Written by: Kristen Bolig

¨Those special memories of you will always bring a smile, if only I could have you back for just a little while. Then we could sit and talk again just like we used to do. You always meant so very much and always will do too. The fact that you're no longer here will always cause me pain, but you're forever in my heart until we meet again."

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"I wanted to give them a challenge to my 'sisters' to live one day without me. No communication at all and if they passed it, I will love them forever. What I did was on purpose. There was a reason. I wanted everyone to leave me. I wanted everyone to hate me. It's best for them to leave now than later. They hadn't realized what I was doing. They didn't have to agree, since they left me, like I wanted to. Everyone left me, including my 'sisters'. If we were close, some terrible things would happen. I couldn't face that and let that happen to them, so I did what a true friend did. Now... They're safe and happy without me. No one will die and get hurt anymore. No one understand my true nature. I gave one chance, just one, to make things personal for the 'last' time. They lost their chance... I'm sorry. No matter how much hope I had in myself, I was getting weaker by the second. I poured my everything in that message for her, but I received nothing beneficially back. But they will always be in my heart...The challenge was a success. I wasn't a bother to anyone anymore. The two best friends are back together and life is back to normal for all of them. If only they all knew. I only have 24 hours left because I was 'dying'. After a day or so, they will find out. They'll come back for me. And when they will, there will be a note. My note. Saying: 'You did it sis... Now please do it everyday. I love you.'"

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"Taking a step back, I analyze what was happening. This wasn't how I want it to happen, but it's better than nothing. I thought they would care, but I guess things change. Now that I think about it... Do they have the qualities of a true friend that I'm seeking for?  A true friend that I can count on in my darkest moments to be there for me, to lift my spirits and to remind me of the beauty that is all around me. A true friend that can make me laugh, when I don't even want to smile. A true friend that will tell me the truth when I need to hear it no matter how painful. A true friend who doesn't keep secrets away from me. A true friend that doesn't go extreme to end a relationship. A true friend that doesn't leave me hanging all by myself. A true friend is a gift from the heavens because they do not have to be in my life. They choose to be in my life and for that I should be truly thankful. So today, why not let my true friend know just how much I appreciate them even if it is just a text to say 'thank you for being in my life.' 

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"You only miss me every minute of everyday. I will never be truly be gone. I will hold you safe in my heart forever."

"Damn it," I whisper, watching as the messages appear on her phone, wiping more tears from my eyes.

"Don't worry," my sister, Brittany says.

"Why not?"

"They'll know soon enough."

"They'll never be the same," I murmur. "None of them will."

"You're probably right. How will any of her friends function without her?"

I decide to ignore her sarcasm for the moment; I have more important things to deal with. "What do we do now?" I ask. The sun is growing brighter, reflecting against the window. Beyond the room, beyond the window, I can see the town of Harrisburg beginning to illuminate across the Susquehanna River.

"We wait," she says. Her gaze follows mine. Together, we stare at our little town, where everything used to feel so safe. "It won't be long now," she says, "before someone finds her body."

"And then what?" I whisper, looking over with tears at the motionless body.

She pauses. considering the question. "Then we find out what happened to her."

"We do?"

"Yeah." Another pause, the one longer than the last. "Maybe."

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"We would be in so much trouble. It would ruin our lives, too, and what's the point in that?" She's almost breathless. "I'm looking out for you," she says to her bestest friends. "I'm your best friend." Tiffany smiled weakly. "We're sisters. I promise, nothing bad is going to happen to you. I won't let it. This will all be over soon."

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I can't watch anymore. I get out of bed and cross the room to Brittany, who is standing there wordlessly, waiting. She doesn't seem surprised when I put my hand on her shoulder and close my eyes again.

As I open my eyes, I see that we're in her hospital room, outside, and inside there is wailing, eight voices working all at once, heartbreak upon horror. Right through the window, there was a body on the bed, with a white sheet over its head. No emotions. No breathing. No movement.

This has to be a dream...

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There is no place to go that doesn't hurt. There is nothing to do but wait.