My best stranger

s1×

I'm at Lucas' house playing fortnite when I get a call. I look at the name of the contact. Yup Erica, who I now saved as "my best stranger". Cliche I know.

I pick up the call and she says "I need you" with a heavy tone of sadness.
"What's wrong?"
"Can you come over to St Louis cemetery?"

Did I just hear cemetery! Oh no I knew this day was going to come, she's going to kill me.
"Why?" Is all I can ask
"Pls" she replies sounding desperate.
"I'll be there" I end the call and glance at Lucas.
"I have to go"
"Wow. Is it cause I'm beating your ass"
"I'll see you later" I reply, not really in the mood to answer that question and rush out getting more worried by the passing second.

I use google map and arrive at the cemetery. I begin to scan the scanty cemetery in search for her. I walk over to who I hope is Erica.
She's sitting next to a grave with her knees raised up to her chest. I sit next to her and she places her head on my shoulder and starts crying.
"Sorry" I say not really knowing what to be sorry about.
"It's been two months"
"Since..."
"She died"
"Who is she?"

Is it her mum, no she just talked to her this week. Does she have a sister? Was she hot too?

God,Noah have respect for the dead

She looks up at me, her eyes swollen, glasses foggy and her cheeks wet. My instinct kicks in and I take off her glasses and clean her cheeks with the back of my palm. I use the edge of my hoodie to clean the lense of her glasses and help her put it back on.
"It's my best friend"

Well now I know why she doesn't have a bestfriend.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I say, this time with meaning.
"Was she sick?" I ask trying to fill up the airy silence with a conversation.
"Liya, had cancer."
"How did you guys become friends?"
She had a sad smile on as if she was remembering something.
"She was the first friend I made when I came to America. She helped me whenever someone tried to bully me cause of my color. There was this time she actually reported to the principal."
She said and laughed after the last sentence, so did I.
"We didn't know she had cancer until after graduation. I made sure I was always next to her. She always had a smile on, even if she was going through the worst pains. She actually has a crush on this guy she met at a donut shop. She couldn't stop talking about him. "
"I'm so sorry" I say in an effort to console her. I've never imagined cheeky, joyful Erica this sad. I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer.
"I'm sure she's very proud of you. And she's happy that you're here for her"
"I miss her so much. Sometimes, I just need someone to talk to and I don't feel comfortable when that person isn't her. But your doing a great job listening"

"Thanks" I think of the best way to lift up her spirits and finally figure it out.
"I'm craving pizza, you?"
She gives me a confused look buy answers "ya?"
I pull out my phone and call the pizza place
"I want to order a large pepperoni"
"And mushrooms" Erica whispers
"And mushrooms" I tell them
"Okay, your address."
"Uhmmm, st louis cemetery"
There's no response
"Hello"
"I know I shouldn't have gotten this job"I hear the guy murmur as he cuts the call.
I hope he actually brings it.
A few minutes later he calls back and tells me he's at the entrance. I excuse my self and go pick up the pizza.

When I get back, I see her laying on the ground next to the grave. I lay beside her and we both stare up at the darkening sky. A handful of stars brighten it up. I turn to Erica. She's staring up at the sky, her eyes kind of glister under her glasses not sure if it's cause of the tears forming. She's smiling probably going through memories of her and her bestfriend. I'm not sure how I would react if Lucas ever died. I'll feel lost and confused. I feel really bad, like I did something to hurt her, like I need to make it up or fix it. I sit up and open the pizza box. I take out a slice and wave it side to side in front of her face.
"Your getting sleepy" I try to imitate a hypnotist.

She lets out a laugh and snatches it from my hand then sits up to eat the pizza.
I take out another slice and feeling fulfilled, I take a large bite.

"I didn't think you were going to come. I don't even know why you were the first person I called. But I have no regrets"

Noah 1 Dan 0

"I don't even know why I came, but I have no regrets." I say.

"Did she tell you the name of the guy"
"She didn't mention it. But she was obsessed with him"

A bright light shines in our direction and I hear someone yell from the source of the light.
"We are about to close."

I think it's time to go". She says.
I get up and offer my hand to help her up. We both dust ourselves and walk back to her car.

"Don't tell anyone about this" she wants
"I promise" it won't be that hard
"Thanks" she says
"Your welcome. Anytime"

There's a little silence before she says "can I hug you?"
"Uhmmm ya" I reply a little shocked.
Over come with a sudden shyness, I just stand there. She comes closer and wraps her hands around my torso and places her head on my chest. My arms find  their way around her shoulder and I pull her closer. I take in her scent, not sure what it is but it's captivating and unforgettable. She pulls back and I feel cold again. Didn't know I felt cold before until she made me feel so warm. She says good night and goes into her car then drives off. I walk back to my car, with the song pears by weston estate playing from the stereo, I drive back home.

Author's note
Pls don't forget to vote and comment. What do you think of Liya. Another shout out to weston estate, I love them so much🤧