…I don't want to go to school today. I want to go visit Piper," Phoebe whispered.
"I know….me too. But Grams will make us go to school like nothing is wrong," I sighed.
"I'll make you a deal. I'll come get you during lunch time and we'll go see her," I promised her.
"Won't we get in trouble?" Phoebe asked, seeming astonished that I'd consider skipping out on school.
"I don't care. We're going to see Piper. So look for Andy's car at lunch," I said as I headed back to my room. Half an hour later I was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the glass of orange juice before, me, trying desperately to make it move. I was so busy trying to make the damn cup of juice move with my power that I didn't hear Grams walk in.
"Prudence, what are you doing?" she asked. I looked up at her.
"Staring at a glass of juice…" I answered flatly.
"Why?" she questioned. Why the hell did it matter?
"Because I feel like it," I answered. I picked it up and downed the glass. Phoebe appeared, grabbing a quick bowl of cereal before heading out for the bus. I walked outside, managing to keep my juice down while I waited for Andy. He finally pulled up and hopped in.
"Where's Piper?" he asked as we headed down the highway. I bit my lip. Should I tell him about what happened?
"A demon attacked last night and she ended up in the hospital," I admitted. He could keep the secret.
"Is she ok?" he asked, pulling up to a stop sign.
"She's stable but…she's in a coma," I answered, having to bite my lip to keep from crying.
He reached over and gave me a hug as best he could over the shift. I couldn't hold it together anymore. I just let the tears fall and he just held me. For the first time in a while I felt safe again.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked. I couldn't help but smile a little at him.
"Actually…could I borrow your car at lunch time? I'm picking Phoebe up and were going over to see her," I explained.
"Yeah, sure. You want me to go with you?" he answered.
"No…it's ok. I think we just need some sister time," I murmured. He nodded and pressed down on the gas. We arrived at school with just enough time to make quick stops at our lockers. He walked me to class, handing me the keys just as I slipped into the classroom.
I fidgeted in my seat as the teacher lectured. I wanted to get to the hospital. I wasn't sure whether I was more worried about checking on Piper or finding out if I was really pregnant or not.
As I sat there, thoughts began to fill my head. If I really was pregnant, what did that mean? Andy and I hadn't slept together in a few weeks. I knew it wasn't his…deep down I just it wasn't. But I couldn't admit the truth. It meant I was weak and it would give Grams something else to blame me for. I suppose I could just tell Andy it was his. No one would ever have the know, right?
I was snapped from my thoughts by the bell blaring. I took a deep breath and headed for my next class. I stared at the clock until the bell finally rang. As I tossed my books in my locker I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around to see Andy.
"Sorry to scare you. Just wanted to tell you that I'm thinking about Piper. Give her a hug for me, ok," he breathed. I nodded, wrapping my arms around him. How had I found such a great boyfriend?
"I will," I whispered back.
"Do you think you'll be back by the end of school?" he asked.
"I think so," I answered. He gave me a quick kiss and headed for the cafeteria. I hurriedly made my way out the back door to the student lot. I jumped into Andy's car and pulled out, driving the few yards to the junior high. I pulled up behind the dumpsters in back and waited.
"Come on, Phoebe hurry up," I groaned as I ran a hand through my hair. Finally she appeared, climbing into the passenger seat.
"Ready?" I asked her.
"Ready for what?" she replied.
"To skip out on your first day of school," I answered with a smirk. She laughed a little but it was an uneasy laughter. We drove in silence to the hospital. The elevator ride was equally as silent; except for the 'ding' of the elevator as it hit each floor. We stepped out and headed for the nurse's station.
"We're here to see Piper Halliwell," I told the woman.
"You'll need to sign in here," she said, handing me a pen. I scribbled mine and Phoebe's names and took the visitor's badges.
"This way," I said, steering Phoebe in the direction of Piper's room. We got there and a doctor was just coming out.
"How is she?" I blurted before he could walk far. He turned to look at me.
"She's still stable. Still unconscious. You can see her for a while if you'd like," he told us. I just nodded and we walked in. I sat down on one side of her and Phoebe on the other.
"We're here, Piper. Can you hear me?" I whispered, stroking her hand. I knew I wouldn't get an answer.
"You think she can hear us?" Phoebe breathed, looking scared.
"I think so. I guess we should just talk to her," I sighed.
"We love you Piper. We will find a way to make you better," Phoebe promised, resting her head on Piper's chest. I bent down and gave her a quick hug too.
"That's from Andy. He says to get better fast," I murmured, pushing a strand of her dark hair out of her eyes. We sat there just holding onto our sister for a while. The thought suddenly occurred to me that I needed to find a way to get a nurse to do a test to tell me if I was pregnant or not. I slowly stood up.
"I'll be right back. Just stay here," I instructed Phoebe. She just nodded and let me slip from the room. I looked around until I found a sign pointing to the maternity ward. I wasn't sure that was exactly where I needed to go but I figured it was a start. Halfway there a nurse stopped me.
"Are you lost honey?" she asked.
"Um…sort of. Maybe you could help me," I admitted. She nodded.
"I…I think I'm pregnant. I took one of those home tests and it was positive. Do you think there is any way I could get a test done here to be sure?" I asked.
"Sure. Come with me," she said. I heaved a sigh of relief as I followed her down a hallway.
"Now are you eighteen?" she questioned.
"No…I'm only seventeen. But my grandmother won't mind," I lied. Well it was only a half-lie.
"Alright. Well there is the bathroom. Just take this, fill it up and bring it back. I should be able to get you the results in about ten minutes," she explained, handing me a cup. I looked at it and headed for the bathroom. I took several deep breaths and finally my body cooperated. I returned, handing the filled cup to the nurse. I sat on the bed anxiously until she finally came back.
"Well the tests say you're pregnant," she told me. My face fell. I think she saw how upset I looked.
"I can suggest a clinic if you'd like…if you're thinking of other options," she said softly.
"Thanks," I whispered and left. I found Phoebe still clutching onto Piper.
"Come on, Pheebs. We need to go I promised Andy I'd have his car back before school," I said, gently pulling her away. Back in the car Phoebe stared out the window.
"Do you think she'll ever wake up?" she asked abruptly.
"Of course she will," I answered. Someone had to be strong and have faith. I pulled up to the middle school and dropped Phoebe off. I think she had enough time to grab her stuff and get on the bus. I made sure she at least got into the building ok before heading over to the high school. I didn't even bother going in. I just waited for Andy.
"How'd it go?" he asked as I climbed into the passenger seat.
"Fine…she's still unconscious," I murmured. We headed home. Little did I know that Grams would be waiting, ready to explode.