Rest In Peace (sequel to After They Died)

1-Chloe

We all have our different reasons for being at Westcastle Boarding School. Most are rich, some are nerdy girls with scholarships and then there's me.

Despite not being able to afford the entry fee, I was welcomed here due to my 'circumstances'. Only Jessie really knows why I am here.

I asked her not to tell anyone, it's too personal, wounds not yet healed. She said that she understood, sympathy etched across her face. I haven't even told her everything. Not the worst part anyway.

Jessie knows that Rachel died in a 'tragic accident' as I called it, wording it delicately. She knows that we were inseparable, like sisters. Her, me and Lily.

What she doesn't know is that it was suicide.

What she doesn't know is that I was there.

What she doesn't know is that I watched my friend fall gracefully through the air, plummeting to her death.

It was sudden, she didn't even resurface gasping for air.

She hit the water and was no more.

We waded in after her in floods of tears, already knowing her fate. I held her limp body close to me, hugging her. I felt the coldness of her skin on mine. Saw her lifeless eyes staring up at me as Lily sobbed next to me, calling Claire. I shook her hysterically, desperate to shake some life back into my dead friend. It made sense then. I shook her, screaming at her to wake up, begging her not to leave me. I must have looked insane, but I didn't care. It was pointless though as she was already gone. Already dead. Her heart was no longer pumping blood around her frail body. She wasn't breathing. She just lay there.

I feel horrible saying this, but I was mad at her. Offended that she felt she couldn't talk to me when we used to tell each other everything. Gutted that she didn't care about us enough to stay. Cross with her for not letting me help her. Furious with whoever hurt my best friend. Furious with whoever it was that sent over the edge, quite literally.

It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that Rach was dead. I kept expecting to bump into her in town then correcting myself with a sickening realisation. I know it sounds stupid, but I texted her loads after she died.

Rach, I miss u so much, nothing is the same without u  :(

Everyone misses u xx

Btw Freddie and Jeanette broke up (Yh I found out about them, Ellie told me) xx

I will never know fully what happened to you to make you do this, but I love you so much, you were the bestest friend ever to me. <3

They're sending me to counselling like u... I'm actually so fed up, ur right it's so boring :(

I miss u xx

U meant the world to me Rach, I'm nothing without u xx

I don't know what I was expecting, messaging her, but it really comforted me in the darkest of times. I guess it was kind of cathartic, like she was still there and we were still messaging each other just like we used to. But everything is different now. Now that Rachel is dead.

"Hey, Chlo! You good?" Jessie sneaks up behind me linking her arm through mine.

Jessie is really pretty but in a natural, subtle kind of way. She has dark, long hair scraped back into an effortless ponytail and she has gorgeous brown eyes that you could simply melt in. Freckles scatter across her nose and cheeks decoratively with dimples complimenting her skin. For some reason, she doesn't realise how pretty she is. I love how modest yet quietly confident she is. Unlike me, I prefer to lurk in the shadows, avoiding awkward conversations.

People really like Jessie; everyone thinks I'm weird. They hate that I don't speak unless spoken to and tease me about my shyness. I don't care though, I have a small group of friends who like me and, of course, Jessie.

We walk down the corridor to the common room, eager to watch a film with our friends Zoe and Daisy.

I dibs my favourite bean bag and curl up into a ball. "Oy, sleepy, what film do you want?" Jessie asks, flicking popcorn at me.
"Hmm, I dunno maybe one without popcorn being used as a weapon?" I fling some back at her just as Zoe and Daisy pile into the room.

Collapsing onto the sofa, Zoe asks what film we're watching. Jessie grins and says "Well, Chloe doesn't want one with popcorn being used violently apparently."
"Ok...?" Daisy giggles, flicking through the DVDs.
"Ooh how about this one?" She picks out a comedy based on a teen girl falling in love.
"Ooh, love a good romcom!"
"Sounds good." I agree.

We sit quietly watching the film with occasional fits of giggles. It reminds me of Lily, Rachel and I on our weekly movie nights.