Mac Vs PC: Infected

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"It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."

Bill Gates (Window/PC)

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Waking as the sun passed through her windows like light through a kaleidoscope, Piper ran her hands through her hair. Groaning, Piper began her morning ritual by combing out the knots in her hair created by the steam of Mac's shower and shoving it into a high bun. Lugging her duffle bag onto the bed Piper paused in her search for clothes as her fingers slid across a smooth surface. The light hit the object and through Piper's morning grog she recognized the label of Casey's condoms.

Where were you guys last night? Piper shook the rebellious thought from her mind as she shoved the condoms further into her bag. Things had changed so quickly after the car crash that Piper couldn't believe where they were now. While the guilt and fear were still there she felt happier; she felt lighter. The thought of seeing Mac again made her smile like she was six again.

At six, he was the focus of her life. The other girls hung out with each other, but Piper ran with Mac, Ace and the boys. She was idolized by some of the girls because she knew boys while others hated her for years with jealousy; yet, Piper didn't care about any of that. She had her friends, her family and sport. Everything else didn't matter. Eleven years later, life got a little complicated. Mac and Piper drifted apart as sports were separated by gender, Gloria intruded into her life, Pam was diagnosed. The year didn't get any better with Pam's death or with Mac moving in on her Madison Scholarship.

All that didn't matter when they were together, she could only think of the way he felt against her.

Knowing that he was probably out on a run, she called out his name anyway. When silence greeted her, she gathered her toiletries to shower in his bathroom.

Ignoring her aching muscles, Piper went for a run. Using the back trails, she let herself go free as she let nature fly around her as she sprinted over tree trunks and scattered pine cones.

Barely breaking a sweat in the cold morning air, Piper made her way over to the clearing where some of the camp kids were gathering. She noticed Mac and Nick were in the middle telling a story. From afar she couldn't hear the content of the story, instead she watched Mac's hands move rapidly as he acted out his story. His smile was so large she was amazed that it could fit on his face, the edges of his cheeks were a amusing shade of red from his exertion.

She forgot how dynamic and vivacious Mac was before Pam's death. He was still playful and light-hearted, but it seemed to be muted. She was sure other's couldn't tell, but there would be days where she could taste his sadness because it was so similar to her daily life.

The excitement from Mac lured her to the semi-circle where she let herself be pulled down by one of the campers to join them. Crossing her legs, she pushed back her hair before looking at the scene. Mac pushed Nick before stepping back and throwing up his hands to protect himself and screamed in a girly voice, "Do it, you won't."

Piper's paused with her hand still brushing her hair back when she recognized Mac's girly tone. It was the voice he always used when he was mocking her. She'd heard it growing up when puberty hit them hard and cooties became chemical warfare.

Watching the scene take place she recognized the story line of her and Mac's defeat of their resident bully in middle school.

Mac's eyes met hers and she felt as if she was pressed against his body again. It took a second for Piper's heart rate to cool, but for the rest of the day she focused on the kids and getting them ready to leave.