Writing Drafts (Experiment)

So-Called "Best Friend"

October 11th 20XX

I stared at the casket, hoping that by some sort of fucked up miracle that Alice would pop out and be just fine. That this was all some sort sick prank. That she wasn't gone. But I knew, deep down, that my childhood friend was dead.

I turned to look around the cemetery, wanting a distraction of some sort. The sound of the heavy rain rolling off the umbrellas overpowered the silent whispers and sobs. When was the last time we'd all showed up at the same place like this? Aki and Yelena's wedding? How long ago had that been anyway? Five, maybe seven years?

My eyes landed on Yelena, crying into her lover's arms. It was no secret that out of the six of us, the two of them had been the closest with Alice. Yelena had even made her her maid of honor at their wedding.

She stopped crying, and started to wipe her tears while her wife comforted her. Suddenly, she met my eyes, and her distressed look turned into one of fury. She shoved her purse into Aki's arms, and marched over to me. I quickly turned to stare ahead in front of me, trying to avoid her gaze.

We'd always gotten along the least, and things only got worse after the incident 15 years ago. So I wasn't particularly looking forward to dealing with her. I quickly turned back to looking down at the casket. She must've been really mad at me to not care about the rain ruining her hair or makeup.

Finally, she stopped and stood only three feet away from me. I was trying my hardest not to look back at her, despite knowing it'd do nothing to stop what was coming.

"What did she say?"

"What?"

"You were the last person she spoke with before she disappeared. What'd she tell you?", despite the neutral conversation topic, her voice was laced with venom. It was obvious that she just wanted to know more about her dear friend's final moments. However, I didn't have anything to say to her. The last time Alice and I spoke was two weeks before her death, and I'd already told the police all she'd told me, and it was clear that nothing could've indicated what would happen to her. 

I kept looking forward. "Same thing I told the cops.", I said, trying my best not to let my emotions waver through my voice. "Some stuff about her cat, a movie she saw the week before, and her job."

"Are you sure?",  she said, through gritted teeth.

Even if I understood Yelena's actions,  that doesn't mean I was o good terms with her all of a sudden. She was starting to get on my nerves, but I didn't want to cause a scene at the funeral. I tried my best to keep my composure and continued to avoid her gaze.

"Look, Yelena, you can ask the cops to tell you the details but I swear on my life that's all she said to me. Do you really think I'd hold back any information like that just because I was petty?"

 "The least you could've done was ask her if she was planning on doing anything or going anywhere soon!", she yelled in a soft voice as to not disturb the other guests.

At this point, I had enough. It felt like Yelena had forgotten I was Alice's friend too. I thought she would've at least tried to put her disdain for me aside for the funeral, but I guess old habits die hard.

"Oh I'm sorry, maybe the reason I didn't is because I didn't think I'd find my best friend dead in a river two weeks later!" , I yelled at her, feeling a tear stream down my face. I stared at her, angry. She had a surprised and slightly fearful expression on her face. Probably because she suddenly remembered how much taller I was than her, and that I could easily beat her in a fight if I wanted to.

I turned around, breathing heavily, before realizing that everyone was staring at us. Aki looked like she wanted to kill me, Isaac had a pitiful expression on his face, while Sasha looked confused. I cleared my throat, before turning back to Yelena.

"Sorry.", I told her.

Before she could answer, I turned around and made my way to the exit.

Some kind of best friend I was.