Alright, you guys are allowed to throw things at me. I'm sorry for not updating last week, but I had the worst writers block— I couldn't even start the chapter, let alone type it. Also, only three people reviewed, which didn't really inspire me that much.

She hated it, Piper realized.

She hated staring at Jason from across the classroom, watching his every move instead of paying attention to the teacher— a daft old lady who was babbling about the American Revolution. She wanted to do something— hold his hand or hug him or anything other than fantasize about what it would be like to be going out with him.

Leo obviously knew that she liked him— it must be pretty obvious, she thought. If it was, though, then why couldn't Jason see? Piper decided it was a rule about guys: when you wanted them to know something, they had no clue. When you wanted to keep a secret, it might as well be written in size 72 font across your forehead.

At least Leo had done a good job at keeping it a secret— besides a couple of suggestive looks when Piper and Jason were talking, he kept his mouth zipped as Piper was forced to stare from a distance at Jason.

She would have made a move, if not for the fact that she had absolutely no clue what to do. It was bad enough that whenever she thought of going out with him, she was suddenly tongue-tied and her mind went blank. She would have been happy to stay just friends, but her heart wasn't letting her. It was almost as if someone were influencing her mind, telling her that she needed Jason

Whatever it was, as much as she must hate it, Jason had her heart.

Linebreak

"Hey Jason?" Leo asked from where he was slouched on the couch, using one of the ancient DVD's as a clipboard to rest his homework sheet on.

"Yeah?"

"When did the American revolution happen?"

"You're kidding me, right?" Piper interjected, and Leo looked up from his paper, faking hurt.

"At least I don't go around saying I can ask politely and people will give me free stuff," Leo shot back, and Piper felt her face burn. Gritting her teeth, she turned away from Leo and focused on her book— or at least, she pretended to. Behind the pages, however, she was fuming. Why did everyone give her that response? Could no one believe that, for some reason, people just did what she asked. It seemed a bit far-fetched, but with today's inventions— airplanes and space-ships and cell phones— why could no one wrap their heads around the concept of a little but of magic? It wasn't really magic, anyways, just persuasion— hypnotism almost. She didn't know how she did it, and she didn't even want to do it, so why could no one just leave it alone?

"I'm going for a walk," Piper said shortly, dumping her book on the chair and standing up quickly. Leo opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by Jason. Piper pushed open the door and rushed downstairs, pushing open the doors to outside and stepping out, reveling in the cool air that outside brought. She heard the door shut behind her and continued around the outside of the building towards the track. She felt hot pinpricks at the back of her eyes and shook her head vigorously.

Why was she getting so upset about this? It wasn't as if this was anything out of the ordinary— she had been made fun of all her life because of it. Freak and witch were as much of her name as Piper was. But now it was different. Now these insults really hurt because she actually had friends, people she cared for and thought liked her back. That's why it really hurt when they insulted her, because she wasn't expecting it.

She didn't know where she was going' she just wanted to get away from it all for a moment. She wasn't worried about getting lost, either. They were in the desert and the Wilderness School was visible from seventy miles away in the daytime. She might have to spend the night out here, but at least it was better than spending the night cooped up with Isabel and her stupid friends.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and muffled a yelp as she turned to face whoever it was. She was expecting Leo, in which case she would tell him where to shove his apology, but it was Jason instead. His gold hair was reflected by the moonlight as he looked at her cautiously, almost like he expected her to yell at him. She was debating it, too, but in the end settled for letting her shoulders sag.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked. "I thought Leo needed your help."

"Leo can get his own help," Jason shrugged, moving so he was standing next to her. She was aware of how close they were— she could feel his body heat radiating into the cold air and his face was a few inches away from hers. She was suddenly very glad it was dark, so he couldn't see her blushing. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she shrugged, but it wasn't true. "I'm used to that kind of stuff." More lies. She was used to bullying. She wasn't used to bullying from her friends, maybe because she had never really had friends. That's why it stung so much— because she had never felt what it was like before.

"You're lying," Jason smiled, brushing shoulders with her. "I can tell, you know."

"I'm fine," Piper repeated, sounding annoyed when really, she was glad that Jason cared enough to follow her outside and comfort her. She had never had anyone do something like that for her, besides her dad.

Least of all her stupid mom, who couldn't even stay around when she was born to handle a kid. She had to run off and meet some other guy, maybe to do the whole thing over again. Whenever Piper thought about her mom, she felt sort of hollow inside, like she wasn't good enough for the mysterious woman who had given birth to her.

"Don't be mad at Leo," Jason advised. "He can be a bit… quick-thinking, sometimes, but he's just trying to make a joke. You know, lighten up the atmosphere. We need it."

"It's not the words that hurt," Piper shrugged, voicing her thoughts in a way she never had before. "It's just I never expected one of you guys to say it. Maybe from Isabel, or coach Hedge, but you guys are the only friends I've ever had. I thought I could trust you not to do that."

Then Jason did something that completely surprised her: he hugged her, wrapping his arms around her back and pulling her close.

Oh. My. God.

She was acutely aware of everything around her— Jason's warmth radiating onto her body, his fresh, crisp smell, their chests pressed tightly together.

And then, as soon as it was had started, it was over, Jason pulling away and smiling at her. His face looked so open and sincere, Piper just had to believe what he said next:

"Piper, you know I'd never hurt you on purpose. Neither would Leo. He was just joking around, and that's what he does. You know that as well as I do; that's how he communicates with people. He didn't mean any harm." The words washed over her in a soothing way, as if he were the one using whatever voodoo her voice had to comfort her. She relaxed slightly, smiling up at him.

"You're right," she admitted. "I just… overreacted, I guess. I'm new at this whole thing."

"Being bullied?" Jason asked, and although he kept his face clean, Piper could pick up a note of surprise in the voice. Letting it slide, she shook her head.

"Having friends," she smirked, and he chuckled. "I've never really had anyone who liked me, besides my dad. They all thought I was weird."

"Piper, I know you're weird," Jason laughed. "But that's why I like you, Piper. I just seem kinda drawn to you." She could swear that one sentence made her happier than she had been during her whole time at the Wilderness school.

"We should get inside," Jason suggested after a moments silence. "I'm starting to get cold." He shivered as if to prove his point.

"Me too," Piper nodded, and they headed for the door. Jason reached for it and pulled. The door resisted. He frowned and tugged harder on the handle, but nothing happened. He turned back towards Piper.

"Well…" he started awkwardly. "We seem to be locked outside."

I'm changing my updating schedule— it's just too much, three stories every week. I can barely manage it, and my school grades are dropping. So now I'm doing every other week. Sorry, guys. But it means the chapters will be longer.

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