Cassidy's POV
We're soaring
Flying
All I could hear was my heart pounding in my chest. Father did not sound happy when he asked to speak with Tech and I. Tech sensed my fear and gave my hand a squeeze.
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
My father looked Tech straight in the eye. "If you had just left well enough alone, none of this would have happened! You convinced my daughter to want to return to Acmetropolis! If she had just stayed here, there would be no problem!"
If we're trying
So we're breaking free
Tech tried to protest. "But, Sir, I..."
"No! I do not believe you! Now, you listen close and you listen good... Stay away from my daughter!"
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
I couldn't stand watching on the sidelines anymore. I stepped in between Tech and her father, fuming. "How dare you accuse Tech of such a thing! He is more than trustworthy and respectful of others, not to mention the kindest and most sincere guy I know! And I love him!"
My father blinked. I waited in silence, almost regretting having lost my temper.
Tech' POV
Creating space between us
Till we're separate hearts
I wasn't sure what would happen next, but I recieved the suprise of my life. Cassidy looked mad. Really mad. I wouldn't doubt it if steam started coming from her ears. I had never ever seen her like this.
But your faith
It gives me strength
I couldn't believe her father, and I didn't blame Cassidy for losing her temper. Heck, I was proud of her. Without thinking, I stepped beside Cassidy and took her hand. "With all do respect, Sir, I happen to love your daughter very much."
Strength to believe
Cassidy looked up at me, eyes filled with relief and joy. I reached out to hold her other hand, but we were stopped by a very angry father. My heart seemed to stop as our hands were torn apart. Silently, we talked to each other, using only our eyes.
'I'm not going to let him take you away.'
'Don't worry, I'm not giving up.'
'I love you.'
'I love you, too.'
Cassidy's POV
We're breaking free!
My father stepped in between us, shoving Tech away from me. He was about to speak when I heard a voice that I hoped so hard I'd never hear again.
"I'm here, so what's the..." He broke off when he saw me.
We're soaring
Flying
'Darnnit!' I winced. My ears were correct. It was Prince Edward.
"Greetings, Aurora. I was hoping I'd see you again soon." He stepped up to me, gently taking my hand. I immediately pulled away from him. If he hadn't gotten the message the last time, then he's gonna get it this time. No doubt about it.
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
He seemingly ignored it. "Are you not excited? Our special day is fast approaching!"
"What?" I gasped, horrified.
"Why, our wedding day, of course!"
"WHAT!?"
If we're trying
We're breaking free
"Aurora, please, calm down..."
"Calm down? How can I calm down if I'm being ignored and being pushed into things against my will?"
Prince Edward put his arm around me, smiling. "Don't worry, you'll like it."
Can't you feel it building
Like a wave the ocean just can't control
The next thing I knew, I was being pulled into Tech's strong, protective arms.
Tech's POV
Connected by a feeling
Oh, in the very soul
'How dare he do that to her!' I thought, becoming more and more angry by the minute. I instinctively shoved Edward away from Cassidy, and hugging her close to me. There was no way I was giving up without a fight.
"What are you doing?!" Cassidy's father boomed.
Rising till it lifts us up
So everyone can see
"What someone who loves her would do," I said, mustering all the courage I could. "Protecting her"
Normal POV
We're breaking free!
Cassidy wrapped her arms around Tech and pressed her face against his chest, with him was the only place she felt safe.
Prince Edward was shocked and ticked. Very ticked. He glared straight at Tech. "How dare you!" He hissed.
We're soaring
Flying
Tech glared right back at him. Tech was much stronger and larger than Edward, and all of them knew it. Tech stood his ground. He was not going to let him touch Cassidy.
Cassidy straightened up. "No, how dare you!" She retorted. "Ever since I met you, you have faked being nice and done so horribly. Not to mention you've been nothing but rude to every single one of my freinds!"
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Prince Edward looked slightly offended. "But, Aurora, I thought you loved me."
"I'm sorry to say this so bluntly, but, no. I don't. I never did. And honestly, I don't think you love me, either, at least not for the right reasons. Not like Tech."
If we're trying
We're breaking free
King John watched this in silence. He wasn't sure what was happening, or why, but he began hearing voices.
'You matter more to me than anything else in the world...'
'Tech doesn't want her to be hurt, either!'
'If it weren't for Tech, Cassidy would have been killed!'
He rubbed his head in confusion, but the voices kept coming.
'Tech loves Cassidy... you heard him tell her so yourself.'
'You want me to change who I am. I can't do that. I just... can't.'
He silently exited the room and walked into the bathroom. He splashed cold water over his face.
Meanwhile, Edward was taking in what Cassidy had said. At first, he looked offended, then went furious. "Fine! I don't need this! There are hundreds of other girls like you!" He stormed out of the room.
Running!
Climbing!
Tech smirked. "Good luck finding one who will put up with you." He murmered. Cassidy giggled. Then she realized that her father had left the room, and all was silent. Only then did the reality of the situation hit her. They could be in major trouble.
To get to that place to be all that we can be
Tech glanced worriedly at Cassidy. He had a feeling that something was wrong. "Cassidy? What's the matter"
"Tech, we could be in serious trouble. Who knows what Father's doing!"
Now's the time
So we're breaking free!
"I'm not sure what to do, Cass." Tech said simply, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not sure..."
"I don't want to leave you again."
More than hope,
More than faith
"I don't want you to leave again, neither. But, I must say, you really gave Edward a tounge-lashing! I never thought I'd be going to you for tips on how to keep Duck in his place!"
This is truth
This is fate
Cassidy giggled. "Don't get used to it. That side of me only comes out once in a while"
And together we see it coming
When King John returned from the bathroom, he stopped, seeing Tech gently holding Cassidy close to him. At first, he was boiling mad, until he saw Cassidy return the embrace. Tech said something to her, and Cassidy laughed. He couldn't hear what, though. Suddenly, he realized something. He had been wrong. Horribly wrong. Tech did not want to hurt her. He was doing the exact opposite.
'I love you, Cassidy'
'I love you, too, Tech.'
King John slapped his forehead. 'How could I have been so blind?!' Cassidy was happy on Acmetropolis with Tech and the others. That is where she belonged. Not on Sari. He stepped into the room. "Cassidy..."
Cassidy and Tech jumped, yet Tech did not let go of her. Cassidy clung even tighter to him.
More than you,
More than me
"I have realized how wrong I was. You were right. You belong on Acmetropolis. I shouldn't force you into things that you are obvoiusly so against. I guess I was being overprotective of you because I didn't want to lose you again. I wanted you in arms' reach. You don't know how hard it was to send you to Acmetropolis."
Not a want
But a need
Cassidy stepped up to her father. "It's okay, Father."
"No, it's not. I need to learn to let go and trust better. And that's why I'm letting go of you. You may go home to Acmetropolis, your home."
Both of us, breaking free!
"Oh, Father... I... I don't know what to say"
King John knelt so he was eye-level with his daughter. "I am so sorry for the way I've been acting. It was completely uncalled for. I let you, Maria, and Andrew down at the same time. And I understand if you're still mad at me"
Soaring!
Flying!
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Cassidy shook her head. "No, I could never stay mad to you. Besides, you are the only father I have. And no matter where I am, you'll always be my father. I forgive you." She smiled and reached out to hug her father. He returned the embrace. When he let go of her, Cassidy strode up to Tech. Tech slid his hand into hers and they smiled at each other.
Tech bent over slightly so his nose touched hers, but stopped when King John cleared his throat. "I may have learned to trust others better, but a leopard doesn't change his spots overnight."
If we're trying
So we're breaking free
Tech's face went red. Cassidy giggled.
King John relaxed a bit. "Now, go on, you two! Before I change my mind!" He threatened jokingly.
"Yes, Sir!" Cassidy chipped in, playing along.
Running!
Climbing!
To get to that place to be all that we can be
"Oh, and, Tech?"
"Yes, Sir?" Tech asked.
Now's the time
So we're breaking free!
King John smiled. "Take good care of her for me."
Oh, we're breaking free
Tech nodded. "Yes, Sir. I won't let you down." He turned to Cassidy. "Come on, Cass. Let's go home."
Cassidy smiled. She liked the sound of that. 'Home. To Acmetropolis.'
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are.
(END CHAPTER)
One left! And I do believe that a lot of you will be relieved to know that this is the last you will ever see of Prince Edward.