Chapter 10
Hey- thanks for the reviews! Sorry it's been long but I've had exams and writers block for chapter 12 which has know been completed. Enjoy and sorry for any mistakes I haven't got the time for proof reading.
Lacrosse may not be the country's most popular sport and so the name Caitlyn Gellar may not mean a lot to many people, especially when women's sport still has to make the headlines as often as men's despite the claims that the twenty first century is one of equality between the two sexes. For those of you who aren't avid supporters of lacrosse may recognise the name because of Caitlyn's current relationship with one third of the internationally famous band, Connect Three. Nate Gray and Caitlyn Gellar started dating a few months ago after they met at one of Caitlyn's lacrosse matches where she was playing against Lola Gray, Connect Three's sister.
Caitlyn started playing the game in middle school and quickly became the best player in her school. On her arrival into high school she was horrified to learn that there was no lacrosse team for girls but within weeks of her arrival she had persuaded the school to start one up. She captained the team throughout her school career as the most experienced player. The team however, soon became the best team in the county even though most of them hadn't played before and the game was new to them.
When Caitlyn left school she shocked the sports world, her friends and family by choosing to go to college and study history there instead of joining a professional lacrosse team. She has later stated that she never regretted her decision as she it was an experience she had looked forward too throughout her childhood and she loved every second. She also loathed giving up history, which was without a doubt her favourite academic subject and her love for it was only beaten by lacrosse (and her family and friends).
After finishing college she joined her current team where they have become one of the most successful team nationally as well as internationally. Although another reason for her attending college was to have something to fall back on if lacrosse didn't work out Caitlyn has been known to say that if she couldn't play lacrosse then she wouldn't know what to do with her life. She lives, breathes and is the sport but now all that has been threatened.
Earlier this week she was involved in a horrific car accident from which she is still recovering. It is unknown what exactly the accident did to her but it is uncertain if she will ever be able to play lacrosse again, let alone as part of a professional team.
For the next few months all eyes will be keeping tabs on the sporting star to see how her recovery goes and if a miracle will occur and allow her to regain her status as one of America's best female lacrosse players.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes as she finished reading the article in the magazine that Rosalie had brought for her. She was still in hospital but the doctors were hopeful that she would soon be out of their doors and back in her own apartment.
She had tried walking the previous day and although her face her been screwed up in pain the whole time she had made it to the window before collapsing in Nate's awaiting arms. Today she had made it to the door and if she kept up the progress she was making now then she should be able to leave in three days.
Her parents and siblings had left the previous day to go home as they all had jobs to return too but Nate, Mitchie and the others were spending the time in hospital with her whenever they could.
"Have you read this?" Caitlyn asked Emily and Mitchie who were the two there with her. Mitchie had been there since lunch when she had finished recording in the studio and Emily had arrived half an hour ago when the school she taught at her finished.
Emily nodded. "Yeah there was copy in the staff room." Mitchie smiled sympathetically at her showing that she too had read the article. "It wasn't that bad was it; they didn't spread any gossip."
Caitlyn sighed. "No but they don't think I'm ever going to play again though. They said it would be miracle if I returned to the game."
"It's the media; it wouldn't be so much of a story if they said that you were likely to return." Mitchie soothed but she had doubts although they were only 40%. 60% of her views on the subject where that she would return to the game she so passionately loved.
Caitlyn scowled at her although Mitchie got the impression that it wasn't really aimed at her. "They're so bloody nosy." She muttered. "How do you cope with it?"
"Ignore it." Mitchie said. "That way you don't let it get to you." She looked meaningfully at Caitlyn who made a face.
"It's easy when you're used to it?" Emily countered. "When Jason and I first started dating I completely freaked out by the attention but they soon lost interest. Thank God."
"Yeah we're not all famous." Caitlyn stuck her tongue out at Mitchie in a fit of immaturity.
"You're famous." Mitchie protested.
"Not as famous as you; I'm only known by lacrosse fans in America. You're known by at least a third of the world's population."
"And Connect Three fans now."
"Yes I'm sure they remember my name just because I'm dating Nate." Caitlyn rolled her eyes.
"You'd be surprised." Mitchie laughed. "They even remember Emily's name." Emily reached across to grab one of Caitlyn's pillows which she tossed at Mitchie. Soon the room was filled with their laughter.
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"Right we've got business to get too." Imi burst into Caitlyn's room clutching a couple of files, several papers and bags. Mitchie and Emily had left with promises to return the next day bringing Nate, Shane and Jason with them; Nate was also dropping by later that evening.
"Business?" Caitlyn raised her eyebrows at her friend looking slightly nervous at the maniacal glint in her friend's eye.
"Wedding planning." Imi clarified pulling up the chair and dumping her stuff on Caitlyn's bed being careful not to drop the load onto her friend.
Caitlyn groaned internally but smiled at her overly excited friend. "What needs doing?"
"We've decided on the venue." Imi passed her a piece of paper with a picture of a grand looking hotel. "And we're sorting out the food at the weekend and as soon as you're out of here and you're coming to my next dress fitting so you can get started on your maid of honour dress. But today I need help with invitations."
Caitlyn chose to ignore the part about the dress hoping that it wasn't going to be as long and as painful as she thought it would be. "So you've sorted out the guest list then?" The list had been fighting them for weeks as Tom wanted a smaller wedding and although Imi wasn't against it she kept thinking of people that she ought to invite.
Eventually they had narrowed it down to family and the friends who they were still in contact with. People seemed to invite everyone they ever knew to their weddings even if they hadn't seen them for several years. Imi had kept thinking of people like this and eventually Tom had put his foot down. "Yep and we're still talking." Imi laughed.
"So about invitations then" Caitlyn prompted. "Where are you having them made?"
Imi grinned at her. "Handmade invitations are so much more personal don't you think?"
Caitlyn stared at her in horror quickly catching on. "You want us to make all the invitations. Are you insane?"
"There's only hundred and two. "Imi protested. "We can start them now but please will you finish them for me; it's not like you have nothing else to do." she noticed Caitlyn's sceptical look. "Please you're my best friend and my maid of honour."
"Fine." She gave in, although she had been intending to do so all along. She enjoyed craft and was getting bored in the hospital. Imi was right it would give her something to do. In fact it wouldn't have surprised her if Imi had decided this simply to keep her occupied. That and it was cheaper. "Let's get going."
Tom and Nate entered the room two hours later to find the two girls engrossed in their task and art supplies. "How's it going?" Tom asked picking up one to examine. "They look great."
"Good."Imi replied cheerfully. "We've done fifty of them and Cait said she's finish the rest." The other three laughed at her groan; it was taking her longer than expected.
"I wouldn't laugh if I were you Tom. You have to actually write them." Caitlyn grinned triumphantly at him and he too groaned.
"Are you going to be all right when you leave here?" Nate asked once Imi and Tom had left and Caitlyn had shifted over in bed so that there was room for him as well.
"No the stress of actually being able to sleep all the way through the night without being woken up by nurses every two hours may just kill me." She muttered sarcastically staring round the room in horror at the mess she and Imi had created.
Nate rolled his eyes; he was growing used to her sarcasm but that didn't mean that he liked it. "Seriously though?" He asked not bothering to come up with a witty retort and start a battle of the wits which he knew he would lose.
It was Caitlyn's turn to roll her eyes. "I'll be fine, they're not letting me out of here until I'm capable of taking care of myself at home and I have no doubt that all of you guys will be dropping in whenever you can."
"True." He admitted. "I just worry."
Caitlyn smiled and kissed him before pulling away and surveying the mess again. "If you worry about my sanity then will you please clear this all away? I don't think I can stand another minute in this room with this mess."
"I'd hate for you to see my room." Nate muttered but he slipped off the bed anyway and started clearing the things away. A pile was made of finished cards and another of blank cards; the craft supplies were swept into a bag and stowed under the bed. Only when Caitlyn deemed the room tidy enough for her sanity to remain intact did she allow him back onto the bed.
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"Are you going to be ok?" Nate asked for the tenth time in the hour that they had been in her apartment for.
"Nate I've lived here for two years." Caitlyn rolled her eyes. Shane, Mitchie and Jason were watching the two of them argue amusedly.
"Yeah but you haven't lived here before when you can barely walk." He noticed the expression on her face and carried on before she had a chance to protest. "Yes you can walk now but only just and you can't pretend that it's totally pain free."
Caitlyn scowled at him and a worse argument broke out between them. "Do you think that we should break them up?" Mitchie whispered to the two elder Gray brothers.
"Probably." Shane admitted. "But they're both so damn stubborn."
Mitchie glanced between the two of them and then around Caitlyn's room where they were all gathered. The door was open and out of the corner of her eye she could see the closed door to the spare room in the apartment. A smile spread across her face as an idea came to her. "Guys stop it." She snapped raising her voice so that they heard her and obeyed her.
She came forward from where she was perched on the windowsill to sit on Caitlyn's bed. Shane and Jason were sprawled over the floor and Nate had his arm around his girlfriend despite the fact that they were arguing. "How about I move in here with Caitlyn for a few weeks until she can walk better?"
"Are you sure you're going to be ok?" Shane asked. They had been back to get Mitchie's stuff, which had been more than the three guys had expected. Now Mitchie had already settled in and they had all ordered pizza which they had eaten in Caitlyn's room under the strict orders not to get pizza everywhere.
The three brothers had decided that they should return home now although it had been more of Caitlyn and Mitchie ordering them out. Nate was more reassured now that Caitlyn had someone staying with her and would be able to help her if anything happened. Shane, now that the time for separation had come, was unsure whether they would be okay.
Mitchie and Caitlyn exchanged amused looks and his brothers smirked openly. It was clear to them that it wasn't that Shane really thought that they wouldn't be ok but that he would miss Mitchie.
Jason hugged both girls before stepping out muttering something about seeing them outside later. Mitchie dragged Shane outside into Caitlyn's living room leaving Caitlyn and Nate in her room. "I'm going to miss you too." She murmured slipping her arm around his waist. "But Caitlyn needs me; well Nate needs me to stay here otherwise I'm sure that he would explode with worry."
Shane chuckled imagining the situation. "I love you." he kissed her forehead and Mitchie knew that that was all it had taken to persuade him that it was a good idea. Despite the fact that he had gone through a 'bad boy' phase and there were still traces of it in his character he would do anything for his family and she knew he was already starting to think of Caitlyn as a little sister.
"You two done?" Nate stuck his head round the door.
"In other words is it safe to walk through without being scarred with images not even the bravest want to imagine." Caitlyn called through dissolving into giggles when she saw Shane move slightly to his left so that that he could see her through the door and swearing at her.
"Hey I don't swear at your girlfriend." Nate defended Caitlyn scowling at his brother.
"That's because Mitchie's not a reincarnation of the devil." Shane smirked and the two brothers left the apartment still bickering to find Jason leaving the two friends laughing.
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Mitchie looked up from the magazine she was reading at the sound of feet hitting the floor in the room over followed by a stream of swear words. Evidently Caitlyn was now regretting the idea of getting up that morning. Mitchie sighed resigning herself to a breakfast alone expecting Caitlyn to go back to bed.
So she was surprised when Caitlyn entered the kitchen, a chalk white, muttering swear words under her breath and clutching the wall for dear life. "The kitchen's further than the bathroom." She moaned finally collapsing in the chair opposite Mitchie. She had made it as far as the bathroom the previous night with no help from anyone else and had obviously thought that the next day she could try a further distance. She was wrong.
"You really shouldn't have tried that." Mitchie scolded pouring her a cup of coffee and sliding to across the table along with a piece of toast.
"I get that now." She snapped gulping her coffee down and wincing when it burnt her throat.
"Are you ok though?" Mitchie asked peering concernedly at her. "I don't need to call an ambulance do I?"
Caitlyn rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'll be fine' let me recover from this bit and then if you can help me get back to my room I'll take a quick shower and then collapse on the sofa. Are you going out today?"
Mitchie shook her head. "Nope I'm here all day. So I'm thinking movies all day."
"As long there's ice cream I'm up for it." Caitlyn grinned perking up slightly with the prospect of a lazy day and not having to move at all and cause her leg more pain. "Oh and Imi's dropping by around lunchtime so you'll probably get dragged into wedding planning."
"Sounds good; Shane said that they would be coming round for dinner at about seven." She smiled as Caitlyn's face visibly lit up at the thought of seeing Nate. Although she didn't know it it was an expression that was mirrored on her own face.
"Let's get too it then." Caitlyn said gingerly standing up and balancing on her one foot until Mitchie came round and helped her hobble back to her room. Once she was certain that Caitlyn would be able to cope by herself she left her too it and returned to her own room to gather stuff for her own shower.
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"What's up with you two?" Imi asked as she opened the door to find Caitlyn sprawled across the sofa and Mitchie sat on the armchair in the corner of the room her legs dangling over the arm. They were both bright eyed and tissues littered the area. She glanced at the television screen and understanding dawned on her as she saw the end of Titanic playing.
She dumped her bags by the coffee table, hugged Caitlyn and said a brief hello to Mitchie before taking her own seat to finish the film. "What do you want for lunch?" Mitchie jumped up as the credits rolled. Imi got up to join her and they eventually agreed on making sandwiches.
Caitlyn was left alone in the lounge as her two friends got to know each other better as they buttered bread. She was glad that she was getting the opportunity to get to know Mitchie better but she hated not being able to move.
Being a very active person it was torture for her to have to sit still all day and it didn't help that she was an impatient person. It was this personal trait that meant that she had tried to walk further than she should have done and had caused her pain that was only rivalled by when she had first woken up from the accident. She would never tell Mitchie or Imi this as they would be sure to let it slip to Nate who would only worry more than he was already but her leg still hurt after her rather stupid trek across the apartment that morning.
"You will come to the wedding won't you?" Imi asked Mitchie as they returned carrying plates holding their lunch. "I mean I know Nate will be going as Caitlyn's date but you, Shane and Jason will come as well won't you?"
"Of course, thanks." Mitchie smiled at her slightly surprised at the invitation but thoroughly pleased to have been asked.
"You do realise that she's only asked you because she wants more help wedding planning." Mitchie laughed and Imi swatted Caitlyn on the head although it was a lot softer than she would normally have done so as not to hurt her head too badly which had also been hurt in the accident.
"When's your next hospital appointment?" Imi asked changing the subject as she sat back down.
Caitlyn pulled a face. "Tomorrow morning." She groaned. "Why you want to join the club and come with me?"
"Just curious." Imi rolled her eyes taking the hint that Caitlyn didn't want to talk about it. She realised that her friend was grateful that Nate, Mitchie, Shane and Jason were going with her but was dreading the appointment. "And I'd love to come but I think there are going to be enough people watching you freak out without me there."
"I will not freak out." Caitlyn protested but her heart wasn't really in it as she knew that Imi was right. "Can we drop the subject please?"
"So I was thinking that chicken for the dinner." Imi began as Caitlyn and Mitchie groaned.
"I thought that your mother in law and mum were helping you plan the wedding?" Caitlyn remembered the conversation she had had with Imi shortly after the engagement and wondered why she was having to do more than she had first expected.
"They are but these conversations annoy you." Imi laughed neatly catching the cushion that Caitlyn tossed at her.
I'm hoping that more chapters will be up quicker as I only have one more exam which is tomorrow (stupid science) but I have work experience this week (which for some pathetic reason I am actually nervous about- I'm only going to my old primary school). And then my long summer holidays are actually quite busy and writers block could strike again.
Thanks for reading
Tacxxx