The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Forty-Two

In the rain, I ran as fast as I can through the dark, wet streets, not wanting to be caught. It was weird though. I didn't want to run. It just had been so long since both Sarah and I have really talked about how we felt, especially with each other and I wasn't quite sure how to handle it. It all started to really set in that Ryan and Summer were forever gone. I understand it's good to talk about things but not talking about it allowed me to push it to the side as much as possible. To become occupied with other things, even if they were harmful, so I could postpone the reality of it for as long as possible. I ran until I got to the lake. I knew it'd be the one place that I could just be alone with it all. 

"What happens next?", I thought. But before another thought could creep in my head, Keegan comes running out behind me, through the trees surrounding the lake. 

"Case.", Keegan says sounding exasperated.

"Keegan.", I answered as I turned around to face him. Both of us are soaking wet at this point but he still managed to see that I was crying. Pulling me in, he hugged me. 

"You should go. It's late and I don't want you to get in trouble.", I said trying to not melt down in front of him, again. 

"No.", Keegan said strongly. "I'm done doing that, Casey."

"I deserve-", I started saying. 

"You deserve friendship, love, everything you always have.", Keegan said as I shook my head in disagreement. "Damn it, yes you do. You don't have to believe it but I'm not going to stop saying it until you do. This accident wasn't your fault. You're a great person and everyone knows that and there's so many examples to prove it. Remember that time Ryan was sick and was afraid missing her opportunity to meet that army recruiter who came to the school? You missed our class trip JUST to go to that meeting as Ryan. Or the time my sister broke her leg and you came over every day to hang out with her so she wouldn't feel lonely. Or the time you started a fundraiser for Mrs. Tempo after she was diagnosed with cancer. A bad person wouldn't do those kinds of things." 

"That was before.", I replied. 

"That's STILL who you are. It's why everyone loves you. It's why I - It's why I love you.", he got out. 

"You what?", I asked. 

"And not like a sister or a childhood friend. More than that Casey."

"Don't Keeg. You're making a mistake.", I said as I turned back around to face the lake. 

Keegan walk around in front of me. 

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life but liking you, it's not one of them.", he replied. "You think your some unloveable monster when you're the exact opposite." 

"Just stop! You're my friend and I get that you're trying to help but lying to me isn't going to change anything."

"When was the last time I lied and you believed it? You know how terrible I am at it."

"Fine, you're right. You're are a pretty shitty liar.", I said causing us both to slightly smile through the pain. "But, I don't know. How am I going to get through this?"

"By letting people who care, help you. Pushing everyone away is making it worse. You want Ryan and Summer to live on? They will if you do. The only bad thing you can do is give up. You know Ryan wouldn't want that. None of us would." 

What he said resinated with me. I can't have them here anymore but giving up, or dying, what would that do in the end? I'm the one with the most memories of Ryan and I don't want to lose that too, or have the world never know of them, by losing myself in destruction and pain. 

"You must go on. For you and them.", Keegan softly said as he put his hands on my face. "And I'm not going anywhere."

It was at that moment that our eyes locked and I felt a way about Keegan I never have before. Leaning in towards each other, our lips locked for the first time and butterflies filled my stomach. It was as if he brought me back from near death. And not so much from the kiss but by the strength he had, and continued to have, for me, as I felt weak.

"I love you too.", I softly whispered. It brought a smile to Keegan's face before our lips locked again. 

Keegan loved super heroes but it wasn't until that day that I had realized he was one himself. My own personal super hero. Maybe he couldn't fly or climb buildings but his gift was so much more than that. He made me feel alive again.