Oh yeah, I do not own W.I.T.C.H. or any of the characters, the plot is totally a work of my twisted little mind...

Chapter 7

Cornelia's POV

After our little group get together at the Silver Dragon, I was pretty calm about hanging out with the whole group of our friends at the dance. Peter looked dashing in his Dior suit when he arrived to pick me up – presenting me with a single blue rose mounted on a hair clip. It was a unique and thoughtful gift, that made my mother squeal when she saw it. She calmed down enough to help me place the flower securely in my hair before we left the house.

Ever the gentleman, Peter, took my hand to guide me out the door and to the car. Getting in and out of the car, he forbid me from opening the door for myself. He swept me into the dance like the event was in my honor, ignoring a couple of his former 'friends with benefits' that tried to get his attention as we glided by. Peter made me the center of his focus, like I'm a princess, pampered and precious. The thought made color rise to my cheeks.

"What?" he asked seeing the red tint my pale skin.

"Nothing," I mumbled.

"Come on, tell me," he charmed as he gave me puppy dog eyes, all the while he pulled me towards the floor as a slow song started. He pulled me close and hummed in time to the music, leading me across the dance floor.

"It...It's just that I've never...uh...well...it feels sort of like you're treating me like a princess – I feel sort of pampered...and treasured..." I felt the words sort of trip from my lips, feeling silly admitting my feelings. I mean after all, I'm the farthest thing from a princess.

Peter's hand gently tipped my chin up allowing him to lean in and brush his lips gently against mine. When the chaste kiss ended, he whispered, "To me you are a princess. To me you are precious and treasured."

I lowered my eyes, the flutter in my heart taking me by surprise. I took a chance to glance up through my lashes to find Peter staring at me with a look that told me his words were true, but more than that, I saw hunger in his eyes.

"Cornelia, I have to tell you this...I love you." When I tried to speak, Peter shushed me by placing a finger on my lips and pulling me close again.

With his lips at my ear as he continued, "I have for a while...I know how much you've been hurt by guys in the last few weeks, but I want you to know that I'm not them. I'm almost eighteen...I'm growing up...not a kid anymore. My feelings for you are not teenaged-infatuation. Can you deal with that? I hope you can, because I'm long past the point where I can give you up."

As the song ended, Peter waved to our friends, but held me close as the next song started up. I could feel the heat his words caused flame to my cheeks. Peter quickly found the beat of the song and began swaying our bodies to the rhythm. He had asked me a question, but was in no hurry to hear my answer, he gave me this moment...this moment to just be and enjoy.

I floated across the dance floor in Peter's arms, one hand at the small of my back, one hand holding mine – fingers interlaced. I laid my head against his chest and wrapped my other arm around his neck. The spell was almost broken when I felt Peter shake his head. Looking up I saw Aaron Shane trying unsuccessfully to cut in on our dance. Peter refused to allow the intrusion and gave Aaron a hard look that made the junior step back and slink away.

After that, no one else tried to interrupt us, leaving Peter free to monopolize my dance card and I had no complaints.

After dancing for several songs, we took a break on the bleachers with the other guardians and their guys. It was good to see that Irma was doing well enough to come to the dance. She looked happy and Caleb was showering her with attention. Strangely, it didn't bother me in the slightest. In the back of my mind, I had been a little afraid that seeing them together...seeing Caleb give her the attention he never gave me...would hurt or at the least be a little uncomfortable to watch. But boy, was I wrong.

At some point my heart not only let go of Caleb but I accepted and understood what he and Irma shared.

I released a breath, feeling relief as I digested the fact that watching them together seemed right...it was right.

"Are you okay?" Peter asked watching me intently, his arm wrapped around me keeping me close. I snuggled into his side, into the spot that seem to fit me so well. By his side, in his arms...I belong with Peter. I'm so glad he waited for me and that he wants me. I lift my face to his with a smile happy to be here with him. I see his eyes light up as he moves into take my lips with a sealing kiss.

"I want to be with you too." I respond as his lips touch mine with feather lightness.

It's a simple, true statement, just not the big truth. Because I love him. I know it in every fiber of my being. But I can't bring myself to say it...I don't know why its so hard to say to him...Didn't he just lay it all on the line for me? I'm just not ready to say the words. And I don't know why.

I'm still smiling when he ends the kiss, I stand up and ask, "Hey, anybody up for a ladies room trip?"

Will, Taranee, Hay Lin and Irma followed me to the restroom. Peter openly smirked at our group departure, calling out after us, "Now when you get there and talk about how good we look, remember this is real Dior."

Of course we talked about how good the guys looked when we got to the restroom. The big news we got was that Nigel finally got the nerve to squeeze Taranee's butt. Taranee blushed like never before as she shyly related the events that lead up to intimate touch. And we all laughed until our sides hurt at her confusion over whether she liked it or not. Finally, when we thought we'd been gone long enough, we headed back to the dance and our respective loves.

Peter pulled me over to the buffet table for refreshments, just as Clubber and Uriah walked up and made a big show of getting punch. Now its true that that those two are not the sharpest knives in the drawer, but they're not so slow as to need step by step directions ladle punch. Obviously Peter was thinking the same thing, because he whispered, "Be right back Babe, I think someone needs to check on the idiot brigade."

Just in case things got messy, I stepped away from the table and took a moment to look around the gym. I have to give the dance committee kudos on the decorations. Streamers and balloons overhead obscured the gym equipment and the use of smoke machines and balloons around the rim of the gym did give the place an other world ambiance. As I waited for Peter, Sarah Grey, a senior I knew only in passing came and stood next to me.

When she said nothing, neither did I – we had no real common interests, so I let silence rule.

"Did he do it to you too?" she asked in a barely audible voice.

My spine prickled and stiffened at her unexpected words. I turned slowly towards her, afraid to believe that we might actually have a very horrific event in common.

Before I could speak, she continued, "You don't have to answer, its okay. It's taken me so long just to come to terms with it – you know stomach the fear and shame. You're probably wondering how I know. Peter and I are in a couple of classes and he pulled me aside last week and asked me…I guess you know what he asked. It seems he's been reaching out to all the girls that Kyle 'dated' in the last three years. He had put together how I've changed since freshman year, after my one and only date with Kyle."

Feeling aghast, I tried to ask, "Did he tell-"

"No," she replied, "He told me about what your mom is doing, but he never said anything about you. I just sort of put it together. You know it just sort of makes sense, because Peter is totally the type of guy that would fight for others. Having your mom leading this underground charge against Kyle means he must have done something or tried to at least with you. I'm just glad you have Peter. Before he confronted me I never told anyone and it's been two years. Two years of hurting in silence and feeling dirty and alone."

Seeing the pain in her eyes, knowing how bad the secret had ate at me, my heart ached for Sarah. I had never been alone. Peter had always known and he had stayed beside me making sure I was okay. I couldn't imagine keeping that secret for two years. I couldn't imagine suffering alone for two whole years. Sarah deserved what I have, she needed to know she wasn't alone and that it could be better.

"He-" I started, my voice quivering, I coughed and cleared my throat as I began again "Yes, he...Kyle raped me."

I watched her eyes fill with tears and her shoulders begin to quake. I pull her into a hug offering the same comfort that was offered to me when I had to admit what happened. Sarah's fingers dug into my flesh as she gripped me tightly and sobbed quietly. I'm not sure when it happened but I realized I was crying with her. Luckily the room was pretty dark or people might have noticed the two girls crying and hugging.

That's when Peter came back over. He pulled us apart then gently ushered us out of the gym. The three of us walked down the dimly lit halls until we found an unlocked classroom. We went in closed the door and settled in for a heartfelt talk.

Sarah had been unsure about what Peter had told her. But after my confession, she felt more in control and willing to listen. By the time we had told her everything, she was ready to help us put Kyle away for a long time. Our talk took so long that the dance was over when we came out of the room.

My perfect gentleman of a boyfriend gave Sarah a ride home before taking me home and walking me to my door. As he turned to leave I grabbed his hand and asked him to stay while I told my parents about Sarah. I felt my heart swoon as he moved back to my side, ready to support me as I informed my parents we'd found another girl to stand against Kyle.

Strange but it was a scary but freeing thing to admit for both me and Sarah, but it had to be done. I don't know about Sarah, but I feel stronger for it. Everyone I've told has been supportive – not condemning like I had originally feared. Each time I've admitted what happened it has helped heal my soul. Telling freed me.

Peter's POV

The dance was awesome, I got some up-close time with my girl and we convinced Sarah to add her voice to the case against Kyle. Cornelia's mom didn't know whether to celebrate at the news or cry. Sarah makes seven, that's just seven too many girls having to suffer because of that prick.

I headed home after we finished talking with Cornelia's parents. Well actually, after Cornelia's parents said good night and went to bed leaving us to make-out on the couch. After a half an hour, I begrudgingly broke away from the sweetest kisses I've ever known to head home.

I was humming as I walked in the door. The night had been really good – good for me and Corny, good for Sarah and good for Mrs. Hale's case. It felt like I was on top of the world. I headed for my room, intent on calling it a night. That is until my little sis knocked on the door and said she needed to talk. That's when I found out that Martin had attacked Irma again.

As Taranee told the story of the events before the dance ended, I felt my stomach drop. My stomached rolled at the thought of what Martin had tried to do for a second time to Irma. I could only imagine how hurt and furious Caleb was, probably the same way I feel about Kyle and what he'd done to Cornelia. The tightness in my gut released considerably as Taranee continued the tale, and I learned that Irma had stood up to him and fought off the attack.

I developed a new level of respect for Irma and lifted a prayer of thanks that she was safe. I envy Caleb, he will never know the pain of seeing the love of his life hurt that way.

Cheers!

1/20/2016 10:40 PM