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Chapter 26: Z for Zig-Zaggy

Case Number: 001

Mission: Attempting to drive to and attend the graduation ceremony at the football field without emotionally cracking.

I place the blue graduation cap on top of my curled hair, admiring my reflection in my bedrooms long mirror as I turn side to side.

I turn around, smiling, watching as Marie and Carson- who were both sitting on my bed in their blue graduation gowns- start to choke on their tears.

"Oh stop, you're going to make me cry." I choke, turning to them with my arms wide open. They filled my empty hug as soon as my arms opened, sniffling and smiling and crying and sniffling some more.

As I held them tightly, I couldn't help but feeling a pang of despair for the friendship Jasmine and I could never have. Because she's gone now; I haven't accepted it just quite yet.

Reluctantly pulling away, I wipe the tears forming in my eyes, hoping they wouldn't be seen. Marie, being the person to notice these things, spotted them.

"What's wrong, sweet cheeks?" She asks quietly, the arm of her blue robe raising to feel my forehead. "Are you sick? Nervous? It's totally normal for you to be-"

"It's not that," I say. "There's just- something I need to do first."

They share a distressed look, before looking back at me with glossy pink, worried frowns.

"Okay," Marie sighs.

"We will have to meet there then, okay? No big deal. Just- don't ditch us completely. Remember, you're the one with the tissues." Carson joked, nervously tucking a strand of her dirty blonde hair behind her ear.

I laugh, nodding, pulling them in for another tight hug.

I rush to grab my car keys- yes, after three failed attempts, I got my license that was long overdue- and practically sprint out of the house with a loud goodbye thrown over my shoulder.

I throw open the door to my clunky red hatchback- named Becky- parked on the slope of our driveway, and shove the key into the ignition. I turn the key several times, before the engine comes chugging to life. But hey, a car is a car.

And Becky, is, well, Becky.

I roll out of the driveway, speeding down streets like the reckless driver I am- at least I have a reason. I watch the orange needle on the speedometer spin rapidly, praying that a policeman doesn't notice me.

I couldn't think as I drove the fifteen minute drive, so when I approached the cemetery, it didn't surprise me.

I park the car in the farthest spot possible, so when I walk, I would have time to think of what I was going to say. To her.

When I reach the large iron gate, I slowly swing it open, the shriek of iron against iron interrupting the serenity of the potholed meadow.

I practically drag myself across the paved roads, and stare only upon the large willow tree in which entangles Jasmine in its roots, caring and protecting her when I'm not here.

My studded white sandals made soft cushioning noises against the pillowing grass, and when I reached the foot of her gravesite, they were the only thing I could look at.

I could feel her presence, watching me as she sits, smiling on her own headstone with her one metal leg crossed over the flesh one.

Looking up, I find she wasn't there, but her spirit was.

Sniffling, I sit down on the dewy grass and lean my back against the thick wooden trunk of the ancient willow tree.

I criss-cross my legs and rest my chin on my knuckles, staring at the mound of dirt with patches of wildflowers blooming on top.