My absolute favorite chapter for sure, rather long, and just about as bad as my own homecoming, although for different reasons.

I did consider writing about their date, but in the end I just didn't.

The Homecoming Song

"Prue, you look great!" Piper exclaims, looking over her shoulder from the couch. Grams turns around too, and looks me up and down disapprovingly, not because of my outfit, but because she doesn't want me to go.

"Yes, you look very nice," she says unconvincingly. "What time does this dance end?"

"Eleven-forty-five," I answer, and immediately wonder why I didn't lie. Now she's going to expect me home by midnight.

"And what time are you leaving?" She asks, raising her eyebrows. Piper looks back at the TV fixedly, sensing the argument that's sure to be about to ensue.

"Uh, eleven-forty-five," I answer; isn't it obvious?

"I'd really prefer it is you left earlier," Grams starts, but I hold up a hand to stop her.

"I'm leaving when the dance ends," I say, "no earlier, no later." I mean, what does she think I'm going to say to Andy? 'Oh, I'd better go, my psychotic grandmother wants me home'? I don't think so.

Grams opens her mouth to say something else, but I speak first. "I'll wait outside," I snap, not wanting to hear anymore from Grams tonight. She's putting me in a bad mood. As I shut the door and turn around to go down the steps, I bash into someone.

"Phoebe," I exclaim in surprise, and Phoebe stares at me guiltily, caught in the act. "What are you doing?" I ask impatiently, surveying her outfit, a black strapless dress that stops mid-thigh and stilettos, and her make-up, her eyes heavily lined.

"Homecoming," Phoebe says uncertainly, looking me up and down too, taking in my own black dress which reaches just below my knees.

"You can't go to homecoming, you're not even fifteen yet."

"A senior invited me," Phoebe says defiantly, although I catch a flash of fear in her eyes.

"Who?!" I demand, and Phoebe looks away. "Phoebe, which senior?!" I grab her arm roughly and pull her around to face me.

"Cole Turner," Phoebe mutters reluctantly.

"Phoebe! You can't go!"

"Oh really?" Phoebe says with a defiant glare.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice you there? You knew I was going!"

"Of course I knew you were going, you go to every school event, but I thought you'd be too wrapped up in your own friends and date to notice me…"

"Too wrapped up in my friends?" I repeat incredulously. "Phoebe, just get back in the house, now!"

"You can't make me," Phoebe snaps, wrenching her arm free. "You aren't my mother."

That feels like a slap in the face, and I don't know why. "Phoebe, just get inside. Grams is going to kill us both if she finds out!"

"Whatever," Phoebe mutters, turning away from me.

"Why are you so selfish? You know she'll blame me!"

"I'm not selfish!" Phoebe shouts at me, clenching her fists and looking daggers at me. "You're the selfish one! You're only worried about the fact that you'll get into trouble! Don't you want me to have a good time?!"

"Phoebe, I'm not discussing this with you any longer! If you don't get inside now, I'm going to tell Grams myself!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Phoebe says with a gasp.

"Do you really want to try me?" I threaten.

"I hate you!" Phoebe hisses. "If you tell Grams then neither of us is going to homecoming. I'll tell her that you got Cole to ask me, that you came with me to get my dress and that I was going to go with you and your date."

"Grams won't believe that," I say with irritation. Although she probably would.

"Do you really want to risk it?" Phoebe asks, a smug smile settling on her face.

"I can't believe you're my sister sometimes," I tell her furiously. "You're the complete opposite to me! You make my life a living hell!"

"Thank God I'm the complete opposite!" Phoebe says, raising her voice again. "You're just a stuck-up, arrogant, slutty bitch!" She shouts.

Someone coughs behind me and I spin around.

"Uh, hi Prue," Andy says, looking very uncomfortable.

All I can do it mutter "Hi," back. At least Phoebe has the grace to look sheepish that he overheard what she said. Shouted. I wonder just how long he's been standing there.

"So, this is your sister?" He asks eventually, looking at Phoebe.

"Yeah."

"Piper, right?" He says to Phoebe, who looks insulted. Piper is currently watching Carrie alone in her room, to be fair.

"No," Phoebe informs him. "Phoebe."

"Oh, I thought you were a freshman…" He looks at me in confusion and I just roll my eyes and look away. Let Phoebe explain it herself.

"I am," Phoebe says in an irritated tone. "I'm going with Cole Turner."

"Oh…right," Andy says and there's another long, awkward silence.

"Let's just go," I say to Andy, grabbing his arm and pulling him down the steps. He glances back at Phoebe.

"Shouldn't we wait for Cole to get here or something…?"

"No," I say shortly. "Phoebe can look after herself."

And even if she can't, she sure doesn't want me doing it for her.

The first half an hour couldn't be more awkward, both of us trying to make small talk which dwindles out after a few exchanges. I'm preoccupied with Phoebe, what Andy heard her say, and what Grams is going to say when she finds out Phoebe came to homecoming and I knew.

The fact that Tom, Lora and several of the others keep looking in our direction, whispering and then laughing also doesn't help.

"Do you want a drink?" Andy asks eventually, probably to break the depressing silence.

"Oh, yeah, thanks," I say too enthusiastically, relieved that I'll have a couple of minutes relief from this nightmare.

"I'll be right back." He disappears and I sigh. Phoebe still hasn't got here and now I'm feeling guilty about leaving her and hoping Andy hasn't noticed her absence, although part of me is also hoping she decided not to come. Unfortunately the fact that Cole isn't here yet either suggests otherwise.

"Well hello Prue. You're looking…amazing tonight."

"Hi Tom," I say, repressing a sigh.

"You look like you're having an excellent time," he says with a smirk.

"I am actually," I lie.

"Bet you're regretting not coming with me now!"

"Where's Lora?" I ask, irritated by his arrogance. I can't believe Phoebe thinks I'm arrogant.

"Bathroom," he says, rolling his eyes. "For the third time. What the hell do you girls do in there anyway?"

"Discuss you…" I start, and then spot Phoebe coming in with Cole who's arm is around her waist. "I've got to go," I mutter, walking towards her, but Tom grabs my arm.

"Hey, can I at least have a dance, even if you refused to actually come with me?"

"Prue." Andy's back with the punch, looking very annoyed and I look between him, Tom and Phoebe. If God exists then he sure hates me right now.

I shake Tom off me. "Oh look, Lora's looking for you…" I point in her direction, and Tom drifts off as Andy hands me the cup.

"Listen, I'm just going to go speak to Phoebe," I tell him, turning back in the direction I last saw her.

"Uh, I don't think now's a good time for her," he says.

"What?"

He nods and I follow his gaze to where Phoebe is kissing Cole.

"I'm going to kill her," I hiss, storming off in her direction, but Andy catches my wrist.

"Leave her," he says, and he sounds annoyed. "She's only going to be angrier with you."

"So you heard what she said earlier then?" I say accusingly, crossing my arms.

"It was kinda hard not to…" He admits.

"How much did you hear?" I demand.

"I don't know…just you telling her she makes your life hell, and what she said about you being…well you know."

"This is just great," I mutter to myself.

"What is?"

"Now you think I'm a bitch, and my sister's a…" I trail off. How am I suppose to end that sentence without sounding even worse? "You thought she was Piper for god's sake!"

"Well she looked a lot older than fourteen!" He defends himself. "And I don't think you're a bitch…I'm sure siblings fight all the time, and anyway, what Phoebe said was pretty bad too."

"A fourteen year old freshman should not be climbing out her window to go to a school dance with a senior…" I trail off, shaking my head and covering my eyes in something like despair.

"Miss Halliwell…" I turn around to see the vice principal, Mr. Carter, looking uncomfortable. "Could you kindly have a word with your sister?" He asks with a disapproving look in Phoebe's direction. And who can blame him? I'm surprised neither she nor Cole hasn't passed out yet from lack of oxygen. Quite a lot of people are staring at them too.

I don't answer him, but head over to Phoebe and literally rip her away from Cole. She stumbles back in confusion.

"Prue…" She begins, looking angry. That's nothing compared to how I feel.

"Come with me, now." I drag her to the bathroom and push her inside. Several girls are in there and I just glare at them until they leave.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demand, shaking her slightly. "They're going to throw you out for inappropriate behavior, and then they'll call Grams! Is that what you want?!"

"No," Phoebe mutters, and I realize I can smell alcohol on her.

"Have you been drinking?" I ask in horror.

"Just a little bit," Phoebe says, holding her hand up to indicate. "Really, it was only a couple of sips!"

"Oh my god," I whisper, gripping the edge of the nearest sink tightly. But what am I suppose to do? It's not like she's going to listen to me anyway. "Phoebe, please just stay out of trouble for the rest of the evening, okay? You've already ruined my evening."

Phoebe leaves without another word and after several seconds I reluctantly follow her out.

"I guess I should have let you stop her sooner," Andy says as I collapse into a chair next to him.

"She'd have done it anyway…" I mumble, resting my head in my hands.

The music stops and Principal O'Connor comes up onto the stage and everyone turns to look.

Why now?

"Could I have your attention for a minute?" He asks, tapping the microphone uncertainly. "The nominations have been counted…this year's homecoming queen is Alice Chamberlain!" Everyone cheers. Oh thank god. Maybe the universe doesn't entirely hate me, because the last thing I need tonight is having to go up on that stage and smile and act like half the school didn't just see my freshman sister make out with a senior.

Andy pats my shoulder like I'm upset.

"And the homecoming king is…Tom Christensen!" The cheers are far louder than Alice's, mainly because the football team are all drumming their hands on the tables, stamping their feet and whistling loudly. Tom actually bows as the crown is placed on his head, and I want to gag.

A slow song comes on and couples start to make their way to the dance floor. I just want to cry.

"Let's dance," he suggests leading me to the dance floor before I can protest and wrapping his arms around me.

"This is a disaster," I admit, i.e. my worst homecoming ever. Thank god I'm not homecoming queen.

"There's always Prom queen," he says reassuringly.

"Not the nomination, you idiot, the rest of the dance!"

Andy doesn't answer, and I realize I've probably made him feel really bad. At least I can't see his face, only his hair, shoulder and back.

"It's not your fault," I add hurriedly.

"Well that's good to know, Prue" he says laughing, "Although I'd assumed you didn't mean that anyway."

Why can I not just shut up? Or at least think before I open my mouth? I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, comforting myself with the thought that it'll all be over soon.

"Listen, let's take your sister home," Andy says, watching Phoebe and Cole laughing together. Cole is clearly flirting with her, and I scowl at them.

"Yeah, I suppose we have to…" I say with a sigh. The last thing I want is Phoebe high-jacking the only alone time I'm going to get with Andy tonight, but I have to make sure she gets home okay, if only to stop Grams from finding out she was ever out in the first place. And obviously a very small part of me still cares what happens to my baby sister, even if she's proven tonight that she's not exactly a baby anymore.

We both walk over to her and Cole, and I grab Phoebe roughly. Andy smiles uncomfortably at Cole, who looks annoyed by my interruption.

"Phoebe, we're leaving," I inform her.

"Bye then," Phoebe says, glaring pointedly at me.

"With you," I say witheringly. Phoebe opens her mouth to protest. "No, Phoebe, you're coming with us," I say firmly before she can. "No arguments."

Surprisingly, Phoebe mutters "Bye," to Cole, and allows me to drag her off.

"Stay away from my sister!" I call over my shoulder to Cole as an afterthought.

"Prue," Phoebe hisses.

"He's too old for you, and too much of a bad influence."

Phoebe snorts. "No more than you."

"Meaning?" I ask as we hit the cold night air.

"A cheerleader?" Phoebe says contemptuously. "One who climbs out her window all the time, has had a string of boyfriends who are equally as mean as her, and who treats half the school like they don't exist because they're below her social status? Not to mention that time Chris climbed up into your bedroom last year." Which you just did mention, Phoebe, thanks.

I feel my face redden at Andy's presence next to me.

"Have you been spying on me?" I demand, digging my nails into her arm, hard.

"No," Phoebe mutters sulkily, wriggling to get away from my grip. "It's not my fault he threw a stone at my window first, or that I happen to see you driving off when I know you haven't told Grams you're going out. Where'd you think I learned it from?!"

"Phoebe, you did not learn it from me! You'd have done it anyway!"

"Well we'll never know now," she says, shooting a glance at Andy to see how he's taking all this.

We stop at his car and I push Phoebe into the backseat sharply.

"Just try and keep your mouth shut for fifteen minutes," I hiss at her as Andy climbs into the driver's seat, and then climb into the passenger seat.

"So Andy," Phoebe drawls from the back seat as soon as I've shut my door, and I turn around to try to kill her with my glare.

Phoebe smirks at me. "You're new this year?"

"Uh, yeah," Andy answers, looking unsure about what's going on.

"Wow," Phoebe says. "Where did you move from?"

"Washington," he replies politely.

"Don't listen to her," I say. "You don't have to answer her stupid questions."

"So how long have you and Prue been…" She trails off expectantly.

"I don't know," he says. "A few weeks."

"Wow, that long?" She says, feigning surprise. "What is that, a record, Prue?"

"Just shut up, Phoebe. Nobody cares what you have to say."

"So have you two…you know…"

"What?" Andy prompts her. It's always a mistake to encourage her.

"Had sex," Phoebe says casually.

"Uh…" Andy looks really uncomfortable now.

"Phoebe!" I snap, beginning to lose my temper.

"No?" Phoebe asks in an incredulous tone. "Normally she puts out after the first week, but maybe-"

"Phoebe!" I yell at the top of my voice, although this is probably making me look more guilty. "Would you just shut up? It's not like he's going to fall for this," I add, hoping he isn't; I don't really think I can look at him right now.

"What?" Phoebe says innocently. "Did I say something wrong?"

"My god, Phoebe, nobody is seriously going to fall for that innocent little girl act, especially if they saw how you behaved tonight! You're fourteen!"

"Almost fifteen-"

"That is not the point, Phoebe! You're practically a child!"

"Well like I said, I learnt it all from you-"

"What are you trying to achieve?!" I demand, incensed, my hands aching to slap her. "It isn't like you haven't done enough damage tonight already! Just quit it!"

I wish we'd just left her there to get raped or murdered or whatever. She's so infuriating!

Phoebe slumps back in her seat, folds her arms across her chest and scowls out the window, and we spend the rest of the journey home in silence.

As we pull up outside the house, Phoebe jumps out.

"Thanks for the ride," she mumbles to Andy, and disappears into the night, probably to climb back into her window.

"I am so sorry," I mumble, covering my face with my hand.

"What for?"

"Phoebe…I guess she was just trying to get back at me for embarrassing her in front of Cole and everything…" And everything.

"It's alright," he says, and I feel his hand pulling mine from my eyes. I grudgingly look at him. "And I didn't believe what she said either, if that's what you're worried about."

"Good," I say unenthusiastically. Realizing that Andy's planning on kissing me, I blurt out "I'd better go." I pull my hand away and climb out. "Um, thanks for tonight. It was…interesting."

I slam the car door shut and I run up the steps before he can say anything else.

Grams isn't up, and the manor's in darkness as I let myself in. she could have at least left a light on for me. I feel my way across the hall to the stairs, stub my toe on the bottom step, and swear under my breath.

I have never been so relieved at an evening being over, and flop on my bed. The door opens, and Piper comes in.

"How was the dance?" Piper asks, sitting down on my bed.

I bury my head in my pillow and wail. "It was just like Carrie, Piper!"

"Someone threw pig's blood over someone?" Piper asks, perking up considerably.

"No! I meant the complete public humiliation!"

"Of who?" She says, still sounding brighter than normal.

"Me!"

"Oh…"

"Phoebe completely and utterly ruined my entire evening!"

"Phoebe? Prue, you can't really blame Phoebe when she wasn't even there-"

I shoot Piper a look that could kill. "Yes she was, and I damn well can blame her. She climbed out her window, called me stuck-up and arrogant and slutty in front of Andy, she drunk before she got there, she turned up with a senior, she basically made-out with him in front of everyone, and Mr. Carter had to ask me to stop her before they threw her out!"

Piper just stares at me.

"But I thought she was in her room!" She says finally. "She said she had a headache and was going to bed!"

I snort in disbelief. "To top it all off, Andy and I had to take her home, because god only knows what she'd have done if she'd left with Cole…and then she basically told Andy I was a terrible influence on her, and that I was a whore!"

"Oh…" Piper says, staring at me with her mouth open. "You should have watched Carrie with me," she adds in a told-you-so voice. "We could have been bitter and angry together."

I roll my eyes.

"I just want to curl up and die right now, Piper."

"Okay, I'll just go to bed then," Piper says hurriedly, standing up. She hesitates by the door. "Don't be too hard on Phoebe, Prue. I don't think she meant to screw things up for you quite so royally."

"Piper. If she ever even thinks about talking to me again, I am going to strangle her."

The Homecoming Song was definitely in Charmed, middle of season two, and it's by Owsley.

And I hate college, so if you reviewed it might make me feel better. Hate is a bit strong, but it's pretty boring here.