Work Text:
It is said that there are five stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Morgan would le- “That sounds terrible.” I groan and put my hands over my face. I wish that Tori were with me. “This is s-” Ring. I turn to my desk and pick up my phone. I see that Ms. Roths is calling me; that’s weird.
“Hi, Ms. Roths. How are you doing today?” I say with a smile. I hear crying on the other end. “Are you okay?” I ask, my voice is thick with concern.
“I am so sorry, Kaida, b-but Tori is dead.” Ms. Roth cries, and I feel my world spin.
At age 5, you asked to be my best friend. At age 15, we fell in love, and I remember how you promised to be with me forever. At the age of 19, I watched as they lowered your casket into the ground, thinking of what we could have been. I feel tears stream down my face, just like the rain falling from the sky. My dress is black like my sorrow. I look over at Mr. and Ms. Roths, and they look like the weight of the world came crashing down on them. I wipe my tears and feel like I’m drowning inside, and nobody can pull me back to shore.
Two weeks go by, but I barely feel it. I just feel numb and empty. I lay on my bed, and my motivation to do anything is gone. Tori was my motivation, but I feel so blank now, like I can’t focus on anything without her. I got used to her presence and the noise it brought. I got used to her music, her cooking. Her cooking was so bad, but I would give anything to taste her foul meals again, or to get her warm hugs. I wish I could have her back, but I know I can’t. Hours go by every day, but what’s the point in living when you can’t have one person that means everything to you? I sigh, my thoughts are so depressing, but I don’t stop them; they’re like a flood, and once again I'm drowning. I fall asleep.
Three weeks go by, and I feel like a robot, just surviving, but not living. I don’t write anymore because I can’t without thinking about Tori. Anytime I go to write, I start to cry; I can’t write without thinking of her. I stand up and look out my window at the hot August sun in the sky. It’s hot out, and Tori would’ve hated the heat. I grab the curtains, and I shut them. I bury my head into my pillow and scream. “Why did you have to leave me! Why did you have to get hit? Why can’t I be with you! You promised me you would never leave!” I scream into my pillow, muffling my sobs and shouts. There was a long knock on the apartment door. I get up, and I open the door.
“Hi, Kaida, how are you?” Tyler says, looking at me. I notice that his smile slowly starts to fade. I can hear the questions already. I roll my eyes, and I allow him to come inside.
“I know you're not doing well, I can tell,” Tyler says
“I’m doing fine,” I say, trying to brush him off. I don’t want anymore people worrying about me.
“I’m not leaving til you tell me the truth.” He says, crossing his arms.
“Then you will be here all night.” I snarl, and you know what, I want him to leave. “Get out.”
“What?” He looks at me with shock.
“Get out, Tyler.” I grab his arm, open the door, and throw him out. He looks at me with shock, but I just want to be alone. I have a feeling that Tyler won’t give up that easily.
2 months later, and I pull into the parking lot. I put the car into park, and I started to walk. After a few minutes, I got to Tori’s grave. I pull a ring box out of my pocket, and I set it down.
“You know, I wanted to propose to you. I got a ring and everything. I was going to do it at our spot. Tyler has been around; it’s nice having someone with me. I miss you, but we will meet again, I know we will. I love you forever.” I say, grab the box, and start walking back to my car. A new story pops into my head. Today is going to be a good day.