I'm here for you

8

Caitlin sighed as the plane touched down. She was feeling hot and sticky. She just wanted to go home and have a nice, long sleep. She hadn't managed any sleep on the plane as every time she closed her eyes, she saw him, causing her to open her eyes and distract herself in other ways. Every song that she listened to felt like it was describing their complicated feelings and complicated things between them. She stared to get off the plane but felt the overwhelming panic attack coming on. She sat down and did some breathing exercises that Barry had taught her. She felt better and walked off the plane 

"Wow Caitlin. I'm impressed. The break has done you good. You managed it out of the plane, by yourself and into the airport"

"I told you I'm somewhat better. Barry taught me some new breathing techniques and exercises to help"

"That was nice of him"

"Well he did it to make himself feel better, after everything that he had done"

Caitlin stepped into the airport and froze. She found that her body was unwilling to move and go forward

"Come on", her mum urged, "we're going to be late"

Caitlin tried to move, but her body wouldn't cooperate 

"What's wrong with you?"

"I don't know. I feel like I'm missing something. Like I've left something behind"

"You've left me behind Caitlin"

Caitlin turned around and scoured the crowd. Surely it couldn't be?

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just thought I heard someone call my name"

"Caitlin, you are just jet lagged. You'll be better once you have slept. Now come on"

Caitlin allowed herself to be pulled away by her mum. As she was leaving, she caught a glimpse of him, shaking his head. Caitlin sat in the car as they sped off home. Why did she feel like she was making a big mistake?

As soon as they got home, Caitlin went to her room, and tried to sleep. She was exhausted, but no sleep was coming. She decided to put her clothes away, hoping it'd tire her out. She had just finished, when she saw it. A letter. Obviously meant for her. She lay down on her bed, and started to read

Caitlin, if you are reading this, then despite my best efforts to make you stay, you have left, and are probably at home now. What can I say? I didn't think that the girl who let the air loose from my tire would impact my life in such a way, and turn it upside down. I know that you feel it too, but why you deny it, I don't know. Maybe you feel guilty about your boyfriend, but who can control feelings or love? I don't know when I fell in love with you, but I just did. I'm sorry if that is wrong, but I'm not sorry about falling in love with you. I know that you have a boyfriend, and I would not ever want to come in between, but I had to tell you how I feel. I hope it works out with him, but if it doesn't, I'm here, waiting for you. I'll wait forever if I have to. Just don't make me wait too long. All my love 

Caitlin read the letter and collapsed into tears. She had never expected this. She quickly put the letter away, and ran downstairs. She couldn't concentrate on this, she had to focus on her and her boyfriend. She had to find him, and confront him. They were both kidnapped, surely he should have found her by now, and they should have helped each other. She felt safe with him. He was her person. She opened the door, as it rang, and gasped 

"Surprise" said a voice, behind some roses

"Where have you been? You come find me now? After all this time?" shouted Caitlin 

"I'm sorry Caitlin. I needed time to myself, like you did"

"But you don't know how worried I was. I didn't see you once, while we were kidnapped, so I imagined the worst"

"Well I'm here now, so don't worry"

"Come in. My parents were equally worried"

Caitlin led him through to her parents 

"Someone to see you"

"Oh thank goodness that you are ok" they both said, hugging him, "when you didn't get in contact we feared the worst"

"Well I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere"

Caitlin went out with him. They both took a walk, because they both needed some time alone and to talk some things through. Caitlin just breathed everything in, and just enjoyed the fresh air. They both wanted to talk about it, but didn't know how. Too much had happened, and too much time and pain, they had been through 

"We have to end this, don't we?"

"Too much has happened. We've both changed"

"Let's still remain friends"

"I don't know if that is possible after what we've been through, but we can try"

Caitlin hugged Ronnie with all that she had. She never thought that she'd lose him, but how could they be friends or a couple after everything? Too much had happened

Duff duff duff. Oh dear. Poor Caitlin. As always, feedback appreciated