Chapter 2

Life with consequences

Derek kept playing the moment in his head over and over again, thinking about how he almost came this close to never seeing her again. The look on her face when he walked up to her hospital bed and she was completely clueless about who he was, that cut deep like a knife in his gut but then she said she didn't trust him...that was even worst. Even worst that then why this stupid series of pranks started, he just wanted her to talk to him again, especially after what between them but it's not like he could tell anyone. That would ruin everything, especially since she made it clear that's not what she wanted. When it mattered, he always respected her wishes.

George: Derek!

Derek head shot up when he heard his dad call him. He made his way to the cell door with a smile on his face.

Derek: thank god its you, this place smells bad and I'm starving. I need food, now! My treat ( he smiles but his smile fades as he sees sadness on his dad's face.) What?! Is Casey ok?!

George: she's fine, its just their not letting you go. The police were at the hospital... I don't know what happened, Casey said she wasn't pressing charges. But they said it wasn't up to her because someone had already done and based on what they saw, they have a case.

Derek: A case! A case for what!? I didn't do anything! It was an accident... I would never really or intentionally hurt casey!

George: I know son! Casey tried! Everyone tried but no one will listen.

Derek(is at a lost for words, he can't breathe or think. He just looks at his dad and apologizes): sor-rey dad.

George: I believe you son, I know you didn't mean to hurt Casey for real. But you have to realize that actions have consequences!

Derek: you don't think I know that! Especially! Since someone I love got hurt!( Derek stops in shock at what he just confessed to his dad.)

George: I know that even though family might sometimes fight, say terrible things to each other but at the end of the day were still famil and it doesn't mean we love them any less. I know what happened to your sister scared you and you thought you were gonna lose her, maybe this is a lesson that you don't have to hid the fact that you get along with your step sister and enjoy her company. Even if it might be embarrassing to your friends.

Derek: (thinking to himself) he didn't catch that, really? That's what he thinks I meant. Besides, that's not the reason I pretended not to like my step sister.

The security guard comes and lets Derek out of the cell, Drek looks at his dad and just smiles and the dad smiles back.

Derek: how dare you! You know how much I was freaking out!

George: I saw how upset you were,when I came up here the charges were already dismissed. Although I don't know who pressed charges but when the police asked Casey and she said she didn't wanna press charges, they were dropped. You know what, the details don't matter all that matters is that you out of jail.

Derek: there could be more to this story but I guess for now I will take the win

George: good! Lets get some food in you.

(Back in Casey's hospital room)

Casey's eyes flutter open and the first thing she sees is a Woman smiling

Strange woman 2: hey ( she says happily) I'm so glad your ok! When I saw what happened I was so worried. I also heard from your family that...(she inhaled deeply) you lost your memory, that's terrible, I couldn't imagine what your going through right now or what you must be going on in your head, trying to piece things together...kind of like a puzzle but you don't know the picture or where anything goes, even though you use to do puzzles in your sleep.

Casey just looks at her with her lips pressed together like she wants to say "mm-hmm lady nice try" what she didn't need was someone else telling her things she didn't remember about herself, especially if She couldn't fact check what she was saying. Still Casey didn't say anything she just stared at the woman and the woman just laughed nervously.

Strange woman 2: I know the last thing you want is people coming in here telling you stuff about yourself that you don't remember, I wasn't trying to do that. I was just trying to comfort you because I know you don't believe this but we're friends ( she smiles) best friends. When I saw you in the pool on your bed, I thought you were doing some stance, some skit or project... ( A tear rolls down her face, she breathes deeply) but when I saw you fall(more tears fall down her face.) Derek was the first one to jump in and save you, he was so devastated by what happened... You could see it on his face when he realized the mistake he made, the face he made when he saw your face and scooped you up, the face he made when he say that you wouldn't wake up. (she touches her chest as more tears stream down her face.) He performed CPR until the ambulance came and took you away and he went with you. As a matter of fact, he hasn't left your side once besides, changing, showering and eating. He knows how much school means to you so be went to your professors to collect your work but they were there when it happened, they were so understanding and said you could make it up when you were ready. I'm not saying this for them or me, I just wane to make sure your ok ( she cries even more. Casey touches her hand and she smiles and looks up.)

Casey: I believe you, what's your name?

The stranger woman 2 (smiles a big smile and says) Emily!

Casey: Emily?

(Lizzie is sitting in the corner in a chair at the hospital, she has tears stained on her cheeks and her eyes are red.)

Flashback

Lizzie calls Casey with tears streaming down her face in a panic, the phone rings and Casey immediately picks up.

Casey: Liz! What's wrong? Is everything ok? I know something must be really wrong because you never call this late.

Lizzie: no! Everything is not okay!

Casey: what's wrong?

Lizzie: James broke up with me!

Casey: what a Jerk! Don't worry lizzie, your gonna find you a great guy that treats you right and loves you for you and if that jerk James didn't see how great you were, well then he never deserved you in the first place.(Casey smirks)

Lizzie: I know but

Casey: it doesn't make the pain hurt any less...(sighs) I know and it doesn't make it hurt any less, no matter how many times it happens. It hurts even more when your really into someone but their not into you as much as your into them or when they are as into you as you are into them but for some reason, it just doesn't work out. You just have to take them as life lessons and use them as tools to make you stronger and you are one of the strongest people I know. Until the mean time, we will have a 2 week girl weekend ( she smiles hugely). What do you like think?

Lizzie: I would love that!( she smiles hugely)

Casey: ( giggles)

Lizzie (hears a huge whooshing sound followed by a huge pop) Casey? Casey? ( she says scared and concerned)

Casey: De-rek! Seriously! There is ink all over my room and me! I haven't slept in days because of you! Do you ever sleep!

Lizzie (hears Derek laugh and slam the door.) Casey? Casey? You ok? ( after lizzie says this Casey burst out crying and Lizzie can't help but feel sad and helpless.) I'm sor-rey Casey.

Casey: what do you have to be sor-rey A boot, your not the one doing it ( she holds back her tears, sighs and tells Puzzle good night)

Lizzie: night case.

Flash back ends

Emily walk out of the hospital room with a huge smile on her face as she looks at

Lizzie. Lizzie looks back at Emily confused

Lizzie: What? ( she says confused and a little annoyed)

Emily:she wants to see you (she says with a huge smile)

Lizzie: ( gets out of her chair quickly and a huge smile on her face) really!

Emily: really!

Lizzie storms in Casey room

Lizzie: hey ( she's says trying to sound calm to not overwhelmed Casey)

Casey: hey sis ( she smiles at Lizzie) its ok i'm not gonna break ( she pats the side of her bed)

Lizzie is reluctant to seat next to Casey but Casey reassures her with a smile

Casey: sor-rey A boot before, I shouldn't have told mom and dad that... I know you guys want to see me, especially with learning how long its been and I'll admit ( she sighs) its a lot to take in and its too much at once and I begin to panic.

Lizzie: its ok ( she says reassuringly with a a sympathetic smile) I know, we aren't the ones your mad at. I'm just happy to be talking to you again, even if you can't remember.

Casey: memories aren't important, all that matters is family. We can build new members, as soon as I can get out of here we should plan something with just us girls.

Lizzie just smiles as one tear drops from her eye.

Casey: what? Did I say something wrong?

Lizzie: ( shakes her hugd no)

Casey: then what's wrong?

Lizzie: I'm just happy to finally have you back ( she smiles)

Casey pulls her in for a hug

Flashback

Casey: Lizzie! (Laughs)

Lizzie: what? The boys stole our stuff and now I'm stealing there stuff.

Casey: I'm not judging, I'm just impressed (smiles)

Mari: girls rule!( she says as she throws her hands up)

Nora: damn right we do ( she giggles)

Lizzie: umm( she says nervously) I know you hate surprises but I made you something so you won't forget us in college.

Casey: forget you guys, never! I haven't forgotten about you guys yet, have I?

Lizzie just shakes her head and Lizzie gives her the box

Casey (opens it and she has a huge smile on her face, it a very stylish and pretty, environmentally friendly bracelet.) Lizzie! I love it!

Lizzie (just smiles and Casey pulls her in for a hug) I love you guys! (Smiles).

Flashback ends

Casey: lizzie? Your name is Lizzie!

Lizzie (looks at Casey and nods her head): yes! That's me! You remember my name?! ( she laughs and smiles)

Casey: I remember you! ( she laughs and smiles) I also remember what a great sister you are ( she says with tears in her eyes) how could I ever forget you.