Hey girl -
I've known you since middle school. Always the tiny one, the bubbly happy child at the center of attention. One of those popular kids.
After a long volleyball practice I walked out into the parking lot to meet my ride, and saw you walking towards a car. "Hey, Katie," I heard you say. So polite, so sweet. I didn't even know you knew my name. I smiled for hours, basking in the light that radiated from the people I strived to imitate.
Years of silence.
About a week ago I went to Perkins with my family and Aaron for dinner. I saw you waiting tables and thought about how long it's been since that day back in the parking lot. I didn't even know you were still in school. I didn't think much of it after a moment, but as I was leaving, I handed you a note to give to another employee. You smiled and took it, promised to deliver it right away, and wished me a happy weekend and said you'd see me at school on Monday.
And now you're dead.
Tears shed in your memory, forced smiles with trembling lips to say "Yeah, I'm fine." Stricken faces walk the halls, red eyes and stained features belying the pain hidden behind hollow eyes.
We didn't even know there was something wrong.
You'll always be in my heart.
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