Casey decided to go upstairs and search for her bedroom. She eagerly wanted to unpack her things and go outside where the sun shun bright and the air was warm. There were lots of other people around in the streets, people of all ages, even of her age. She thought about her new school, which she was soon to start, hoping that this new life would give her a chance to feel wanted again. She pondered over the friends she would make, the parties they would have and all the sleepovers she could ever want. She was so happy; it was just the way she wanted her life to be.
On the first day of her new school, everything went fantastic! She realised straight away that the other teenagers of her year were very cheerful and friendly. She even managed to get a date for the first time in her life! She thought to herself, “I want to be popular and I’m going to be, because I just got a date with the star of the school football team!” You see, to be known in this school, you had to have good connections; so dating this guy would sure help her out.
His name was Richard Wright, aged 18. He was a well-built, tall, football player, with short, brown, spiky hair. He had a rugged handsome look about him, with eyes as wide as the Mississippi river. His personality was a major plus when you first met him because he used to crack jokes all the time and make the whole world laugh.
One night, Casey’s newfound friends and boyfriend all wanted to attend a party at someone else’s house. They invited Casey, saying it would be “a night to remember!” It started at 7.30pm. There was only one challenge stopping her, her parents had said that she was too young to date. So she decided not to tell them the entire truth. After all they won’t know the difference, what was there to loose?
Casey asked them if she could stay with her friends that night. Naturally, they frowned at that idea but she persuaded them to go out for a night on the town without her. Therefore, eventually they agreed to let her go. Excited, she prepared herself for the big event but as she rushed around like she had no sense, she began to feel the heavy guilt weighing down on her shoulders about all the lies she had told. Then she quickly recollected her thoughts – “What’s a pizza, a small party and a moonlight ride going to do?” Soon after, she was ready to go.
Richard came to pick her up at exactly 7.30pm, so that they could arrive fashionably late to the party and make their grand entrance. Upon arrival outside this grand white home with a large porch and a double garage, Casey could see the disco lights flickering around inside and could hear the music, loud and clear. She could even see everyone jumping and dancing to the beat. What a cool party! She had longed for this night all her life.
A few hours later, the party had ended and all were leaving. Richard, by this time, was half drunk, however he insisted on driving Casey home because otherwise she would be left stranded there. Not realising what a bad condition he was in, she accepted the offer.
It had now started to rain and the lights around were very dim. There was utter pitch-blackness. Richard turned on the car engine with the headlights too and began to drive. At first, all was ok! They were cruising down the main A-road at a fairly fast speed. Casey turned to Richard and asked if he could slow down because she was slightly worried, but by then it was too late, they had crossed onto the other side. They had managed to avoid collision with the first few cars but went straight into another car, smack on…
Casey felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble and heard a cry, “Call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!” She heard other voices, only a few words at best though. She knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. She wondered if the people in the other car were all right and if Richard made it ok too. It was all a horrendous nightmare, yet it seemed only a blur to her.
A couple of hours later, she awoke in the hospital. The faces around her were so sad and grim; she knew straight away that people had died that night. One of the nurses turned to her and said, “You’ve been in a car wreck and it looks pretty bad…” The voices just echoed inside her head, “We’re very sorry but the boy you were with is dead…” they continued talking but with an even more serious tone, “Casey, we’ve done all that we can, but it looks like we’re going to lose you too.”
“What about the people in the other car?!” cried Casey.
“We’re sorry, they also died,” replied the nurse.
Casey turned away, burst into tears, and decided to pray, “God, forgive me for what I have done, I only wanted one stupid night of fun!” She then turned back to the nurse standing by her bedside.
“Tell those people’s family, I’ve made their life grim and I wish I could return their families to them. Tell my mum and dad that I’m so sorry for ever lying to them and that it’s my fault so many people have died tonight. Nurse, won’t you grant me that one last request?”
The nurse just stood there – she never agreed. She took Casey’s hand and had tears in her eyes. Just then, Casey’s grip turned limp, she had died. A few moments later, a man came up to the nurse and asked her, “Why did you not do your best to bid that girl her final wish?”
She faced the man and looked into his eyes, tears rolled down her cheeks. She answered him… “Because the people in the other car were her mum and dad.”