Only Lonely

XVIX. Swings and Roundabouts

"Why can't you come?"

"Hailey, I have told you that I have an appointment with the doctor for later." which wasn't a lie, Cara thought.

"Can't you reschedule? you said it was just the weather. This match is important and I want you there with me."

"You have Brent, it is my life we are talking about here, what if I die tomorrow?"

Hailey cringed at this then sighed and said. "Fine, but you have to call me when you finish with the appointment so I can give you the news of my victory personally, okay?"

"Have always liked your confidence. I'll call you and if I happen to finish in time, I'll be there in person to cheer for you, deal?"

Hailey smiled. "Deal!"

"What are you doing for Christmas?" Hailey asked.

"Have not thought about it."

"What have you done to Cara! who are you?" Hailey said disbelievingly. "You always plan ahead so I won't believe that coming from you." Hailey laughed but stopped when she saw Cara was absolutely serious.

"You are serious," She stated rather than asked. "are you sure you don't have a secret party planned or a-week's get away to Hawaii?"

Cara shook her head. "You mean nothing, nothing at all, na-da?" Hailey prodded.

"Hailey stop already, have told you, no."

"Well, don't blame me, it is just strange. It is so un-Caralike." Hailey said as she eyed Cara who didn't bat an eyelid suspiciously.

"Okay then,byou can come along with me on Boxing day to my family's penthouse at the country side, it will be fun, I promise."

Cara's heart was threatening to burst out as she tried holding back unshed tears. How could she tell Hailey she might not make it to christmas? She swallowed and forced a smile.

"Sure, thanks. I'll go down a-and get water,;am thirsty."
She said as she rushed out of the room just when the first tear fell.

"That's strange" Hailey said with worry, there was a glass of water right beside her. She knew something was wrong, maybe it was her distance from Grey eating her up, Cara was as stubborn as they come.

----------

Hailey was at her training room in the basement practising. Cara had gone home in the morning but Hailey was still apprehensive,bsomething didn't feel right, she thought as she lifted the dumbell.

Maybe the stress of planning the party then was too much, she felt sorry for Cara. She shouldn't have left all the work to her.

She sparred with Brent who was hell bent on helping her train as the thoughts kept coming.

"That hit was weak, Hailey. Your reflexes are poor," Brent scolded. "and those aren't the result we are looking for. Again!" He commanded as he positioned himself in a defence stance, with his arms raised to avoid being hit in the face.

Hailey nodded as she gave  kicks after kicks,bshe was exerting so much strength, Brent was right she couldn't afford to lose at this stage.

"Impressive!" Brent said as he slightly bent to catch his breath. "You were out of it for a moment there, what happened?" He asked.

"I was thinking about some stuff, you don't need to worry about it. You are right,vI need to put my head in the game tonight."

"Yea,byou need to be twice as fast, faster than your opponent." He said as he reached out to grab the bottled water sitting in front of him but Hailey beat him to it.

"Like you said, twice as fast." she smirked and winked as she took large gulps of water.

♠♦♦♦♠♦♦♦♠

The game was a tough one.

Her opponent was tough as well but she was tougher, She thought as she spewed out blood. She wiped her hands across her bleeding lips as she tried to regain composure.

"And Sabre is losing her balance from the kick to her head, looks like tonight her winning streak is on the line..."

The commentators barked out.

Everything was a blur, but she knows she has to fight and also has to win. She ducked as her opponent who was very macho and huge delivered a punch, she immediately counter attacked with an upper-cut from her ducking position which made the big man stagger but soon recovered his footing.

He lunged towards her, deflected her right hand jab with an headbutt. Hailey was again disoriented as she fought to gain control of her senses. Mr Macho wanting to take opportunity of her disconcerted situation decided to to use the element of surprise and put her away for good but Hailey turned the tide around when she stooped low and hooked his leg then delivered a booth to his face which made the man fall onto the ring ropes but for her to win her has to fall flat on his back, she was disappointed.

Both fighters were exhausted, sweaty, wild and relentless. Hailey's breath was harsh and ragged, her heart drummed in her ears, she didn't even hear the crowd cheering as chants of her name went up. She was hell bent on ending the match because her strenth was dwindling at a fast pace.

She took a fighting stance, eyes fixed on her opponent who made to stand up, he stood but she didn't allow him enough consciousness of his surroundings before she rained punches upon punches,bshe then jumped really high and delivered the superman's punch, the winning stroke, Mr Macho staggered towards her direction,blosing focus. She took advantage and lifted him with the last drop of strength she could muster and slammed him hard on floor where bones were heard breaking.

"Ding dong ding dong ding dong, Sabre Wins!!!"

It was over.

She dropped to one knees from fatigue, all sweaty as the crowd went wild. She was free,she was free.

Hailey felt a renewing sense of freedom as the thought slowly registered in her mind. She jumped up with a huge grin as she lifted her hands in victory knowing this was her last day here.

Cara would be so thrilled and happy, she thought.

She spotted a figure she knew so well making his way towards her. Brent.

Brent made his way to her and she was all grin when she saw him but the smile wiped off completely when she saw his face. She panicked.

"What happened?"

"Cara."

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A/N

*ominous drumroll*

But*yay* Hailey won.

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RoyalKei    _X