Author's notes Sorry it's taken so long to update but I do more reading then writing and I've been held up……..but I hope you like this story and I dedicate it to Shibi my editor for my other stories.

So yeah, I edited this one by myself please excuse any grammatical, spelling, punctuation errors and the list goes on.

So enjoy the next chapter to 'Can I Ever Forgive You' and remember to review and read my bio page…….and please send me an e-mail to tell me if you want 'Unique' posted up….well on with the chapter….

Can I Ever Forgive You?

Part 5

My eyes slowly opened. Bitter, bright reality hit me hard. My head felt like ten trucks had run over it and my mouth was completely dry.

Slowly I regained my vision and I took in my surrounding.

Noise buzzed around my head as I looked vaguely around. I was laying down on one of the red sofas inside. People were walking by me as if I wasn't there.

I groaned. Grabbing my head as I slowly sat up. Dizziness swarmed me and I groaned again.

"Oh child, child, rest, you don't look so well."

A somewhat high pitched but soothing voice spoke.

I turned my head slowly just as a plump, red haired lady, with a stunning black dress on, sat down softly on the seat beside me. A glass of water extended out in her nicely manicured hand.

I took the glass of water with gratefulness and sculled it down in a un-lady like fashion. The cool liquid running down my parched, rough throat.

The plump lady chuckled lightly to herself, cause her three extra chins to wobble.

"I see that you're not doing to well. Would you like to stay with me for awhile, I have a nurse."

I looked at her shocked. No one had ever offered me help, but also I didn't know who this woman was.

She laughed and patted me on the back.

"So sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Jacqueline Rosemary Quintin. I'm the dutchess of Devonshire."

My eyes widened with shock. The only person who ever looked twice at me was a dutchess.

"I thank you for your kindness, but I believe my grandparents won't approve."

This caused Jacqueline to break out into a fit of laughter.

"My dear, who wouldn't approve of you staying with me."

"True, but I'm confused Dutchess Quintin. For how come, you have all of a sudden decided to house me and give me a place in your home?"

"It is simple child, you remind me of when I was young. Careless, free, yet still tied down by the chains of the world and please dear, call me Jacqueline."

I smiled weakly. This lady was confusing. She was of high, high class, yet she still took the time to look down and help others below her. Her behaviour was one of a normal day person, but she speaks in an educated language.

"Jacqueline."

"Yes dear."

"How long do you plan for me to stay at your residence?"

"As long as you bid……"

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I dumped my heavy bags with a 'crash' on my new royal blue carpet.

My new bedroom was of expensive taste and was huge. No that's understating it, its MASSIVE! Ten times bigger then my other room.

Along one wall, half way along it, was a King sized bed. The dark purple, silk sheets were nicely tucked in.

Across on the other side was a large computer desk with what looked like expensive, top of the range computer gear. A cordless phone was mounted on the wall next to it.

Further along the wall was a huge built in wardrobe and close by was a single door that lead into the large bathroom with spa, shower and tub.

Opposite from where I was standing was a pair of large glass doors that opened up to look over the beautiful fields below.

I sighed in relief and flopped onto the bed. My body sinking slightly into the comfortable covers.

My grandparents had chucked a huge wobbly when they found out the dutchess had asked me to say with her.

They were madder that I even talked to her, but when Jacqueline came to my rescue and talked politely to them and asked if I could stay they reluctantly agreed.

But it was hell for me when I got home. Grandad had showed me how he felt.

I absent-mindedly lifted my hand to touch the large bruise on my right cheek.

A loud knock at the door brought me to my feet.

"Come in."

The door flew open and Jacqueline glided in, her beautiful red dress flowing a little behind her.

As soon as she made eye contact with me she frowned and hurried over to my side and placed her hand lightly on my face.

"My dear, where in gods name di you get that?!?"

She asked concerned as she stroked the bruise lightly. I cringed in pain and pulled away from her touch.

"Oh no where, I walked into a door."

I lied.

"Not one of my doors I hope."

"No, oh no, one at home."

Jacqueline laughed and smiled.

"Good, well we'll get that checked out soon by the nurse down stairs and then I believe that you're a teenager and you have places to be on this new bright and cheery morning."

My mind suddenly flicked to something and I gasped. I had said to the Bret that I'd meet up with him and his friends.

I lightly touched the bruise on my face again as I thought. It would be better to go then to aggravate my grandparents by not going.

"Dear, are you coming?"

I blinked a couple of times before looking up and smiling. Jacqueline was at the door waiting for me to follow her to the bottom floor of the house for an early morning tea.

I nodded lightly and followed quickly after her.

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My shoes scrapped along the pavement as I shuffled closer to the Draggers.

Jacqueline said I was allowed to wear and do anything I wanted and she had kindly, much to my protest gone out and bought me a lot of new clothes.

She said that it wouldn't even tinge her credit card but I was still shocked at the price and stuff she got me.

I was wearing my new dark denim baggy pants, which sat low on my hips. I had a black spaghetti strapped, tank top on with a white jacket loosely over the top. On my feet was a pair of white skate shoes.

I was happy about my clothes but very nervous about going to the dinner. I thought that if I took longer that maybe they wouldn't be there when I got there.

I paused as I reached the bottom of the concrete stairs that lead up to the causal café/restaurant place. The bell twinkled as I opened the door.

There was red and white booths lining the walls and waitresses in skimpy gear ran around serving the hungry guys that sat at the table.

This place was known for all the dragsters that came here to eat. Hence the name, so it wasn't a shock that I found rows of performance cars out the front.

I looked around and caught a familiar glance of brown hair at a booth in the very corner. I sucked in a deep breath and started over to his table.

There were four other guys around him, all looking at the waitress who was leaning too far over for my liking.

I stopped beside the booth. Looking at the other guys. A wolf whistle came from the navy blue, dyed haired boy at the very back off the booth.

"Hey Mariam, I didn't know there was a new girl working here."

The purple/blue haired girl, who was leaning on the table, shot the cocky navy haired boy a glare. Before turning to face me.

"Hello, were would you like to sit?"

"She's sitting with us."

Bret spoke up, after hitting the Navy haired boy hard over the head.

"Righto then, well hi my names Mariam."

The purple/blue haired girl said, extending her arm to shake hands with me. She was of a skinny build, with long hair that was pulled up into a high ponytail. Two bangs were left hanging on each side of her face, framing her stunning emerald green eyes.

"And this is my brother Ozuma."

Mariam added, pointing to a guy sitting beside the cocky navy haired boy.

He was well built and good looking. He had short, spiked, black hair, with a streak of red down the middle. He also had matching emerald green eyes as his sister. He sat back in his seat looking vaguely interested with his surroundings.

"And this cocky bastard, is Kane."

She sneered, pointing the navy blue haired boy. He just winked and flashed a smile. Which earned him a punch in the arm from Ozuma.

"This is, Lee and Kai."

The name Kai rang a bell but I didn't take notice.

He was extremely good looking and had two blue shark fin style tattoos on each side off his face, from his jawbone.

He had two different colours of blue in his hair. Lighter blue at the front but dark blue at the back, his hair was long, but was set up messily.

His eyes were a burning colour of crimson and his body was build solid, but still looked great. He sat crossed armed in his seat, opposite Bret on the very edge. He didn't look very social.

Lee had black short spiked hair and golden coloured eyes. He was well toned and nice to look at. He seemed happy and cheerful, but not cocky as Kane is.

"And I guess you know Bret as he is the one that asked you to come right?"

I nodded lightly and smiled.

"So what's your name?"

"Oh sorry, the names Kate."

"Kitten, meow!!"

Kane said lifting his hands and doing tiger like claws.

I rolled my eyes and smiled as Mariam did the same.

"Well what would you like and I'll bring it over."

"Oh….arr….umm….a chocolate milkshake please."

Mariam smiled and winked at everyone before walking off.

I turned and looked at the very crowded booth. I frowned as I saw there was no way I could sit down.

Bret smiled as I looked at him.

"Yeah….umm…there's not much room."

He said, looking at the booth.

"Yeah I can see that, I'll go get a chair."

I said, making a move to grab a chair when a voice interjected.

"No, don't worry, just sit on Bret's lap, he won't mind."

Kane said, smirking evilly to himself as he scored a blush from both Bret and I.

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"""""""" Life is a prison """""""""

Oh god let me out.

No one to listen,

To hear when you shout.

Climb the walls of insanity,

Ride the wave of despair.

If you fall it don't matter,

There's no one who cares.

Used to wish for a window,

To see birds, trees and sky.

But you're better without one-

Stops you aiming to high.

Watching freedom is painful,

For those locked away.

Seeing happiness,

Another price that you pay.

Strong is good, weak is bad.

Be it false, be it true.

Your mind makes the choice,

And enforces it too.

Cell walls built by society,

With rules to adhere.

If you breach the acceptable,

You had better beware.

Hide the pain, carry on,

Routine is the key.

Don't let it on that you're not,

What you're pretending to be.

Lock it all up inside you,

How badly that bodes.

Look out for the day,

When it all explodes.

Leaving naught but a shell,

Base functionality too.

But killing all else,

That was uniquely you.

So how do you grow,

With a time bomb inside?

Or how to defuse it,

Without destroying it's ride?

""""""" You can't """""""

Poem by Puff

www.netpoems.com

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Okies people…….what do you think?????? Do you like it…..a little cliffy…….well please review…..Review and review…….leave a nice comment XD koolies…..well heres the disclaimer…..

I do not own the Beyblade characters or the poem at the end, but I do own the plot and story line, plus Bret and Kate, May and any of my own OC's

Till nex time

The Red Phoenix