Author's Note: Once again a loving thank you to those whom favourited and followed the story. And an all the more special thank you to those whom reviewed, specifically HumanSpectre, Guest, HalloweenBarbie, UntilNeverDawns and xSamiliciousx for never failing on reviewing your thoughts on every single chapter thus far in this unfair game of love. Clearly Hayden is a hated character which is exactly what I was going for. I am always willing and ready to read what you guys think and actually receiving feedback allows me to aspire to write more for you all. I love you all for it. So please continue to review your thoughts. Now let us proceed with chapter five. I hope you all enjoy.

V: Catharsis & Renaissance

Alas it was April and ever since February Charlotte's relationship with Hayden has become all the more violent due to her constant protests of his desires. She didn't want to submit and found herself submerged into something that was all the more damaging. Worse than it has ever been to say the least. As double layers of foundation is the only reason she could block the clarity of her bruises not only on her neck due to his rabid nibbles but also because of being at the receiving end of a fist tends to leave one bruised. Hayden however regardless of his obsessive possession of Charlotte hasn't shown up to English since the beginning of the marking period.

That then allows the inevitable awkwardness to wash over for Jon sat every single time with Charlotte. And he would never say a damn word to her, and his boots were always covered in mud once more along with blood coated denim blue jacket that is black like soot. The fact that he would simply quietly glare at her anytime Rothstein would turn his back made her want to cry out in agony all the more. She knew that he knew what was happening to her. She understood that's the reason why he probably doesn't even speak a word to her. She didn't want his help anyways. She didn't want to appear so petty before him.

After the bell rang Charlotte quickly gathered her belongs and rushed to walk outside and felt the loving spring breeze tickle her legs which were covered in opaque black stockings. She wanted no one to see a damn thing. But it wouldn't matter. Regardless of all Hayden like her is awfully popular within the school. Simply because he's head of the basketball team and of course - like Charlotte; his parents are filthy rich. Walking away from the school and past the parking lot where she spotted the familiar hand that dangled the cigarette between its loving fingertips was there as always and she shook her head as everyday this happened she would urge herself to get in that car and drive somewhere with her Stray Dog that no longer remained with her.

Her Stray Dog has forgotten her and all she can do is remember a well spent winter with paradoxically enough - calloused warmth was lovingly welcome. She wish she could see him crack that grin like he did every time she brought him something delightful to feast on or how he'll grunt in pleasure whenever she washed his hair. She missed feeling her skin crawl with goose bumps whenever his fingertips slightly grazed her vulnerable flesh for the sake of tucking strands of blonde hair behind her ear.

But this time just like the others that was seemingly impossible and pointless to reminisce on. Instead she found herself being tugged backwards as she was then fiercely whipped around to meet those boring brown eyes that sucked the fiber out of her soul. "What the hell did I tell you? You come to my car right after class baby." His nails dug into her skin - she was certain he withdrew blood once more. She groaned in frustration as she shoved Hayden to the point he fell to the ground and before he could even gather himself up she felt once more being tugged backwards. This time her wrist didn't go frigid cold like it did whenever it was Hayden or anyone else who touched her - instead it was consumed in some kind of fever that was like the bubonic plague. She wished to throw up out of pure bliss as she then managed to catch on through pure senses and familiarity the scent that bathed her in nothing but pure reassurance. Her eyes widen as she turned her head and found herself being held close - nothing like she's ever experienced by the stray dog that is Jonathan Good. A crowd soon soon gathered - surrounding the three as murmurs that questioned why Jon held her arise as well cries for Hayden to break the shit that is Jon down.

Hayden quickly gathered to his feet. "So this is who you're fucking huh Charlotte? Who would've fucking thought! You've gone a whole new low fucking with Good. He's nothing! He got nothing and he'll never be anything you fucking little bit-" She found herself being put aside before Jonathan got right on-top of Hayden and began to beat him to a bloody pulp before he could even finish calling her a bitch. A part of Charlotte watched with much horror but felt herself grow this insatiable urge to watch more. To watch how Hayden's blood coated his polo-collared shirt and spat onto the concrete floors of the parking lot.

"If anything you're going to learn how to beat your fuckin' meat instead of women you piece of shit." Jonathan continued to beat a struggling Hayden who no longer was even in a conscious state. Quickly those whom got along with Hayden got involved as they began to beat Jon past concrete and into the ground; causing Charlotte to simply push through the gathered crowd at the public execution and before they could continue to ruin him she placed herself right on top of him causing the men to hold their fists and step back.

"Just fucking stop!" She cried out, tears without much of her own control started to pour right out of her eyes as the makeup would smear as she began to wipe with the back of her sleeve. Foundation easily removed as then others would gasp aloud at the rather immense purple bruise on her cheek that throbbed like a heartbeat. People stepped back; Hayden's friends gathered his unconscious body and security began to clear the area.

The Principal whom watched from a distance would simply push his glasses up against his nose as he noted Charlotte taking hold of Jonathan's battered body and placing his head onto her lap in the middle of the parking lot. Charlotte would push back the rustic coloured tendrils of Jon whom simply began to laugh aloud regardless of his urge to wince. Squinting he opened his eyes to stare up at the tear-stained face of Charlotte whom only wept all the more because of his reaction.

"Why would you even do that...?" She whispered to him as she continued to comb through his hair. Jon only comforted himself, continued to laugh as his hand raised itself, his fingers pushing the strands of blond hair back and tucking them neatly behind her ear causing Charlotte to start laughing through her fit of tears.

"Because I fuckin' hate that guy Charlie. Simple as that. And I was getting sick and tired of not doing shit to help you when you did so much for me in the winter. I don't like being in debt to anyone. I'm tired of pounds of make-up that hides your true face and you thinking your bullshit smiles are going to convince me that everything is alright. I'll like to think although all we did was fight and bump heads - I know you better than that." Charlotte only kept smiling as her bruises ached like a heartbeat. She pulled up Jonathan's heavy body with little strength and pulled him close to her frame. She pushed past the pits of his arms and wrapped herself around him.

"Thank you so much... thank you..." She sobbed into his ears and he felt her tears send a chill down his spine as he remained with wide eyes at the act. He dug his nose into her collarbones and found himself enthralled with her citrus-y scent that smells like blood oranges, peaches, strawberries and lime. His hands covered in blood stained her pure blond hair with the red giving her some kind of morbid ombre colouring. Her hair smelled like her sweated fear as he knew she flinched at when Hayden took that hold on her. She nuzzled her face into his rather filthy denim jacket and found herself wash with comfort as the two in the moment didn't care who saw, who commentated on the scene. She found herself growing at ease with every loving rub Jon gave her back and every tear of misery and glory that was shed.

Charlotte pulled away from Jon whose blue eyes for once twinkled with warmth instead of that constant callousness. Her fingers; shaking, wiped away the remnants of blood and her thumb grazed his rather chiseled jawline. Her bottom lip quiver and Jonathan taken note of that began to wonder once more what her lips probably taste like. As much as he wished to witness the vulnerability of her current state instead he looked away - with one arm he pulled her to his frame as he then stood up - bringing her up with him. Charlotte took one last look at the ground where Hayden's blood covered the ground and smiled before with an arm wrapped around her shoulder walked to the red pick-up truck that always watched over her.

"I don't want to go home tonight..."

Charlotte whispered as she rested alongside Jon whom rested his head on her thighs on the back of his pick-up truck. The night was in the open and alas Cleveland had a clear sky to offer. Although chilly, the two managed to maintain warmth due to the body heat emitting from her flesh. Her fingertips curled his hair and she would only sigh in relief as she noted Jon looking up at her and grinning at her. Surprisingly he only had a bloody nose and no bumps.

Charlotte's lips slightly parted as she would stare at Jon with shock imminent within her expression as then his fingertips would begin to lightly caress her cheek in his professional loving way. His gaze deepened as he would slightly shift his position and he'll sit this time before as he then leaned in and before she could push him away - she flinched at feeling his lips lightly kiss her cheeks. Her skin quickly flushed as she felt fever consume her just like it did whenever he touched her.

She gasped as she would stare at Jon whom only kept his expression stern regardless of his actions. "You don't deserve that Charlie girl." His voice was hoarse as she took the cigarette that dangled on his free hand and placed it on the corner of her lips. She took a light inhale and she smiled softly to his words. The smog that escaped her lips he graced with a deep inhale of it as his lips parted and took the smog all for himself.

"Nobody should," He paused as once more his fingers touched her hurting flesh and kissed it once more. He dug his face into the nape of her neck - his cool breath easing the swelling and she only shivered for goose bumps crawled on her olive flesh. "Ever touch you like that. Instead they should try to repair whatever the hell is fucked up with you." Her heart felt as though it was torn right out of her body and remained as a void filled by the words he spoke. She tilted her head back, allowing his face to have more space to dive itself in. She didn't mind this at all. She was accustomed to the warmth of his breath dancing on her flesh for after every night they watched either Monday Night Raw or ECW back at her place.

"You're just saying that..." She whispered as she opened her eyes and allowed her vision to blur with the wonderous appearance of the stars that plagued the night skies. Jon simply pulled his head away, his hand taking a fierce grip of her jaw and through sucking his teeth and gritted jaw lock he glared deep into her eyes. He stared at her soul and ravished it with his madness. "Last thing I'll do is spit words that don't mean shit darlin'. Remember that." His words fluttered onto her lips. The inside of her mouth salivated wondering what they felt like for her lips are one of her most vulnerable exposed parts of her body that reaches into the real her. Hayden never truly got to know her lips for he always devoured and she'll stain them with lipstick that takes away their natural blushed look.

Jonathan simply stared at her with her face in his hands and grew hungry. But he knew it wasn't right. The pet could never truly enact in lust with its owner unless it was dry-humping the leg. Thats all Jonathan was to Charlotte - or so he perceived himself that. The loyal stray dog whom was found for dead and revitalized and brought back to life and met with warmth instead of the callousness of reality. He respected her with great extents and felt this undeniable need to protect her regardless of him believing or telling himself he's not the one for the job seeing as he's not exactly the safest being to be around.

But this was all he needed - to be with her at least in the night. To be able to speak to her alas and tuck that blond strand that never failed sticking out from her wavy blond tresses. Charlotte like warehouse where he met with Cody Hawk several times over the week to do simple tasks would take him in for who he is and made him find some sort ouf solace. That's something he never felt throughout his life seeing as his home isn't exactly intact. With her he managed to enjoy wrestling without having to sit on his fire-escape where he taped up his television for the sake of better reception to watch pro-wrestling.

"Jon..." Her soft words snapped him out of his trance with her forest pairings and he'll grin before letting go of her face. However her hands reached out to take a hold of his before she placed them onto her cheeks and she smiled. Not a small, passive smile but a smile that illuminated just like the crescent low moon. Pearly whites beamed and she began to giggle before a sole tear escaped her eyes. Charlotte like Jon though on the other side of the living condition had nobody. Had nothing.

Her parents barely around, the lack of true friends for those whom associated themselves with her were people she bitterly looked down on. Charlotte never cared for them, never cared for the company of her parents and had little care for anything that was considered the shade of grey in a world she viewed monochromatic. All she was fascinated was with the odd deep shades of black and the smudge of red. The abnormal - the things that called out for her. A good read, pro-wrestling, humanitarian acts and the insatiable need to explore the world. To travel and remember it all.

"Thank you so much!" She spoke through her sobs and Jon remained silent. Nobody ever thanked him, not for a damn thing. Instead his hands raised as one placed itself behind her neck and the other rubbed the top of her head. He shook his head. "Shit Charlie, you're even beautiful when you're crying like a grown ass child." Charlotte shoved Jon whom only laughed as she stopped her sobs that were replaced laughters that echoed with the crickets of nature.

"Tomorrow is Saturday, you don't have shit to do. Come with me to see Cody." Charlotte always heard about this Cody. Tomorrow I start my official training seeing as Les Thatcher left the company." It really has been a while she spoken to him. For last time they talked all he did was thrash about because they wouldn't train him due to his age. He's simply a seventeen year old boy who Les Thatcher rejected to pursue his passion. Instead told him to pursue a degree in college and do weight-training. Something that truly spiked Jon's nerves. Charlotte never seen Dean perform. She always wondered what he looked like within the ring but then again all she ever did witness is him working out at the gym in her home's basement. Something she did with him seeing as she thought of the gym herself to be an outlet to air her greivances through sweat, groans and bodily ache that felt good for once. She only nodded her head as he only dropped onto his back once more.

The two fell asleep alongside one another - only their fingertips throughout the night reached out for one another and their only witness was Cincinatti's midnight sky.

She was hesitant to step out of the car as Jon grew impatient when they pulled up to this unknown warehouse. She glanced around - still inside the car as she felt her nerves rather shook but she didn't mind. Jon paced back and forth instead she just sighed for the sake of relief and stepped out. She didn't go home last night - instead she remained with him until they woke up and with ease were on their way to where they currently found themselves in. Jon outstretched his arms as his back faced her but he turned his head to flash her that infamous grin of his she's grown to realize has some bodily effect on her.

"This is the reason why the name Jonathan Good will be all you'll hear about. This is where the magic happens Princess." Amused, Charlotte kept her arms neatly folded against her chest as she walked behind him. "Such a humble man aren't ya?"

"I think I am the best and that's what is going to make me the best. You can't let people or anyone else who think they are above you to knock your god damn hustle. That's how it fuckin' works. Laws of attraction get it?"

"I'll keep that in mind." Words she promised herself to never forget. His testimony of making it big in pro-wrestling and his self-proclaimed best in the world statement. Charlotte noticed Jon pull out the set of keys that unlocked the door to the place she stared with pure awe at stepping in. The fact that he had keys - the fact that someone in this world actually believed in the kid made her feel good. She wasn't the only one who saw the good in him.

"This is fucking amazing..." She stared at the floor covered in mats, posters that promoted upcoming matches, the ring that was prominently placed right in the middle of the gym, boxing bags that hung at all different sporadic spots within the gym and the weights section of the room. Something about the place made her grin sheepishly and Jon whom stood by side her would only smile to himself. Giving himself an approving nod for he was certain she was going to love it.

"This is where you're going to start your training? Where is everyone?" She asked as she lightly pushed the 250 pound punching bag with no problem. Jon nodded his head. "Its still pretty fuckin' early. I just wanted to do something with you." She followed him as she would find herself with a perplexed expression on her face as she was handed a pair of gloves. Pink boxing gloves. She stared at them with question for a mild second as she then sees Jon popping in a mouth piece and adjusting his gloves. Charlotte caught on and all she did was smile before she began to slip her gloves as well after she placed her mouth piece as well.

"You're going to fuckin' learn how to defend yourself got it. Don't be a pussy and hit me alright?" The two now stood in the ring and she only nodded her head. Jon noted the determination in her eyes and that fueled him all the more. It was hard for him to see her treated as a rag doll. She had strength she clearly held no idea on how to use for her own benefit. After all he's had first hand account of her lifting weights - specifically dead lifts and even bench-press a surprising amount of pounds that one wouldn't expect from her frame. Then again, her legs, her abdominal and even arms are well defined. He told himself that she loved the gym just as much as he did.

"I don't think I can do this." Her words barely understandable but he got the jist of it. He sucked his teeth.

"Come on. Don't be a pussy. Take a good fuckin' swing right at me." He was sure she'll do it. For his sake at the least as he noticed her expression change. He held his hands up as Charlotte's nostrils flared. She took in a deep breath before she then gave him two quick jabs that caused Jon to slightly step back. He stared in awe but the grin never faded his lips as he re-adjusted his stance.

"Just like that Princess." He flashed that grin - clapping his hands. She felt her heart flush out the rush that was building and the tension was seeping slowly right out of her. "Don't hold back. Gimme more of that alright?" Jon grew hungry once more; like the times he would stare at her lips but this time with fascination as Charlotte's every jab was clean yet oddly enough wild. He knew his hand would hurt after this seeing as every hit became heavier.

She didn't stop until her knees buckled and she cried out as though she reached estascy and fell to the floor. Covered in sweat and she felt herself cry once more. She never felt so pathetic. She just remembered Hayden, hell even her parents, everyone within her circle and she found herself sick to her stomach. Jon spat out the mouth piece as he sat down next to her and he took a grip at her shoulder.

"How do you feel?"

"Better..."

"Are you crying because of the pain you wuss?" He knew it wasn't because of that but he said it for the sake of cheering her up. Though she barely ever spoke to him about her personal matters - he knew there was always something wrong with her. For a girl who was loved amongst everyone she walked past of she was surely introverted.

"Yeah, that's sure as hell it." She gave him a wink. "How about you show me some of your moves?" He scoffed as he defiantly shook his head.

"No way in hell. Now, don't think this shit is going to be one time. We're doing this every day of the week alright?"

Charlotte sarcastically groaned. She didn't mind the idea of it at all. "Whatever you say Jon." Regardless of her attempts to convince him to show her some wrestling moves - Jon simply protested but the two found themselves stuck in the gym chatting their lives away about wrestling and even trying to muster up names for him as an in-ring performer. Nothing proved to be of gold yet but then he gave her a tour of the area until it was close to the time someone would come, the Cody Hawk that Jon with much admiration spoke of. Locking the doors behind him Jon and Charlotte walked back to his car and with one last look Charlotte looked back at the warehouse.

"I want to come see you perform or train if that's alright with you."

Jon stared at her with wonder. He never would've thought she cared much about it but then again this is the same girl that tuned into pro-wrestling every night it was on with him and apparently on her own time. She was the one who told him how beautiful ECW is because of its visceral nature.

At dropping her off home Charlotte smiled softly at Jon whom only flashed her a wink - a wink with that sheepish grin of his before the gates to her home opened and at the end she could see her parents waiting for her. A knot formed in her throat, her steps became heavy as she stood before them and they simply glared at her with much disdain.

"Get inside Charlotte. We have much to discuss." Caught, red handed.