CHAPTER 46: Three Words

It was almost like a dream. It's like everything happened in her head so fast and she woke up in Bristol feeling weird and somehow empty. The week passed so fast that Casey felt like she was spinning around in circles, still wondering if it was real and what it all meant. The stamps on her passport and the photos on her phone that will be forever unknown to their Internet fans proved everything was real. Casey shook her head to shake the introspective questions in her head and got out of bed.

Ed Sheeran piped up from her bedside table just as she was about to go to the bathroom. "Hey... Good morning!" Casey greeted, her voice still a bit croaky from her sleep. "Good morning, gorgeous!" She heard Jack say and she couldn't help but smile. "So, how's the video? Did you finish perfecting it last night?" She said, her voice mocking. "Yes I have and it will go up later tonight," he answered proudly. "I'm not gonna lie, it hadn't been easy editing the video whilst I'm missing you so badly." Yup, that wasn't a dream... "Oh really..." She said feigning disinterest though her cheeks almost hurt from smiling so broadly. Jack sneered at the other end of the line. "Oh, don't pretend for one second that you did not miss me too, I know you did!" Casey laughed. "Fine, okay... I missed you too. But don't worry, I'll be there soon." As she bid goodbye to Jack and put her phone down, she shook her head and tried to put away the memories that came flooding in. God, first times really do shake things up, don't they? She went to the bathroom and took a long shower.

"Dad?" Casey stuck her head inside her father's study and smiled. "Ae you leaving now?" James asked looking up from his computer. "Yeah, are you sure you don't want to come? I thought Ken's like your long lost son... Or daughter?" She said, smiling as she walked inside the room towards her dad's swivel chair. James couldn't help but laugh. "No, you go ahead. I'm too old for surprise parties like that anyway," he said smiling brightly. "You're not that old you're only 40!" She said protesting as she sat lightly on the arm of his chair. "That's old enough to make me want to go to bed early rather than party, dear." Casey laughed. She looked at her dad and hugged him lightly, somehow guilty that she had to lie to him just a few days ago. "I love you dad," she whispered, not knowing exactly what made her say it that moment. James smiled ever so slightly and patted her back. "I love you too, Case. Now, don't forget my gift for Ken, okay? It's on the table by the door." She nodded in response, bid her father goodbye and went out of the room.


Finn had been busy all day calling people. Since yesterday he had made sure that the restaurant reservations and the set up has been made for Ken's party. Jack had been slaving away on editing Casey's new video and Will managed to continue editing other JacksGap videos.

Finn: Everything's set on our end! Can't wait to see you!

Casey: Can't wait to see you too, Finny! I've missed you! I'm on my way to pick up Ken. See you in a bit!

Casey placed her phone down on the passenger's seat and started the car. She had to tell Ken they were going to meet with JacksGap's merchandise suppliers to finalize the new online shop he's heading. She picked up her phone again as she drove and called Ken. "Hey sleepyhead, wake up!" She said, instantly smiling when she heard Ken's croaky voice. "Why the hell are you up so early?" He asked, still snuggled comfortably in his uni bed. "Duh? We're going to London, Ken! That's a good two hours from here. Get your ass off your bed because I'm on my way right now!" Before Ken could protest, Casey put ended the call with a smile on her face.


"Oh hey Ms. Hot Stuff, is this what a modern London businesswoman look like?" Ken said, eyeing Casey's low neckline as he stuck his head inside car. "I learned from the expert." Casey said laughing. "Oh I don't think so, I think this..." he said waving a finger to the air and making a zigzag towards Casey. "Is a clear booty call for our hot boss!" He continued, laughing. Casey couldn't help but laugh as well as she drove away from the university hall, her head shaking. "This is not for Jack, believe me" she answered, though she wasn't sure of it either as they have two, identical-looking bosses. She saw the classic black top in Ibiza just before they left and she couldn't resist getting into the shop and buying it. Ken knew pretty much everything that happened on the trip except of course for the video. As they drove he couldn't help but gush about how different her aura was and how different she looked. "It's like Ibiza has added 2 years to your age, you look like a woman!" Casey blushed instantly, knowing quite well what Ken meant. "Ken, stop! It's embarassing!"

"Dear, nothing is embarassing about what you did. I think it was sweet and romantic!" Casey shrugged, feeling more and more restless as they crossed the Clifton Bridge. "I just... It's weirding me out. I don't know what to expect, how to act, what to do..." Casey sighed. "I thought you went to Ibiza to talk, what happened with that?" Ken asked. She looked straight ahead and feigned disinterest. "Well, let's just say there was less talking and more... You know... Bonding?" She felt her cheeks burning, her heart drumming in her chest as Ken laughed hysterically. "Oh my goodness, I never thought I'd say this to you but girl, you are definitely owning the Head Slut title!" Casey couldn't help but laugh along. "Shut up, Ken!" She said, shaking her head. As they drove she saw her phone blink and vibrate on her dashboard. She took off her seatbelt, reached for her phone and held it to her ear with one hand.

"Hey Case, how are things?" Jack said cheerfully. He laid back on his swivel chair and watched as the video copied slowly to his drive. "We're good! We're driving through the M4 now." She answered, her voice drawing a bigger smile on his face. "That's good to know, the video's all set and scheduled. It'll be up by 12PM" he said. He checked the time on his G-Shock which showed 9:05AM. Jeez, why can't time speed up when I want it to?

"That's great! We're on the M4 now. We'll be there at half past 10, probably." Casey said, checking her makeup on the rearview mirror. Ken was listening intently, his eyes curiously staring at her made up face. "Yup?" He heard her say, aware that she was being watched. "Right..." She can feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, her face feeling hotter by the minute. There was silence on the line and all she can hear was her heart beating fast and her breath quickening. "Jack?" There was a rustle at the other end which made her feel more anxious. "Casey, what's wrong?" Ken said, sensing her discomfort. He can hear Jack speaking now in incomprehensible mechanical murmur. Then there was silence followed by a loud squeak of brakes followed by a very loud thud. "Casey!"


She stared at the plain white ceiling above her, not really knowing what to do. Her hands curled in a tight fistful of sheets, her heart beating fast. "Charlie? Are you there?" She asked. It felt like an eternity with Charlie on the other end of the line, breathing slowly, thankfully. She knew he's very high. Based on the depth of his voice and the drawling words he spat out she knew he's had too much cocaine what with all the time they spent together sneaking out. This time it was different. She couldn't be there to drive him home or drag him out of the bar because her mother made it clear that she was needed at home, if it was still indeed a home.

"Charlie, plase talk to me. Where are you?" Her head was throbbing like crazy and she tried to think of places he may be in at that moment. "Nothing..." He said breathing heavily. "It doesn't matter now, Case... Nothing matters now..." There was silence as Casey grasped for words to say to her ailing friend. But all she had was a sigh. "Charlie, please..."

"Have I ever told you that your eyes are like... Like..."

"Coffee, yes... Many times."

"I have? That's funny... I don't remember."

"Charlie, please just go home."

"My head hurts so bad Casey..." Charlie said, his voice shrinking down to a whisper, like a little boy with a belly ache after eating so many Halloween candy. Her panic rising, Casey looked at the clock on her bedside table which read 11:45PM. "What else hurts?" Casey sat up straight in her bed when she heard him wince in pain. "My... Chest..." He said, his shallow breathing getting in the way of words. "Charlie, I need you to focus. Charlie!" She was desperately talking loudly on her phone, tears welling up her eyes. "Charlie, listen to me. I need to know where you are so I can send help." She heard a loud crash from the other end of the line. "Casey? I knew you'd find me... Listen... I need to... Tell you... Casey... I love you." She heard more garbled words as tears sprang from her eyes. She heard a loud thud followed by loud screaming and all she could do was cry with her hand on her mouth.


"Jack, it's past 1PM. What did they say?" Jack looked up from his iPhone and towards Finn. "I don't know. I can't reach Casey's phone, she not answering my texts. Ken's not picking up." All eyes were on him, patiently waiting. There were almost 15 people in the room, people from Digital Natives and other YouTuber friends. Jack's face was a mess of lines and wrinkles, his fingers run through his hair every five minutes. Finn tried calling James and Will decided he should try to contact Ken. "They should be here by now. The last time I called, she told me they were on the M4..." Jack said, his heart in his chest.

"Hello? Hey Ken, where are you guys?" Will said out of the blue his hand raised up to silence the people in the room. "Uh, yeah he's here. Hold on," he reached out to Jack, his iPhone in hand. Jack took the phone and looked from Will to Finn, his heartbeat going faster. He cleared his throat and feigned anger. "Hello, Ken, where are you? The suppliers have been waiting for an hour!"

"Listen, Jack, I'm really sorry we can't make it but..."

"Why? I thought you were on your way, where are you?"

"Jack, we're in Frenchay Hospital... Casey is..."

"What?! Casey is what, Ken?" Jack held his breath and ran his hands through his hair. It was like everything stopped moving for a second. "She's in the ICU... We got hit by another car at the M4 just after you called. I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner but she's critical and I had to-"

"Where are you exactly?" Jack said, his voice filled with urgency while he stood up to get his coat, beckoning his twin. Finn followed Jack as he walked towards the door, his face filled with confusion and a hint of fear. Everyone in the room silently watched them move. "Right, hold on, we're on our way." Jack took the phone away from his ear and handed it to Will who trailed behind them though he didn't take his coat from the rack by the door. "What happened? Where are we going?" Finn asked, his eyebrows knotted. "Casey's in the hospital." There was a moment of silence as Jack fidgeted, restless, and Finn and Will waited for more words. But with Jack's state, they knew there were no words left for explanation. Finn put on his coat and turned to Will as he fished the car keys from his pants pocket. "Are you coming with us?" He asked Will who was standing still behind him. "No, I think I'll just stay here and take care of everything.." He said, his hands inside his pockets. Finn nodded and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Come on, man." He said as he lead his twin towards the door.

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