262So I realise that Prue wanted to be a photographer, but I've taken some creative license here.
Chapter Nineteen: Coffee and TV
Prue was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the paper, enjoying the quiet and having a moment to herself. She could think better in the silence, and, at the moment, she had a lot to think about.
First, there were the problems that weren't even hers – Paige's confusion about Sam and where she fit into the family. It didn't help that their father was about to leave to work in Japan for at least eight weeks, and Grams, despite her stubborn ways, was getting older, no doubt about it.
Then there was the pregnancy test that Prue had found in the trash. Much as Phoebe maintained it wasn't hers, she was the only one that displayed signs of being pregnant, and the one most likely to get herself into that sort of trouble.
And then there was the issue of next year.
Prue had high hopes of going to university, but, if Grams got any sicker, then it would be her responsibility to look after her younger sisters, and push her own dreams aside.
Sighing deeply to herself, she retrieved a large, white envelope from beneath the paper and opened it, reading the contents for what may well have been the twentieth time that morning.
"Dear Miss HalliwellAfter reviewing your application, we are delighted to offer you a place at HarvardUniversity next year…"
Harvard – her dream since she was about ten years old. But there was also the issue of Andy. Prue knew that, logically, at her age, it was foolish to consider not following her dreams to stay with her boyfriend, but, despite what people said about young people not understanding love, Prue knew she loved Andy with her whole heart.
A knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts, and, lethargically, she stretched herself out and went to answer the door. Standing on the other side was a guy of about sixteen, with dark brown, almost black hair, and blue eyes. He had a pleasant face and a nice smile. In his hand, he was holding a single red rose.
"Hi, my name is Kyle Brody. I'm here to pick up Paige."
Surprised by his politeness, Prue smiled in response and stepped back to let him in.
"I'm Prue, Paige's sister. Can I get you something to drink?"
Kyle shook his head. "No thanks."
"Go through to the kitchen and take a seat. I'll go get Paige."
Prue set her cup down and climbed the stairs to Paige's room, knocking on the door.
"Paige, Kyle's here."
The door opened and Paige bounded out with a smile on her face. Prue's heart was warmed. She hadn't seen Paige smile like that since before Sam had shown up. They went downstairs and into the kitchen where Kyle was perched on a seat, looking nervous. When Paige entered the room, he stood up.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You look really pretty," mumbled Kyle, a red blush crawling up his cheeks.
"Thanks," replied Paige, tucking her hair behind her ear and smiling bashfully.
She'd spent time straightening and styling her hair, before picking out her favourite jeans and a cute pink T-shirt to wear. She was thankful she no longer had to wear the chunky white bandages around her wrists.
"Um, I got you this," said Kyle, handing Paige the rose.
"Oh it's so pretty!" remarked Paige.
"I'll put that in a glass for you," offered Prue, smiling as Paige handed her the rose.
"I'll be back later. I've got my phone if you need me."
"It was nice to meet you," called Kyle over his shoulder, as he and Paige left.
"You too," replied Prue.
Kyle took Paige to a quaint little coffee shop in the city, and even paid for her cappuccino and chocolate muffin.
"I heard what happened on your birthday," he said, looking questioningly at Paige.
"What? How?"
"My mum is a nurse at Doctor Wyatt's clinic," Kyle explained.
"Bet you think I'm crazy."
Kyle smiled ruefully, shaking his head. "No. Not at all. To be honest…to be honest, I was worried when I heard. But I didn't know whether or not I should call…we'd only met once."
"I'm glad you did eventually," Paige mumbled, blushing slightly.
"Me too. Um, do you mind if I ask…why?"
Paige hesitated slightly. She wasn't usually one to talk about her feelings, especially to people she barely knew, but she felt she could trust Kyle.
"I…I found out my dad isn't actually my real dad. So all my sisters are only my half sisters. Was kind of a shock."
"Wow. That's a pretty huge something to find out on your sixteenth birthday."
Paige nodded. "Pretty much. And I kinda went a bit…I had a psycho moment. It's one of those things you look back on and ask yourself why."
Kyle smiled. "Those, I'm more familiar with."
He placed his cup down on the table, and moved his chair around to sit next to Paige.
"I'm glad nothing too bad happened to you."
Paige blushed harder, focussing on the dregs in her mug. "Me too."
Please don't tell me Kyle's mother actually died or something – it's creative licensing still.
Please review. More Piper and Leo coming up, along with Phoebe and Cole, and way more Prue and Andy.