Cherry

Gone (now)

Now.

It's been one month since she left me.

I wasn't at the pool that night but Cherry was

That was the night it all started, and ended.

How the news reports told it was that she got stuck under the water, many different theroies.. Hair caught in the filter, hit her head and the worst of all suicide. Thats not what happened and I know it.

At exactly 7 pm I got a text from Cherry while I was doing my homework, she thought she heard someone come into the pool house and was really worried and waswondering if I could watch her practice for a while.

I told her I'd be there soon, 10ish minutes. I could tell she was scared, Cherry was practical but she also got spooked pretty easy when It came to the pool house.. Its big, open and creepy. So I said no less then 10 minutes. I was late. I was too late.

I got into my crappy old Jeep in the late summer night. The stars were brightly shining, so was Cherry. Because that was her last shining moment. Her last moment at all.

When I pulled into the parking lot I felt for my phone so I could tell Cherry I was there but I didnt have it, So I just walked in.

She was just laying there.. Her dark ebony hair splayed out in a halo of curls, looking up at the ceiling looking like she was posed for a photo. "Cherry?" I said my voice a mere squeek and it echoed throughout the building, I could feel it echo off the water filling the otherwise empty of emotion building. I dropped my backpack with all my papers spilling onto the damp floor, and fall to my knees.

I can't look away from the beautifully disturbing scene before me.. My best friend, shes gone. A sob escapes my dry throat. I look at her phone sitting near the edge of the pool like she was using it just moments ago.

I sit there for what feels as if it were an eternity before I move. I make my way to her cell and keep my eyes down puffy from the tears rolling out of them the only noises I made while crying were the few sobs that I tried to hold in because of the echo.. My cold clammy hand reaches for her phone and I dial 9-1-1

"911 what is your emergancy?"

The sickly sweet voice from the other line says smoothly

"I- My friend she..-"

"Where are you Ma'am?"

"The.. The pool.. Cherry.." I feel sick.

"What pool? Ma'am you need to tell us where you are if you want us to help you."

I give her the adress staring at nothing the entire time

She was confirmed dead at the scene.

Everything after the 911 call is a blur of police sirens and walkie talkies.

All I remember is my Mom and Dad crying  and holding me tight, And my dad carrying me to the car like I was a little girl again, me mumbling "Cherry.." the whole time. My father tried to be strong, sodid Mom but they loved Cherry as their own daughter and they lost someone today too. My sister, their practically adopted daughter.

They laied me in bed and my mom layed with me, my Dad had to be the strong one and talk to the police while I sobbed into my mothers night gown under layers and layers of blankets, despreatly trying to blok out the real world.. Hoping this was all a dream, Not reality.

I asked to see her.. But It wasnt the Cherry I knew.

Her skin was a sickly pale greenish color. Her lips flesh colored unlike the usually pink heart shaped lips and peachy flushed cheeks and tan skin. Her usually perfectly formed loose curls that framed her face now matted and knotted.

My best friend. My sister.. Gone.