H-Y-P-E-D

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The Deal

---------- - - ---------iper woke up to the ringing of a phone call. She lifted her head from

her pillow groggily and stared at the digital clock blinking on her desk. Who the hell would be calling at 5 in the morning? she growled reaching for her phone, knocking some plastic cups to the floor. She grabbed the phone and it finally stopped screaming. Hello? PIPERRRRRR!!! A female squealed into the phone almost causing her to drop the phone. Only one person in the world had this annoying high-pitched voice Aunt Rhodie? she guessed and she heard a growl on the othe side of the line. Grr! I told you not to cal me that! Especially when Im at workIts Roxanne here! Aunt Roxy! she corrected Piper like a child. Aunt Rhod- ROXANNE, was a talent agent manager at the famous Pop Agency. Piper rolled her eyes. Why did you call? she said ignoring her. Well I was going to say thatI cant come with you today Piper froze remembering the date. October 31. Im really sorry Piper Her aunt said in the phone. Ill make it up to you someday and- Dont bother. Piper said firmly getting up from her bed and standing on her feet. Theres nothing I want that you can give me Piper said clenching her fist at her side. She hung up, feeling a burning sensation on her back from her annoyance.

Today was October 31. Six years ago on this day, both her parents died. She couldnt believe her Roxanne couldnt even find 30 minutes in her tight schedule just to visit her deceased brother and sister-in-law. She walked across the small apartment room stepping on some used clothes scattered on the floor. She opened her closet, there wasnt much. She probably only had about 14 t-shirts and 3 pairs of jeans; two of them were already torn around the knees. At the bottom in the corner lied her only pair of dark navy blue sneakers. She got dressed and took one look at the full body mirror on her wall. She had long unruly black hair, she combed probably only twice a week. Her long bangs curled over her eyes almost hiding them completely. She nodded with satisfaction and put on her round glasses. She walked out on the block passing several buildings covered with graffiti. When her parents died she lived with Roxanne at first in a luxurious hotel. Roxanne was almost NEVER home so Piper was stuck with room service and television for company. When she was older she forced Roxanne to allow her to live in a place of her choosing. Piper caught a bus and headed down by the cemetery. The bus dropped her a block away from Angels Symphony Cemetery. She walked down the brick roads stopping by her parents graves. She knelt on the green grass seeing white lilies blooming over her parents graves. She forced a smile. Hi momHi dadIm doing fine, Aunt Rhodie couldnt come today her words trailed off ass she looked up at her parents graves. I miss you And her eyes fell to her lap. She jumped when she heard someone coming up the hill. It was a girl probably her age coming up the hill. She wore a large tan trench coat with large sunglasses and had wavy blonde hair flowing down her shoulders. She looked like she was running. E-Excuse me! Can you help me? she said breathlessly. There are people following me and I need to get away S-Sure Piper stammered. Where do you need to get to? They could here the chatter getting louder in the distance and Piper could see a mob of people coming in their direction. To the Botanical Gardens! she cried grabbing Pipers wrist and dragging her. You know where that is from here right!?

Piper nodded wondering why someone who was being chased would run to the Botanical Gardens. This way! Piper said pulling the girl to the left knowing the way to the Botanical Gardens. ------ Piper and the girl hid behind two tombstones and the mobs of people passed thinking that they had disappeared a bit more down the path. Piper frowned seeing that the mob had cameras with themReporters? The girl let out a sigh of relief. WHOA. I thought Id never get awayThanks! she said flashing a radiant smile. Im Caitlin by the way! she said offering her hand. Piper shook it with an awkward smile. Your welcome, Im Piper she said looking from around the tombstone seeing that the mob had left. Were those people-? They jumped at the sound of a honk and they turned seeing a slim black tinted car waiting by the road. A man in a suit came out with black shades and walked towards them. Caitlin, we must go the man said glancing at Piper and gave a polite nod. He was almost bald from age but still looked strong for his age. And this is? Piper! She saved me from that paparazzi! she said happily getting up from the grass. Can we give her a ride, Lars? Lars seemed to grimace for a split second but nodded. Fine but hurry, youre going to be late for your interview he told her. Piper cocked a brow. W-What? Piper said not remembering Caitlin asking her if she could give her a ride. Caitlin grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the car and they left. The car felt high-class, leather seats and soda in an ice bucket inside. So what was with the paparazzi? Piper asked Caitlin. Before Caitlin could answer Lars cut in. CONFIDENTIAL and Piper caught his glare in the rearview mirror. Okay Piper said looking at him suspiciously before glancing back at Caitlin. So why do you want to go to Botanical Gardens? Because I- CONFIDENTIAL he cut in again and Caitlin pouted. Piper glared back at him in the mirror. What was he hiding? What about the interview?

 CONFIDENTIAL Whats your full name? CONFIDENTIAL What do your parents do? CONFIDENTIAL Whats your favorite color? CONFIDENTIAL What is-? CONFIDENTIAL OKAY THATS ENOUGH BALDY! Piper snapped at him. What the hell is going on!? Caitlin smiled sheepishly. Im sorry Piper, Im not allowed to let anyone know much about me for personal reasons Piper couldnt believe this, was she the presidents daughter or something?? You mean you cant let anyone know anything about you right? she corrected. Were here he said and stopped the car in front of Botanical Gardens where Piper saw a familiar face. Lars got out of the car and opened the door for Caitlin. I have to go but Lars will take you wherever you want to go, thank you so much for everything Piper she smiled getting out of the car and talking with the woman. Lars closed the door after her and joined the others. Piper slid closer to the window not believing her eyes. The slim figure and long bouncy blonde hair, she wore huge box shades and painted red lips. Aunt Rhodie? she said with disbelief. What is she doing here? Piper couldnt even believe Aunt Rhodie skipped her parents death anniversary for this Aunt Rhodie nodded and smiled handing Caitlin and envelope with a hot pink wax seal on it. Youre accepted she smiled.

 Piper opened the door and stepped out of the car. Aunt Rhodies jaw dropped when she saw Piper. P-Piper? What are you doing here? Piper didnt even think it, before she knew it she had already slapped Aunt Rhodie across the cheek, knocking her shades to the pavement. You skipped the death anniversary for THIS!??? Piper screamed at her. Caitlin backed away with surprise. P-Piper? Roxanne composed herself trying to look professional despite the red mark on her cheek. Piper, get in the car she said slowly trying to calm herself down. You dont have any right to tell me what to do Piper said firmly. What the hell are you doing here? Roxannes frown deepened. Well talk about this laterGET. IN. THE. CAR. NOW She said in the most threatening tone she had ever used on Piper. Piper shook her head. Youll never change she said. I knew always you could never decide what was more important to youThats why in the end you lost it allAll the fame That went too farRoxanne grabbed Pipers forearm digging her $100 manicure in her skin and dragged her to the car. She shoved her inside and told Lars to drive them, leaving Caitlin at the Botanical Garden. There was a long silence in the car. Piper didnt dare look at her enraged aunt. She wasnt going to cry no matter how hard her aunt hit her this time. What do you want? Roxanne said breaking the silence. You interrupted me in the middle of business Thats all you care about Piper growled looking out the window and counting the cars that passed by. How about we make a deal Roxanne said. If you go to the school and live in the place that I pick and do what I say, Ill quit my job Pipers eyes widened and looked at her. Really? she said in disbelief like it was a joke. You know how important my job is to me right? So if I lose that Id be miserable she admitted. Thats what you want right? Piper grinned. Piece of cake. All I have to do is live with the place you choose right?

Roxanne returned the grin. Not so fast. Theres one condition Piper cocked brow. What? You have to be famous