A/N
Hey folks, welcome to my new story. This is AU, and there will be no prison and no drug cartel. It was an idea that I couldn't get out of my head, so thought I'd see where it takes me. Yes there are many high school vauseman fics out there, but I hope this one is a little different. Content warnings will be given at the start of each chapter as needed.
It would be great to hear what you all think of Chapter 1, hope you enjoy.
Cheers.
Chapter 1
Alex rolled over in the small bed she shared with her older sister, Sally, she'd do anything to avoid sleep for as long as possible. Each night was the same, Sally would go to bed and fall asleep, and Alex would stay on their beat up old couch until she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore. Then she'd join Sally in bed, but she was still too scared to let herself sleep. Even though she pushed her luck with Sally during the day, at night time she clung onto her older sister to try and gain some comfort. It worked for a little while, but it all fell apart as soon as she was asleep. Every night was the same, she'd always dream about Diane. At first it scared her, but now it was almost comforting, it was almost like she was still alive. For those few moments in her dreams, she got to see her mother again, but those feelings of comfort never lasted. The dreams always ended with the painful reality that Diane wasn't around anymore, forever reminding Alex that she'd never see her mother again.
This particular night was no different, and after almost an hour of tossing and turning next to her sister, she finally managed to fall asleep. She was grateful that Sally slept as deeply as she did, she never seemed to be bothered by how much Alex moved around during the night. But just like most nights, Alex's sleep didn't last long. She woke up not long after 3am, gasping loudly as she sat straight up in bed, and she didn't even know why. It happened so often that some nights Sally didn't even wake up, but tonight she did. Without saying a word, she reached out and pulled her younger sister close to her chest, trying to help her calm down. Alex needed that reassurance, she needed her sister more than she would ever acknowledge in the light of day. But Alex was exhausted and completely shaken by the last images of Diane that flashed through her mind. She curled up against Sally's chest and tried to slow down her breathing, she could still feel her heart beating in her chest. When she was still breathing heavily after several moments, she heard her sister's tired voice reach out to her.
"You okay Lex?"
Alex didn't respond, and just nodded against her sister's chest, feeling Sally plant a kiss on the top of her head. Alex tried to focus on her sister, the way she made her feel safe, the way she'd always protect her. Eventually, Alex's eyes started to close, at least she would get a few hours of sleep before they had to get up for school in the morning.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Alex groaned as the alarm went off in the morning, it was 7am and she was not ready to face the world. She untangled herself from Sally's arms and looked up at the ceiling of their bedroom, the paint was cracking everywhere, but at least they had a place to live. She then looked around the rest of the small room, their shoes were piled in one corner, with Alex's books piled next to them. There was a wardrobe where they managed to shove most of their clothes and a small bedside table. The blinds didn't do a great job of blocking out the sun, and all the light was slowly waking Sally up.
Alex watched on as her older sister stretched her arms out and opened her eyes. She opened up her arms again and pulled Alex into a hug. Aside from night time, this was the only other time of the day that Alex let down her guard this much. The truth was that she was too scared to let herself rely too much on Sally, what if something bad happened to her too? Alex knew she couldn't take it if that happened, so she tried to keep the entire world at arms length. But Sally always knew how to break through Alex's walls. Alex let herself relax and leaned into her sister, she would never admit how good it actually felt.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Even though there was only two years between them, Sally felt incredibly protective over Alex.
"Yeah, I got a few hours."
They kept lying there for another ten minutes before Sally finally got out of bed. Alex sighed, there was no avoiding it any longer. She reached across the bed and grabbed her black framed glasses from the bedside table before placing her feet on the ground.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Thirty minutes later Alex and Sally were sitting on the bus, it was the first day of the new school year and Alex couldn't care less. She sat next to her sister, feeling like she was almost in a daze. The weather was still warm as summer slowly turned into autumn, and Alex was wearing blue jeans with a black v-neck t-shirt. She looked down at her chipped black nail polish and the thin silver bracelet that never left her wrist. Then she looked over at Sally who squeezed her leg gently, almost trying to silently let Alex know that this year would be better.
"You okay Lex?"
"Yeah, fine."
"Are you actually gonna go to any classes today?"
Alex couldn't help the smirk that spread across her face, "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
Sally lightly punched Alex in the arm. She had become responsible for her sister ever since Diane died two years earlier, which meant she got dragged into the Principal's office every time Alex skipped class. Alex had always been a bit of a loose canon, but in the last two years she seemed to care less and less about making an effort. Sally knew how much the way Diane died impacted on Alex, but her little sister's attitude still frustrated the hell out of her. Sally was 16 when it happened and Alex was 14, and they had to fight to stay together. The only thing that kept Alex out of foster care was their aunt, but in reality she was non-existent in their lives, and it had just been the two of them ever since. Neither of them had ever met their father, and they wanted to keep it that way.
Sally still worried that Alex's behaviour could end up landing her in foster care, but she felt more relaxed about that possibility now that Alex was 16. But she still wanted Alex to at least make a vague attempt at school. Sally hadn't exactly been a great role model for Alex over the years, but things were different now, and she didn't want Alex to fuck up her life just because she was pissed off at the world.
"Please Lex, promise me you'll go to class today."
Alex didn't want to cause her sister any more stress, so promised her she wouldn't fuck up on the first day back.
The bus finally reached the school and everyone trudged off towards the main building.
"Meet me back here after class okay, we can grab an early dinner on the way home."
Alex didn't bother responding properly, instead just giving her sister a wave and walking towards the large and unforgiving building. It was going to be a long day if she was going to actually sit through her classes.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Piper could not find anything in her new bedroom and it was driving her insane. Her and her little brother Cal had only moved house with their mother a week ago, and Piper still hadn't finished unpacking her stuff. She was meant to be driving both of them to their new school and they were already running late.
"Cal! Hurry up!"
Piper turned around in the kitchen to find her brother standing right behind her. She assumed her mother wasn't home, otherwise she would've already scolded Piper for yelling.
"Pipes, seriously, you gotta find your Zen."
Piper rolled her eyes at Cal and pushed him towards the front door. She didn't think she'd ever had any Zen, but she could sure use some right about now.
0-0-0-0-0-0
After madly rushing through the traffic Piper finally managed to get them to school, parking her black sedan in the student parking lot. She said goodbye to Cal and rushed into the main building. She'd been forced to change schools after moving house with her mother after her parents split, and she hated the idea. She only had one year left of high school and she wanted to spend it with her friends, not as the new kid in a school where she didn't know anyone. No matter how much she argued about it her father wouldn't let her stay with him and she eventually gave up.
She was trying to work out where her first class was and jog down the hallway at the same time. Just as she thought she worked out where she was meant to be she managed to run straight into another girl, knocking both of them to the floor
"Shit! Sorry I'm a total nightmare today! Are you okay?" Piper offered her hand to help up the girl she'd knocked to the ground.
"I'm fine, but maybe start watching where you're going." Sally accepted Piper's hand and stood up, collecting her books that were now all over the floor.
"Yeah, good advice…Actually, could you help me with something. I'm new here and have no clue where 11.D is."
Sally took the class schedule Piper was waving around and had a look.
"You've got the same morning classes as me today. C'mon, I'll show you around, I'm Sally."
Piper went to shake Sally's hand, relieved that the girl wasn't angry about Piper knocking her to the ground before the day had even started. She looked at the other girl more carefully this time. She was about the same height and build as Piper and had shoulder length brown hair, which perfectly matched her dark brown eyes. She was dressed a lot more casually than Piper, sporting a pair of ripped black jeans and a loose white t-shirt.
"I'm Piper."
0-0-0-0-0-0
The bell rang indicating that lunch was over, but Alex made no attempt to move from where she was sitting at the end of the school oval. Her two friends, Nicky and Carrie, also stayed put, continuing to pass the cigarette around their little circle. Alex tried to wipe the dirt off her jeans but she just managed to smudge it even more. She gave up and stretched her long legs out in the grass, sitting in between her two friends. She'd met both girls in primary school when they were all around 10 years old. They never really fit in with anyone else at school and ended up gravitating towards each other, they'd been close ever since. Nicky had tried to get into Alex's pants more than once over the years, but they'd always stayed close friends. And even though Carrie talked a lot of shit, she was always there for Alex and Nicky if they ever needed her.
After a few more moments of sitting in the grass, Nicky slapped both Alex and Carrie on their knees.
"Either of you ladies going back to class?"
Alex groaned, she really didn't feel like moving, but she also didn't want to get Sally into trouble.
"Yeah, I better go back." She pulled herself up off the ground and adjusted her black glasses on the way.
Carrie stood up next, not missing the opportunity to poke fun at her friend.
"You're so well behaved Vause, Miss Sally really does keep you on a tight leash huh?"
Alex just glared at Carrie and helped Nicky stand up, her wild hair was all over the place. Alex towered over Carrie and resisted the temptation to push her over or even just mess up her short black hair. Alex and Carrie got along well enough most of the time, but they'd been fighting constantly for the last few months. Nicky was keen to break the tension.
"What about after school, got any plans?"
"I can't go out tonight, how about this weekend?"
Nicky slapped Alex's arm with excitement, "Yes! Mother dearest is off playing happy families with my dad this weekend, let's get fucked up at my place! I have some primo weed you guys need to try."
Most people wouldn't guess it but Nicky's parents were loaded and had a huge house that was empty 90% of the time as well as a huge alcohol cupboard that was always well stocked.
"Fucking yes!" Carrie high fived Nicky and started rattling off all the girls that should be invited. Alex just smiled as they all got excited, at least it would give her a chance to blow off some steam after a week of being trapped in classes.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Piper was starving by the time lunch rolled around and made her way towards the cafeteria, which looked depressingly similar to any other school. She didn't want to seem too clingy and was going to break away from Sally, but noticed that she was eating her lunch alone anyway. Piper walked to where Sally was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria and sat across from the girl, who seemed distracted.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah…yeah I was just looking for my sister, I haven't seen her since this morning. That little asshole better not have skipped class."
"My younger brother goes to school here too, I'd be amazed if he actually went to all his classes this morning." Piper joked around about Cal, thinking he was probably in the boys toilets smoking a joint this very moment, even though he was only 14.
They managed to fill the rest of their lunch break with easy flowing conversation. She didn't really have a whole lot in common with Sally, but she was so easy to talk to that it didn't seem to matter. They spoke about school, family, friends, boyfriends, Piper wasn't expecting to feel this relaxed on her first day at the new school.
"So why'd you change school in senior year?"
Piper had been expecting someone to ask her that question at some point, but she still hated thinking about it. But there was something about Sally that made her feel at ease, made her feel like there'd be no judgement.
"My parents split not long ago, mum moved out and me and my brother Cal had to move with her."
"Sorry Piper, that sucks."
"Yeah well, maybe it's for the best, I'm pretty sure they've hated each other for a while now. Anyway, I'm outta here as soon as this year is over. How about you? What's your situation?"
Piper thought she saw Sally tense up for a second, but the other girl seemed to recover and started talking.
"It's just me and my sister Alex."
Piper was about to ask more but was cut off by the bell. Both girls walked back to their lockers to collect their books for afternoon classes, when there was a commotion on the other side of the hallway. A younger girl was slammed against the line of red lockers by a guy that Piper recognised from her English class that morning, she thought his name was Sam, she couldn't quite remember. She watched as he pulled the girl back and slammed her into the lockers again, a large hand firmly holding her face against the steel.
Then he started yelling, "You stay the fuck away from her Vause, or I will fucking end you! Do you understand?"
Piper watched on with the rest of the students that were nearby, where the hell are the teachers, she thought to herself. The girl against the lockers stayed quiet, looking as though she was just waiting for it to be over.
Piper was eventually pulled out of her thoughts when she noticed Sally running towards the younger girl, pulling the other student off her and shoving him to the other side of the hallway.
"Get off her you asshole! She didn't fucking do anything and you know it!"
Piper watched on as the guy walked back towards them, pushed the girl into Sally and got up into both of their faces one last time before walking away, "You're fucking sick."
Piper walked over to help Sally with her books and backpack, which were now scattered across the floor. She watched on quietly as Sally helped the other girl who had a cut on her left cheek from where she'd hit the edge of the lockers.
"Thanks Piper, can you bring my stuff into the bathroom quickly? Then we'll head to class."
Piper nodded in agreement and followed Sally and the mystery girl into the closest bathroom. The girl sat on the row of basins while Sally was trying to look at the cut on her face, but she kept moving away from Sally.
"Fucking hell Lex, just let me look okay."
The other girl finally stopped moving and let Sally look at the cut, which by this point had left a streak of blood down her face.
Piper put down Sally's books and backpack and wet some paper towel so Sally could clean up the blood.
"Thanks Piper."
Piper stood back again, and couldn't help but notice how beautiful this girl was. She was taller than Sally and had long black hair that contrasted perfectly against her pale skin and deep green eyes, but aside from that she looked so similar to Sally. She noticed the girl fidgeting with her glasses while Sally wiped the blood off her face.
The girl winced when Sally started to clean the cut itself.
"Sorry Lex."
"It's fine, it's not your fault."
Piper wasn't used to seeing people get physically hurt in the school hallways, and it seemed like neither girl had any intention of getting the staff involved.
"Shouldn't we be telling someone about this? That guy was out of control!"
Piper waited for an answer from Sally, but eventually got a response from the taller girl.
"I'm guessing you're new here, so let me fill you in. This place doesn't give a shit about people like me, so don't waste your breath."
Piper was a bit taken aback by that response, and apparently so was Sally.
"I fucking give a shit okay."
"Aww shucks, thanks sis, let's see you save my ass next time Healy tries to take my fucking head off."
Then it clicked in Piper's mind, that's why Sally seemed so worried about this girl.
"Oh, you guys are sisters?"
The taller girl kept staring at her hands while Sally turned around to look at Piper, "Yeah, this is my sister Alex. Alex this is Piper, don't be an asshole."
Alex…Piper liked how the name rolled around in her mind, it suited her. She was surprised when Alex actually acknowledged her presence again, given how miserable she looked.
"Nice to meet you Piper."
"Nice to meet you too. Are you sure you're okay? You should probably disinfect that cut."
But Alex just shrugged it off, "Trust me, I'm used to it."
Sally had finished cleaning up Alex's face, "Thanks for the help Piper, we better head to class. Lex, are you sure you're okay?"
Alex hopped off the sink area that she was sitting on and picked up her own backpack, "I'm fine."
"Meet me back at the bus stop okay."
Piper started talking again before she even knew what she was doing, "Let me drive you guys home, as a thank you."
Her offer seemed to amuse Alex, "Geez Sal, what did you fuck her already?"
"Just ignore her Piper, a ride home sounds awesome, thanks."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The end of the day finally rolled around and Alex was definitely ready to go home. She felt exhausted and had a headache ever since that asshole Healy threw her into the lockers, all she wanted to do was sleep. Part of her was tempted to just walk home but she kept her promise and met Sally and Piper in the parking lot. Even though she didn't necessarily act like it, Alex was glad Sally was hanging out with someone new. She'd really isolated herself since their mum died, and Alex felt responsible for it. Sally could actually be out there enjoying her life if she didn't feel responsible for Alex.
All three girls piled into the car, minus Piper's younger brother who had already managed to get an after school detention for getting caught smoking.
Alex sat in the back seat in silence while Sally and Piper sat up front and talked, but she wasn't paying much attention to them. Occasionally Piper's blonde hair kept making its way into Alex's field of vision, but she kept trying to dismiss it. They eventually pulled up outside their apartment building, which looked old and run down from the outside. Even though Alex was still exhausted, her ears pricked up when she heard Sally invite Piper upstairs, why the hell is she doing that, our place looks like a dump.
Alex had always been a bit sensitive about letting people see where she lived, but Sally never seemed to care. She'd always said that if someone made fun of them because of their home then they weren't worth knowing. It was the sort of thing their mum used to say all the time, and hearing Sally speak like that just reminded Alex that they were all alone in the world.
Alex felt like Piper was too eager in accepting Sally's invitation, and all three of them made their way up to the third floor.
Fuck it, Alex thought to herself, they can do whatever they like, I'll be sleeping.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Piper stood behind Sally as she unlocked the front door to the apartment. It was very small, but neat. There was a lounge room and kitchen, one bathroom and one bedroom. Piper was taken aback by how small it was, but didn't say anything. She'd only just met these people today and didn't want to ruin her chances of actually having a real friend at school this year. There also didn't seem to be any sign of parents, but again, Piper kept her thoughts to herself.
She followed Sally into the kitchen where they made popcorn and decided on a movie to watch, while Alex retreated into the bedroom. The cut on her face looked sore and Piper could just make out the slightest hint of a bruise.
"Is she okay?"
Sally looked towards the bedroom door, the truth was that she had no idea if Alex was ever okay.
"She's okay, she's just pissed off the holidays are over."
Piper tried to take in Sally's smile, but something just didn't sit right with Alex lying in the bedroom alone looking miserable. You barely know this person, her mind kept saying to her over and over, but she couldn't help her feelings.
"Does she wanna join us out here?"
Sally just laughed again, knowing how antisocial Alex could be with people she didn't know, "I highly doubt it."
Before Piper could say anything else, Alex had walked out of the bedroom and joined them in the kitchen, eating the freshly made popcorn.
"I'll join you on one condition."
Sally interrupted her sister before she could keep talking, "Really don't give a shit if you join us Lex."
But Alex just kept talking, "One condition ladies, no shitty movie selections."
Piper laughed at the way Alex seemed to be able to push all of Sally's buttons at the same time. And even though her cheek must have hurt, she still managed a smile.
"And what would you deem to be a shitty movie?" Piper didn't want this little bit of banter to end.
"Well, Sal here would never admit it, but she's a closet Twilight fan."
Sally shoved Alex towards the couch, "Do you ever shut up?"
Alex ignored her and all three girls got comfortable on the couch, eventually deciding to watch Donnie Darko.
Piper sat in the middle between the two sisters, and couldn't help but notice the way her thigh kept touching Alex's every time either of them moved. But that wasn't even the worst of it. Piper was holding the popcorn bowl in her lap and she could feel Alex looking at her every time she took a handful.
She was surprised that the younger girl actually stayed awake for the whole move given how tired she looked. It was the first time Piper saw the movie, and was completely confused by the end of it.
"Seriously, what the hell did I just watch?"
Alex turned to look at Piper with an immediate response, and the smile on Sally's face made it clear she knew what her sister was about to say.
"Ummm, the greatest movie ever made?!"
"No way! So what, it was all a dream? And what the hell was with the rabbit?"
Alex threw her hands up in mock horror, "Oh Piper, so much to learn. But I can't educate you about these things on an empty stomach, how about we order some pizza?"
Sally agreed and placed the order before joining them back on the couch, "You need to be home any time soon Piper?"
Part of Piper wished the answer was yes, but the truth was that her mother didn't seem to care what she did anymore, not since she found out about her father's cheating.
"Not really, my mum tends to focus her efforts on Cal these days." Piper was still tempted to ask where their mum or dad was, but still decided against it. She'd actually really enjoyed the afternoon, it was just easy, she wasn't used to being around people that made her feel like that. She noticed Alex leaning back on the couch and closing her eyes while Sally got up.
"I'm gonna walk down to pick up the pizza, you guys can wait here."
Piper jumped up before Sally could leave the apartment, "Here let me give you some cash." Piper handed over $20 and Sally left the apartment. Piper was suddenly very aware of the fact that she was alone with Alex. She went back to sit on the couch and noticed that Alex had managed to fall asleep with her head resting against the back of the couch. Stop looking at her, Piper kept reminding herself, she's a girl and she's 16, just focus on the damn TV.
Piper forced herself to look at the TV but soon felt a weight on her shoulder. It was Alex's head, which was now resting on Piper's shoulder as she continued to sleep. Piper froze, she felt like she was meant to do something, but she wasn't sure what. She looked closer at the younger girl, and got a good look at the cut on her cheek. It looked so sore, Piper just wanted to reach out and touch it, touch her face and her hair. What the fuck Piper! Pull it together. She tried again to look back at the TV, but her eyes kept making their way back to Alex, she couldn't bring herself to look anywhere else.