the headlights of another car are the only thing my fragile mind can process right now.
She's gone, I thought.
It was like my whole world was gone. I would never see her smile again. I would never ever hear her make a snarky remark about Hunter, or mock Michelle and Emily. Thalia Richards, the annoying girl on the bus. The one who talked to me even after I put my headphones in. She was gone.
I was driving down The highway, barely able to determine the difference between the pouring rain and my own watering eyes. I pulled over, unable to focus on the road. Or anything for that matter.
The song 'I Don't Wanna Miss A thing' by Aerosmith was playing softly, a background noise for my sobbs. I didn't wanna move, I didn't wanna speak, I didn't even want to breath.
I was like someone's phone. They drop it time and time again, expecting it not to break because it didn't the last time. Until finally it broke. I had broke.
I just wanted all of everything to vanish. What did any of us do to deserve this? I had my best friend, I had my boyfriend, I hadn't been hurt by Michelle and Emily.... and then I had nothing but my own thoughts ripping me apart slowly.
I still had Hunter. That was the only thing motivating me to get up out of bed in the morning.
*****
I arrived at the funeral, dressed in neon pink from head to toe. At this point I didn't care about the disapproving stares darting at me. I knew this is what Thalia wanted and if those people didn't understand It wasn't going to stop me from fulfilling her only dying request.
The funeral went on. Speech after speech. Hunter was sitting next to me, softly stroking my shaking hand. Thalia's mom was on the other side of me, tears streaming down her face, but they seemed to go completly unoticed by her.
Eventually Thalia's mom tapped me, urging me to go up and make a speech. So I did.
I stepped onto the stage my bright clothes still not being understood.
I cleared my throat.
"Thalia was my best friend." I began. "I remember my first time meeting her. I was the new girl, and she wouldn't leave me alone. At the time I thought she was annoying, but I am so thankful everyday that she didn't give up. She broke me out of my shell, got me to be a better person and the connection we had shared was indescribable. She was there for me, and always wanted to protect me. I... I just wish I could have protected her." Tears were flowing out of my eyes now. "She was wise beyond her years, she was positive through the roughest time, she was the type of person you couldn't resist. I don't think I will ever be half of the person she was, but Thalia has left such an amazing impact on the way I live my life, and changed me for the better. That's how I'll choose to remember her." I finished.
