Tears in the Stars

A Brand New Chapter-Shannon

Shannon and I have been friends since we were little kids. For some reason, the friendship has never grown weak. I don't remember much about Shannon, but I know she had long brown hair. She always curled it and made it look perfect. She was a big baby at times, but was a very nice person. We spent almost every moment together. There is one memory in particular that seems helpful to me. It happened not long before I ended up here.

"(name), wake your tiny ass up!" Shannon yelled as she bounced on my comforter. I pulled my pillow over my head and moaned, "Watch your mouth, my parents are here!" Shannon laughed, pulling me by my legs out from my cozy cocoon of blankets. "Guess what," She whispered. She reared her head back and yelled, "I DON'T GIVE A F-" I jumped up and slammed my palm over her cuss caked mouth. "Well," she said; obviously satisfied, "that gotcha up, didn't it?" She stood from my bed, leaving me heaped on the floor, clinging to the corners of my sheets. Her manicured hands reached up and flung the curtains open. "It's a new day, a new chapter! You're officially old." she looked at me and grinned. "That is so not true!" I hit my fist to the floor indignantly.

I stood up, stretching my back and pulling at a wedgie like any classy young lady would do. "Get downstairs and make me a birthday breakfast while I change!" I ordered. Shannon gave me a look of mock disgust. She flung my closet doors open and ripped out an outfit. It was a short plumb-colored dress with sequins around the neckline. "Put it on," she commanded. I marched over to the end of my bed and grabbed it off of my flowered covers. I slipped into it and examined myself in the mirror. "Very nice," Shannon commented, "but it's missing something." She walked over to the corner where she had carelessly flung her purse. "Take my early present." She handed me a long velvet box. I slipped off the lid, revealing the most beautiful...I don't know what it was.  "I know your party's tomorrow, but I just had to give it to you.

We both sat down at the kitchen table. "Bon appetite," is how my mother always called us to the table. "I can't believe your dad got you that new car!" Shannon sighed with a mouthful of pancakes, "so lucky." I remember now; I was turning sixteen that day, it must have been my birthday. "You have to promise to take me everywhere I say. Oh yeah, and all of my friends, too." She smiled impishly. "Well," I began, laughing, "Su amigos es me amigos! We have the same exact friends, Shannon." we laughed and finished eating breakfast. As we put our plates into the sink, I heard a honking outside. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. I got you a special birthday event planned. Mall, arcade, lake! It'll be fun." I tossed my fork into the sink and raced to the door.

I remember having a lot of fun that day, but I don't remember much else. We got home at around 7:30. I stepped into the house and glanced back at the door. "Thanks, Shannon." I smiled. "No problem," she replied, happily, "Just promise me one thing." My eyebrow rose. "What's that?" "Have fun tonight with Derick." She winked and walked out the door. I chuckled. She was my crazy best friend. With that, I bounded upstairs to change.

I know this was around the same time as whatever happened to me...I know it was. My dad giving me the car, the day out with Shannon, the date with Derick. But what happened? I feel like I'm closer to knowing, but I just can't get the full picture.

Derick and Shannon. The lights. Tears. My phone ringing. It was so cold. I looked at my hands and pulled one up to my neck, but I don't know what I was doing. There they are again; the stars. I hope I remember something soon.