[ CW ] `` A flash of light , a puff of smoke , and she was gone . ''

Jenny and I had been best friends for about as long as I could remember, and longer to hear our mothers tell it. We grew up side by side, throwing barbies into each other ’ s lawns and chasing each other on our bikes down the big hill into the middle of our town. 
 
 Jenny became something of a town favorite, and I was content enough to be her sidekick. She was beautiful, with long wavy hair and eyes you could just fall into. I looked like Velma Dinkley. Sure, we ’ d had our fights, and I had more than a little jealously tucked away, but for the most part you couldn ’ t separate the two of us. 
 
 Not that anyone in this town would be ok to hear it, but after a little soul searching and a lot of crying, I realized I liked her more than I liked anything in the world. I *loved* her. My day brightened when she smiled, and clouds gathered overhead when she was sad. I ’ d do anything for Jenny, and one day while heading to the city for a concert, I asked her if she ’ d do the same for me. 
 
 There was a lot of traffic that day, but it was a Friday afternoon, so it was to be expected. Still, Jenny slowed down more than she had to and an awkward silence fell over the car. It went on and on and on, to the point where I choked out a, “ Forget I even said anything. ” 
 
 Silence still reigned in her little sedan, and we both just listed to the beeps and honks outside. “ Abigail, hon… ” she started, still staring at her steering wheel. The honks increased outside, and a bit more revving than usual, but she was my world at that moment. Jenny lifted her head, smiled at me, and said, “ I think I- “ 
 
 -- -- - 
 When I woke up a few days later in the ICU I was delirious. I kept shouting to the empty air ( and sometimes angry nurses ), asking her what she felt, and what she was going to say. Slowly, with some help from the doctors and my mother by my side, I calmed down enough to let my body rest. They said I ’ d been through some serious trauma, and that I ’ d be here a while. 
 
 The nights were long and quiet, the beeps of my monitors becoming an endless white noise. After a few days awake, my brain had started to sort itself out, and my memories of what happened came back bit by little bit. She ’ d opened her mouth and then… 
 
 …and then what? All I remembered was a flash of light, smoke all around us, and then love of my life was gone. My mother assured me that I probably didn ’ t want to remember it in any more detail. I don ’ t think she realizes I don ’ t want to forget a single moment I had with Jenny, even to the end. 
 
 ( not my best work by a long shot, but I had fun writing it: ) )
