Adopted by Heathers: The Sequel

Astrid Waters

"I haven't seen you in a while." Astrid said to me as we were walking down the street to go get some ice cream to celebrate my release from the hospital. Well, ice cream for Astrid, sorbet for me because of the whole lactose intolerance thing I only recently found out about. 

"I know! Seems we never see much of each other. It sucks. The only time I really have gotten to hang out with you was when I was in seventh grade. God, remember those days?" I said. I was saying that like my middle school days were the good old days. Which they weren't. Middle school, for the most part, sucked, especially given that I spent the latter half of seventh grade homeschooled in Elle's apartment.

"Anyway, Astrid...how are things going with your gorgeous girlfriend Shirley Cook?" I said, nudging Astrid the best I could. Astrid laughed and said, "You're talking like you're the one that's dating Shirley, not me! You're dating Red, how are things going with her?"

"I came out to my aunt when um...Red 'broke up' with me. But Red and I are back together now. Which I'm forever grateful for, I love that girl more than I love myself." I said. 

"How's everything going with the crash and all that? You on the road to recovery?" Astrid asked. I nodded and said, "Yeah, um, physical therapy sucks, but it's needed. And my doctors have told me and my mom about twenty million times that I'll be back to normal by my birthday. Physically, at least. I'm still too scared to drive."

"I get that. But you're planning on getting behind the wheel again eventually, right?" Astrid said. "I got my license a few weeks ago. Everyone in our friend group is driving but you."

"Red doesn't have her license yet."

"Doesn't she have her permit?"

"Yeah, but, still. I can drive, it's just a little hard right now. So don't act like I don't know how to drive and stop trying to make me feel bad about it. It's not my fault we crashed."

"I'm not trying to make you feel bad! Jeez, Cat, I'm sorry!" Astrid said. I rolled my eyes and said, "Yeah, whatever. Sorry for overreacting. Anyway, we're here at the ice cream place." I pulled out my wallet and said, "Whatcha getting?"

"Vanilla."

"Fine by me." I said. I ordered myself a raspberry sorbet and then paid. "My mom wants me home, anyway."

I heard Astrid let out a soft squeal and I rolled my eyes. Astrid has always been a hopeless theater kid fangirl, and that was one of the reasons we became friends. And one of the many reasons I loved her so much. She's been my best friend since before I got adopted, and even though she did get on my nerves sometimes, she was super sweet and a huge goofball. 

"Oh my God, Astrid, do you still have that hopeless celebrity crush on half of my family members?" I said after hearing her giggle. 

"Your dad could run me over with a car and I'd thank him." Astrid said, giggling hysterically. 

"God, Astrid, you're such a fangirl, let's go." I said. 

Astrid was standing on the curb letting the wind blow through her caramel brown hair. When we thought the coast was clear, Astrid squealed and ran down the street.

Key word: thought.

"ASTRID!" I screamed. "Watch out!"

But it was too late. A car slammed right into Astrid. And the worst part was, I recognized the driver. 

That was my biological dad.

I started to panic. I ran into a grocery store bathroom and called 911. If the driver was any other person, I would've stayed and helped Astrid out. But if my dad noticed that the girl on crutches was me...I don't know what would've happened.

The next order of business was how I was planning on getting back home. There was no way I could run. And Elle dropped me off in the park an hour earlier, she wasn't planning on picking me up for another thirty minutes.

I contemplated my options for five minutes straight until I heard sirens go off. Thank God the paramedics were here. Maybe Astrid had a chance of survival...

Oh my God. I never thought there was a chance that Astrid could die...

I shot up off of the toilet I was sitting on and grabbed my crutches, going back outside as fast as my legs could take me. And there was Astrid on a stretcher and a paramedic coming up to me.

"Is...is my friend gonna be okay?" I asked.

The paramedic sighed heavily. This could not be good.

"She died on impact, kid. I'm sorry." the paramedic said. Then he walked away.

Astrid's gone. My first best friend. Gone.

My first instinct was to just go home. So I did just that. I ran back to my apartment, letting tears come to my eyes. 

I unlocked the door and Elle shot up from the couch. I burst into tears as soon as I walked into the room, seeing my mom kinda hurt, given Astrid's obsession with her.

"Sunshine? I didn't expect you to come home this early, where's Astrid?" Elle said. 

Now I have to tell her.

"Um...she got hit by a car....my dad did it...Mommy...she's gone." I said.

"Oh my God. Sunshine..." Elle said.

"No."

"No?"

"Just go away!"

"Sunshine!"

Before Elle could say anything more, I ran to my room and slammed the door behind me, sinking to the floor and crying into my knees. Make that the second friend I've lost in my childhood. My ex-boyfriend Ethan died when I was in eighth grade, and now losing Astrid...

I heard a knock on the door and Elle opened it.

"Hey, sweetie."

"Mommy...I'm sorry..." I said, sobbing into my knees. Elle put her arm around me and rubbed my back in slow circles. I leaned into my mom and she kissed my head.

"Hey, you don't have to be sorry, Sunshine. This wasn't your fault." Elle said. "I told everyone else."

"They know?"

"Yeah. They're gonna come over in a few to try and cheer you up. Have you told Red yet? And your other friends?" Elle asked me.

"No...not yet..."

"Okay, why don't you do that? I'm going to leave you alone for a few. I love you."

"L-love you too, M-Mommy."

Elle quietly closed the door and I pulled out my phone, getting ready to send a text to the group chat. What truly pained me was that Astrid was in this group chat. 

Cat: This may be a shock, but Astrid died this afternoon. I'm so sorry.

As the text went through, I realized what Astrid's last words were.

"Your dad could run me over with a car and I'd thank him."

I knew she was referring to Ryan. I knew she meant it as a silly fangirl joke. But it happened. My biological dad hit Astrid with a car.

And I had to lose my best friend.

AN: I'm so sorry. Yes, I know Astrid was a fan favorite, it's needed for plot reasons, I'm sorry. Hope you enjoyed (if you can even call this chapter enjoyable) and catch ya later!