Switched

Chapter 9 : Piper

Guilty.

Has it really been so long? I'm so sorry guys, there've just been tests and tests and tests. I'm gonna be honest with you guys, the only reason why I'm uploading (shh, don't tell my parents) id because there's a weekend.

I'm sorry, I really am and if you want to stop reading, I'll be really sad but I'll understand.

Also, this is dedicated to the joint account of two of my close friends. If you like zombies, dark romance and extremely hot Russian men, go check out their story!

Enjoy!

Piper's POV

I looked into the mirror. My eyes had bags the size of plums under them and my hair was a rat's nest. My chothes were worn out and I had a gash on my elbow.

And yet Jason Grace had looked at me as though I was gorgeous.

I shook my head and told myself I couldn't afford to think like that. I was pretty sure Jason had been involved with Reyna, the girl I had peen switched with. If he liked her, he wouldn't switch to me so fast.

But that look in his eyes...

Looks can be decieving.

I was Piper McLean, and I was nobody's placeholder.

I shook myself one last time and glanced back at the change of clothes that Hazel had left for me. I grabbed them and walked to the baths. It's funny that Romans had a collective bath area but then again, who was I to comment.

A Roman.

I sure as hell didn't feel very Roman. Romans were supposed to be brave, cunning and fearless. I was just...

Somehow, being a Roman didn't feel right to me. I had a lingering feeling that I belonged elsewhere.

I undressed and sank into the bath. Looking down at my body, I noticed I had a lot of small gashes and cuts, only because the warm water irritated them.

Other then that, it felt nice.

Surprisingly, there was a bottle of shampoo and conditioner next to the bath so I rinsed my matted hair. About twenty minutes later I forced myself to get out and but on the clothes Hazel had got for me. They were nothing special, just beige capris and a purple T-shirt.

I used a towel to dry my hair, and then raked through it with my fingers, because I didn't want to use somebody's comb.

I stuffed my soiled clothes into a ball and started walking back when I heard a sob coming from a bush.

Bushes coundn't sob.

Could they?

Of course not, that was silly. I walked up to the bush, "Is anybody out there?" I asked, a little foolishly, because there was obviously someone out there.

The bush sniffed once again and then a voice said, "Go away." 

I frowned, "Are you alright? Do you want to talk about it." 

"Not unless you're Larry." 

"Larry?"

"Yeah," She sniffed, "My boyfriend." 

I must have remained quiet because she continued, "Atleast, I think he's still my boyfriend." 

I walked over and sat down on the opposite side of the bush, "What happened?"

"We've been dating for almost a year now." She told me, "He's been my best friend since I got here three years ago. And today morning I...I told him I loved him. And he...he didn't say anything, he just stood there with this look on his face, and I couldn't take it anymore so I ran away." She sobbed.

"Oh honey," I muttered, as gently as I could, from the other side of the bush, "Why did you run away? He was probably just stunned. I bet he's running around, looking for you right now."

"But what if he's not?"

"He will be," I assured her, "If he's not, then he isn't worth it."

"But I love him." She whispered.

"Then he will come, I promise." 

I don't know where I got the sudden confidence, or why I was suddenly Cupid, but the girl stopped crying.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"My name's Piper." I told her.

"I'm Sam." 

"Why are you hiding behind a bush?" I asked her, genuinely curious.

"I...I feel better around trees. My mother's Ceres, Goddess of crops. There are no crops here but trees do just fine." 

That made me smile, "Why don't you come out Sam?"

"Okay." She whispered, and I heard a ruffle. Then a girl, about my age came out from behind the bush. She had dark brown hair and brilliant green eyes, which were puffy because of crying. 

I smiled, "Hi Sam."

She managed to give me a watery smile back, "Hi Piper." 

"Wanna head back?" I asked her gently and she nodded.

We were walking back when suddenly a voice yelled, "Sam!" 

A boy about our age, or a little older came running up to us and launched himself on Sam.

"Oh, Sam." He muttered into her hair, "Don't ever scare me like that. I love you Sam, I really do."

Not wanting to invade, I slowly walked away, a small smile on my face.

"There you are." Said a voice and I saw Jason walk up to me, 'Where have you been?" His voice had a tint of shyness in it, and it involuntarity made my heart swell up. I hastily pushed the feeling aside, "Just walking about." I answered, the smile still on my face as I turned back to look at Sam and Larry. I could see her blush from here, as he whispered something in her ear.

When I turned back, I saw Jason looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "He's been tearing the camp apart looking for her for the last three hours." 

I shrugged, "It was just a little misunderstanding." I told him.

He looked amused, "That's your doing?"

I smirked at him, "Just call me Cupid's sister."

Little did I know how true my statement actually was.

Another chapter finis! I really hope you enjoyed, and please please please tell me what you think!

-Rue.