Snapshot of the Life of a Dork
Chapter 9
“Oh my god!” I exclaim, staring in shock at Zeke’s jeans. That. . .that is Casey’s blood.
“Oh fuck.” Stokely hisses. She takes off for the office.
“What happened?” I ask Zeke, feeling numb. “What do you mean unconscious? What’s with the blood?”
Oh shit. . .oh god. . .don’t tell me one of Delilah’s pack got to him. . .
I stare at Zeke, wide-eyed, and then start toward the bathroom.
“Morgaine, don’t. . .” Zeke exclaims, but it’s too late. I burst through the bathroom door.
Casey’s lying on the floor, half inside one of the stalls. His glasses are smashed. Blood is running from his nose and the back of his head, and his face is bruised blue. His pants are around his ankles as if to add insult to injury.
It’s then I remember where that quote is from in Mists of Avalon. It’s what Arthur says to Morgaine right before he dies.
My eyes well up with tears and I run a hand through my hair, staring in shock at my sweet Casey. My poor sweet Casey.
“Oh. . .oh my god, Zeke.” I whisper, feeling my chest tighten. “Oh my fucking god.”
As though in a trance, I slowly move forward, then kneel beside Casey. I hesitantly reach a hand out toward him, almost afraid to touch to him. “Casey?” I whisper, choking back a sob.
Casey doesn’t move. He doesn’t move all the way to the hospital. He’s rushed into surgery.
Hours later, Zeke almost gets thrown out of the hospital after freaking out about no one telling us anything. Casey’s parents arrive shortly after that.
“Morgana!” Mrs. Connor exclaims when she sees me. “Oh my god what happened?!”
“I don’t know.” I say. “We were hanging out at lunch. And, he, he quoted some lines to me from a book. Anyway, he-he went to the bathroom and was gone a long time so I asked Zeke to check on him and-and Zeke. . .”
I trail off, blinking my eyes against a fresh onslaught of tears. God, I thought I’d already cried my tear ducts dry.
“Zeke found him in the bathroom.” I say once I’m able to continue. “He was unconscious and it looked like he’d been beat up. . .”
Among other things. . . Oh god, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the image of Casey lying on that bathroom floor.
“It’s been hours and they haven’t told us shit.” I say, sniffling.
Casey’s mother looks a little taken aback by the language. Fortunately, a doctor comes out then.
“Mr. and Mrs. Connor?” he says, looking at Casey’s parents.
“Yes?” Mr. Connor says.
“I’m Dr. Stone.” he says. “I’m the surgeon who worked on your son.”
“Is Casey going to be okay?!” Mrs. Connor asks frantically.
“Probably.” Dr. Stone says. “He’s got some swelling in his brain, and he had a lot of internal injuries, and he’ll need some dental work. Whoever did this to your son did a pretty thorough job. But he’s stabilized. He’s still under right now. We’ll know more when he wakes up.”
“You sound pretty confident he will wake up.” Zeke says.
“Well, his vital signs are good.” Dr. Stone says. “He’s got a strong heart.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, grinning slightly. Casey’s going to be okay. Thank god.
But when I get my hands on the person or persons that did this to him. . .well. . .needless to say they won’t be in such a pretty state.
“Can we see him?” I ask anxiously. Oh god, please don’t let him tell us only family can see him. . .
“He’s not awake yet.” Dr. Stone repeats.
“So?” I say. “I just want to see him. To make sure that he’s okay. Just a quick peek. I won’t disturb anything.”
Have I ever mentioned how much I hate doctors and hospitals?
“Once he gets into an actual room, the family can. . .”
“Morgana’s Casey’s girlfriend. She’s known Casey since they were children.” Mr. Connor interrupts. “He’d probably want to see her more than us.”
It’s more words than I’ve ever heard Mr. Connor say at once.
“Well, all right. Once he gets into a room, you can go see him.” Dr. Stone says.
I smile gratefully at Mr. Connor, then nod at Dr. Stone. “Thank you.” I say.
I close my eyes and lean against Zeke, seeking comfort as I bury my face against his chest. “You know I’m going to kill whoever did this, right?” I mumble.
“I’m ahead of you Morgaine.” Zeke growls, his eyes narrowing.
“I’ll let you know when you can see him.” Dr. Stone says, then heads back through the doors he emerged from.
“What are you doing here anyway?” Mrs. Connor demands of Zeke. “You probably got Casey into this mess.”
I raise my head, staring at Mrs. Connor in disbelief. “Whoa, wait,” I say, snorting, “what makes you say that? Zeke is Casey’s friend. And my surrogate brother.”
“If anybody got Casey into this mess, I did.” I add. “And Delilah.”
“Who’s Delilah?” Mrs. Connor asks.
“Some stupid cheerleader.” Zeke mutters. “I’m gonna go, Morgaine. I’m causing trouble here.”
I frown, not wanting him to go. Then I reluctantly nod, sighing. “I’ll call you as soon as I hear something, okay?” I say softly.
“Yeah. Okay.” he says, then kisses my forehead quickly before leaving. I can hear his car squeal out of the parking lot a few moments later.
“Hooligan.” Mrs. Connor says, shaking her head. “I don’t know why Casey insists on spending time with him.”
I shake my head, snorting softly. So does this mean Mrs. Connor wonders why Casey insists on spending time with me? I mean, after all, I’ve been hanging out with Zeke since we were kids.
“You’re just seeing the attitude, Mrs. Connor.” I say quietly. “Zeke’s a good guy. He’s one of my best friends. Hel. . .Heck, he eats dinner at my house every night of the week. Well, just about.”
“I heard Casey say the f-word the other day.” Mrs. Connor says, looking disturbed. “He never speaks like that.”
“That we hear.” Mr. Connor mutters.
“Quiet Walter.” Mrs. Connor says. “I’m so glad he’s found a nice girl like you, Morgana.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Connor.” I say softly. “I’m glad he found me too. He’s amazing.”
Okay, so I’m seriously going to have to watch my language around Casey’s parents. Hell, my parents barely even bat an eyelash when Zeke and I swear around them. . .as long as it isn’t too extreme or too frequent.
I sigh, rubbing my forehead. Oh fuck, I was supposed to go to the mall with Stokely. . . Well, I imagine she’s figured out by now that trip is on hold.
Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Stone returns.
“You can go up now.” he says. “Room 232. I warn you, his face is still quite swollen. It might be frightening for you.”
“Thanks.” I say quietly.
I hesitate a moment, glancing at his parents. I mean, here I am, being insistent that I want to see him first and they’re his parents. I’m just the girlfriend.
“Do you, um, want to see him first?” I ask. “I mean, he is your son. . .”
“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Connor says, then hurries upstairs. Mr. Connor rolls his eyes and follows wearily.
They return fifteen minutes later, and Mrs. Connor is sniffling. Mr. Connor looks disturbed as well.
“The police are on their way.” he tells me. “You’d better hurry up and see him before they show up.”
I nod, slightly worried by the looks on their faces. Oh, this can’t be good.
But I’m not backing down. I want to see my boyfriend.
So I brace myself and head up to Room 232. I hold my breath as I enter the room and make my way over to Casey’s bedside.
Casey’s face is bandaged, and both his eyes are purple. He’s not on life support, but he does have a tube down his nose and throat, apparently draining blood and fluid from. . .I don’t want to know. One of his front teeth is cracked.
“Oh Casey.” I whisper, frowning as I reach out to tentatively brush my fingers across the back of his hand. “This is all my fault. I should’ve just waited until Delilah dumped you. I should’ve known something like this would happen.”
I bite my lip, wishing Zeke had stayed. I could really use a shoulder to cry on right now.
“You’re gonna be okay, Casey.” I tell him. “Zeke and I are gonna get whoever did this. Don’t worry.” He probably can’t hear me, but hey, it makes me feel better.
The index finger on his hand twitches and his head moves slightly. A moment later, he groans softly.
I blink. Whoa, cool, the sound of my voice brought him back from the land of twilight. Sigh. How romantic.
“Casey?” I say, smiling slightly.
Oh yeah. . .he probably shouldn’t talk with that tube down his throat. . . Poor guy.
“Hi.” I say, curling my hand around his.
“Mor. . .” he attempts, then groans, obviously uncomfortable. He manages to squeeze my hand a little. He also manages to open one bloodshot eye a little.
“Hey, shh.” I say as I squeeze his hand. “You probably shouldn’t be trying to talk.”
I try to swallow past the lump in my throat. “God, Casey, when Zeke said you were unconscious and I she bhe blood. . .”
rub at my eyes, which are tearing up again, and sniffle. “I’m sorry.” I say. “I’m trying not to cry. It’s not like you’re dying or anything.”
I take a deep breath, then blow it out slowly. “I should probably let you get some rest. The cops are coming. To talk to you, I guess.”
I lean over him, intending to kiss his forehead, and then hesitate, not wanting to hurt him.
“S’okay.” he manages. “Stay.”
His other eye opens a little.
I smile. “Okay.” I say.
I hesitate a moment, biting my lip. “I don’t suppose. . .you saw who. . .”
I motion toward his face half-heartedly.
He nods just a little. It’s probably as much as he can manage.
“Some of Delilah’s bunch?” I ask. I probably shouldn’t be pestering him with this right now. . . I mean, the police are probably going to ask him the same questions.
But Zeke needs a place to start.
“Was Gabe one of them?” I ask. Gabe’s had it in for Casey since grade school. God only knows why, other than the fact that Gabe’s always been one of the ‘cool’ kids and Casey’s a geek.
A very cute geek. Even all beat up. It just makes him look pathetically adorable.
Am I doomed or what?
Casey nods again.
“Love. . . you. . .” he rasps, then manages a bit of a smile. “It’ll. . . be. . . okay.”
I smile, longing to kiss him. Oh well. I’ll just have to make up for lost kisses when he gets better. Ooooh, sounds like fun.
“I love you too, Casey.” I say softly. “I know it’ll be okay. Just hurry and get better, huh? You’re my date to the Homecoming dance and you’ve got to teach me how to dance between now and then.”
I grin, winking at him.
Wait until I tell Zeke. . . Gabe is going down.
He nods as much as he can again.
“Wouldn’t. . . miss it.” he says slowly. “Red. . . dress.”
I laugh, feeling better. “Clingy.” I say, grinning. “I’m thinking halter top or maybe strapless.”
I smile adoringly at him and gently lift his hand as I lean down to softly kiss his hand. “I love you, Casey.” I whisper. “Always have, always will.”
“Hurts to. . . get. . . turned on.” he responds, grinning despite the obvious pain he’s in. “Love you. . . more. Longer than. . . always.”
Awww, is he not the most precious guy you’ve ever laid eyes on?
For the next ten minutes, we chat. . .well, I do most of the talking, he just interjects a few comments in here and there. I have to scold him a few times, not wanting him to wear himself out.
Then there’s a knock on the door and two police officers enter. I glance at Casey, raising an eyebrow. Should I stay or should I go now?
He squeezes my hand tighter. I’ll take that as stay.
As far as I’m concerned, the police ask way too many damned questions. Can’t they see he’s in pain?! As they talk though, I’m starting to wonder if Zeke taking his own revenge is such a good idea: Zeke doesn’t exactly always play on the right side of the law.
I really don’t want my surrogate brother to get in any trouble with the cops. . . Maybe I just won’t tell him what I know after all.
And if he asks me? Well. . .I’ll just have to, um, tell him I don’t know and hope like hell he doesn’t realize I’m not telling the truth.
;Finally the police decide they’ve gotten enough information out of my boyfriend and leave. I sigh, shaking my head, looking at Casey. He looks exhausted and in so much pain. My poor baby.
“Anything I can get you, babe?” I ask.
“New body.” he responds, managing a bit of a smile.
I laugh, smiling. “Only if it’s as cute as this one.” I tell him.
I squeeze his hand, wanting to kiss him. “You should probably get some rest.” I say. “Work on recuperating and all.”
I frown slightly, glancing around for a clock. What time is it anyway? I can’t even remember if I called my mother and told her where I was. Though Zeke probably let her know.
Whatever time it is, it’s dark outside. Wow, I didn’t think it was THAT late.
Casey nods, groaning a little in spite of himself.
“Come tomorrohe ahe asks, as hopefully as he can manage.
I laugh. “Like you even have to ask.” I say. “Of course I’ll be here.”
I squeeze his hand, smiling. “Sleep well, my love. I love you.”
“Love you too.” he manages, grinning even as his eyes are closing. He’s asleep before I even leave the room.
Onto Chapter 10