It all started when me and Desiree were walking home from a study session at a friends house. We heard voices but we didn’t think anything of it. Then I heard my name being called so I turned around. They were right on us. A guy pulled out a gun and in the blink of the eye it went off. I thought they shot me but, I looked over and i saw it. Desiree was lying on the ground. They ran away. She was already gone, no last words. I fell down crying knowing my best friend was gone. Dead! I looked at her and saw she was holding onto the necklace I gave her. I told her that I will avenge her.
A few days later was her funeral and I was to speak. Her mother said that I could stay and sleep in Desiree’s old room. I said thanks but no thanks, I couldn’t live in the room my dead friend slept in. I will be living with my cousin until I get my own place. When I got to the funeral home, I went in and I saw it was an open casket. I walked up to it and when I saw her it was too much. I ran to the restroom. I had taken her necklace that night and I had it in my purse. I took it out and held onto it. When I finally went out it was time for me to speak. I walked to the stand and stood there for a bit, thinking about what I should say. I finally said “Hello everyone. I never thought that I would be up here. Where do I start? Desiree was the best person I have ever met. She was always there. I have known her for so long, she was like a sister to me. No matter what she would always be there for her friends and family. When my parents kicked me out, she opened her home to me, that is a debt I could never repay…” I should go on but it’s to painful. I ran out of the funeral home. Being there was too much for me. So, I stayed outside for the rest of the funeral. I thought to myself that in a few days I will have to go back to school. I don’t know if I could do that.

The next day when I woke up, I saw that I still has my dress on. I took my dress of and took a shower. When I was done I saw the time and it was nine o’clock. I freaked out a little bit because I was supposed to go back to school today. I jumped into some clothes, grabbed my keys and left. When I got there I went to the office and got a pass. My first class was science. Science is my favorite class, i’m glad it’s my first class back. When I walked in everyone turned their heads to see me. I wanted to run out the door but I knew I couldn’t, I knew I had to face my fears. I walked up to the teacher's’ desk and gave her my pass. I walked to my desk where Desiree and I were partners but now it was just me. The teacher gave the instructions for the assignment then came over with some papers and handed them to me and said “You can take as much time as you need.” Then turned and went to her desk. I looked at the papers and there must have been about ten pages of homework I have to do. At lunch that day, I didn’t get anything simply because I was too upset to eat. During lunch I was working on some homework I had to get done. When I looked up, I saw the person I hate the most, Hailey. She sat down next to me thinking that we are friends. “Why did you sit down?” I said just looking at my work. “Because you're my friend also, i’m sorry about what happened to our friend, Desiree.” She said and put her hand on my shoulder. With this I wish Desiree was there with me to hold me back but she wasn’t so it happened so fast, Hailey didn’t see it coming. “What gives you the right to say her name! You never knew her like I did! How dare you call her your friend! Why do you think we are friends!” With this I grabbed my stuff and stormed out the lunch room leaving everyone in shock. I didn’t know where to go so I just went to my favorite teachers room and tried to calm down. It was so hard to stay calm after that. I started crying and I saw a shadow in the door and when it opened I saw that it was the teacher. “Hey what happened in the lunchroom?” She said while coming over to me. “Someone started talking about Desiree and they had no right to.” I said while I wiped the tears away. “ Well I don’t think that gives you the right to yell at them.” She said starting to sit down. “I know it’s just that I don’t want people talking about her if i’m in hearing distance. It’s just too hard right now.”
“I understand. What you should say is, “could you please not talk about her if i’m near.” After this the bell rang and I had to go back to class.

After school was over, I went to Desiree’s grave. During art class I drew a picture and it was specifically for her, no one else. It was a picture of a blooming orchid. Orchids were her favorite flower. I sat there for a bit. when I left, it was 4:30 and i had to get home and do my homework. When I got home it was 5:00. Ever since her death I have not been eating and my parents were obviously scared because of it. “Cheyanne, where have you been? It’s been two hours since school had ended.” My mother says as she walks in wiping her hands on her appren, she was probably making dinner. Not answering her I just go upstairs. I did not look at her but I can tell that she was upset that I did not answer her. It has been a week and all that I have eaten was only a couple of crackers. When I get to my room I locked the door. I set my bag onto the hook that is on my door. When I went to face my bed I saw that there was fifty dollars on my bed with a note. I picked up the note and it said “Dear Cheyanne, I know you have not been eating that much and you need some new clothing. Take this money and go to the mall. Love Dad.” I just throw the note into the trash. I then went onto the firescape, it was my favorite place in the world. I would sit there for the rest of my life if I could.

A few days later I was all caught up on my homework. Lately the crew has been trying to get me to hang out with them today I didn’t want to be alone so I decided to sit by them at lunch. Of course I didn’t have any food. Andy, one of my closests friends came over because he wasn’t there yet. He sat down next to me and said “Well I see you didn’t want to be alone anymore huh?” He said while nudging me and smiling. I look at him and I remembered why I’m in love with him. His beautiful green eyes pierced through me and for a second I loose my breathe but then I remember that I made myself promise that nothing can happen because it would be awkward with the group. So then I simply say “Yea I guess I just missed everyone.” Then I realized that I have been staring at him so I look away. I look at his plate and I see that he has a apple my stomach just starts growling so loudly that I thought everyone in the lunchroom could hear it. I look at him and he is about to grab it so then I look away thinking that I don’t need it. I then feel a arm around me I look and I see that it’s Andy’s arm. My stomach suddenly stops growling and what replaces it is butterflies. He then says “I don’t need it and I noticed to staring at it. Here have it.” I take it and stare at it for a couple seconds and I thought that I forgot how to eat. I put it up to my mouth, put my teeth on it and bite down. I can feel the juice squeezing out of the apple. It is so good, and I take a bite. It felt so good to eat again and next thing I know i'm almost done with the apple. When i’m done with it, I put it back on Andy’s tray and say thank you. For the rest of the lunch hour I almost forgot about Desiree’s death because it has gone off my mind. After lunch we say our goodbyes and head back to class. My next class is history, my second favorite class. When I walk in I look over by my desk and I see that Andy is sitting in the desk next to mine. Confused I walk over there and say “What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in science.” He looks over to me with a smile a says “I decided to switch classes so that you are not alone most of the day.” I think to myself that this is why i’m in love with you. The bell rings and the teacher walks in ready to start the lesson. History being one of my best subjects is not all that important to me for some reason. I thought I would be able to focus with Andy being here but that is not the case. I then hear my name being called. “What?” I say realising that the teacher has called on me. “Can you please repeat the question, Mrs. Care?” Unpleased she says “ When did Cleopatra give up the thrown?” Knowing the answer I confidently say “This is a trick question, Cleopatra didn’t give up the thrown she couldn’t cope with the death of her lover, so she committed suicide.” I could tell that everyone was amazed not because I knew the answer, but because I actually spoke. After class Andy came to me and said “Hey do you want to skip the rest of the day with me and the crew?” I looked at him and remember the days when we used to do that every tuesday and thursday. I nodded and we went to the parking lot. Everyone else was there waiting for us. The teachers didn’t care because they think we are doing charity work but we are actually going to the studio and practicing. When we get there I just sat there and watched them because tonight was the next dance competion and I had no idea what the moves where. After they got done practicing Andy came over and asked me to dance with them. I decided that I have not danced since Desiree’s death so I got up and looked at the songs to decide which one I wanted. Then I found it. I put it on a ten second wait and went to the dance floor. When the music started it all came to me. The moves just flowed out of me. My emotions were gone. All that mattered was just me, the music and the space around me. When the song ended I just wanted to keep dancing but I couldn’t. It was amazing to dance again. Everyone came over and told me how amazing I am. After a couple hours of dancing we decided to go to the bar we hang out at. I had to go there anyway because I had to work. They kept trying to get me to have a drink but I never gave in. I hate the taste of beer or any kind of alcohol. Desiree’s mom came over to me and said “How are you doing sweetie?”
“I’m doing a little better.” I said smiling at her. She then said “You know I was thinking, I don’t know what to do with Desiree’s old checks because I already wrote them out. So I decided that I want to give them to you.” She said handing me a piece of paper. I look at her shocked. “What? No I can’t you need that money.” After a little bit of talking she convinced me to take it.

A few years later i’m in college. Andy and I are have been dating for 3 years. I decided to get a degree in modeling, because Desiree always said that I would be a great model. I’m still friends with the crew but we decided to stop it because we are in college now and we have a lot of stuff to do. I don’t think about Desiree that much anymore. I am sitting at my computer working on homework. I then hear a knock at the door. I get up and see who it is. I see a bouquet of orchids’. With a single rose in the middle. I pick it up thinking it was from Andy, but it has no note. I look at the flowers and then I notice that the rose looks off. I realize that the rose is dead! I throw the flowers down on my bed and a letter falls out from the bottom. I walk over and pick it up and it says “Why have you forgotten about me?” My heart is beating fast. Who would send this? Why would they send it? I pick up my phone and call Andy. I tell him to come to my dorm room now. When he gets there I am sitting on the other side of the room. I could not move, I was frozen in fear. He was able to come in because I gave him a spear at the beginning of the year. He comes over and tries to comfort me. I then say “Why would someone do this?” I look at the date and I realize it. Today is the anniversary of Desiree’s death. I tell Andy and he says “I don’t think that is happening. I’m sure it’s just a prank.” Looking at him a freak out. “Who would know the anniversary of her death, besides the others?” We talk for a bit and decide to get something to eat and try to get our minds off of it. While at the restaurant I was on edge. I kept looking around.