September 17th, Monday - Casey Silpetti
Casey slowly returns to consciousness with a groan. She pulls the pillow over her head harder, trying to shut out the world while she inventories all of the crappy feelings her body is shouting at her. Her head is pounding, and her mouth feels parched and just plain nasty. Her body hurts, like she had been dancing for years. She feels like an exposed, raw nerve.
Dancing! Last night vaguely starts to come back to her, but most of it is a hazy blur. She moves the pillow and sits up, and her heart starts to thud as she realizes she has absolutely no idea where she is. She slides out of the luxurious king sized bed she’s in, and realizes she’s dressed in a silk pajama set she’s never seen before, some type of monogram stitched into it that she doesn’t recognize either.
Her hands go to her head as the panic starts to set in deep. She notices the sun trying to shine through the window, and looks over at the alarm clock and realizes it’s after ten in the morning. Then she sees something that stops her, and brings a little comfort to her. Aiden’s jacket is stretched across the chair next to the bed.
She sits on the corner of the bed, trying to calm her heartbeat and remember anything she can from last night. She remembers going out with Harmony, who was upset at Jake. She remembers the Power Plant, and fighting with Chance, and then meeting up with Harmony’s cool friend, Shelly something-or-other, and dancing, and…
Thunder rocks the room as Aiden steps in the room, his face brightening when he sees Casey awake, so still filled with worry. “Hey sweetheart, how do you feel?” He walks over and hands her a glass of cool ice water, sitting next to her and wrapping one arm around her shoulders.
She sips at the water, sighing at how good it tastes. “I feel horrible. Where are we? And what happened?”
Aiden waits until she finishes the water, taking the empty glass from her and setting it on the floor next to them. “We’re at the Lincolnshire. Someone slipped you something last night at the bar.”
She remembers dancing, remembers it as though she were underwater. Everything is hard to make out, but she struggles to remember. She was dancing with Harmony and Shelly, they had a crowd around them, and everything seemed to be all sound and feeling and she was lost to the dancing… She remembers a kiss deep enough to curl her toes, hands touching her everywhere while she was lost in dancing, but nothing stays in focus.
“How… who—”
Aiden hugs her to him. “It’s ok. Chance figured out something was wrong, he called me and got the bartenders to help keep ya’ll safe until I got there. Thank goodness he was there, or there’s no telling what could’ve happened to ya’ll. He had Owen call Harm’s folks with some story to explain ya’ll not going home, and got the rooms here for everyone. Harmony’s next door, I was just about to go check on her. Will you be ok for a few minutes while I do?”
She nods slowly, feeling her brain slosh around in her head as she does. Aiden kisses her cheek, grabs the empty glass and walks out. Only a moment later, Chance shows up leaning against the doorsill. He looks back over his shoulder, then steps into the room.
“I wish you would’ve listened to me about taking strange drinks Casey. I didn’t tell Aiden about the three-way makeout session between you, Harmony and your pixie friend, nor all the random guys groping ya’ll. Although some of those did end up in jail, and a few in the hospital.”
Rain pelts against the window as she stares at it, pushing her mind to remember. “I…I only remember a bottle of water. I didn’t have any strange drinks…I…I don’t think…” She puts her head in her hands trying to remember more when the last part of what he said clicks. “Wait, how did the guys get in jail and the hospital?”
“I told you, Aiden is my friend. And that means if he’s not there to look after someone he cares about, I will. And some of those guys didn’t want to leave you alone when I told them to. So I made them. And as far as the water, I don’t know how to explain your little love-in if it wasn’t drugs, so I’m assuming someone slipped you something. If it wasn’t in your drink… well, there are sprays and stuff too.”
Looking up at him carefully, she can tell that he’s been in another fight, adding a few more bruises and a busted lip to his earlier wounds. “I got the bartender to take care of your friend, they seemed to know each other. I’m just glad I was there to keep something from happening. I didn’t tell Aiden, because I’ve been there after a bad trip, and had to pick up the pieces. It’s no fun. And it’s not like you meant to do anything, so I’d leave it between us.”
He turns to walk out, and stops at the door. “I know you think I’m an evil asshole, and granted I am. But Aiden’s my friend, Casey. I was kinda hoping we could be friends too.” He walks out, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She’s moving too slowly right now to stop him in time to ask more about what happened last night.
Aiden comes back in. “Well, we have the room for the day, and Chance got us out of school so we don’t get in trouble. Are you feeling up for something to eat? We can order room service, or if you’d rather go somewhere? Harmony’s kinda awake, we could ask her to join us. Whatever it was seemed to affect her a little more, she seems a little shell shocked. What do you say?”
“I’m not really hungry and I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. If you’re hungry go ahead and eat.” Casey starts to crawl back under the covers, but gives up and just curls up on top of them, closing her eyes.
“I’ll get some toast and stuff sent up, you’re gonna want something. Let me go see what Harmony wants.”
As though she heard him, Harmony walks in. She looks like Casey feels. “If I find that creep that did that, I’m stringing him up by his balls.” She plops down on the bed, falling back into it and grabbing a pillow to cover her eyes.
“Silpetti, will you thank your boyfriend for saving us last night? And you forgive me for dragging you out there?”
“Aiden, remind me to thank you later…and Chance too,” Casey says with her eyes still closed. “And Harm, this isn’t your fault, so nothing to forgive.”
They’re all quiet for a minute before Aiden breaks the silence, “Harmony, I was going to order some food, what are you hungry for?”
She answers from under the pillow, “Double cheese, fries and a Diet Coke. From Mickey D’s.”
“Ugh, how can you feel like eating that Harm?” Casey asks.
“Perfect hangover cure. I’m hoping it will work on whatever this is.”
“Case, you sure you don’t want anything?” Aiden asks.
Her stomach chooses that moment to grumble, and they all laugh, Casey and Harmony both stopping quickly as their heads both pound. “Fries. And water, lots of water. Ice water.”
Aiden brings them each a big glass of ice water, setting them on the nightstands. “OK, here’s some waters. I’ll be back in a few.” He kisses Casey on the cheek before grabbing his jacket and heading out for food.
The girls are silent for a while, just lying quietly on the bed. “Harm, what happened last night?”
She doesn’t answer right away, and when she does her voice isn’t as strong as normal, “I don’t know. Everything started out fine and then…the rest is muddy…or just gone.”
“What DO you remember?”
Again, Harmony doesn’t answer right away, but this time when she does her voice is back to normal. “I remember being pissed at Jake and dressing up. I remember a couple of drinks and a lot of dancing. Then we saw Chance and you went to get different drinks.” She breaks off, slowly sitting up and moving to lean against the headboard. She drinks some of her water and continues, “I don’t remember much after that. There’s more dancing with you…and Shelly was there, but everything’s muddy, like I think about it and try to focus and it disappears. I remember kissing someone, and being kissed. I remember hands all over me, but I don’t know whose they are.” She stops again, continuing after a moment. “It’s like everything that mattered was touching and being touched. Like I was super sensitive…”
Casey slowly moves up to sit next to Harmony and drinks most of her own water. “That’s all I remember too…and Harm, I don’t think I had anything other than water before I started feeling weird. And it was bottled water, you can’t drug that, can you? I mean, I’m pretty sure the little ring seal thing wasn’t broken when I got it.” They both sit there thinking and sipping their water. “Aiden said Chance figured out something was wrong and called him. I…I don’t know what to think about him.”
“Well, no matter what I think about him, if he got us out of there when he did, then we owe him. Cuz I know what I’m capable of doing when I’m sober, and there’s no telling what could’ve happened last night. It’s like I had no inhibitions at all. I hope Shelly’s ok too though, she was as out of it as we were.”
Casey hides her thoughts from showing on her face. “Err… Chance said that the bartender and her knew each other, and that he took care of her. So I’m sure she’s ok.”
Aiden returns, bringing their food, drinks, and 6 bottles of water. They make a picnic on the bed and eat, Aiden finishing quickly while Harmony and Casey both eat slowly. The weather outside sounds pretty rough, though it seems to be more lightning and thunder than actual rain.
“Thanks for the grub, Aiden. I feel slightly better, but I think I’m gonna head back next door and sleep until I don’t feel like crap anymore.” Harmony gives Casey a small hug and slowly climbs off the bed.
“Here.” Aiden hands her 2 bottles of water, “Feel better.” He makes sure she gets to her room ok. Casey finishes her bottle of water and crawls under the covers while Aiden cleans up the remains of their lunch. He slips out of his jeans and gets into the bed, pulling Casey over to snuggle into the crook of his arm. He strokes her hair as he asks, “What happened last night, Casey? I was so worried about you. You looked so pale and you didn’t even seem to know what was going on.”
“I don’t know. All I remember drinking was bottled water before I started feeling weird. Everything’s hazy. I know we were dancing, me and Harm, and her friend Shelly was there, I think. I remember Chance being there before everything gets fuzzy. I kinda yelled at him and refused drinks.” She’s quiet for a moment before continuing, “Tell me about Chance. How did you meet him? What do you think of him? Do you think he’d ever…well, take advantage of someone like Roni? I just don’t know what to think of him. I didn’t have a problem believing the other night when Roni had been crying and Cadence told me what he did, but now…I just don’t know.”
“I met Chance when we were both just kids. At the time he was a runt, and I kinda looked out for him a few times. He hasn’t had a great childhood, his dad… well, he’s kinda rough on him. He acts out a lot, and yeah, he can be an asshole, but I think that underneath that he’s still a pretty decent guy.
“I talked to him about the Roni thing. He said he was a little drunk, and he didn’t realize he had scared her or anything. And do you think Cadence could have overreacted or something, I mean, she does like Roni.
“Anyway, the only thing I care about it he was there last night, and called me. And took care of you when I wasn’t there. Which let me tell ya, was scary when he called me. I know you said you can take care of yourself, but it’s dangerous out there.”
“Thank you for rescuing us.” Casey kisses him, then snuggles in even more and goes to sleep.
—
Sometime later, a knock at the door wakes her. She peeks her head up to see Harmony cautiously looking in. Once she realizes the coast is clear, she opens the door all the way.
“Hey chica, I have to get to school We’re having meetings for the Kick-Off Carnival this week, it’s Saturday since we couldn’t get the rides and all for this weekend to coincide with when we got Lover’s Walk for the dance.
“Anyway, I have to get there or the witches of Holsey will take over things. You wanna come with, or are you good?”
Aiden looks over at her. “We can stay here, its Chance’s private suite. He won’t mind if we stay a while longer. I can take you wherever you want to go later.”
Harmony grins at her. “I’m gonna go wash up, if you want to come just give me a yell.” She gives a not-too-subtle stay here wave that causes Aiden to chuckle, and walks out.
Casey lies back down, and notices her phone blinking out of the corner of her eye. She picks it up and notices a few missed calls and text messages. The missed calls are from Aiden last night, and the text messages are from today. Seems like Bianca, Cadence and Veronica all sent her texts asking if everything was ok. Cadence has sent a few more than one, looks like she’s worried. Casey quickly sends a message out to all three girls that she and Harm are ok and she’ll see them all tomorrow. She sends a second one to Cadence saying they need to talk. It doesn’t take long for the response: “Let me know when and where.” Casey sends back a reply: “Before school tomorrow? Student Center?”
“K.”
Aiden snuggles up behind her. “So sweetheart,” he kisses her under her ear, “what do you want to do with the rest of today?” She glances at the clock, noticing that it’s 2:42pm.
She leans back into him. “Hmmm, I’m not sure on today. Take it easy. I still hurt all over, but my head’s not pounding anymore and I feel somewhat normal. At some point I want to talk with Cadence, Roni and Chance - of course, not all at the same time - but that can wait ‘til I see ‘em tomorrow at school. So back to today…shower, clean clothes, other than that I don’t care.”
“How about a bubble bath? I’ll go draw you one.” He kisses her on the forehead, and slides out of bed.
A few minutes later he walks in. “Alright, nice and hot. I’ll work on the clean clothes bit, though I wouldn’t have minded seeing you in that outfit from last night,” he grins.
“Maybe after it gets cleaned.” She winks at him over her shoulder as she heads into the bathroom.
She sighs over-dramatically as she makes her way to the absolutely huge, old claw-foot tub. She strips and slides into the bubble bath, sighing with pleasure as the hot water works out all of the kinks. Aiden was thoughtful enough to light some candles and even turn on some low, soothing music.
She finishes her bath, not wanting to tarry too much or take the chance of falling back asleep. A thick, fuzzy bathrobe is hanging on the door for her, and she wraps herself in it, and a towel around her hair, and steps back out into the bedroom.
Aiden is sitting on the bed, watching TV. Lying across the chair is an outfit from a local designer, which looks absolutely beautiful – but also expensive as all hell if the label on the bag is where it came from.
“Aiden, I can’t accept this. It must have cost a fortune!”
He snickers. “You’ll have to call Chance then. He’s the one who sent this up. There’s another one in Harmony’s room, but it came after she left, so you’ll have to give it to her. I didn’t bother to go get you anything else since he sent that up, so it’s either that or your outfit from last night…”
She throws him a look, and takes the bags into the bathroom. Once she pulls it out, she realizes that maybe Chance isn’t quite the cad he shows himself to be. She would expect something sleazy and provocative from him.
This outfit is certainly a littler showier than she would normally wear, a little sexier. But it’s still quite classy and understated. It is beautiful, and something that even Harmony would die to get her hands on.
She slips into it, reveling in the top grade fabrics and hand-stitched comfort. It fits her perfectly, or at least damn near. She shakes out her hair and styles it quickly but fashionably.
She takes a look at herself in the mirror and smiles. Aiden is going to drop his jaw when she walks in there.
She walks back out, and almost laughs as she gets the reaction that she thought she would when Aiden sees her. “Well, I was going to suggest staying in today, but I think we need to get outside, I wanna show off my beautiful girlfriend and get everyone jealous!”
“What about the weather?”
“The rain’s stopped. It’s just some lightning, and it’s been like that since last night. We’ll be good.”
They grab her photography equipment and head out, driving and walking around town and just having fun. She takes some portraits of Aiden and some more of a toddler playing with a puppy in the park. She even gets the toddler’s mom to sign a release for the pictures, gives her a card and promises to call when they’re online for her to look at. Casey even promises to throw in a couple freebie prints if she wants to buy some.
She takes some nature shots in the park and also along the street. She also takes some artsy shots of some of the playground equipment when they hear the ice cream truck coming down the path.
Casey is sitting in one of the Three Corner parks, waiting for Aiden to come back with some ice cream, when her phone rings. She looks at the screen and sees it’s Harmony.
“Hey Harm, what’s up?”
“Case, we have a problem.” Casey can tell that Harmony is upset, she sounds angrier than she did the other night after the Jake fiasco. She sounds like she’s in that calm rage that Case has only seen her in a few times.
“What’s wrong?”
“That bitch May was talking about seeing some video from last night, cell phone video. She was hinting that it could get around school if you didn’t lay off Aiden. Case, I’m so sorry!!!!!”
Casey almost drops the phone, feeling suddenly sick to her stomach. “Wh…what’s on the video? Have you seen it? Oh my go…who would’ve…” she trails off, not sure what to say.
Aiden rushes over when he’s sees Casey’s wide eyes. “Case, what’s wrong?” She can’t even answer and he takes her phone, giving her the cones in exchange. ”Who is this? What did you say to my girlfriend?”
“Aiden, it’s Harmony. I just was telling Casey…ummm…,” she clears her throat before continuing. “May said she saw a cell phone video from last night and she’s threatening to pass it around school if Casey doesn’t stop seeing you,” she runs the whole sentence together.
It takes everything Aiden has to keep from smashing the phone onto the cement. He tries to keep his voice even, “Thanks for the warning. Gotta go.” He doesn’t even wait for a reply, just hangs up and slips Casey’s phone into his pocket. He sits on the bench next to Casey, taking one of the cones from her and slipping his arm across her shoulders. Casey doesn’t even move, her mind running through what little she remembers from the previous night, trying to figure out what’s on the video. She doesn’t even feel the ice cream dripping onto her hand. Aiden takes both the cones and throws them away, grabbing her gear and pulling Casey to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Aiden leads her over to a water fountain and holds down the button so Casey can rinse the melted ice cream off her hands. He dries them on his t-shirt then takes her face in his hands. “Casey, are you ok?” She slowly nods yes. “Come on.” He slides his hands down her arms and takes one of her hands, leading her back to his SUV. He puts her gear in back and gets her buckled in, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. He pulls out her cell phone and redials Harmony as he walks around to the driver’s side. As soon as she answers he says, “Harmony, it’s Aiden. You still at school?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Meet me in the parking lot. We’ll be there in 5.” Again he hangs up, not letting her reply. He climbs in, starts the car and drives off toward the school.
Harmony meets him in the parking lot. “Aiden, what’s up?”
“Where’s May?” he practically growls as Casey gets out of the car and walks around to their side.
“Uh, she was in the student center after our meeting. I don’t know if she’s still there.”
“Stay here.” He stalks off toward the student center but doesn’t get very far before May walks up to them, brushing past Aiden and heading straight toward Casey.
“Hi superstar,” she sneers. “You’re about to become very famous here at Holsey.”
“May,” Aiden tries to interrupt, but she just brushes him off, stepping closer to Casey. She pushes Harmony out of the way and slings her arm across Casey’s shoulder.
“I tried to warn you.” She takes a couple steps away from Harmony and Aiden, pulling Casey with her. “You were supposed to stay away from Aiden…but you didn’t. So now, everyone’s gonna see this little video of you.”
“May,” Aiden interrupts, stepping closer to her. “Don’t. We’re done. I never want to date you again. You make it hard for me to remember why I ever did.”
“Well…it’s too late anyway. I already emailed it to the whole student body. Sorry,” she says without an ounce of remorse before bouncing away as Casey’s knees go out and she slinks to the ground. Harmony is there in an instant with her arms around Casey.
“Harm, wh…what’s on the video?”
Harmony looks super upset, her eyes getting watery as she looks away from Casey. “It’s kinda a Girls Gone Wild tape of you, me and Shelly. We were all over each other; I’m talking third base make-out session. But at least you didn’t flash the camera; you kept everything on and covered up. But we all…” she breaks off, her voice breaking. “Case, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault!”
It takes her a couple of tries, but Casey manages to get out, “Not your fault.” Aiden kneels down next to them, a hand on each of their shoulders in comfort.
Casey finally looks up at him, “Can we just go? Please?”
“Of course sweetheart.” He helps them stand up and gives Casey a big hug as Harmony heads to her car. He helps Casey get into his car and heads off toward Harmony’s house.
They’re almost home when Casey’s phone beeps. She checks it, and there’s a message from Cadence on it. “C, have you checked your email?”
Casey cringes a little. ‘It’s out there now,’ she thinks to herself. She types back, “I know. See you in the AM.”
Casey and Aiden are sitting in his car, outside Harmony’s. Harm arrived just a few minutes earlier, and rushed inside. She’s still beating herself up over getting Casey involved in all of this.
Aiden looks over. “Hey, I know you’re getting tired of hearing it, but I’m sorry too. I didn’t think May would go this far, I should’ve put a stop to her from the beginning. I really didn’t think she would do something like this.”
“Just don’t blame yourself. You don’t even remember what happened; you weren’t in your right mind. So don’t let things get to you, it’ll blow over quick. If anyone says anything, just let me know, I’ll take care of it.”
He pulls her to him into a hug, holding her tight. He kisses her. “I’m going to get the rest of ya’lls stuff from the hotel, and I’ll drop it off. If you want to blow off school tomorrow, call me. But I don’t think you should give May the pleasure.”
“Will you come upstairs when you bring everything back?”
“If you want, of course I will.” Casey nods yes to him and gets out of the car, grabbing her photo gear and heading inside.
She drops her gear off in her room and knocks lightly on Harmony’s door, pushing it open when Harmony replies. Casey walks over to Harmony and gives her a hug. “I know you feel bad about us going out last night, but how are you feeling about this video getting out? I’m not the only one it’s going to affect…”
“Please, everyone expects this out of me! I mean, even though I’m not normally this bad, everyone will just chalk it up to whatever, it’s Harmony. It doesn’t really bother me.
“Well, other than the fact that I actually made out with a chick, and can’t remember it. I mean, I fantasized about it a little, but didn’t think I’d have the stones until maybe I was in college or something.” She tries to smile at her own joke, but even she knows how weak it must sound, and her smile isn’t that convincing.
“The only think I’m worried about is you, Case. And trust me, I’ll never ask you to go clubbing with me again. I might not even ever go clubbing again, I might join a monastery to repent getting you caught up in it.”
“We’ll get through this Harm. And hey, you really shouldn’t worry about me. I’ve been through some pretty crazy stuff…just not anything quite like this.” Casey heads back toward her room, but stops in the doorway, turning back. “Aiden’s bringing by whatever stuff we left at the hotel. And Chance had an outfit sent up there for you too, but you’d already left, so I’m sure Aiden’s bringing that by too.” She pauses for a moment. “I’ll be in my room if you need me Harm,” she continues as she heads back to her room.
Casey changes out of the designer clothes Chance had given her, hanging them up and putting on yoga pants and a fitted tee. She grabs her laptop and camera, as well as the cables to hook them together and sprawls out on the bed. She connects to the internet and uploads her photos for Mr. Mors to see, taking a closer look at each one. When she finishes, she connects to the email site for Holsey and logs into her email. She even opens up the email from May with the video, but can’t bring herself to watch it. She’s about to close the program when Aiden comes in.
He puts Casey’s things on her desk chair and gives her a kiss on the forehead, turning to take Harmony’s things to her when he realizes what she’s looking at. “Did you watch it?”
Casey shakes her head no as she answers, “I don’t know if I can.”
“Hang on, I’ll be right back.” He heads to Harmony’s room and drops her stuff off, then comes back in and sits on the bed next to Casey, rubbing her back gently with one hand. He softly says, “Do you want to watch it Case? You don’t have to you know…”
“I…I think I need to see it, but I’m not sure I want to. It can’t be good.”
Aiden grabs her laptop and moves to sit at the head of her bed, leaning against the headboard. Casey sits between his legs, leaning back against his chest and he sets the laptop on her lap. “Just say the word and we’ll watch it.” They sit there, Aiden running his hands up and down Casey’s arms. Casey reaching toward her computer to play the video numerous times, but pulling back before actually starting it.
She finally twists halfway around to look at Aiden, biting her lower lip. “I’m scared to watch it. I really don’t remember enough about last night to even guess at what’s on here. What if I did something totally dumb?” Another thought quickly flashes into her mind, “What if a client sees this and doesn’t want me to work for them anymore?”
Aiden takes the laptop from her and sets it on the bed, pulling Casey close to lean against him and stroking her hair. “Case, you don’t have to watch it if you don’t want to. And I can’t guarantee that a client won’t see it and refuse to work with you, but if they’re worth anything they’ll ask you about it and you can tell them that you were drugged.”
“Are you going to watch it even if I don’t?”
He doesn’t answer right away, but finally nods and softly answers her, “Yeah.” He kisses the top of her head as she brings her knees up and wraps her arms around her legs, still leaning against him. They sit that way in silence for awhile. Casey finally reaches over and grabs her laptop. After a moment she starts the video and they watch.
It’s bad cellphone video, but she can recognize herself immediately. It starts after the point she can remember, she doesn’t have the water in her hands anymore and the three of them are completely wrapped around each other.
She and Harmony orbit around Shelly, at all times keeping in contact with as much of each other as possible. All three are lost in touching each other, kissing and nuzzling each other, hands sliding under clothes and caressing every part of each other. Harmony is a little more lost than Casey, more aggressive.
At one point Harmony is dancing tight against Shelly, their legs twined so that each is grinding against the others thigh as they deeply kiss. Casey is dancing behind Harmony kissing her neck, and she reaches around Harm to slide her hands up under the teal halter she wears, the fabric following her hands and exposing Harm to the cheering crowd while Shelly kisses her way down to take a nipple into her mouth.
Casey dances liquidly around them, now behind Shelly. The younger girl leans back against Casey, letting go of Harmony’s halter where it stays rolled up above her breasts. She cups one hand against the small of Harmony’s back; pulling her close as her other hand slips under the leather miniskirt. Harmony slides her hands up and down her own body, finally causing her halter to drop down and cover herself even as Casey slides her hands under Shelly’s wife-beater, exposing her to a hungry Harmony.
One part of Casey’s mind notices the line of tattoos running down the center of Shelly’s back, and thinks that either she’s older than she looks, or she knows someone that’ll tattoo someone her age.
The two of them break away from each other and quickly pull Casey in between them. Harmony pulls her into a deep kiss, one hand running up her stomach to cup her breast and caress it through her dress, the other grabbing her butt and pulling her hard against Harmony’s thigh.
Shelly starts to work on the knot holding the top of her dress on, biting softly at her neck when one of the onlookers – who up until now have been happy staying on the sidelines – gets a little too close and then all hell breaks loose.
A muffled shout comes from off camera, “What the hell are you doing?!” And then someone comes into frame, punching the guy from the crowd who now has his hands on Casey. She recognizes Chance, who is jumped immediately by the guy’s friends.
Casey, Harmony and Shelly have broken away from each other, and it’s as though a switch was thrown. They all look completely lost and unsteady on their feet, unsure of where they are or what’s going on.
The camera swings around to catch Chance in the middle of a crowd fighting, and then a bouncer comes into view, and the screen goes black.
Casey sits with Aiden, stunned at what she had done on the video. “Aiden…I…I still don’t remember. I thought…I thought maybe I would remember after I saw it but…I don’t.” She starts to cry silently. “I…I don’t like not knowing what happened. I feel out of control. That was like watching something on TV…but it was me on there. It’s…weird.”
Aiden rocks her in his arms, rubbing her back and trying to comfort her. He sits there with Casey in his arms until she falls asleep – tired, stressed, and confused.
He gets her computer and camera put away and gets her snuggled under the covers. He writes her a quick note and props it on the nightstand, giving her a kiss on the forehead and whispering, “Sweet dreams,” before he goes home.
