The next day, we told Nina. She nodded, somehow immediately understanding all of this information and piecing it to Nova. And then we set to work.
If Nova wanted the story published (which was very obviously hinted to us through the identical character’s desperation for her story to be published), we would publish it. Sam and I set to typing it up on a computer, while Nina worked on the grammar. After several weeks, Nova’s work was finished.
We called around to local publishers, asking them to give us a chance as it was a very important piece. In the end, no publisher wanted to give the time of day to 3 high school juniors looking to help their dead best friend. So, we put the story aside, making promises to one day publish it. No matter what it took.
After solving the mystery of Nova, I began sleeping at a normal time and turning in my homework. Nina came to school about 3 days a week, Sam began studying for tests again, and we all slowly returned to our mundane lives.
But, no matter how many days passed, I would never forget Nova Williams. She would never fade from my mind, unlike most deaths. There would be moments, even days, where she wouldn’t cross my mind, but then I would be reminded. I would see a worm and think about the first day I met her, I would look out my window into her bare one, I would pass the diner we used to go to at 2 am. She was everywhere, in the smallest things but the most beautiful ones. Because she was different. She made you feel special. When she was alive, every morning seemed to resonate with that glimmer of hope because she said your name in a way that made you believe you were more than just a high school boy with feeble dreams and a slender grasp on vocabulary.
I would never know exactly what Nova was thinking in her last moments, I would never know if she loved me as a friend, or if she valued our 10-year friendship as something more than just a friendship. But maybe life is coming to peace with not knowing all of the answers, and instead appreciating the ones you do know, the moments you will never forget and the people you will never forget.
***
Thank you for reading this story! I know this is slightly similar to Looking For Alaska, and I am in no way saying that this story is 100% original because I did take some inspiration from that novel. However, I wasn't writing this to be completely original and un-thought of, I was more writing it for myself and as something creative to work on outside of school. I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!
