Chapter 3 "Truth and Tears"

With only 6 days left until the new school year began Keely thought it was necessary to have nothing else than a fashionable new wardrobe.

"Keely are you okay? You look different." Via said looking at Keely up and down eying every single detail of her.

"How am I different?" Keely said looking out the window of the shop at Phil who was sitting on a bench with a coffee and two lattes. She wiggled her fingers and smiled and he waved back. Via spun her back around and brought her back into reality.

"That's how" Via said as she started looking at the price tag on a pink dress. She instantly dropped it when she saw the price. Her full attention was now back on Keely waiting on an explanation.

"It's nothing Via… he just helped me learn to fish that's all."

"Are you absolutely sure there nothing else…"

"Yes Via now lets hurry before Phil gets bored." Keely smiled and paid for her new pairs of jeans and walked outside. Via watched her and felt her jaw drop. I did not just see what I think I saw… Via thought. He eyes locked on to Keely's hand. It was once again inside of Phil's. Then it all came together, the googly eyes, the giddiness, the waving… she was head over heels in love with this boy… Via gave her items to a sales lady to hold onto and walked out and stood next to Keely.

"Keel can I talk to you? I'm not sure about this top." Via asked grabbing her arm and pulling her away before she could answer.

"Um… I guess. Be right back Phil!" Keely turned around and walked with Via into the store. Once they were out of Phil's site Via finally let go.

"Keel why didn't you tell me?" Via said with a grin dancing on her face. Keely sighed and tried to muster up words to explain her feelings about the night before.

"Ok… I'll confess. Phil took me out to dinner last night and then we went back to my house… and he stayed to make sure I was asleep and he kissed me goodnight…" Keely got cut off by Via… again

"Oh my God on the lips?"

"No…forehead." Keely confessed again.

"I can't believe it!" Via and Keely grabbed each other's arms and bounced up and down until one of the uniformed sales woman came over and told them to settle down. Then another came to give Via back her items. They looked at each other and smiled until their cheeks hurt.

"We better get back out there… are you gonna buy that?" Keely asked. Via nodded and paid for the tops. She linked arms with Keely and began to walk out when Keely stopped and grabbed Via.

"You can't tell him I told you… not until we're official." Keely pleaded and gave Via an innocent fawn look. Via instantly caved in… she wanted to tell but her friends look made it impossible.

"Okay I promise." Via said re-linking arms with Keely and heading out the door they met back up with Phil and put their bags in the car and grabbed their lattes.

"Lunch anyone?" Phil asked.

"Of course!" Keely and Via chanted. Keely sat in the driver seat of the car. Phil sat in the passenger seat and smiled at Keely. For that brief moment there was no one else there but them. Then Keely looked away to put the key in the ignition and started the car. They pulled out to the middle of the road and began to drive to they nearest pizza place. The stoplight began to turn yellow. Keely pushed the gas down a little bit and made it past but just as she entered the intersection a red truck smashed into the front of the car. Keely's car spun onto the sidewalk and crashed into the side of the wall separating the park and the road. Phil jumped out of the car and went to get Via out of the backseat.

"Via are you ok?" Phil asked sounding concerned.

"Yeah I'm fine… what about Keely?" Via climbed out of the backseat and walked around to the front with Phil.

"Keel?" Phil said sounding more concerned than before. "Keel are you ok?" Keely looked up and nodded. She tried to pull herself out of the seat but the seatbelt kept her in.

"Via go see if there's anything to cut the seatbelt in the trunk" Phil needed Via out of site so he could use his wizard to cut her out.

"Um… sure be right back," Via said as she frantically ran to the back to search the trunk. Phil pulled the wizard out of his pocket and aimed it carefully at the belt keeping Keely in and freeing her from the beaten up car. He pulled her close to him and held her head to his chest.

"We've got to get you to the hospital Keel." Phil said pushing her back and looking at her. Her forehead was bruised from her head hitting the steering wheel her stomach was also bruised from the seatbelt constricting her to her seat. She was a mess.

"Phil I'm okay really" but just as Phil let go Keely fell to the ground.

"Keely are you ok?" Via asked as her and Phil pulled her up. Her eyes fluttered and then closed.

"Oh my God Phil she passed out! I'm gonna call 911." Via dialed the number and began to explain their situation. Phil scooped Keely into his arms and carried her to a bench he sat down with her in his lap. He rested her head on his shoulder and ran his hands though her hair and down her arm. He prayed that nothing was wrong with her. He didn't know what he would do if something happened to her. Via sat down beside him and laid Keely's legs on hers rubbing them softly. She looked over at Phil but he didn't noticed. He was to wrapped up on making sure Keely was ok.

"The police said the ambulance would be here soon. She'll be okay Phil" Via tried to force a smile but all she could do was cry at the site of her best friend and the boy holding her sleeping body. Via scooted closed enough to Phil to gave him a reassuring hug then went back.

"Phil look!" Via said pointing down the street at the red lights flashing down the street. The ambulance pulled up to the bench and paramedics rushed out. They laid Keely on the trolley and hoisted her into the van. Phil followed her. He wasn't about to leave her like this. She needed him. Phil climbed into the back a man in a paramedics uniform stopped him.

"Sir you need to go up front."

The man said putting a hand out stopping Phil in his tracks.

"I can't leave her! She needs me!"

"Sir we can't let you back here but we'll make sure you don't have to leave her side at the hospital." The man gave Phil a sympathetic look. Phil agreed and climbed in with Via. The ambulance rushed to the hospital. Keely was in the recovery room. She still hadn't woken up and Phil wasn't going to leave until she did.

"Phil I'm going to get flowers for Keely? Want me to get her some from you?" Via asked

"Yes. Get as many pink roses as you can." Phil said as he handed her $10.

"Okay Phil. I'll be back soon. Call if she wakes up."

"Will do." Phil said. He grabbed Keely's hand. It wasn't warm and soft like normal. It was cold and rough from the cuts and scratches on her palm. He put her hand between both of his trying to warm it back up like normal. Suddenly her eyes fluttered open and she sat up.

"Phil? What… what happened?" Keely sounded distant and dazed like she didn't know what happened.

"Keel, a truck ran into the front of the car… then we crashed into a wall… Are you ok?" He put the back of his hand to her cheek. The warmth and color was coming back to her skin.

"I'm fine… are you?" She stretched out her arm and ran her fingers though his hair. She just gazed at him making sure he was okay. He was a little banged up. He had a cut above his left eyebrow and a couple more cuts and bruises here and there but all in all he was ok.

"Where's Via? Is she ok?" Keely sounded a bit nervous.

"Yes she's ok… um Keely… I'll be right back ok?" Phil rubbed her hand and got up and walked to the clerk behind the desk.

"Can I use the phone?" Phil asked. The clerk nodded her head and pointed to the phone. He dialed Via's number.

"Hello?" Via answered.

"Hey it's Phil… Keely is awake. Hurry with the flowers… I gotta go… bye." Phil hung up the phone and walked back into Keely's room.

"What was that all about?" Keely asked

"Just called Via to tell her you were awake," Phil confessed. "She's running out getting something."

"Oh. Ok." Keely smiled weakly. She tried to get up but her body was to tired to listen.

"Keel just get some rest. You look tired" Phil said helping Keely lay back down.

"Ok but you have to promise not to leave me. Ok? Bathroom or emergencies only mister." She smiled and rested her head on a pillow. Phil sat down beside her. Keely stretched her hand out, Phil took it and laced their fingers together. Phil brushed her hair out of her face reveling her tired green eyes and tried to give her comfort. She closed her eyes and drifted off to a peaceful sleep. The grip on Phil's hand loosened but Phil never let go. Ten minutes later via came in with a dozen pink roses and a vase of different flowers.

"Phil" Via whispered shouted. "I thought you said she was awake?" Via gave Phil a look that said hello-you-said-she-was-up-so-why-isn't-she.

"She was tired Via. She could barely push herself up." Phil looked at Keely again. She was resting peacefully. She wore a half-smile. I wonder if she can feel that Phil said while he rubbed his thumb gently across her hand letter her know he was still there.

"Via gimme you cell phone so I can call my house and get some clothes… I'm staying the night here." Phil said sticking his hand out. Via handed him her phone and he dialed home… explaining again what happened.

Lloyd and Barbara raced to the hospital with clothes and a pillow. Phil could stay as long as Keely. He knew he couldn't leave his angel like this. Someone had to be there for her.

After the people started to filter out Keely began to wake up again. Via was on one said and Phil was on the other. Via massaged her hand and Phil brushed her hair with his fingers. She woke up again and lifted herself up with less effort and looked at her two friends.

"Good news Keely" Phil said. "They fixed your car for no charge. So when your ready, Via can drive you home." Phil looked at her. Her color was back, her hands were warm and softer. She was almost back to normal. Keely swung her legs over to Phil's side of her bed but she couldn't stand quite yet Phil held her up Via rushed over to help.

"Can you take me by the window?" She asked looking at both of them widening her green eyes.

"Sure." Phil and Via set her down on the widow seat. Via's phone began to ring

e.n.d..o.f...c.h.a.p.t.e.r..3