Acelynn's POV:
I hugged my pillow tightly and sobbed until I felt sick. I don't know how much time passed before I finally quieted myself down. I hear a quiet mew and looked and saw Minnie nose to nose with me. I laughed a tear thickened laugh. She knew I was upset and was here to cheer me up. That was adorable I couldn't wait to tell--oh yeah. Arista. She was gone. I cuddled Minnie and continued to cry. My best friend. Dead. Gone. Forever. Never again would we lay on my bed talking about Ms. Garter and her beehive disaster. We'd never prank call each other again. She wouldn't be baking me cookies for the holidays and my birthday. I wouldn't be going with her to our Camp Leadership with Jade. We wouldn't be doing anything together ever again. She was never coming back.
I cried for longer than what could possibly be considered healthy. I heard a low knock on my wall above my bed. It was the secret knock Jade and I did whenever we finally decided we were too old to share a room. We kept the head or side of our beds close though. When one of us would knock we'd put our hand on the wall and know the other was with us. I knocked back telling her to come over. Then I heard a knock at my door before Aystin walked in followed by Jade. Jade closed the door and they dragged themselves to my bed.
"You okay," Jade whispered to Aystin and me.
We stared at each other.
"Me neither," she said still whispering.
Jade was the brave one out of the three of us but I seen the tears she was holding back. I looked at Aystin remembering how I snapped at him this morning. I felt sick to my stomach. I was never rude to either of my siblings aside from the occasional fight between us.
"Aystin," I said touching his wrist.
He nodded accepting my unspoken apology. I sighed and hugged them both and started a fresh bout of tears. I knew it was better than crying alone. I held onto them and heard Aystin and Jade cry too. If Jade was crying this must be real which hurt like hell. Finally I stopped. My eyes hurt and
I felt sick to my stomach which rumbled. Aystin coughed back a laugh. I looked at him and poked his sides.
"I know you did not just laugh at me," I said poking at him.
He laughed, "And what if I did?"
I started tickling and poking him till we were both laughing and smiling. I looked up at Jade and seen that she was gone. My smile disappeared with her.
Jades' POV:
I walked outside feeling the soft spray of rain on my skin. I couldn't stay and listen to them laughing and giggling like nothing happened. My best friend was dead. I walked to the tree in front yard and sat underneath it thinking of all the times Arista and I would come out here during the spring and summer. I remembered her laugh and smiled to myself. Arista had a way of making people laugh without even trying. She was like that.
I remembered the makeshift time capsule we'd made in sixth grade. It was under the big root of the tree buried. I dusted myself off and decided to dig it up even though we both swore not to dig it up until we had daughters in sixth grade. That swear was gone now.
I found the box but not the stuff we'd put in. There were eight tapes all numbered and a letter.
'Dear Jade,
I don't know when you'll find this but that's not important. But knowing you like I do...you won't wait til you have a daughter in sixth grade like we vowed. You always were impatient. Remember? You wanted to dig it up a week after we buried it. I've moved our original capsule somewhere safe.
Jade, you've always helped me whenever I needed you. You helped me get over my fears and push me to boundaries I never thought I'd go. I'm sorry I had to leave you like this. I promise it'll make sense sooner than later. I love you forever and awhile. I figured that was more appropriate than our 'til death and a day.' You know, the circumstances.
I need your help one more time though Jade. Follow my instructions and I promise everything will make sense really soon.
#1-The first thing I need you to do is gather all the tapes. I thought I'd do letters but realized it's not appropriate either. I just hope I remember tapes when the time comes.
Once you've gathered the tapes I want you to go to the park where we first met. Please don't tell anyone why I want you to do this alone. . .
"Jade," Acelynn called from the house.
I turned to her.
"We are gonna order a pizza you want some," she called to me.
I looked back to the letter quickly.
'Don't tell anyone.'
I nodded to Arista's letter.
"Good. Now come inside before it storms." Acelyn called out.
I stood up and grabbed the box taking it inside.
"What's that," Aystin asked me.
"It's uh," I hadn't thought what I'd say if they asked.
"Oh just some time thing Arista and Jade made a whole lifetime ago," Acelyn said for me.
I nodded. It was a whole lifetime ago.
