The One's Left Behind

High School

"Let me see your schedule," Waverly told me.

"I already checked, we have the same classes," I reassured her.

"I just want to make sure you didn't miss anything. This is freshman year, and if I don't have my best friend with me throughout the whole thing, I will die."

"Or you'll make new friends."

She looked disgusted at the thought. "I can't believe you'd even suggest that. Who needs new friends when the best one is right next to me?"

I grinned at her as I handed over my schedule. "Love you, too."

"Okay, good. All our classes are the same."

"You could've saved yourself the trip and just believed me."

"But whenever I believe you, you're wrong."

"And when you don't, I'm usually right."

"One can never take the risk."

I rolled my eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"But you love me."

Everyone loved her. Waverly didn't even have to try to make people like her, they just did. I had always been envious of it. It was something that never came to me easily. I was the more socially awkward out of the two. Throughout all of high school, she would shine. She would be invited to parties, and she wouldn't go unless I could too. People started noticing me towards the end of sophomore year. It was a lot better, especially since I was a starter on the Varsity soccer team. Waverly was never envious when I would be greeted in the hallway Junior year and she wasn't. Why couldn't I have been like that? 

Every teacher loved her. She always answered questions right, got the higher scores in the class, and respected them. Who wouldn't love her? 

And then came Josh in the middle of junior year. They had started going out after winter break, and were official the next month. But she had still been worried about whether he would ask her to prom or not. I remember being there when he asked her, all cliche-like. Driving up to her house and throwing rocks at her window. It had been to die for. They were the couple that everyone wanted to be.

When she had called me that one night - the last night - crying, I knew it had to do with Josh. It was such a stupid reason, he had cheated on her. I blamed him at first but then I realized I should've told her to pull over and dry her eyes before coming home. I should've told her I'd talk to her once she was safely at my house. But I didn't, because I didn't want to be seen as a bad friend. Only now I was the worst friend because I had let my best friend die while talking to me.

How could I have done this to you, Waverly?