Hey there!
first off: thanks to marishka91 for reviewing! i;m glad you're enjoying it already! :-D
well, this is the third chapter... the next one should be up soon, but i have to write it yet! lol
Oh, and the song in this one is actually one of mine, i wrote it for another story ages ago, but it suits this one too!
Enjoy!
A couple of hours later, Cora had shown them the entire house including the attic and basements, even though Kai thought they wouldn't really need to know about them. But, as Cora had pointed out, "I'm doing the tour, not you so shut it." The others had laughed at Kai's shocked reaction and Kai stayed silent, glaring at them all for a while after that.
"Well, I suppose I'd better show you what rooms are yours." Cora said and lead them back upstairs to the floor where the "Puppy incident" had occurred.
They now saw that the corridor had eight different doors. The one they had entered earlier was Cora's room, and was situated in the middle of the corridor. She pointed out Tala's which was the one at the very end of the corridor, and currently had loud music blaring from inside.
"Now, there's six other rooms, but I think they've already been sorted." Cora mused and opened one door, the one opposite Tala's, "Right, who owns the huuuge suitcase and the lovely pink Barbie hair brush?" she asked, picking up the item that was laying on the bed, having fallen out of the suitcase. She looked at Hilary expectantly, but it was Tyson who stepped forward. "Oh my god! Hat-boy, why to you have a Barbie brush?"
"It get's the tangles out!" Tyson replied defensively.
"Sure, Ty." said Max grinning at his friend.
"It is!" Tyson exploded and slammed the door behind him.
"Right…" said Cora as the others laughed, "Let's see what's behind door number two!" She pulled open the door and another room was revealed. It looked identical to the last one, but minus the hairbrush. Instead there was a bright yellow suitcase in the middle of the floor.
"Mine!" yelled Max and ran inside.
"Wow! Sugar, cool suitcase." Cora said and left him to it. She had given them all nicknames in the time during the tour. Max's was because of his ability to find the sugar that was in the kitchen and had immediately gone into hyper-hyper drive. She opened the door opposite Max's, the one between her and Tala's rooms. A small holdall was on the bed, and another on the floor. "Don't tell me this is yours Barbie!" she smirked at Hilary who fumed.
"Of course it isn't and stop calling me Barbie!" Hilary snapped.
"No, that's my stuff." said Ray, stepping forward.
"Damn, and I thought Barbie had travelled light!" Cora grinned, "Well, enjoy, Kitty!" Ray rolled his eyes and also left the group.
The next room, opposite Cora's, was Kenny's, Cora had called him Chief like the rest did as she hadn't been able to think of a non-insultive nickname for him. Kenny immediately entered the room and powered up his laptop, ignoring the small suitcase on the floor. Cora closed the door shaking her head and opened the next door.
"I think this is yours, Barbie!" she exclaimed seeing the ten suitcases all BRIGHT pink, with flowers and hearts on. Hilary stalked past her pushing into her roughly as if by accident and slammed the door in her face.
"Well, that wasn't very nice!" Cora grinned at Kai who gave her a questioning look. Cora sighed, "Well, Kai, I guess this is yours." she said, opening the door of the room next to hers. Like Chief she hadn't been able to give Kai a nickname, but unlike Chief it wasn't because it would have been an insult, she felt strange around him and that had clouded her nicknaming judgement. She smiled at her own thought and stood aside so Kai could enter the room.
Kai saw her smile and he wondered fleetingly what it was that made her smile, before he shook the thought away and brushed past her into the room. As he did so, he accidentally brushed against her hand with his and felt a pang of something like electricity. He jumped back and she was holding her hand confused. "Sorry" he muttered and she shook her head as if to say don't worry and left him alone.
Once she was gone, he lay on the bed, hands behind his head and wondered about that jolt. It couldn't be- no, that was stupid! He told himself, he'd only known her a few hours! It was… ridiculous, he decided and set about unpacking.
Cora, meanwhile returned to her room, perplexed. What had that jolt been? It had never happened before. She sat down on her bed confused and saw with a grin that Wolborg was curled up in a new basket on the floor. "I knew Tala would like you." she muttered to herself.
As she got up to tidy the mess Max, Tyson and Hilary had made when they had been spooked by Wolborg, she turned her own music up as loud as Tala's and sang along as she worked.
As Kai and the others unpacked, they heard new music join Tala's loud music, but, unlike the noise coming from Tala's room, this one they could actually make out the words. The music was just as loud as Tala's but was softer, a sadder song.
Sometimes, I lay awake at night,
Wondering whether I should fight.
For years, you were the only ones I needed,
(Yes the only one…)
Kai opened his door to listen to the music better, and was surprised to see that the others had too. Max was looking excitedly at Cora's door and listening intently to the music.
One day you had to leave me,
For some other, better place.
Can you still see me?
Still see my face?
Where did you go?
What did I do wrong?
Are you coming back to me?
To help me carry on?
Max was nodding his head in time to the music mouthing the words as he did so. Kai looked at him oddly, "You know this song?" he asked him. Max nodded and sang along.
In my heart I know you're there,
Ready and willing to protect me.
But it's my mind that needs convincing,
My mind that keeps questioning…
Where did I go wrong?
Tyson was transfixed on the door, but he, like Max, began to join in, quietly at first, then louder. Providing the backing vocals to the track. Starting at the chorus:
I'm smart enough to know it
There's no going back! (backing vocals)
There's nowhere to hide!
No going back!
I'll be strong and keep my tears inside
No! There's no going back!
It can never be a blessing,
It always is a curse (curse)
Now there's something missing from my heart
Where did you go?
Was it for better or for worse?
Why did you leave me here, to be burdened with this curse?
Then the chorus started again. At this point Tala's music stopped and they saw him open his own door questioningly. Kai nodded towards Cora's room and Tala raised his eyebrow, listening.
I want you to know, I loved you,
From my day of birth to this.
You'll never be able to see me grow,
All my life you'll miss.
But I feel that you are with me,
In every little thing I do.
There will never be anyone, quite like you!
Now the music changed and became softer and more peaceful and Max and Tyson stopped singing, awed.
One day I tried to look behind me
But your angel barred the way.
And in my thoughts I heard her say;
Don't turn back, though it seems all hope is gone.
Look ahead of you, and stay strong.
Quietly, using the chorus as cover, Tala moved towards the door and opened it a crack. From where he stood, Kai was the only other person who could see inside, other than Tala. He smiled slightly as he saw Cora swaying in time to the music, singing in perfect time with the song.
I know I can't turn back,
And now I welcome what will come.
Behind me there is darkness…
Ahead of me…
The sun…
The song faded out and Cora turned around to change the track. She had tears pouring down her cheeks, but she wiped them away quickly as she spotted the open door.
"What do you want, Tala?" she asked, her voice bright as normal, so that everyone who couldn't see her wouldn't know something was wrong.
"Can I come in?" he asked, looking concerned. Kai saw her nod and Tala entered her room, closing the door behind him.
"That was some great singing." breathed Ray, breaking the silence.
"Too right! That's one of Clara Moonflower's songs." Max was saying expertly, "It was released a few years ago, it's an old one."
"I wonder if she'll give me a copy of the CD?" Tyson pondered and wandered over to the door. Kai stood in the way, "Come on, Kai, move."
"No." said Kai, "Leave her alone for a bit."
"Why?" asked Tyson suspiciously, "She's not your girlfriend, Kai, you can't hide her!"
"Because Tala's talking to her now." Kai stated and gestured for everyone to go back to their rooms. They did so. Tyson stayed for a while, but Kai glared at him, and he retreated quickly. Kai went back into his room and was about to sit down on the bed when he heard voices from next door.
"Are you alright, Corry?" came Tala's voice through the wall.
"I'm fine. It's just- that song reminds me of them so much." he heard Cora say quietly.
Tala sighed, and Kai heard him sit down on the bed. He didn't say anything for a few seconds. "It wasn't your fault, Corry." Tala finally broke the silence.
"I know." came Cora's voice, then her voice changed and seemed to be more urgent, "It wasn't yours either!"
There was no reply. "Don't look at me like that, Tala, you know it wasn't your fault! Stop blaming yourself! It's been seven years! It won't change anything so stop it!" Cora said gently, but firmly.
"But it was! If I hadn't-" Tala started to say but she cut him off.
"If you hadn't found us then it wouldn't have happened… That's a load of rubbish Tala, and you know that! They'd been looking for you for years! They were prepared to do anything to find you!" Cora said a little louder, then she became quieter again, "You're family, Tally. That's what families do. Do you think they would have forgiven themselves if it had been the other way round?"
"I guess not…"
"Then stop blaming yourself! You've still got me, and I've got you and that's all that matters."
"Thanks, Corry." Tala said, but Kai could tell from his voice that he didn't believe her.
"Now go away and listen to your crappy music!" Cora said and Kai could tell she was smiling. He could almost picture Tala rolling his eyes and heard him leave the room.
Kai continued unpacking quickly, listening to music blaring out of the headphones from his mp3 player. Just as he pushed his suitcase out of sight under the four poster bed, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Kai said, turning round, and pulling the headphones off.
"Hey Kai," said Cora who was stood in the doorway. She was grinning at him, becoming the young teenager she had seemed when they had arrived a few hours before. "Tala sent me to find you. Dinner's ready if you're hungry?"
Kai looked at her questioningly, "Where are the others?"
"They're all downstairs waiting for you! Tala called you a while ago but didn't get an answer. I guess you didn't hear him." she gestured towards the mp3 player now lying on the bed.
"No I didn't." Kai replied.
There was an awkward silence, and Cora felt uncomfortable as they stood looking at each other. "Erm, well… did you want me to show you the way?"
"Alright." Kai answered and followed her as she led the way downstairs towards the dining room.
"Finally!" Tyson yelled as Kai entered the huge room. He had to yell as he was sat alone at the other end of an extremely long table.
"Shut up Tyson." Kai growled and sat down opposite Cora, next to Hilary.
"What took you so long?" Tala asked Cora, as they all started eating the starter, but his eyes were narrowed as he looked from one to the other.
"Because we were in the middle of a passionate kiss, Tala." Cora replied rolling her eyes. Kai almost choked on a tomato and looked at Cora in shock.
Tala glared at his cousin, "Very funny, Cora."
Cora stuck her tongue out at him, "Well we could have been." she grinned impishly.
"I don't think so." said Tala, "I trust Kai a bit better than that."
Kai was blushing by now, hating all this attention on him. He was aware of Hilary glaring at Cora from beside him, and it annoyed him, for a reason he couldn't fathom.
"So, Cora, where did you get that CD from you were listening to earlier? From what I heard, the artist hasn't released any CD's yet." Max asked, changing the subject effectively.
"Oh I got it from a friend, she has given out a few CD's but only to a couple of people." Cora replied carefully, glancing at Tala to see his reaction. Tala seemed uninterested in the conversation, but Cora could tell he was listening intently.
"Wow! You're so lucky to have one!" Max exclaimed, "Do you think you'd be able to run one off for me?"
Cora grinned, "I think I can most definitely get you a copy, Sugar. So are you a fan then?"
"Oh yes! She's amazing!" Max said, happy to have someone other than Tyson to talk to about his favourite artist, "Her song's are so amazing! It's like you can feel the emotion in them, if you know what I mean?" Cora nodded smiling, "And her gigs are like… WOW! Not that I've ever been to one though," he said sadly, "But I have seen Clara at a movie launch before!"
"Would you like to see her at a gig?" Cora asked. Kai noticed Tala narrow his eyes, but keep silent, and heard the sound of Tala tapping his foot in frustration under the table.
"Hell YEAH!" Max yelled excitedly, "That's like one of my dreams!"
Cora laughed happily, "Well, I'll see if I can try and find some tickets for you…" she said but was cut off as Max jumped on her, hugging her and jumping up and down at the same time, succeeding in knocking them both to the floor. Tala jumped forward and grabbed Cora before she could hit the floor, lifting her clear of the chairs that also clattered to the floor, landing on Max with a great bang.
"Ow…" Max whimpered from the floor and got up, rubbing his head.
"What did you do that for?" Cora growled at her cousin, rubbing her arm where he had grabbed her.
"You could have hurt yourself." Tala said as if that explained everything.
"It's only the floor! For crying out loud Tala! Stop being so overprotective!" she said and stormed out of the room.
Everyone stared at Tala, speechless. Each one wondering why Cora had had such a quick outburst. He sighed deeply as if steeling himself and went after his cousin.
"If they're not eating that, can I have it?" came Tyson's voice from the other end of the room.
"Cora! Come back here!" Tala shouted as she continued up the stairs.
"No!" she yelled back and Tala growled in frustration before running after her. He caught up with her before they even reached the top of the stairs.
"What was all that about?" Tala asked in a calmer voice.
"You! You're so overprotective! I can take care of myself you know!" Cora replied, still angry. Tala sighed and looked behind him, knowing the others would finish their food soon.
"Come on." he said and she followed him into a room on the opposite side of the house.
When they got inside the study, Tala sat down behind the desk, and Cora sat in front of him on a comfortable armchair. She had long learned not to be intimidated by this set up.
"We need to sort this out. It's why I came back." Tala said, looking at her from his side of the desk. Cora nodded, letting him say what he had to. She knew what he was going to say anyway really. "You know I'm not happy about the way you've been acting. You can't keep going in and out of parties and clubs, especially as you're only sixteen! And especially where the paparazzi are! You know how dangerous it is!" Cora watched Tala silently, he was letting out all his frustration. She knew he was really annoyed this time.
"I was going to tell you." she said quietly.
"When? When were you going to tell me?" Tala raved, "When you released an album? Christmas? When you next saw me? When Boris found you?"
Cora shuddered instinctively, she hated that man more than anything in the world, "But I was careful! I've been doing this for years and you've never noticed!" she said, then realised she'd said the wrong thing.
"Careful? Careful! One reporter following you home, one person recognising you and everything, everything goes up in flames! Don't you understand that?! How stupid are you?!" Tala exploded.
Cora sat, watching Tala as he shouted at her. He had never been like this before. She sat there, confused, but when he called her stupid, she got angry too. She jumped up, "I am not stupid Tala! So I did something that you didn't want me to do, that doesn't make me stupid! You don't control me! You can't tell me what to do! You can't protect me forever Tala!" she yelled back at him. To her surprise Tala went silent. He put his head in his hands, not looking at her. "Tal?" she asked quietly, moving forwards.
"You're right." he said, not looking at her. Cora looked at him in surprise, "I can't protect you forever, Cora, but I'm damn well going to try." he continued, now looking her in the eyes. "I'm your legal guardian Cora, and what you do is my responsibility. I worry about you. You're the only part of my family I have left and I'm not going to lose you because of something I could have stopped."
"Tally, I'm sorry." Cora said, moving over to him and hugging him, he returned the hug, "But I don't want to have to stop what I'm doing. I love what I do, and I have been careful. Please don't tell me I have to stop it." she said quietly.
"I'm not going to." Tala said as he continued hugging her, "I want you to be happy, but I also want you to be safe." He pulled away so that they were now arms length apart, "So, first thing in the morning, I'm going to meet with your manager and I'm going to have the final say on everything that happens, got it?" Cora nodded happily. Tala grinned at her, "Now, go. I've got some work to do." Cora smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek before running out of the room in case he changed his mind.
Tala sighed as he sat back in his chair, then he picked up the phone and dialled a number. Moments later, Thomas the butler appeared at the door, "Yes sir?"
"I think I need a drink." Tala said, grinning at him.
Thomas smirked back, knowing exactly why, "Of course, master Tala." And he bowed out of the room.
Well, thanks for reading! looking back it seems a bit of a long chapter!!
anyway, chapter 4 up soon!
