I wrote this a part of a series of stories I wanted to write but I never got round to doing. The plot's clichéd, I admit but the idea of a friend like this was something I always dreamed about....

Taste 1: Sweet

Casey. I will never forget that name ever in my life. You meet many people in life but can’t always remember them. Then are a few people who change your life to such and extent that you can’t help but want them to live forever. Casey was that kind of guy. He was kind, helpful and always with a smile on his face. I still remember the day we met. It was the 7^th of May and I had just entered middle school. And as was my luck, I caught the eye of the school bully. For apparently no given reason, he decided I would be his punching bag for the rest of the term. So after school he cornered me, pushed me against a wall and demanded I give him my money. I thought I would be smart and con him into letting me go. So I asked him why he needed it. All I got in return was a punch in the stomach. Out went my option of being smart along with a bit of my lunch. Just then Casey walked by and asked what this was all about. The bully asked him to mind his own business and focussed on parting me from my money. Casey came between us and stopped him in his tracks. I was afraid they would come to blows when a teacher walked by and noticed all of us in the corner. Guessing what had happened he led the bully of to the principle’s office by the ear. Casey and I stood there, sizing, each other up. All I could think was what would have happened if he hadn’t walked by. I thanked him and we shook hands. That handshake sealed what I thought would be a lifelong friendship. From that day Casey and I became best friends. He was there for me whenever I needed him. The day of my first heartbreak, he consoled me and told me there would be many like such but I would know when I met the perfect one. The day I lost my bike he was the one who helped me scour the neighbourhood to look for it. We laughed, played, fought and lived life together. Casey was also a great animal lover. Every stray he saw on the road, he’d nurse and give to the adoption home. We existed in a world of our own and Casey understood all my fears and desires. We had planned to go to the same college and graduate together. We even planned to build houses next to each other. All these boyish dreams were shattered in just one day. It was the 7^th of May, exactly 5 years since I had met Casey when I heard on the news that there had been a shooting in the local mall. I thought nothing about and was about to go out when a chill ran down my back. I suddenly remembered that Casey had said that he would be going to the mall that day. I rushed to the mall as fast as my legs could carry me. Just as I arrived I saw the police carting off the criminal. I can never forget the expression on his face. It was one of complete calmness, as if he had just come for a shave or a haircut. I fearfully walked into the lobby where they had arranged the bodies. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the familiar outline of Casey’s body. I lifted the sheet and saw that serene face, those eyes closed and that everlasting smile on his mouth. I broke down and wept right there. I felt somebody move me away and saw it was Casey’s mom. She dropped me back home and I told my mom the bad news. We held a midnight vigil for him and in the morning when we received the body held the briefest of funerals. Even then, quite a few people had come to attend the function. A few days later, we got to know through the paper that Casey had not been one of the direct victims. He had died trying to save a little girl and got gunned down in the crossfire. Till the end Casey had stayed true to his nature. Even now, every May 7^th I visit his grave and just stand there, wishing God had not taken a way a boy so sweet and innocent.