Chapter 3: "Tech and Cassidy's Love"

Cassidy sat in her room, staring at the picture Rev had given her. Tears streaked down her cheeks.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in." Cassidy called out.

Maria entered her room. She had a big smile on her face. "Quick, Cassidy, you must get ready"

"For what?" cassidy questioned, confused.

"Father has a suprise for you! But first, you must get changed"

Honestly, Cassidy had no arguement against the clothes she was wearing, jeans and a t-shirt, but went along with Maria. A few minutes later, she and Maria walked out of her room, only to be met by thier father, along with Prince Edward and his parents.

Cassidy looked at her father in suprise. "Father, I... I can't do this..." She turned away.

King John reached out and grabbed his daughter's arm. "Please, honey, just give him a chance. Try. For me, please"

Cassidy sighed. "Okay. I'll try"

King John smiled. "That's my girl"

Cassidy slowly approached Prince Edward. She bowed to his parents. As she stood up, her shoe became caught in her dress hem. When she stepped, she fell forward, landing on the floor. Instinctively, she tried to grab something. Unfortunately, she grabbed the tablecloth, pulling it off the table and sending everything on it flying. Most of it landed all over Prince Edward's parents.

"Oh my, I am soo very sorry!" Cassidy apologized. She slowly glanced up at her father, dreading to see what he thought.

King John looked furious. "Aurora.." He began.

Cassidy knew what was coming. She cut him off. "Well, at least I tried!" She ran out of the room.

King John was about to follow her, but Maria stopped him. "Maybe I should talk to her." She suggested. Her father consented.

Look at me

I will never pass for a perfect bride

Maria found Cassidy in the garden, sitting on the edge of one of the ponds. When she came closer, she found out that Cassidy was crying. Maria sat beside her. "Are you okay?"

Or a perfect daughter

Can it be

Cassidy shook her head. "I don't belong here"

"That's not true! You're just, having trouble settling in, is all"

I'm not meant to play this part?

"No! Did you see what happened? I completely humiliated myself, you, and father in one shot! I'm not meant to be a princess"

Now I see

That if I were truely to be myself

Maria's face softened. "You miss your friends, don't you"

I would break my family's heart

"Yes." Cassidy replied. "They're my best friends, the only friends I've ever had. You see, before I became a Loonatic, I was alone. No one wanted to be my friend. But, when I met the Loonatics, everything changed. They turned my life around for the better. And for the longest time, they've been the closest thing I had to a real family. That is, until Father found me. But, even after that, they never changed"

Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

"I understand. It must of been very hard for you to leave them"

Cassidy nodded. "I mean, Sari is nice and it's great being with my real family but, Acmetropolis is my home. I wasn't sure of it before, but now I'm positive, I'm not cut out for the princess life." She paused for a moment. "Besides, if I do marry, I want it to be for love"

Why is my reflection

Someone I don't know?

Maria smiled as she saw Cassidy's eyes glaze over. "There is someone, isn't there"

"Huh?" Cassidy replied, snapped out of her dream.

"You're in love with someone right now, and I can tell it's not Prince Edward"

Somehow I cannot hide

Who I am

"No, no it isn't"

"It's Tech, right?"

Cassidy looked at her sister in suprise. "How did you?"

Though I've tried

"When you and your friends came here, I could tell by just the way you acted around each other. I could tell that you two were close."

Cassidy frowned. "Well, it doesn't matter now, cause he is millions of miles away. Besides, what would Father say?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure it will all work out in the end." Maria hugged her younger sister. Just then, her eyes glowed peach momentarily. A picture flashed in Maria's mind. 'Should I tell her what I saw?' she asked herself.

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

"Thanks, Maria." Cassidy hugged her older sibling back.

'Na, I'll let her find out for herself.' Maria smiled. "You're welcome." Maria stood up and left.

When will my reflection show

Cassidy stayed there for a while, just staring down at her reflection in the water. She took the sleeve of her dress and wiped away the make-up that covered her face. Then, she unpined her hair, letting it fall down her shoulders. 'When will father realize that this is not me?'

Who I am inside?

.GREEN TRIANGLE.

"I'm getting worried about Tech." Rev declared as he sat down at the breakfast table. The government had been nice enough to buy the Loonatics a house nearby the old tower. "He's not coming for breakfast, again"

"Poor Tech. He's been like this ever since Cassidy left. He's lonely without her." Lexi said.

"I'll go talk to him." Ace suggested, standing up and walking to Tech's new lab that he set up in one of the extra rooms. He knocked on the door. "Eh, Tech, old buddy, you wanna come for breakfast"

Tech opened the door. "No thanks, Ace. I'm not hungry"

"Tech, you haven't been hungry in days. What's buggin' ya"

"Nothing." Tech replied flatly.

"There's gotta be somethin'. Now, spill"

Tech sighed. "Why is it whenever I decide not to eat you guys get so worried about me? I'm fine"

"I's one thing if you just skip one meal, but you haven't eaten in days. Do you want to talk about it"

Tech sat down in his chair. "Well, I guess I just miss Cassidy"

"We all do"

Tech was silent for a while. Then, he spoke up. "Cheif, do you mind if I... told you a secret"

"Sure, it's safe with me"

"Thanks. The truth is, I... I love her"

"Come again?" Ace blinked.

"I love Cassidy. I really do. And now, with her gone"

Ace set his hand on Tech's shoulder. "You don't need to say another word. I completely understand"

"You don't think that it's wrong because she's a princess and I'm.. well, me"

Ace shook his head. "No, in fact, I really don't see Cassidy fitting in as a princess. She's got too much spirit for the whole people-cleaning-up-after-you and people-bowing-at-you-everywhere-you-go deal"

"I just wish there was something I could do. But, there isn't"

"I do, too, Tech. I really do"

(End Chapter)