My jaw dropped when I heard them say it so casually. Standing up my foot slid on Brian’s picture that I had thrown on the floor and I ended up face flat cussing at the world on the cold tile. Groaning I got up glaring at the two men who proclaimed I was an actual suspect in the murder of the man I loved. Staggering forward careful of where I stepped this time I pointed my finger to the officers as my fury grew against them. “How dare you ever accuse me of something so absurd! Do you hear yourselves? I’m here in this damn loony bin because of what I saw! Not because I’m repressing the memory of killing him!” Seeing them exchange amused glances I snapped lunging forward making my intensions clear by raising my fist into the air, but I’m stopped by the nursing staff before I can get to them I begin to kick and thrash wildly cursing them for intervening. Fighting hard against their grasp I’m shoved into the ground and my face is pushed into the unforgiving linoleum like a burnt out cigarette. Sobbing I feel a small prick in my arm the sudden sensation of flying begins to fill throughout my body as blackness clawed its way into my vision and I gave into the welcoming warmth of the lucid drug.
*****
Ice chilling rain and harsh wind beat at the windows as lighting flashed across the gloomy sky, and I can’t help but be memorized by the storms beauty. Licking my lips I place my hand against the window pane.
“Come on Casey! We have to finish getting ready to go!” Tara yells from across the room snapping me from my trance.
“Coming!” I yell back.
Sighing I put on as fake of a smile as I can and turn from the dancing light show outside and head to my best friends side. She’s got into this kick that whenever we head to the club she has to do my hair and makeup. Which I am grateful for the most I ever do is a small line of eyeliner, natural eye shadow, and well my long locks of ginger red hair I just leave it down no matter what. I guess you can say not a whiz at hair and makeup. Tara on the other hand wears the whole smokey eye look and a simple gloss of the lips all the time. Her black highlighted hair is always styled top notch which tonight’s style it’s a messy curly bun. Her tight short red dress accentuates every curve of her body and a pang of jealousy rings throughout my body wishing that I could look as good. I know we mostly head out to the clubs because I haven’t gotten into a relationship since moving here and well she recycles boys like none other and she feels obligated in finding me someone so I can follow in her footsteps. After a good thirty minutes she has my dull looks dazzling she throws a small black dress and high spiked heels my way motioning for me to go put them on while she gets her things together. Rolling my eyes I step into her small bathroom feeling the soft material in my hands fingering it gingerly I step into it pulling it up. Looking in the mirror I gasp. My hair is curled and falling loosely down my back, my radiant blue eyes stand out with the thick black eyeliner and smokey white shadow. Smiling at myself I run my hands down the sides of me satisfied that what curves I have shown with the slinky tightness of the dress. Exiting the bathroom Tara pulls one of her dramatic looking faces than busts out laughing.
“Damn girl you look good!” she says with a smile on her face.
“Yeah thanks to you I didn’t think I ever could look this good. You are so going to have to show me how to do this kind of makeup.” I say as I wrap her into a thank you hug.
“You’re welcome, and I so will!” she says excitedly, “But let’s go I’m itching to get on the dance floor!”
“When aren’t you?” I blurt out though my laughter. Placing her hands on her hips she tries to look hurt, but joins in with my laughter as we walk out to her black Escalade.
Entering the club we immediately turned a few heads. Glancing at each other we giggled wildly as we headed straight for the dance floor. The pulsing rhythm of the music beat throughout our bodies like a drum as we swayed our hips in unison. Thrill and happiness soared in my veins whenever a guy stopped to check me out or I got hate looks from several girls. Tara tapped on my shoulder pointing to the group of guys heading our way I instantly blushed when I saw Brain amongst them. Swallowing hard I stopped and pointed to the bar.
“Heading to get a drink.” She rolled her eyes and mouthed that I was a chicken as I turned and walked away. Here’s the thing I’ve had the biggest crush on Brian since my parents and I moved here when I was still attending high school. And I remember the first day I walked into home room my eyes locked with Brian and I’ve been hooked ever since. I was told that he had planned on moving away after graduation I was devastated and decided to move on from the lingering thought of me and him being together. Now that I’m twenty one both me and Tara are attending the nearby university, and it just so happens that Brian and I have a few classes together. Running into a nearby chair I stumble into the bar making the people near it laugh their heads off. Shooting them a sideways glance I ordered my water. Tapping the bar top and slightly moving my hips to the music I feel someone poke my shoulder. Turning around I discover its Brain smiling at me.
“Hey.” He says in his amazingly sweet voice.
Coughing I just stare at him to afraid to speak because I know if I do it will come out all high pitched and squeaky. He looks so amazing under the flickering colored lights which catch his grey blue eyes just right. His hair is spiked and styled just right, and his lips look soft and smooth. Licking my lips I push back the urge to kiss those immaculate lips and smile at him as he raises his eyebrow.
“Um hey Brian what’s up?” I say slowly making sure I don’t mess up the sentence to bad.
“I thought you were just going to sit there and stare at me.” He chuckles as his smile widens as he continues to speak. “But not much is up, but I was hoping to get a dance with you.” Butterflies instantly flood my body and I was afraid my knees were about to give out, but there was no way I was going to give up a chance to be so close to him. Choking back my fear I shook my head.
“Sounds great!” As he takes my hand leading me back towards the dance floor.
Placing his hands on my hips he pulls me slightly closer as we begin to dance and the thrill of him touching me sends sparks up my spine. Smiling as Tara gives me a thumbs up while she dances with one of his friends which I think his name is Austin. Stepping slightly closer he leans in and whispers in my ear.
“I’m glad you decided to dance with me.” Inhaling deeply I can smell his tangy sweet smell that reminds me of pineapple. Grasping his should I pull him closer enjoying the feel of him against me. Getting lost in the beat as we move together time seemed to hit fast forward, and before we knew it it was closing time. Laughing we ran to Tara’s car as the rain poured down on us. Tara and Austin lip locked just before he opened the door for her. Brain took my hand just before I opened the passenger side door pulling me closer to him.
“I really enjoyed dancing with you Casey.” I smiled at him as we locked eyes.
“I did too.” I say biting my lip he smiles lightly that makes my heart skip a beat.
“We should do it again sometime?” he says as he fills the gap between us. Feeling his breath on my lips I immediately look down suddenly feeling shy.
“Yeah we really should.” Answering to the ground I kick a rock that’s by my shoe feeling like I should say more.
I feel him place his hand under my chin bringing my face closer to his. Cupping both sides of my face he leans in and kisses me deeply responding by wrapping my hands around his neck enjoying his velvety soft lips against mine.
*****
Groaning I’m greeted to a piercing bright white light.
“What the hell.” I swat at the unknown object.
“Sorry Casey!” I hear Tara’s squeaky voice. “I had to wake you up somehow and well I used my mini flashlight.” She jingles her keys in front of my face.
“Oh Tara!” All anger disappears as I sob her name as she wraps me up in a hug. “They think I did it! They think I killed Brian!” crying into her shoulder she pats me on the back lightly.
“I know. You’re parents told me.” She sadly ruffles my hair as I pull away. “They’re on their way here to see how you are, but I wanted to come before they got here.” Jumping we hear the door open as Doctor Nordstrom steps in. Clearing her throat she steps over to the bed placing her hand lightly on Tara’s shoulder.
“I’m going to need a few moments alone with Casey. Is that alright?”
“Yeah I guess so.” Tara gets up lightly passing me a worried look. “Be back in a few.” Watching her slip through the door it silently closes behind her, and I turn my attention to Doctor Nordstrom. Knowing the inevitable that I need to talk with her so she will convince my parents that it’s okay for me to go home. Hell for all I know my parent’s had already planned on giving that okay by coming here.
“What?” Groggily looking up into her face I shrug. “What more could you possibly want to talk about? I just found out that I’m a suspect in my boyfriend’s murder. I don’t even know why they think that? I couldn’t have done it, I just couldn’t of.” Tears flood my eyes and her round face obscures behind the glassy wall as they pour down my face. “I can’t even kill a fly how could I have possibly killed him?” Slumping forward I place my head in my hands. She sits down on the edge of my bed placing her hand on my back.
“Casey I believe you didn’t kill him really I do. But they had to have some kind of reason to believe you must have done so. You’re a strong woman I can see that by the way you defend and present yourself. I’m not here to pressure you to talk, but I’m sure you’re friend has told you that your parent’s are on their way. Would you like to know the reason why?” A lump of hope swells in my throat and I shake my head. “They believe you are stable enough to come home, and I agree with them greatly. According to Doctor Strunham’s files when you first came in you were mute and never responded to any questions, but you grown since those past few weeks. You’re more alive you talk, eat, and you’re opening up more. I don’t think you’ll ever be a harm to yourself or others. The only thing that I request is that you come in and see me at least once a week.”
Looking at her with disbelief in my eyes I slightly smile at what she has told me. “Thank you so much, and I think I can keep that request. You were right. It’s nice talking with you.” Returning my smile she stands up pats me on the shoulder and leaves letting Tara come back in.
“You’re smiling for once. What did she tell you?” Sitting down on the bed she wraps me into another hug. “She told me my parents are on their way here to come and take me home, and that she approves my release.” Gasping she pulls back with a smile on her face.
“OMG it’ll be nice to have you back at home!” She squeals and jumps up from the bed bouncing up and down. Raising my eyebrow at her reaction she blushes and sits back down. “Sorry I’ve missed hanging out with you is all jeez.”
Shaking my head getting up I head over to the window. It’s raining and I can’t help but think back to the first time Brian and I kissed. The tiny pitter patter of the rain hitting the window pane made me think of the music from that night. Pulling away from the window I choke back a sob and realize my parents have joined us in the room. Immediately my mom runs over wrapping me into a hug followed by my dad.
“We’re so sorry we put you in here hun. We were just so afraid of what you might do to yourself. That nice new doctor told us you have been making such great progress.” Biting back a smart comment I just sit there hugging them shaking my head as they talk to me. “Get your things together you’re coming home with us. We can even get some of that food from Los Alberto’s if you want on our way back home.” My stomach responds at the mention of food by grumbling loud and I just realized how hungry I was. Smiling I look at them. “Sounds great mom.”
After dinner, a shower, and constant bugging from my mom I laid down in bed glad that I’m finally alone. The soft blue sheets and pillows were amazing compared to the ones back in that cramped white room. Sighing I look at the pebbled ceiling thinking of my next move, but I find it hard to focus and soon I drift into a dreamless sleep.
Hours have ticked by when a loud thump jolts me from my sleep. Sitting up I scan my room to discover a tall dark figure standing in front of the window. The moonlight outside aluminates his figure as he gauntly walks my way. My eyes grow wide as he yanks the sheets that I’ve bundled up around my chin and laughs a small chuckle.
“Who are you?” I manage to squeak out.
“The last person you’ll ever see.” His husky voice fills the dead silent air just before I scream for help.
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