I’ll See You In My Dreams
Age 17, New York, USA
Bella and I were the best of friends since the first grade. We hung out everyday after school and never had a dull moment between us. You could say we made other girls jealous—that’s how close we were. We never kept anything from each other. At least that’s what I thought.
I didn’t know you were having a hard time at home or that you were so sick of your life. That one night when you asked me if you could sleep over because you didn’t want to be at home with your parents? If I had known how awful things were for you, I would have said yes. But I had a date, so I told you no.
You whispered something under your breath, and I asked you what was wrong. You lied and told me nothing was wrong, that you were fine. Before you left, you told me you would see me in the morning, but that, too, was a lie.
I called you multiple times after my date, but you wouldn’t pick up your phone.
I called your house and that’s when I received the horrifying news. Your mom told me that you had just committed suicide. She told me you were dead.
I dropped the phone. I couldn’t breathe because I was bawling my eyes out.
I will never forget you, Bella. I think about you every day. I wished that you’d slept over that night. I wish I hadn’t said no, and I wish you were still here with me.
What did you learn?
Life is short and you never can truly know what is going on with people, even if they are your best friend. If you are struggling with something tell someone about it, don’t hold it inside because some day you will need to let it out. I’m so sorry, Bella.