Nine Muses, Nine Bruises

Paige, Skipper and Jayfeather

I put down my phone. 'That was my sister, Paige.' I say to everyone. We're gathered in the living room, as usual. 'Her friend's cat busted the plumbing - don't ask - so she's wondering if she can come and stay with us for a few days while it gets done up?' I ask hopefully.

'Your sister?' Diana questions angrily. 'Stay with us? In our house?' My face falls. 'It's okay, I'll tell her to find -' I start. 'Of course she can!' Diana grins quickly. 'I was just kidding, geez!' Elise shakes her head at her and says 'You're weird. Hey have you died -' but Diana interrupts her, 'Oh my God, Elise, NOBODY CARES!'. I look towards everyone else hopefully.

'Sure' they chorus. 'Great, thanks so much guys! You are all bae' I joke. 'She's still at my parents' house since Christmas but they're going away tomorrow so I guess she'll come then. She'll be no bother... Not on my watch' I smile evilly. 'I'll get a bed ready.'

'I'll help!' Sky volunteers cheerily. 'Great, thanks' I smile.

**************************

The doorbell rings and Aisling runs to open it. 'Hello Paige, come on in!' she says friendlily (Yes that's a word), a bag of chilli Doritos in her hand.

'Wow, this place is nice!' Paige says, looking around. 'We try' Diana laughs as she tries to snatch Aisling's crisps.

'Oh hey Paige' Rebekah says casually, as she walks in wearing a onesie and drinking from a Starbucks cup.

'So where am I sleeping?' Paige asks. 'On that lovely couch, right over there.' I say sweetly. 'Okay...' Paige says ungratefully. 'I guess that'll do.' I give her my best 'ex-cuh-yoose me?' face and she shuts up.

'I have to get a few more things from the car' she says quickly. 'Um, how long is she staying?' Alison asks nervously as Paige slams the door. 'I'm starting to wonder the same thing...' I say.

'You guys are really alike' Grace says factually. 'She's almost as weird as you' she laughs. I look at her, trying to act unimpressed but struggling to hold back a laugh.

When the door opens again an adorable border collie puppy runs in excitedly. 'AWWWW' everyone squeals. 'You brought Skipper?' I ask my sister disbelievingly. 'It's no problem, you know' Hazel interjects quickly. Grace nods enthusiastically in agreement. 'It kind of is!' I sigh. 'Next you'll be telling me you brought that dumb cat!'.

'This "dumb cat"?' Paige holds up a light grey kitten with blue eyes and dark stripes. 'AWWWW!' everyone coos again. 'Can you not?' I glare at my friends. 'Pls stop! Yeah, that dumb cat that wrecked your plumbing and is the only reason you're here!' I say exasperatedly. 'You know I'm allergic'. Aisling rolls her eyes. 'But he's cute' she says, as if that changes everything. 'Yeah, almost as cute as we are' Diana jokes. 'Or TBS's face' Elise adds.

Paige gives my friends a weird sideways look. 'Yeah, well Anne's family are allergic too! Six against one! I couldn't leave him with her anyway, he'd starve to death!' Paige replies. Sky whimpers. 'You know what? Eff you, Lexi Switzer!' I joke. My friends look at me blankly. 'Sorry, inside joke.' I explain, looking at Paige. She laughs and then looks at me pleadingly.

'FML' I roll my eyes. 'Fine' I give in. 'Just keep it out of my room! What's its name, anyway?' Paige looks at me, wounded. 'He is called Jayfeather.' She scoops him up, whistles for Skipper and struts over to her couch triumphantly. 'Great.' she says smugly. 'Project Sparrow is a go' she winks at me.