Etc.

Missing (a beginning to a story I never used)

My life after it happened seemed to be a fog that I drifted in and out of, unaware of almost everything and everyone around me. I couldn't run from it, I couldn't escape from this nightmare I existed in. And the unanswered question of why they died played over and over in my head but I knew very well that nobody could answer this. It was just a fact and my reality was changed far beyond my control.

The day started out as every morning did: my alarm clock sounding at six o'clock in the morning, rushing downstairs to get the first cup of fresh brewed coffee, quickly applying eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara, and giving my hair a good straightening before pulling on a gray knit sweater, a pair of jeans, and my Converse. With my keys in one hand, a smoothie in the other, and my bag across my body I bounded out the door yelling a quick goodbye to both of my parents. This was the first day of senior year and I already knew it was going to be great. When I pulled up to school I immediately spotted my two best friends, Dean and Lucy, leaning up against a tree in the courtyard. I could tell by Dean's smirk that he already found the girl he would relentlessly chase after this semester and Lucy's eye rolling indicated that she noticed too and was probably lecturing him about toying with hearts. I had been friends with Dean and Lucy since the first day of elementary school and it never ceased to amaze me how Lucy kept Dean in check, Dean kept me in check, and I kept Lucy in check. Our group was truly the perfect triangle.

"Hey guys!"

"Oh thank God you're here. Dean was just eyeing his prey and I was scared for the poor girl if I left him alone."

Dean wrapped me into a hug.

"It's senior year! I'm not going to pass up the opportunity of making a few freshman girls feel special. Think of it as community service."

"You're sick."

"And this is why I like Ash better, Lucy."

"Ashton just feels sympathy for you."

"Oh, would you look at the time! I believe me and Ash have Ancient Myths class. Better be going."

Lucy rolled her eyes. Truth be told, she loved Dean more than anything else. They started out as childhood crushes (if it wasn't for the fact that Dean wasn't at all my type, I would have fallen for him too if not for anything but his astonishing good looks) but decided somewhere between the ages of six and eight that being friends is better. I'm not sure if Lucy ever stopped loving Dean but I do know that Dean hadn't thought about Lucy in that way since we were kids. I always imagined that Lucy and Dean would get back together but it wasn't until one night when Lucy was in the hospital with a broken foot that Dean softly told me that even though he cared for Lucy, he didn't love her in the way she loved him. I suppose this is what brought me and Dean so close. I like to think that I knew Dean better than anyone else. Dean was the type of guy that you really had to stick around for to discover the parts of him that were unbelievably sweet and caring. He let me in and I promised that I would always be there without the judgement and presumptions.

Dean draped his arm around my shoulders as we walked to class. I always received dirty looks from girls as they walked past us but it didn't even matter.

"Senior year, huh, Ash?"

"Senior year, can you believe it? I still feel like we should all be walking into class for the very first time hoping we don't get in the way of some irritated senior."

"Now we're on top! It's going to be a great year, Ash. I can feel it."

Dean pushed open the door and we walked in to find a female teacher shuffling some papers into a drawer.