The next week passed by uneventfully. The boys were back from soccer camp. April was spending the evening with Matt, but only till eight, because it was school night. I was not looking forward to the party tomorrow night with Jamie. I couldn't shake that look in Jamie's eyes, that afternoon when Rafe hurled those accusations at me. It was as if Jamie thought I just wanted to use him or something. But damn it I was honest. I told him I was not interested in dating him.

I should call Jamie and cancel.

'Oops, I'm sorry,' I smiled apologetically at the young girl I bumped into. Well she was not all that small, perhaps twelve, beautiful with a very pretty smile.

'That's okay,' she grinned, 'you got the time?' she asked.

'Yeah,' I looked at my watch, 'just about two thirty,' I replied.

She nodded, paced up and down, then smiled at me.

'You're very beautiful,' she said.

'Me?' I exclaimed, 'No, I think you're very beautiful,' I replied.

'Okay who's flirting with whom?' she raised her chin at me.

I laughed, not really knowing how to respond. I'd seen her occasionally around the school, but did not know her name.

'My brother likes blonde hair,' she looked at me distractedly. ' He also told me a lady's pride is her long hair. I bet he'd like your hair. My name is Cade by the way. '

'Hi, I'm Katy,' I smiled.

'I know you're Katy. You're Andy's sister. He's in my class.'

'Yes,' I answered stupidly.

'Andy says you're a math boffin.'

'No I'm not really. I just know his math, cos I've already learnt about__'

'Cadelaria,' a now familiar voice spoke from behind me.

'Rafe, I told you to call me Cade. Everybody else does, and you're late!' she flung her hands on her hips the way mom does.

'I'm sorry,' he replied apologetically the coach kept us in.

'Rafe meet my friend Katy__'

'She is not your friend Cadelaria. You have only just met her,' he growled at his sister. 'Are you trying to be a bad influence on my sister?' he turned on me.

'What__me?' I exclaimed.

'Rafe where is the good manners you are always telling me I should have?' Cade's hands pounded her hips again.

He raked his hands through his curly hair, and muttered something Greek. Actually Spanish. Actually it sounded like a sweet lullaby.

Hello, he's just been hurling insults at you again!

'Why are you talking to my sister?' he demanded, pounding at me again.

'I didn't know she was your sister. I just dropped my phone and she picked it up and asked me the time.'

Now that I remember, I did not even thank Cade for picking up the phone. I suppose now I know why I was distracted by her, her resemblance to Rafe was striking, same dark beautiful features, and beautiful eyes.

'Let's go,' Rafe yanked her arm, and spoke something in rapid fire Spanish to Cade.

'Bye Katy,' she turned, waved and smiled in an unperturbed manner.

I swallowed, waved, too afraid to speak a single word.

What was wrong with that arrogant __? What is wrong with me, that he hates me so?

I slammed my bedroom door, dumped my bag on the floor and dived onto my bed. How I hate this world. I wish I could escape to like Antarctica, or go and live deep in the Amazon jungle, but I can't stand cold weather, and I'm afraid of the bull frogs and the piranhas, so guess I'm stuck in this hell hole. My family does not understand my frustrations. April always sees the glass half full. Rafe hates me. Awe man life sucks! I reached for the desk phone and dialed April.

What's that smell__toothpaste!

'Andy!' I yanked open my door and stormed to his room, and entered without knocking. But as I took two steps into his room, I found myself sliding to the floor.

'Cardinal Rule number one, dear sister always knock. Isn't that what you demand__'

'Andy! I swear I'm going to kill you if I get my hands on you,' I chased after him, slipped again, but managed to pull him by his leg.

'Let go of me, let go of me,' he yelled, piercing my eardrum.

'You stuck tooth paste,' on my phone you moron!' I smacked him repeatedly on his back, as he covered his head with his hands. 'And do you want mom or I to break our legs? What the hell did you put on the floor?'

'It wasn't me,' he lied, but his flushing guilty face was a dead giveaway.

'I told you to keep out of my room,' I yelled, as I smacked him again.

'Argh! Stop hitting me.'

'What is going on in here?' mom demanded from the doorway.

'Don't come in!'

Andy and I screamed simultaneously, but it was too late. Mom was already on the floor.

And then Roger was at the door, a thunderous dark expression on his face, 'You two want to explain what's going on here?' He spoke in that very quiet voice he used when he was angry, as he helped mom up.

Neither of us spoke.

'You okay honey?' Roger asked mom.

'Yes,' she nodded, looking at the oil patch increasing on her designer suit.

'I'm waiting for an explanation,' Roger spoke in the deadly soft voice again.

'She__she came into my room,' Andy pointed to me.

I burst out crying and tried to brush past Roger but he stood like an iron wall and would not let me pass.

'Not so fast young lady, get back there now,' he pointed to a chair.

He tip toed over the oil slick and dragged a chair over for mom.

'Firstly the both of you are grounded for one week__'

'What! But that's not fair,' I yelled.

'But dad__' Andy tried to weasel his way out.

Another word and your allowances will be stopped for two months.

Andy just lowered his head, and twisted his fingers in front of his tummy.

'I'm sorry, may I go to my room now?' I got out in between my sobs.

'Not until I know the cause of the irresponsible behaviour that almost caused your mom to break her leg,' Roger raised his voice.

I lowered my head, as the tears silently flowed down my cheeks. It was not just Andy's pranks that made me cry. It was everything, my life, and Rafe, and mostly Rafe.

'I'm waiting,' Roger's voice raised another octave.

'It was all my fault,' Andy blurted. 'I wanted to play a trick on Katy, so I stuck tooth paste on her phone. I knew she'd come after me, so I plastered oil on the floor.'

'Katy you're excused, and your grounding is withdrawn,' Roger spoke very calmly.

'Thank you, I walked to the door. 'You okay mom?' I asked.

'Yes, I'm fine. I did not get hurt, but you young man,' mom turned on Andy, 'are in serious trouble,' she waged her finger at Andy.

Andy shuffled his feet, and lowered his head.

'Andy firstly you will apologize to your mom and Katy.'

'Sorry mom, sorry Katy,' he gave me those puppy dog looks.

I nodded, in acceptance of his apology.

'Now you will go downstairs,' Roger spoke again, 'get the mop and detergent and clean up this mess, and I will be back in half an hour to inspect your handiwork.'

'Yes sir,' Andy stammered.

Roger helped mom up as she went to her room to remove her damaged suit.

'Katy__' Andy mumbled, stopping me as I departed.

'I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I just wanted to play a trick on you,' he pleaded.

'Luckily I'm not in trouble any more, but you are,' I grinned through my tears.

'Do you forgive me?'

'I do Andy. The tooth paste was fine, but the oil was very dangerous. Next time consider the risks of what you do.'

He nodded sheepishly.

'Do you want my help with the mopping up?'

'No you won't help him Katy,' Roger spoke from behind me. 'The corrective measure is to ensure he learns the consequences of his actions.'

I nodded and hurried to my room, surprised that Roger had returned, when he told Andy he'd only be back thirty minutes later.

I was doubled minded about going to the party with Jamie. I had to drag myself out of the house. I did not bother dressing up, instead I had on my oldest pair of jeans and pumps, although I did dress up the jeans with a very chic evening silk shirt.

'You look beautiful,' Jamie complimented me. 'Wow I did not realize your hair was this long.' His fingers trailed over the length of my hair that cascaded down my shoulder.

I wrinkled my nose, 'I can hardly leave it all opened for school, so I always strap it into a pony,' I smiled.

'I'm sorry about Rafe's rude comments before we went on camp.'

'It's not your fault. You don't need to apologize,' I offered.

'I don't know what came over him. He's always so cool with all the guys.'

'Well let's not waste time talking about him,' I suggested.

'He is here you know.'

'He is! I mean it does not matter,' my heart was pumping wildly again.

Not that he will ever ask me to dance. I mean he can't stand me.

'Let's dance,' I dragged Jamie to the dance floor.

It was a ballad so we were able to talk.

'I'm not a mean person, you know Jamie.'

'I know that. And Matt and April told Rafe off, after you left. It seems he may have reconsidered his opinion about you. He was quiet after you left.'

No he hasn't. He was rude again, the day I met his sister.

'I dare you not to mention his name for the next half hour,' I grinned at Jamie.

'You're on,' he smiled, pulling me closer to him.

And it was then that I caught sight of him, sitting at the bar. He was downing a bottle of coke, but he glared at me, as if I'd just committed a crime.

'So how was the camp?' I asked Jamie.

'Grueling, and painful. We were split into two teams. I'm afraid Rafe's team gave us a hiding. Oops, and I've just mentioned the 'R' word.'

'You have,' I laughed, 'I'll have to think up your punishment.'

'I'll be your slave for a week,' he offered.

That would mean I would have to put up with you for a whole week!

'Have you deliberately lost the dare Jamie?'

'No. You tricked me by asking about the camp. All I was thinking about was how we shamefully lost,' he replied sincerely.

'In that case, I will think up your punishment and let you know, but you shall not be my slave. That will be no punishment for you,' I laughed, 'considering I do not have a mean bone in my body.'

'You let me know, and I will take it on the chin like__'

'May I cut in Jamie?'

OMG! April where's April? Is she watching this?

'Katy you okay with dancing with big Rafe?'

Too flabbergasted to speak, I nodded.

''Just yell if he gets mean, and I will give him an uppercut,' Jamie winked, raised his fist like a heavy weight boxer.

Another ballad started as I slid into Rafe's arms. Wow such sturdy muscles. It felt so different dancing with Rafe compared to Jamie whose muscles was not filled out like Rafe's. And he smelt divine, fresh and kind of spicy. And boy he knew how to dance, he pinned me in his arms and twirled with me gracefully around the dance floor. I had brain freeze, I could not think about a single thing to say. Neither did he attempt to speak a word to me. He held me politely and just danced until the music stopped.

'Thank you,' he looked me in the eye, nodded and returned me to Jamie, and slipped out the room.

'Did you just__ did I just see you dance with Rafe?' April looked dazed.

'Yeah, he interrupted my dance with Jamie, did not speak a word to me while we danced, and then marched me back here to Jamie, when the music stopped.'

'He is so weird, that guy. Do you think all Spaniards are arrogant like that?'April asked.

'I don't know,' I smiled, 'he's the only Spaniard I know.' And the only guy that makes my heart go all gooey.

'We're all going to the lake after this, you coming?' April invited.

'No, my mom expects me back home, after this party, besides I don't want to be partnered with Jamie at the lake.

I know what happens at the lake.

'I thought you guys were getting along.'

'Getting along yeah, but we're not going to be getting on with anything,' I laughed.

'So how was dancing with Rafe?'

'He didn't speak with me, so it was like dancing with a rock' I lied.

Half the reason I want to hurry home, is so I can recapture my magic moments in Rafe's arms, and describe in intimate detail to my Dear Diary of my Red Letter Day.

'I think I'm going to call it a night,' I pleaded, as I buzzed my step dad to fetch me.'

'Would you like Matt and I to drop you off?'

'No thanks, my step dad is already on his way. You guys have a great time. I'll just say bye to Jamie.'

'So it wasn't all that bad was it?' Matt asked, as we sat at the cafeteria at lunchtime on Monday following the party.

'What wasn't bad I asked?' feigning ignorance.

'Rafe agreeing to dance with you.'

'What do you mean, "agreeing to dance with me?" I checked.

Matt smiled, looking from April to me with a frown.

'We__asked him to dance with you to prove he had no ill feelings towards you.'

'You asked him!  You mean he did not dance with me of his own free will?'

Matt looked all embarrassed, his eyes darted from me to April in confusion.

'You should not have dared him Matt, he clearly has a problem with Katy,' April admonished.

So he had no interest in dancing with me. It meant nothing to him then. No wonder he did not utter a single word. I cannot believe it. What a fool I am. I need to tear Saturday's notes out off my diary.

'Excuse me.' I mumbled, making a hasty retreat out of the cafeteria. Thank heavens, I did not have lessons after lunch today. I walked briskly out onto the girls' playground. It seems recently I was making a habit of turning on the waterworks, as tears trickled down my cheeks. I found a shady tree and slumped to the ground.
My, and to think, I thought that party had been the highlight of my week. How stupid can I be!' I sniffed, and quickly swiped my wrist over my eyes, when I heard the sound on the grass behind me. I thought it was April, but I was wrong.

'Are you cutting class?' Cade slid down next to me.

'No. Are you?' I questioned back.

'No,' she shook her pretty head, 'we have a free lesson.'

That's right Andy also had a free period right now, but he loved doing sport until Barney fetched us.

For some reason the tears hadn't stop trickling. I searched for tissue in my pockets, but found none, until a dainty handkerchief was subtly handed to me by Cade.

'Oh its too pretty, I can't mess it up,' I smiled through the tears.

'It's meant to get messed up,' she opened my palm, and gently placed it there.

I dabbed at my eyes, and thanked Cade, 'you should probably not speak to me, your brother does not approve of me,' I cautioned her.

'If he can prove you drink or smoke, or do drugs, or commit a crime,' then I'll listen to him,' she raised that chin again.

'So he has told you to keep away from me?'

'Rafe always tells me what to do, how to cross the street, to keep my elbows off the table when I eat, to wash behind my ears when I shower,' she laughed.

'Why does he__I'm sorry, I shouldn't pry.'

'That's okay, it's nice to talk to somebody other than Rafe. I love my brother, but sometimes, I wish I had a sister or something.'

'But what about__?' What about your family?

'My brother and I live alone with our nanny/house keeper,' she looked at me, moisture filled her eyes.

'But what about your mom and dad?' I could not resist any longer.

'My mom chased our dad away when he lost his job. I hardly remember what he looked like. My mom is an actress in Spain. She met a boyfriend who asked her to choose between himself and us. So she gave Rafe the house and went off with her boyfriend__'

'She abandoned the two of you!'

Cade nodded, and lowered her head.

'Oh my word, I am so sorry,' I hugged her spontaneously.

'My brother takes good care of me,' she answered spiritedly.

I nodded, 'I'm sure he does, but how did you guys end up in Australia?'

She looked over her shoulder as if to make sure no one would overhear, then spoke softly, I had to strain my ear to catch the words.

'Rafe promised me he would look after me for the rest of his life, or until I did not need him anymore,' she smile. 'He asked me if I would trust him, and come with him to Australia, because he wanted to get as far away from mom as possible. He sold our home there, used some of the money to get us here, and he's invested most of the rest. He's a financial boffin is my brother, he told me there's enough money in our savings for my uni fees, so I must do him proud,' she smiled brightly.

'Is that why he works every day after school and why you have a nanny?'

She nodded again, 'Bertha makes our meals and does the laundry. I help her with some chores. Rafe helps me with my homework, and teaches me Spanish. He says I should not forget the language of my home country.'

'Your brother is wonderful to you,' I smiled.

She smiled fondly,' Rafe has spent more time with me, than my mom did in all my life.'

'How old are you?' I asked

'Twelve, and before you ask, yes I already got the 'birds and the bees talk from Rafe,' she giggled.

'Cade if ever you need someone to chat to, I'm available, if it's okay with Rafe.'

'No it's not okay with Rafe.'
A voice thundered behind us. Neither of us had heard him arrive.

We both stood up like a lightning shot. I wanted to reach out and give him a hug, but the ferocious glare in his eyes warned me he would not tolerate my misguided pity.

'Rafe_ I 'm sorry,' I stammered.

'Stay away from my sister,' he growled, 'she does not need to be influenced by spoilt rich females who know the price of everything but  not the value of anything,' his Spanish accent became more pronounced the more angry he got.

'I am not like your mother__' I started, then stopped.
OMG, what have I just done?

'I'm sorry, I should not have said that__'

'That's the only thing I agree with you about,' he hissed through clenched teeth, as he gripped his sister by the elbow, saying something to her in their native language.

'I'll see you tomorrow Katy,' Cade waved, over her shoulder.

OMG, I would never have guessed. I assumed Rafe's entire family was here in Sidney. Rafe was mother and father and possessive chaperone to Cade. But why does he paint me with the same brush as his mother, when he does not know me from a bar of soap? Poor Cade, growing up without a mom. It must be devastating.

I made a mental note to hug mom when I got home.
I should not be feeling sorry for myself. Look at Cade, so much younger than me, and she does not walk around like the world owes her a favour! I wish I had a bigger brother who loved me and took care of me the way Rafe did for his sister. I suppose every woman in the world Rafe meets, will be measured by his mother's standards. But why does he keep calling me a spoilt little rich girl? I'm not spoilt, and certainly not rich, my stepdad has a lot of money, but I live of a not so respectable allowance...

It was about time for Barney to collect us, so I made my way to the car park. Finally a lot of things about Rafe made sense, I pondered as I walked on. Poor Rafe, I wonder if he did not want to live with his dad, instead of coming half way around the world, to escape their mother.

'Hey mom,' I flung my arms around her tightly, 'I love you,' I said, when she came into my room to greet me, whilst I was busy with my science project. I could see the total surprise on mom's face.

Jee I must be the world's worst daughter.

'You okay honey?' she placed the back of fingers on my forehead.

'Yes off course!' I sneered, feeling my face flush in embarrassment.

'Are you in trouble with the principal?'

'What? Mom, I'm not in trouble with anybody, and nothing's wrong with me,' I scowled.

Mom was quiet for a few seconds, and then she smiled apologetically, 'I'm sorry Katy, and I love you too.'

Wow, mom only ever calls me by my name, when I am in trouble, or if we were having a serious conversation. I must have spooked her, with my overwhelming greeting.

'What are you busy with?' she asked conversationally.

'It's a science project. We have to make a presentation on how we can reduce our individual carbon footprint,' I grinned.

'This I'd like to see very much,' she smiled, 'remember to give me a copy so I can hold you to it. I hope tumble dryers, plastic bottles, and your penchant for aerosol sprays feature in it' she admonished lightly.

'Would you like to do my project for me mom,' I smiled sarcastically.

'Absolutely not, see you downstairs for dinner,' she threw over her shoulder, as she walked out.

I wonder what Rafe is doing right now? I pondered as I lay on my bed unable to fall asleep.
My conversation with Cade had been playing on repeat in my mind the entire evening. She was so beautiful. I cannot imagine how any mother would give up her child to follow some man around. I don't have children to be able to judge Cade's mom, but I know my mom would never in a million years abandon me. I mean look how she adores Andy as if she was his biological mother. I love Andy too. He was adorable when I first met him, when he was like three years old. He had been so introverted, insecure, but he took to mom like a duck to water. He had so needed a mother figure to bond with, and mom just rose to the occasion. Mom is good that way, she is a people person, unlike me, I can't easily reach out to people. I wonder what jobs does Rafe do in the evenings. Perhaps he works as a strip artist in those all night clubs, I smirked. Heavens knows he has a hot bod. With those rippling muscles and those tight buns__.

Go to sleep Katy.

-END CHAPTER TWO-