Ok guys. I decided to try something daring. I'm using French! I know I know! Wow, gasp, ahhhh, ohhhhhh, wide eyes. Exactly. But, I'm not so sure that all of it is correct. My reference was…well, confusing. Anyway, enjoy.

NOTE: This chapter is dedicated to my web sis, Starry! Her birthday was May 20. I know I know. This is really REALLY late, but wish her a happy birthday, and read her fanfics. They are really good. Happy birthday, web sis! ;)—loves yas. AND this chapter is also dedicated to purplekit. The first reviewer of my fanfic.

NOTE: There is a small dream sequence in this chapter. You can because it will be in italics; thoughts will be in italics and in bold (but sometimes they will say it's a thought. I'm just like that.)

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Chapter 2: Tragedy and Secrets

"This is the place, miss." The taxi driver spoke in broken French. "This is Kadic Academy."

Caiti Robinson smiled, "Merci, monsieur. Combien est-ce que je vous dois?" She pulled a wallet out of her oversized purse.

The oversized driver smiled, "Don't worry about it. The ride is on me."

"Merci, monsieur. Merci." She gave him a grateful smile then scrambled out of the stuffy vehicle. She spoke many languages fluently; she had traveled most of her life. Her parents called her the walking translator as a joke. She couldn't help herself. She loved the French language.

"Well, this is it," The girl sighed. "Kadic Academy, the best high school in France. Great." Caiti grabbed her suitcase, and then stepped through the gate leading to the schoolyard. Her skirt fell just above her knee, and her V-neck top came to just the right depth, with her white tank top underneath. The guys seemed to stare as she walked by in her expensive, top-of-the-line designer boots. Just looking at her, they never would have guessed what she was struggling with something that was currently turning her life upside down.

She walked slowly toward the school, shaking underneath the weight of her rolling suitcase and shoulder bag. Caiti pulled a letter out of her skirt pocket, opened it and reread it. She was to report to the principal's office upon first arriving. Upon first arriving? Caiti thought, who says that anymore? I may be an honor student, but god!

"Tiens moi." She whispered under her breath. She set down her heavy duffel, and let go of her suitcase to debate on which way to go.

"Hey. It looks like you could use some help." A voice floated to her from behind.

She turned to see a curly haired brunette watching her with his grey blue eyes. Caiti noticed that for the first time since, well she couldn't remember, that he actually looked her in the eyes, instead of letting his eyes wander on her. Caiti smiled gratefully, "Yeah that would be nice."

The boy picked up her duffel, then grabbed her suitcase. "By the way, I'm David Brock. So, where to?"

"I'm Caiti Robinson and to the principal's office." She stood for a moment to see which way he headed.

He took a graceful step to the right, "So, you just walked in and already you're in trouble. Wow. You've got some nerve, Ms. Caiti Robinson." He said teasingly, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Ha ha ha," She said rolling her eyes and then pulling her long brown curls into a messy bun. "I'm going because, well it's a long story, and I really don't want to talk about it, s'il vous plaît." Her eyes fell, and her face clouded.

"Ok," David said, knowingly, "then let's talk about you," he glanced at her, "and what you think of the school so far." He looked silly with embarrassment.

Caiti smile, "Oh! Well, it looks big, lots of fun, and very, unbelievably—"

"Safe?" he offered. That's what his mom said anyway.

"No, well yeah but" She finished softly. "Like home, I miss it."

David paused, and looked at her, "Well, I hope you have fun here. I've been here for a few hours, and I'm bored out of my mind." He laughed.

They stopped outside the principal's office, and smiled. "Well, I guess I'll see you later?" Caiti said, praying that they would.

His mouth twitched again, "Definitely," His eyes glittered, and she saw the blue in his eyes. "It would be my honor to join you later." He teased.

She smiled, and then answered, "That would be nice."

David stopped and turned, "Maybe at the assembly?"

"There is an assembly?"

"Yeah, you're gonna hear about it soon, I'm guessing."

"Ok, well I'll see you there, then."

He smiled. "Well, enjoy you stay with Mrs. Delmas." Sarcasm coated his voice.

She smiled at his receding back, and then moved toward the door. She knocked gently then asked, "Madame?"

From the other side of the door she heard a rustling, and then a voice, "Please, please, come in."

Caiti slowly opened the door, and timidly stepped inside. A cluttered desk stood at the center of the room. A young woman sat at the desk frantically searching for this-and-that. She looked so absorbed in the search, that when she abruptly looked up, Caiti jumped.

The woman stood, and smiles quickly at Caiti. "Hello, I'm Mrs. Delmas, and welcome to Kadic. And you are here for…" Her face grew confused.

"Oh!" Caiti jumped, "Pardon! I totally forgot! I'm Caiti Robinson. I'm here on an academic scholarship. I was told to come here as soon as I arrived."

Mrs. Delmas nodded, "Oh. Yes. You are the—"

"The new girl," She interrupted, "from every country you can name."

The woman heard the pain in her voice, "Yes, the traveling child prodigy. Well, please, sit down. I will help you in a—"

A knock interrupted their conversation. "Um…Mrs. Delmas, I need to speak with you." A harsh, raspy voice echoed in the small room.

"Come in, Jim." The slender woman called. She tucked a piece of her long flowing black hair behind her ear, and then sat behind her disorderly desk. She only looked up when the door swung open. "Yes?"

The man called Jim hesitated for a moment, smiled at Caiti, and then began, "The brother and sister you told me to look out for got here a few moments ago." He continued, a confused look growing on the woman's face, "the ones with the sibling rivalry…"

She smiled, clarity filling her features. "Oh, yes. Please keep an eye on them…or maybe two. Thank you, Jim. You may go." She continued searching her desk as the large man turned and retreated back to the safety of the school grounds.

Caiti couldn't help but smile. They sounded exactly like her best friends in the States. Her smile faded, realizing how much she missed them.

Mrs. Delmas glanced up, holding sheets of paper. "Ah! Here are your school application forms and scholarship forms, along with your class schedule and room number. You will—"

A ring interrupted Mrs. Delmas. She smiled apologetically at Caiti, and then dug under the clutter of papers and pulled out a receiver. "Yes?" She asked into the phone. "Yes…..uh huh….no….yes, please. Ok, I'll be right there. Yes, Buh bye." She returned the receiver to its resting place beneath the stack of papers. "Please, excuse me. I'm needed in the gymnasium."

Mrs. Delmas hurried toward the door and pause. She turned back toward Caiti and spoke, "Make yourself comfortable. I will be back as soon as I can."

Caiti leaned back in the chair. The leather felt cool under her skin. The air conditioner kicked in and she listened to its gentle hum. She yawned, trying to fight the jet lag. Slowly, it lulled her to sleep.

Caiti felt the cold window against her face, watching the lights on the road as they drove past. She breathed in, watching the fog on the window disappear, then reappear when she breathed out.

She could hear her brother, Clayton, snoring gently in the seat beside her. He may have been older, but he definitely didn't act like it.

She smiled remembering the time her and Amanda and Kyle and Clayton had set off a stink bomb in the teachers' lounge. She smiled wider remembering that Clayton had taken the blame for her and her friends. Caiti could still hear his exact words, "No way was I going to let Mom and Dad know that you were in on it. They would have thought it was your idea." It was. And he had saved her from missing a concert.

Rain began pelting the car. The street lights blurred between the drops of rain. Her father leaned forward, trying desperately to see the road. She didn't worry. Her dad always knew what to do in sticky situations.

Headlights came quickly from the left of the car. They quickly passed.

"Ms. Robinson?"

She heard the tires roll on the slick road.

"Ms. Robinson, wake up."

Her eyes drooped, watching the road.

"Ms. Robinson?..."

Caiti sat bolt straight. "Wha…what?"

Mrs. Delmas stood to the right if her. "I'm sorry, you fell asleep."

She felt panicky, "What! For how long?"

Mrs. Delmas looked at her questioningly, "Around a half hour."

Her dream….no, please don't say that….No, it wasn't a dream, it was a nightmare.

"OK," Caiti stood up, and grabbed her things. "Well, I guess I'll just get out of your hair." She slung her duffle over her shoulder.

She flung open the door, trying to hurry outside. She practically ran out the door.

"There is a mandatory assembly at six in the gymnasium." Mrs. Delmas shouted after her.

"I'll be there."

Caiti pushed through the doors. She stopped and let the fresh air surround her. She felt tears welling in her eyes.

Caiti glanced at her room number. "Room 47A? Where is that?" She shrugged then turned and walked toward the dorms.

It was going to be a long day.

Well, its way longer than the other chappie, but I dunno, I guess, it was kinda hard to write. I'm tired and its summer. I like never get a chance to write.

Well, review. And infinite X's and O's,

oddgurl