Will The Circle Be Unbroken? (Piper)

[Bell Connelly]

The irony never failed to be a source of some kind of bitter amusement for Bell Connelly during nights like these, a woman who with just a snap of her fingers can make someone sleep like a baby for hours on end, couldn’t really sleep some nights….

She was sure there was some kind of joke in that, or at the very least some kind of ironic tale of fate from a pulp fiction book….but like sleep itself they all seemed to allude Bell….

True that, she didn’t exactly suffer insomnia, at least not anymore, most nights she sleeps just fine, but on the rare nights, she just stared at the ceiling counting down the moments till the first beams of sunlight peaked through her window. The worse thing about not being able to sleep, wasn’t the lack of sleep, itself. it was the quiet. The isolation, there was no barrier between yourself, the darkness and your own thoughts rushing through your head.

...and Bell really didn’t like to be alone with her thoughts. Not one bit.

It had just seemed like she was finally closing her eyes when the sounds of knocking on her door echoed through her house causing Bell’s eyes, she turned almost reluctantly towards the clock on her bed side table. 2.15 in the morning, She could only assume that -or maybe hope was the right word- that it was just her overactive imagination playing treats on her and was just about to settle down when there it was...again. More insistent, with a soft groan escaping her mouth she ever so slowly tossed her dressing gown on and all the while rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she made her way to open her door.

Please don’t let it be Brooke...

[Piper Galloway]

Oh, what a tangled web we weave. And Piper had woven herself into quite the predicament. She knew it had been her fault and she could have resolved the problem largely at any time but as time wore on she grew more and more fearful that she would get in trouble. She hadn't heard of anyone having the same set of circumstances thrown at them before but she didn't imagine the way she had sort of panicked and not gone to the proper authorities would go over well with the strict, almost totalitarian rules of the Academy.

Piper had nowhere else to go. She wasn't friends with anyone else, nor did she even really know anyone in the country save for her adopted parents and they weren't in the equation anymore. That was, for the most part, why she was standing in the pouring, frigid rain with no jacket and just her pack stuffed with a few clothes on her back in front of Bell's apartment building. She'd pressed the right button on the intercom outside, the one with 'B.CONNELLY' printed next to it and waited. The doorman covering the lobby had noticed the diminutive figure and taken pity on her. He let her inside, explaining the intercom system was waiting for a tech to come and fix it, before sending Piper on her way up into the building with Bell's apartment number in mind.

By the time the door opened Piper had nearly lost her composure. Her eyes were rimmed with tears that were threatening to fall and mingle with the dampness that had already soaked her to the skin. Her t-shirt clung to her slender body causing her to shiver in spite of the warmth of the apartment building. The pack had fell of her shoulder during the trek up the stairs and was no sitting on the floor at her feet, one shaking hand clutching at a single strap. "M-Miss Connelly." Piper managed to stammer out the name, her eyes lifting at the sight of the redheaded woman. "I'm sorry." She said softly before her features twisted from the distress and the tears started to flow. "I don't know where else to go." She whimpered pitifully.

[Bell Connelly]

In a perfect world Bell would in the very least had enjoyed some coffee or really anything to pepp herself up, because right about she felt like the dead slowly warmed up, god knows how she must have looked no doubt her hair was a lot more messy and frizzy then usually and she could put her daily shopping in the bags underneath her eyes.

Man was not meant to see the world at three am…..

She managed to throw her dressing gown around her shoulders still somewhat half asleep before trudging her way to the front door fully expecting this to be a case of wrong apartment or just someone drunk.

...That or Brooke and whatever nightmare she had in store for Bell…

But evetually she unlocked her door, allowing the damp and the could wind to blow in, which helped her to wake her up a little as she yawned her tried scrunched up eyes looking at the figure at her door “H-Hello” she muttered quite sleepily looking down at the small girl, her brain still recovering from Bell’s deep slumber so it was still a tad bit slow but eventually…..

“P-Piper?” She frowned in confusion her head bobbed in the general direction of one of her students, maybe one of the students that she had grown closer to, during her time at the academy, a quiet child, but she seemed perfectly pleasant around Bell, she would admit she might have always gone “Soft” on the girl almost in a subconscious way...She couldn’t help but reminded of Sarah whenever she saw her, she must have been imagining it but she could have sworn they might have been twins with the way Piper acted some times…

“Piper?” She said again a lot more sharply now she has come to turns of the situation her eyes slowly opening in surprise and concern “What are yo-Come in come in! You must be freezing” Bell insisted moving aside ushering Piper inside “ Here….” Bell sighed leaning down and taking her dressing gown off of her and wrapping it around the shaking child. She wasn’t going to ask what she was doing here, not yet. clearly she was cold and distressed and Bell didn’t want to make her any more scared then she clearly was, she needed to sure, that she was warm and calm first and foremost then in her own time Piper would tell her. “That’s better isn’t it?”

[Piper Galloway]

No protests came from the girl as Bell hurried her inside and wrapped the warm fabric around her still shivering body. Piper couldn't help but lean into the soft touch of her teacher, almost losing herself in the comfort of the older woman's closeness. It had been so long since she'd felt any sort of connection with anyone which was largely what had drawn her here in the first place. She looked up to Bell and nodded faintly. Even though Piper remained silent the relief that came with being in Bell's presence caused a few errant tears to fall.

With a weak, pathetic sniffle, Piper stood in the apartment for a moment. She lowered her gaze, the embarrassment of the situation causing a deep flush of crimson to rush to her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry." She stammered softly, still keeping her eyes averted. She couldn't bring herself to look at Bell after disturbing her in such a fashion. She started to breath heavily as panic began to set in. She looked around the apartment like a frightened field mouse before taking a step away from Bell, her head shaking. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done this." She said, the distress touching her voice in spite of her inability to raise her tone. "I should go." Piper started slowly backing away toward the door.

Piper went to speak again in the same hushed, yet desperate tone but she backed into the door with an audible -thud-. She jumped as if pinched and looked behind her at the door before turning her attention back to Bell. The bump seemingly had jarred the panic away, if only for a moment, and Piper sighed, dropping her gaze again. "I can't help being a burden, Miss Connelly." She said as heartache seemed to wash over her entire being. "It's just what I am."

[Bell Connelly]

Bell didn’t flinch for a moment when Piper leaned against her touch, given the circumstances it was understandable, considering how cold it was outside, the poor dear must be soaked to the skin, God only knows how long she’s been wandering around outside in the cold and rain. Bell really didn’t like to think of what would have happened if she just ignored the bell and knocking on her door and she was left to fend for herself….

It didn’t bear thinking about…..

Any trace of sleeplessness was now gone from Bell’s face totally focused on Piper like it was three am in the afternoon, there was nothing that’s more sobering her to a child in need, Piper needed her and no matter what time of night it happened to be, she’d never turn away someone in need. It made her heart almost bleed once she saw how truly upset the girl was but she just stood there trying to be as calm as she could be, that was how you dealt with a child as upset like this, you needed to be a pillar of calmness that they could lean on, this wasn’t exactly the first time that Bell had to deal with a child in tears. She knew exactly what to do.

Once Piper seemed to sag, Bell calmly and quietly crept toward her and put her hand on her shoulder her eyes warm and earnest and her voice light “How about we make a deal. You get on that sofa, make yourself as warm as you can be and I’ll make up some piping hot tea, and then after were done I’d decide if I should kick you out of not Deal?”

[Piper Galloway]

Even as Bell drew closer, the soft features of her face showing nothing but tender compassion, Piper stiffened. It was as if she expected nothing less than a smack, a harsh word and to be sent back out into the cold. It didn't matter that it looked as though Bell's heart had broken the moment she opened the door. Didn't matter that she'd instantly shed her outer garment to wrap around the frigid, soaked girl's shoulders. Piper still hadn't been able to shake the mindset that she was wrong and Bell would act accordingly.

Piper let out a short laugh at Bell's innocuous joke. A hand came up to cover her mouth as she nodded and a round of fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. Relief washed over Piper as she was herded toward the couch. She sat and pulled the dressing gown tighter around her before finally forcing herself to look at Bell again. "T-Thank you." She murmured as a thin smile touched her lips. "I was in the park when it started raining." She said, the natural softness to her voice leaving her words to escape in barely above a hushed whisper. "I walked around to try and stay warm and I ended up here."

[Bell Connelly]

There was a chill that went through Bell’s spine once Piper seemed to recoil in what could easily be confused for fright, because she’s seen that look several times before….at the dog pound, whenever she would open the cage to one of the new arrivals whose been abused, beaten and hurt they would shiver and recoil as much as possible and try and curl up in a small ball as if trying to be invisible as possible, because they associated human contact with nothing but pain…

To see that expression on the face of Piper was more than a little troubling

But a wave of relief went over her when Piper started to laugh her comment having the desired effect, and Bell let out a breath that she was somewhat more calm in her company, (Somewhat trying to resist the temptation to hug her) As soon as Piper started to move Bell sat back up straight trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes as she gilded into the kitchen to make tea “I told you Piper you can come to me, at any time for any reason and I’ll be there: Admittedly I would have hoped that you would have picked more..agreeable hours, but well, that somewhat defeats the purpose of “anytime” doesn’t it? Oh there’s tissues in the gown if you need them. I’m terribly sorry the apartment is in such a state, I don't get much company these days....” She called out from the kitchen neglecting to point out that she needed those tissues whenever she had a “Bad” day “Well, I’m very glad you did, if there was a problem and there was no where else to do I would have preferred you coming here straight away Sarah….Suger? Milk? How do you take your tea?

[Piper Galloway]

"Yes, I suppose so." Piper frowned. She hadn't realized how late it had been while she was wandering the rain drenched streets of Kalispell alone. If she had managed to build up the courage to approach Bell sooner she wouldn't have waited so long but she'd said it herself. Piper only considered herself to be a burden on everyone else. As far back as she could remember that's exactly how she'd always been treated. She was merely a task, a job for someone to look after. A box on a piece of paper to check. She never belonged or had anyone look at her like she was anything more than a nuisance. She almost didn't know how to handle the soft way in which Bell had responded.

Piper's lips parted as she went to speak but was cut off by a single word Bell has let slip. Sarah. The name caused Piper's eyes to widen slightly and she almost went to correct Bell, though she thought better of it at the last minute. Instead, Piper merely smiled, shrugging off the mistake as just that, a simple slip of the tongue. "Both, please." She replied politely. "You don't need to apologize, Miss Connelly." Piper added as she looked about the apartment for a brief moment while Bell was off in the kitchen. "You have a lovely home."

[Bell Connelly]

No, Bell was not aware she had just referred to Piper as her long dead sister (Whose Picture sat pride of place on her table top, if she was actually called out on it, she would be confused and assume that Piper misheard her, she’d almost be sure that she didn’t. Why would she after all? “These days, it’s not a good idea for anyone to be out so late...attacks...assaults, If I was your mother I would have been so worried Piper” She tutted can’t helping but to lecture her, it was impulse at this point, she really didn’t know when to turn “The teacher” part of her brain off when it came to situations like this she groaned and rolled her eyes as she managed to find a clean cup (Not without some effort of course, Bell really haven’t been taking care of himself these days) “Sorry, I’m doing that again aren’t I? I don’t mean to lecture, force of habit….”

Eventually Bell gilded out of her kitchen with a tray carrying two cups of hot tea which she carefully sat down in front of Piper. Can’t helping but to feel a sly smirk grow on her face at Piper’s compliment “You’re very sweet” She said but her eyes seemed to read “I know you’re being kind because I’m fully aware that I haven’t cleaned myself in quite some time, but I appreciate it regardless.

Eventually Bell took her place on a chair just opposite her sofa, sipping her tea in silence, just letting the warm relaxed atmosphere settle over then until eventually Bell sat the teacup neatly on the saucer in front of her “ So, you show up at my door at three in the morning, in tears” Bell wasn’t criticizing Piper for this, her tone was light and airy as if pointing out the sky was blue “Would you like to talk about it?”

It wasn’t an order. If she didn’t, then Bell would say nothing more on the subject

[Piper Galloway]

Piper nodded ruefully. She took every word Bell said to heart although one thing continued to tug painfully at the back of her mind. Piper, quite simply, had no one that had been worried. She was an orphan, a young woman who'd known only the heartache of rejection and being cast away. Her mother and father, whoever they were, hadn't wanted her and neither had any of the foster parents or orphanage directors that had been tasked with keeping tabs on the quiet, sickly girl. "I-I know." She said after a long moment of silence. She didn't know how to respond to the lecture, though she did peer up to Bell with an almost hopeful glance. It was as if she welcomed the harsh words as they meant someone at least cared.

With a furrow of her brow, Piper looked down once more, holding the tea in both hands. She started down at the steaming liquid in the cup for a long while before she managed to work up the courage to speak again. "They left." She said abruptly. "My adopted family. They moved back to England. I didn't want to leave again so they left me." A low sigh escaped. She sounded so terribly foolish. Surely Bell would grow angry at her whining like a little girl and send her out again. "I couldn't go back to living at the Academy. Everyone there is so..." She trailed off, shaking her head again. She couldn't look back up to Bell, all she could do was wallow in her own foolish guilt. "The landlord let me stay in the old house for a few days but he had a new renter so I had to leave. I've been... around, since then."

[Bell Connelly]

Almost instantly when the comment about mothers left her mouth, Bell winced a little once she remembered Piper’s own unfortunate history and the fact she came from an orphanage, and never knew her parents, she mentally cursed herself for choosing such insensitive words, of course it was easy to say that she “Forgot” she wasn’t the one that had to live with that fact consistently, Poor dear. Is it any wonder she has abandonment issues, not to mention terrible self esteem, Bel would have hoped that the school therapist would have helped her develop those sides of her…..but she guessed it was an issue she still struggled with….

Bell waited patiently for Piper to speak, neither pushing her nor, stopping her, just letting her get it out in her own time, and once she did it Bell’s relaxed demeanor shattered instantly, at first she merely frowned as if trying to rationalize Piper’s words.Her brain working over time to understand the concept of something like that, if Bell had a cultural blind spot it was her lack of understanding when it came to selfish acts. But once it clicked, Bell leaned forward mouth agap in shock “T-They just left you?! Just like that?! Oh Piper I’m so sorry” She knew how much that family meant to her…..The idea they would just abandon her was just horrifying to her

But the worse was yet to come, as Piper continued, Bell eventually let out a little gasp of disgust at the full details of her story. “You mean…You’ve been living on the streets for the last few days?” Her tone was low almost like she really was trying to get over the concept of such a small girl being left to fend for herself….

...No…..

No, that was unacceptable

“Piper, first thing tomorrow morning, I’m going to march into The Headmistresses’s office and I promise you I won’t leave until I get you your own accommodation. Your own dorm, away from the campus” Sure, she and the headmistress weren’t exactly friends but the fact that Piper was homeless, was nothing short of disgusting to Bell. She would march over to manor right now if she could….

[Piper Galloway]

Piper sniffled pitifully, unable to bring herself to look at Bell. She felt ashamed for having put herself in this situation and even worse of being incapable of getting herself out of it. She should have been able to figure it all out herself and yet here she was, crying on one of her teacher's couches after having spent the last few days wandering around Kalispell on her own. She was a twenty year old young woman and it was painfully obvious she was still nothing more than a little girl. "I found a couple places to stay." She said, shrugging her shoulder weakly.

Piper's eyes widened suddenly at Bell's stern, decisive course of action. She shook her head desperately. "Please, no." She pleaded. "I can't go back there to live. I just can't." Piper could help the desperation from leaking into her voice. So startled by Bell's response she started shaking. Glancing down she eyed the cup of tea in her hands before leaning forward and setting it carefully onto the coffee table, lest she risk spilling the scorching liquid onto herself. "I get awful anxiety when I'm there." She fidgeted nervously, keeping her gaze lowered. "I just don't fit in. The other students..." She trailed off, reaching up to wipe the tears from her eyes. Her head shook again. "I'd rather stay on the street."

[Bell Connelly]

If Piper didn’t have any Bell’s undivided attention before hand she certainly had it now. The idea of Piper being so lonely helpless but to walk the streets at night….was just horrifying to Bell to sent a freezing chill racing up and down Bell’s spine like a race car. She couldn’t even imagine what that might have been like for the poor girl.

Maybe she just didn’t want to….

She said there in silence her face becoming quite pain contracting nicely with her normal vibrate red hair. She would have hoped that she would have let herself be in a dorm room, she couldn’t figure out what exactly was her aversion was to dorms. “You don’t have to say any more” Bell made sure to point out it was clear what she meant. Bullies…

She would have words with certain people….Of that Piper can be assured. She’d find names…..

of course she knew what she wanted to do, the solution was obvious and every thing in her heart wanted to do it….but there was a clear voice in her head that was screaming at her not to do it. It was a terrible idea. It was the metaphorical equivalent of trying to put out a fire with gas. There was no good that could come of this….

...But the more Bell saw how close to tears the girl was….

There was only going to be one winner.

“If you really want to……” Bell muttered out loud as if still considering it but eventually it came out in a clear strong voice “You can stay here” her frown appeared on her face as she said it . how could she let a child room with her? She could barely take care of herself.

But she just couldn’t leave her alone

[Piper Galloway]

Piper drew herself inward making her seem all the more small and pathetic. Her shoulders slumped and she dipped her head much in the way a puppy reacted to being scolded. She feared having to return to the Academy dorms would be her only option. Now that Bell knew of the situation there was no way the teacher could stand idly by while Piper was left to fend for herself. As difficult as it had been to come here and open up to Bell, Piper knew the 'tough love' option of marching her up the hill and immediately having her placed in Academy housing was the likeliest of scenarios.

When that didn't happen it nearly made Piper light headed.

"B-but-" Piper stammered out just the single word. It was all that could escape her lips. She slowly, almost embarrassed, lifted her eyes to Bell. Surely this was a dream or some cruel joke the teacher was playing on her. There had been so few people Piper had ever met that seemed to carry with them an almost maternal sort of aura that made the young woman feel so safe and secure. It had been that sensation that drew Piper to want to emulate her English teacher from the very beginning.

"Oh, no, Miss Connelly." Piper finally forced herself to speak. Her eyes were wide, mouth agape as she shook her head repeatedly. "I can't imagine-" She paused, thought over what Bell had said for a moment longer then shook her head again. "It would be such a bother." She protested. She lowered her gaze, squeezing her eyes shut as the felt the hot sting of tears began to well up again. "I'm sorry." She murmured through a stifled sob. "I shouldn't have come here. I just..." It looked as though she nearly choked on the words. After a few moments she gathered herself just enough to force the words out.

"I just want to go home."

[Bell Connelly]

here was a whole laundry list of reasons why this was a terrible way to go about things. Bell couldn’t even take care of herself these days, if Piper just looked around the place she could ee it was messy and unkept to say the very least, and hardly an appropriate place for her to have a room mate, Really she highly doubted rooming with Bell would be a comfortable expeience for the girl…..She shuddered to think to think what would happen if she saw her have an episode….

But the more and more Piper spoke the more she knew what she had to do….

Bell just moved towards Piper calmly to sit down on the arm of the char she was sitting on and looked down at her kindly wiping off a stray tear off her face “First off you should really start calling me Bell.” She said in a surprising calm voice “Here’s what’s going to happen: You’re going to take a shower. Spend as long as you need to. Then you’re going to put on one of my fluffy dressing gowns and slippers...and there’s a bed waiting for you when you’re ready -I’ll sleep on the sofa- and together we’ll collect the rest of your things and bring them here...bring them home”