Chapter 7

Chapter 8



Zack spun around to see Caitlin leaning against the doorway, her eyes full of pain. Caitlin walked in to the room her strides even and calm betraying none of her inner turmoil. Zack hiss softly and moved to meet her. Jondy and Max faded into the background as the two tortured lovers stared at each other. Caitlin moved to Zack's side and placed her hand on his cheek gently he flinched as if he'd been struck and moved away. Jondy and Max exchanged glances as Caitlin fell to her knees and began to sob. Zack paused briefly at the sound but does not turn around. He walks out of the room silently.

Caitlin lay on her king-sized bed sobbing like a broken hearted child, in her hands was clutched a tattered bear. The bear had been a gift from Zack.

Flashback

Caitlin was bored out of her skull; her mother was holding another one of her famous parties, or as Caitlin liked to call them "match up night". For the last few years Mrs. Cale had been trying almost desperately to set her up with the son, nephew, cousin of someone she thought would make the perfect new member to the family.

Caitlin sighed and tried not to yawn as her mother latest attempted at matchmaking- Brad Yoke strode up to her flashing a $500 smile. Brad was the eldest son of John Yoke, C.E.O of Yoke technologies. Therefore it made perfect sense that the beautiful and rich Caitlin Cale should fall for the charming and handsome, at least it made prefect sense to her mother and the rest of her social circle.

"Caitlin, baby how bout you and me swing on the dance floor." his voice oozed with charm and confidence. All the females in the room were looking at Caitlin with unmasked looks of envy. Caitlin couldn't care less what people thought or the attention she was getting, she just wanted to get out of there.

"Maybe later Brad." Forcing sincerity into her voice.

She didn't care what her mother thought she just wanted to reach her place. When she was ten her mother and father thought it was time for their darling daughter to be introduced to the world of social parties and proper conduct of a lady of her status. Caitlin absolutely hated it! She did everything possible to avoided learning how to be a lady.

She had wandered the halls of the Estate trying to find a place to hide from her ethics teacher. She had stumbled into a room that looked like it hadn't been used in years. There were dust-covered mats and lining the walls were weapons of all kinds guns, swords and weapons Caitlin couldn't name.

Caitlin pickup a sword randomly from the selection and began to swing it around it felt so right.

For the next 6 years Caitlin spent every spare moment in the room teaching herself how to fight with the numerous weapons. It came to her so naturally that soon she could rival the best in any form her strength was unarmed combat

She took refuge here now from her mother attempted at matchmaking. As she when through a basic routine her mind wandered back to a flyer she had seen at the local mall. It was an advertisement for a karate tournament. She didn't care about the money but it would be a great chance to test her skills.

Caitlin stood outside the karate tournament headquarters. As she walked through the door she hear the echoing shouts of triumphs as the contestants practiced on the mats. Caitlin waked up to the registration and signed up a few eyebrows rise at her name but no comment was made.

She was paired up with a young man about her age he was breath-taking with blond hair and a wild fringe. His blue eyes were cold and hard as he to the defensive stance. 20 minute later Caitlin was bruised and battered, Sam stood over her. A smile played at his lips as he held out his hand to help her up.

Zack won the tournament and Caitlin came in second. As Caitlin walked into her room she spotted a teddy bear lying on the bed. It was soft and fluffy and had big brown eyes. Next to the bear was a note.

'Nice fight.'

End flashback

Caitlin continued to sob heart brokenly. Suddenly there was a nook at the door, Caitlin sighed and tried in vain to compose herself running her hand through her haphazard hair her voice was horse as she whispered, "Come in."

Logan poked his head in the room and smiled, "I come bearing gifts," he said softly, he held up a tub of chocolate ice cream. When they were kids and something had upset them they would talk for hours over a tub of ice cream

Caitlin smiled. For the next hour Logan listened patiently as Caitlin described how deeply she care for Zach and how much his apparent rejection hurt.

"Why is it so hard for him to love me?" she finished in exasperation.

"Because he is afraid," said a voice from the window.

The cousins whirled around to see Jondy leaning casually against the door leading to the balcony.