Just For Glory | COMPLETED

Swoop!

As I walked out of Piper's house, feeling bizarre when I realized that I'd participated in what would undoubtedly be a good project, an angry voice called out from the neighboring porch.

"What are you doing here, O'Byrne?"

I turned and saw none other than Jack from my English class glaring at me from the front steps of the house next to Piper's. It's some sort of unspoken rule at our school that certain groups just clash. My group and the jocks happen to be part of that. While I didn't really have anything against Jack personally, he just sort of bugged me. Needless to say, I wasn't about to just let him act all high-and-mighty.

"Oh, tough words, Jackie Boy. What's the matter, buttercup? Did someone pop your football?" I drawled, not even having to think about the snide comebacks. It was second nature.

"No, I want to know. Why did you just come out of Piper Nolan's house?" he snarled, advancing towards me. He had obviously forgotten about the project and my being paired with Piper. I nearly lost my cool when I saw that he was acting all protective and maybe even jealous. Too easy.

"Come on, Jackie Boy, do I have to tell you? All right, she was feeling...lonely," I nearly whispered, in my most suggestive tone, sneering when he looked veritably homicidal.

"You're lying, O'Byrne. You're a fucking liar," he hissed, and looked like he was about to say more when his glare landed on someone over my shoulder and his eyes widened dramatically. "Piper! What is that doing coming out of your house?" he demanded as he gestured at me, though he still looked distinctly bug-eyed. I glanced over my shoulder and saw why.

Piper wasn't wearing sweatpants and a ratty thermal anymore. She had a dark red dress on, just past knee-length with a slightly low neckline, along with black high-heeled shoes and a black sweater on her shoulders. I had to admit that Piper looked, well, a lot better. Apparently, Jack had noticed too.

She ignored his goggle-eyed stare, narrowing her eyes at me. "I know what you just said. I'd suggest it if you'd refrain from talking about me like that if you don't want me to break your nose," Piper said, looking murderous. I just smirked at her while Jack had a triumphant look on his face. Then she shifted to him, flaring her nostrils slightly.

"And you. I don't appreciate being treated like a child. Being my neighbor for ten years still gives you no right to act like I need your protection. You and I both know I don't. Now, if you two gentlemen don't mind, I have an opera to go to and the driveway is blocked," she said, eyes flaring as Jack just shifted guiltily.

"Wait, no, this is just getting weird. You were inside the house, and I wasn't exactly shouting. This is just like the...incident a few days ago. You could not have heard me," I said, narrowing my eyes suspiciously at her. She shot a warning glance at Jack, who ignored it completely.

"Don't you know anything about her, asshole? Piper can read lips, has been able to for over five years!" Jack exclaimed, looking very proud that he knew something I didn't. Piper looked furious, and he had the grace to look a little less smug.

I raised an eyebrow at her. She sighed heavily, avoiding my gaze and staring off to her left. "When...when Andrew was learning how to talk five years ago, he had a hard time making the sound come out, so he just mouthed the words. I just picked it up," she said quietly before looking to the two of us defiantly. She obviously felt that she'd said too much. "Now, go. Just...both of you, please go."

Jack glared at me, clearly saying that he would beat me up were it not for Piper. Likewise, I shot at him mentally before glancing once at Piper. She was looking off into nowhere again, jaw clenched firmly. "I'll be seeing you, Piper," I whispered, and she glanced at me briefly just before I got into my car and drove away.