I stayed a few days with Prue before returning home. After my mind was a little clearer, I decided to come back home. As I walked in the door, the apartment was quiet. I walked into the bedroom and saw Leo sitting in silence. He looked up when he heard me come in. I put my bags down on the bed.
Silence followed for the next few moments. He seemed to be searching for the words to say.
"I don't blame you for hating me," he said, standing up.
He came closer me. I didn't think he would hurt me. But then again, I didn't think he ever would've.
He touched my arm. I didn't back away as he took another step and put his arms around me. I felt his lips gently kiss my head.
"You really think a hug and a kiss will fix this?" I whispered.
"No," he replied.
I looked down. He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes.
"What do you want me to do? What can I do?" he pleaded.
I blinked away tears and pushed his hand away from my face.
"I don't know," I whispered. I sat down on the bed.
"Well, how am I supposed to know what to do?" He took my hand and sat next to me. He leaned in closer.
"How am I supposed to know you won't do it again? Or do worse?" I said angrily, pushing him away before walking out.
I took a deep breath. The warm, fresh air felt good in my lungs. I sighed as I walked down the sidewalk, thinking about everything.
I didn't know what to think. I used to be positive that Leo would never, ever, ever hurt me. Physically, emotionally, or otherwise. So feeling positive that he wouldn't do it again, didn't help. How could I ever trust him again? He was sorry, and I knew it.
It was beyond anything I'd ever felt. Anger, from being treated badly. Sadness, from the fact that he could be so horrible to me. Betrayal, from me giving everything for him, for this. Fear, from the possibility of recurrence. Pain, from the bruise across my face, which was covered badly with cheap makeup.
I wanted so badly to just forgive him, and everything go back to how it was before all the fighting.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to stop thinking about it. I finally reached the DMV. I was going to get my license today, I was finally 18. I walked in and approached the front desk, where a young guy was sitting with a smile.
"May I help you?" he asked. I barely even noticed he was devastatingly handsome.
"Yes. Hi. Uh, I'm here to get my license," I said.
"Name, please?" he asked.
"Piper Halliwell," I said with a smile, which he returned.
"Alright," he said, typing into his computer. He looked up at me while it searched. "Just have to make sure you aren't a felon, or illegal immigrant."
I laughed, and so did he.
"Well, you can never be too sure...Ah," he said as some sort of file came up.
He looked back at me. "You're Piper Halliwell?"
"Yes?"
"You've been registered as a Missing Person in Nevada," he said.
"I know," I sighed.
"You know?" he asked, clearly confused.
I really didn't feel like explaining it to him, but I figured it would get me my license.
"I'm 18 years old. My parents weren't happy when I left home, and they registered me in Missing Persons," I said. "It's all over now."
"Well," he said with a smile, "let's get that license."
I could have kissed him.
I returned home that night with a license. And for the first time in a while, a sense of happiness. I walked in the door to find Leo laying on the couch.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," I whispered. With nothing else, I went into the bedroom.
I looked in the mirror and began to undress. I slipped my top off first, I looked at my stomach. I'd lost a lot of weight lately. My pale body seemed skinnier than ever. I hadn't ever been fat, just never skinny. I unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them off, then decided to take a shower.
Afterwards, I walked out of the bathroom in my pajamas, and saw Leo sleeping on the couch. I don't know what inside of me urged me to, but I walked over to him. He opened his eyes and looked into mine for a moment. Then he scooted over and held out his arms. I laid beside him and he held me close to him.
He didn't say anything as I cried on his chest. He held me closer while I cried. I didn't know if it was because he didn't know what to say, or he just wanted silence. I preferred the latter.
After a few minutes, I realized he was crying as he whispered, "I'm so sorry."
We both cried harder and held each other closer.
