What went wrong?

I stayed away from Casey for a whole week. I was scared of what he would try to do next. I mean I loved him, but as a friend. All I could think that week was did I cause this, did I dress too sexy, was it my fault? I honestly was clueless.

"Hey, Karyn," I heard Stan call out to me.

"Hi Stan," I huffed.

"What's wrong, you look so sad and upset. Tell me please."

"Ok, Stan long as you don't tell any body."

"I won't. Now spill it."

"Stan, Casey," I paused. "Casey kissed me in a way I've never been kissed."

Stan's eyes popped out of his head when I said that. He looked at me and apologized. The bell rang and I headed off to class. The last thing I saw was Stan call over his group of stupid jocks.

At lunch I heard a whole crowd yelling and cheering. I ran over to see what was the matter. Then I saw the most a painful thing happen. Stan and Gabe were beating the pulp out of someone. I couldn't see who it was but I could hear Stan yelling something. I moved closer and I heard exactly what Stan was yelling.

"You bastard," Stan yelled.

"What did I do," Casey acclaimed weakly.

"You touched Karyn, if you go near her ever again, I'll personally smash in your goddamn teeth!"

"No, stop it" I screamed.

I ran over to Casey and threw my arms around him. Gabe was about to strike him, but Stan pulled his arm back. I looked at Stan and tears began to dwell in my eyes. I gripped Casey even tighter. Then I decided to speak.

"Everyone go, now!!!!! Stan stay here."

Everyone left, but they moved like it was a Chinese fire drill. Gabe left and Stan stayed like I commanded. I looked at Casey and I saw his nose was bloody, he had a black eye, and half of his shirt was ripped off. I noticed my shirt was bloody from his nose but, I didn't care.

"Stan what the hell happened here?"

"I took care of him."

"Casey did nothing to you, you monster," I began to choke on my tears.

"What did I do," questioned Casey again.

"Like I said, Casey you dickhead you made out with my cousin. What got into you? She even told me it's true."

Right then Casey passed out. I was scared and told Stan to go get someone. I just let it out, I cried long and hard. I couldn't lose Casey. He meant too much to me. I whispered to him, real softly I'm sorry Casey. I'm truly sorry.

Stan came with Mrs. Burke. She ran over to were I was and bent down to see if Casey was still breathing. She called the hospital and an ambulance came, picked him up. I pleaded to come along and I was allowed. We got to the hospital and I was told to wait in the waiting room. I pulled out my cell phone and called my mom.

"Momma?"

"Karyn, where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital."

"Are you hurt? What's wrong?"

"Casey got really hurt and passed out because Stan and Gabe were beating on him. Please Momma, let me stay."

She paused for a while. Then she told me I could. I thanked her and hung up. Then doctor came in and I held my breath. Casey couldn't die on me, he couldn't. The doctor told me Casey was doing fine, but he was beat up pretty badly.

"May I please see him?"

"Yes, you may."

"Thank you"

I saw Casey lying in bed moaning in pain. I walked over to his side and sat.

"Casey are you ok?"

"Yes Karyn, I'm feeling great! Of course I'm not ok. Why did you do this to me?"

"Casey I just told Stan we kissed, I swear to God that's all I said. I never knew he'd hurt you. Honestly. Believe me Case, I beg of you."

I started to cry again. I didn't care that my mascara was running down my face, or my hair was frizzy. I did care about Casey; I wanted his trust and friendship back. His blue eyes started to tear up.

"Karyn, please don't cry."

"Well, Casey it looks like you're gonna cry."

"Because I forgive you and because," he stopped. "Because I love you."

"I love you too Casey."