Kary

'More scars.  More bruises.  More coverings.'  This is what I thought as I looked at myself in the mirror before school.  He didn't mean to hurt me, he was just having trouble in school, he was stressed out.  I pulled on my long-sleeved red shirt and blue jeans.  There, just put on my makeup and I'm set.1

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"Kary!  Over here!"  I walked over to where Felicia and Cidney were sipping lattes.3

"Hey guys."4

"Hey!"  Felicia said as she hugged me.  I ignored the pain.5

"Got you your caramel frappe."  Cidney said as she handed me the coffee.  We started walking up the stairs to our first class.6

"Why the long sleeves?  Its July!"7

"Oh, I think I'm coming down with something.  Kind of cold."  I had to lie.  If they knew I'd never hear the end of it.8

"Wanna see the nurse before Geometry?"  Felicia asked.9

"No it's OK, lets just go."  God its hot.10

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'Ow!  Why do people have to shove when they get off the bus?' I thought as I walked to my door, rubbing my bruised arm.  I noticed Jake's car in the driveway.  He must not have to work today.12

"Where have you been?"  He asked from my computer desk when I walked into my bedroom.13

"School."  Was I late?  Was the bus slower then usual and I didn't notice?14

"Don't lie to me!  Your ten minutes late!"  He yelled.15

"The bus must have been running slower than usual.  I didn't notice."  He glared at me.16

"Who's Mark?"  he sneered.17

"What?"18

"Who's Mark!  You have emails from and to him!"19

"You're looking at my email?"20

"I have a right!  Who is he!?!"21

"He's just an old friend from middle school."  He got up then, came over and grabbed my jaw with strong hands.22

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" he screamed, then slapped me.  I fell back against the wall.23

"I'm not!"  I sobbed.  My head oozed blood.  "I knew him in eighth grade!  We're just friends!"  He stormed over and lifted me by my hair.24

"Then why does he call you 'baby cakes'?" He spit at me/25

"It was my nickname!  Everyone called me that!" 26

"YOUR LYING!"  He threw me then.  I hit the wall, hard, heard the crack of my head against cement.  I coughed into my hand, felt something warm and wet.  I looked in my palm and found blood.  Then everything went black.27

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I wake up to beeps all around me.  Beeps?  Humming, machines?  'Open your eyes Kary.  Come on.'  I tell myself.  Nothings working right.  I try to move my arm to rub my eyes, why cant I move?  There's something in my wrist.  An IV?  No!  I cant be in the hospital!  They cant know!  If they know they'll take him away and then he'll come after me.  I try to open my eyes again, I fail.29

"Any changes?"  Felicia!30

"None." Cidney!  "Did you get a hold of her parents?"31

"No.  I cant get through."  My parents?  Where are they?  32

"I don't know what to do Felicia!"  Cidney, don't cry!  Why cant I talk?  Why cant I move?33

"What is she doesn't come out of her coma?"  Coma!  I'm in a coma?!  No!  Let me out!  I want to leave!34

"She will, I know she will."  Felicia, not you too!  Stop crying!  Please!35

"Girls, we need to run some tests."  Who's that!?36

"OK, come on Cidney."  No!  Don't go!  Please!  I feel the doctors hands on my face, my arms.  I assume that's who he is, the doctor.  37

"Kary, if you can hear me Kary, try to move your toes."  I try, oh I try so hard!  Why cant I move?  The doctor sighs, no!  I'm here!  I'm trying!  Don't go!  I hear the door shut.  Open.38

"Kary?  Can you hear me?"  Felicia!  I hear you!  Why cant I move?  Why cant I-39

"The doctor says, you might-might not make it."  WHAT! NO! "Kary please!  You have to come back!"  Don't sob Felicia!  I'm here!  "Why didn't you tell us Kary!  Why didn't you let us help you!"  I wanted to!  I'm sorry Felicia!  The door opens again.  Two, two girls sobbing now.  No!  Felicia, Cidney!  Why are their words so slurred?40

"Kary, we love you Kary.  Don't go, please come back..."  The rest is so fuzzy.  Why cant I hear them?  Why do I fell tingly?  Oh God, please, not now.  Please...41

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Kary died then, with both friends holding either of her hands.43

The police found James the next day, dead.  Killed in an auto  accident caused by a drunk driver.  Himself.44