Perception of Trust

T W O

Pure brightness engulfed me. I was blinded by the beaming white.

The setting then became pitch black before morphing into my dorm building's elevator. I press the 4th button. The elevator begins to ascend.

"I'm sorry big sis."

I hear the voice of Kennedy come from behind me, but I am too shocked to turn around and face her. I stare straight ahead and see Kennedy's dull and blurred reflection in the elevator door.

"I miss you." I thought to myself.

"I know, I can feel it. I've been missing you too."

"Come back." I whisper.

"I can't. I've already gotten my admission ticket and I can't miss my flight."

I feel water stream down my cheeks.

"You need to stop crying over me, please. We'll meet again soon! Before you even know it. I just came to tell you that I'll always love you and that this is goodbye." Her voice is so calm and peaceful, it was such a sweet sound to my ears.

"Why'd you do it?" I question.

"You have the answer. Check the paper."

"What paper?" I question, with more tears rapidly escaping.

"Goodbye Keya. You and your strong heart will be the reason why I continue to live."

Kennedy's voice fades away as the elevator doors slide open and more white light bursts through.

I was awakened by the blinding light of the sun that was coming through the partially shaded window. I sit straight up. That was the first time, in almost four days, that I've fallen asleep, or even stayed asleep through the night.

Suddenly I felt a drop of water fall to my bare thigh. I was still crying. I had awoken with tears and they were still rushing out like a waterfall. "Wow..." I say to myself wiping away tears that wouldn't stop regenerating. My heart was heavy with loss and my souls was truly in pain. Nothing could have hurt me more than losing my sister.

With tears still falling from my face, I walk into Ashley's bathroom. Looking in the mirror I couldn't find myself. I looked pale, my lips were blackening from lack of proper care and my face was wet. Before I washed my face I allowed myself to cry some more. Today will mark the fourth day after Kennedy's death. Classes were canceled for a week for all students, due to the impact Kennedy's death had on her friends and teachers. For the past days I've been at Brianne, Ashley and Sierra's place. Amina came with me since they closed down our dorm building that night, and just to make sure I was okay. Although I was with all my friends I wasn't okay.

I've locked myself in Ashley's room the whole time I've been here, and the girls have learned to stop asking me if I'm okay after the second night because I couldn't answer without tearing or chocking up. If I wasn't locked up in Ash's room crying silently to myself and God, then I was in her room thinking and reminiscing on memories of Kennedy and I.

Only God knows how hard and long I cried for before I finally washed my face and brushed my teeth. I finally took my second shower and left the bathroom and went back into the room.

"Keya, we're going for a walk. Please get dressed. Or grab a blanket to wrap around yourself because we're not leaving you here alone." Ashley says to me through the door and I begin to get dressed. As much as I did not want to leave this house, I was going to because I did not want to be by myself. Not in this state.

I got dressed and silently followed the girls outside. We walked two blocks before anyone spoke.

"Keya—"