TOUGH LITTLE GIRL
DISCLAIMER
Sequel to "Secrets And Lies", and takes place a few months after the events in the story. Sam and Casey are still dating, but the relationship's strained. Belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot and characters you don't recognize. I know I have the wrong name for the school, but I'm trying to keep things in continuity. I will be introducing a "No touch/ask before touching" rule involving Casey later in the story and got it from a story called "Broken Angel" by Daisyangel, and the idea for that belongs to them. They have graciously allowed me to use it in this story.
CHAPTER ONE
Casey MacDonald walked through the halls of J. Thompson High and headed for her locker. Without looking at anybody, she spun the dial, put her current books away, and then got some others. Then, she sighed and walked to her next class, which was English. Her boyfriend, Sam Travers, watched as she walked in. He frowned at her slightly dejected expression. Though she had initially seemed to be dealing with her rape just fine, in the progressing months, Casey had become a mere shadow of her former self. He didn't like it. He wanted the real Casey back: the one who was vibrant and expressive. The one who overanalyzed every single thing he said. Not this hollowed out shell that had taken her place. The teacher came and immediately started the session, forcing the boy to turn his attention away from his girlfriend. Casey forced herself to pay attention to the lecture. All she wanted to really do was run and hide. It was like everyone was staring at her. She hated it. She didn't need everyone looking at her like she was some sort of freak. She bit her lip and forced herself to concentrate on the teacher. She just needed to focus. To be the keener and grade-grubber everybody was used to. Then everyone would forget what had happened. Yeah, that would be good. No one would know how weak she really was.
"Tell no one." She jumped slightly, hearing Brent Hartwood's voice, but shook it off. Everything was fine now. It was over. He couldn't hurt anybody else like he had hurt her. Finally, the class was over. She stood up, quickly gathered up her books, and headed for her next class. Emily glanced over at her friend. Was she all right? Casey could feel her friend staring, but ignored her. She just wanted to be left alone. The rest of the day was pretty much the same, Casey would go to her classes, but keep to herself. At the end of the day, she headed for the parking lot. Sam ran to catch up with her.
"Casey! Can I give you a ride?" he asked.
"Sure. I've got counseling today," she responded.
"All right. I'll take you," he said. They walked to his car, where he held open the door and waited for her to get in. Then, he went to the driver's side and sat down, put the key in the ignition, turned on the car, and then drove off. When he got there, he parked.
"You want me to pick you up later?" he questioned.
"Yeah, that'd be great," she told him. She left the car and went inside.
"Oh, hey, Casey," one of the counselors, Jason Stewart, greeted, as he kept his rhythm on the punching bag hanging from the ceiling.
"Hey, Jason," she acknowledged.
"That time already?" he queried.
"I'll get Melissa," he said.
"Thanks," she responded and leaned against the wall, watching him. When Mom and George had first suggested counseling, Casey had been completely against it, saying that she was fine and that she didn't want to go into some place where the therapist would give out lame platitudes. However, she had changed her mind when she had met Melissa Channing at the Here To Help Crisis Center, a place that doubled as a counseling center and therapeutic gym. The woman was warm, friendly, and let Casey talk at her own pace. Plus, the place was casual, and the kids were able to work out their issues in various ways. The only thing that bugged Casey was that Melissa kept wanting to rehash what they had already talked about for three months now. Couldn't she tell it was time to move on already? A few minutes later, the woman came out.
"Our room's ready, Casey," she told her.
"Great," the girl said and followed the woman into the room. Melissa waited until Casey was sitting comfortably on the couch.
"So, how was your week?"
"It was good."
"No flashbacks?"
"Some. But, it's no big deal. I can handle them." Melissa frowned. She liked Casey, she did, but the girl wouldn't open up. Oh, she had talked about the rape, but in technical terms.
"I'm sure you can." Then, "Now, Casey, how are you really holding up?"
"Everything's fine. It's been three months since Brett violated me and now I'm moving on."
"Are you really? Because it doesn't seem like we're making any progress."
"What do you mean? We talk about it all the time."
"Yes, but Casey, you're always very technical and analytical when you talk about it. I don't know what it made you feel like," Melissa pointed out.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is just accepting that it happened to me and moving on," Casey responded.
"And have you---accepted it, that is?" Melissa queried.
"Of course," Casey responded. "Look, you know what? This is ridiculous. We're just going over the same old thing. I give up." With that, Casey stood up and stormed out of the room. Jason, who was holding the punching bag for a girl around Casey's age, paused momentarily to watch.
"Oh boy," he sighed as Casey dialed a number on her cell phone. Melissa came out of her office and watched as the girl finished her phone conversation. "Keep practicing," he told the girl, and then jogged up to his friend.
"I take it things didn't go well."
"Not at all." They watched as a few minutes later, a car pulled up, Casey got in, and then they drove away.
