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“So, Anne!” Brian called walking up to me. All of us were at his and Lieghanne’s house. They had decided to have a party, for no good reason. But hey, I wasn’t complaining.
“What B?” I questioned turning to face him.
“When are you going to move in with us?” he begged to know.
“Never!” I smiled, but it was the truth. Brian and Lieghanne needed as much time alone as possible.
“Never? Why not?” He exclaimed shocked.
“Right.” I laughed. “You and your wife need this time alone. I wouldn’t feel right shortening this time. Just deal with it! I know you can.”
He laughed as we walked over to the couch and sat down. “But, I’m still going to take one day each week and do something with you, okay?” He ordered.
“Brian!” I whined. He really was way too much like an older brother. But I loved it.
“It’s either that, or you move in. Get it?” He smiled. I knew I wasn’t going to win this one.
“Fine! You win!” I shrugged walking off to talk to other people.
“Meanie!” I heard Brian call at me.
“Whatever you say.” I laughed flipping my hair over my shoulder.
Through the next few hours, I pranced around and talked to everybody. Including Nick. I walked over towards Lieghanne and saw a full glass of coke on the table beside her.
“Is this anybodies?” I asked. She shook her head no. Quickly I took a huge gulp to quench my parched throat.
“Anne! No! Don’t drink that!” I heard Howie yell. “Set it down now.”
“Why?” I questioned, slightly confused yet still taking another huge sip. “This tasted weird.”
“It should!” he exclaimed. I didn’t hear anything else, but I saw his lips moving. Without realizing it I slowly fell to the ground and soon passed out.
“What happened?” Nick yelled as he picked me up.
Howie slowly admitted his crime. “I spiked the coke she drank, but she wasn’t supposed to get it. Anyone but her.”
“You know she’s never drunk any kind of alcohol. IF that was slightly strong, she could pass out easily.” Nick informed.
“It was really strong. And I mean really strong!” Howie quietly said.
“Well, this is just great!” Brian exclaimed. “Nick take her to AJ’s. Then come right back. I know you’ll wanna stay, but don’t. It wouldn’t be smart.”
The party started back up, but it wasn’t quite the same. Nick soon left to take me home.
Bring! The phone sang out shrilly in the middle of the night.
“Oh gosh! Oww. My head! I need to remind myself to kill whoever spiked that coke.” I mumbled, fumbling around for the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, Anne?”
“Mom? Is this you?” I was now wide awake. She never called unless something was wrong.
“Yes, you need to get home as soon as possible.”
“Why? What’s happened?” I shrieked.
“Laura, she was hit by a drunk driver. Her parents just called and told us.”
“Will she be okay?” I sobbed as tears started to pour out of my eyes.
“More then likely....no. You need to come...come...well.” She stuttered.
“Come what?!”
“Say goodbye. I’m so sorry, honey!” I could hear the pain in her voice. That seemed to be all I’ve heard lately.
“Okay. I’ll leave the house in just a few minutes. I love you! Bye.” I finished quickly and hung up the phone.
I was already dressed, so I grabbed an IB Profun and headed out towards my car. “Oh, crap! It’s at Brian’s! I’ll just borrow AJ’s. This is an emergency.” I mumbled rushing back up to the house. After a few more minutes I found his keys and soon started on my way. I made sure I had my Cd’s.
I put one of the guys European CD’s in and listened to the words as tears still flooded my eyes. Tears were the last thing I wanted, but they couldn’t be helped. I mumbled and sang the whole way home. Thought after thought raced through my head.
Laura and I were never as close once Nick came in my life. She was jealous and wouldn’t admit it. But when me and Nick broke up, she was the first one, once i got home to offer a shoulder to cry on. She was almost the best friend I’ve ever had.
Before I knew it, I had pulled up at the hospital . Blindly I found my way to her floor.
“Anne! I thought you were in Orlando!” Laura’s mom exclaimed.
“I was, I just got back to see Laura. My mom called and told me. I’m so sorry!” I sobbed wrapping her in my arms around her. “Why aren’t you in there with her?”
“I just came out. Do you want to go back in with me?” She asked.
“Yes, I do!” I sighed. We walked into Laura’s room and I could have never been prepared for the site I saw. Tubes and IV’s were all over her body, connected in my different areas. He face was swollen as was almost her entire body. Her sheets were even blood stained. It was as if her skin was supposed to be read.
Without realized it tear fell down my already tear stained face. “Oh Laura!” I sobbed knelling beside her bed as I burring my face in the sheets.
“Anne? Is it really you?” her voice whispered down to me. I felt her hand rest on my shoulder. “You were the last person I expected to see. I thought you wouldn’t want to leave, with you two being back together.”
“Laura, we aren’t together. Remember what happened...”I started.
“Forget that! Nick truly loves you. Don’t let him go and hold on tight to him. He’s the perfect guy for you.” She weakly smiled at me.
“I know... I’m just having trouble”
“Tell my mom and my dad that I love them.” She sighed. Her whole body shivered as I grabbed her hand. “Tell all my friends and the guys that too. Tell Nick to not let you go and treat you right.”
“Laura no! Don’t say your goodbyes. You’ll make it” I cried, but she continued.
“And Anne. I..love...you. You led my to Christ and I can never...ever... repay you.” Her breathing started to slow and I heard her heart monitor quicken.
“I love you too Laura!” I cried. Her eyes closed for the last time as I felt her grip on my hand release. “No!” I screamed all the more. I felt her mother’s arm s wrap around me as we cried together.
After a while I pulled away and told her I had to go home. As I drive up the drive way, there were no cars and not any lights on. I unlocked the door and walked inside. Sitting on the dining room table was a not from my parents saying they both had to leave for work.
That was the last thing I could take. Tears poured out like a waterfall s I collapsed on the hard wood floor. All my energy and strength was gone.
“I need to call and tell the guys were I am.” I mumbled. By now it was late afternoon of the next day.
Somehow I managed to crawl up on the couch and was about to call, but wound up asleep. I slept soundly till the next afternoon. Close to a full day.
“Okay! Now you have to call the guys!” I screamed as all the sorrow and pain took over me again. Slowly I dialed up Brian’s number.
“Hello?” he questioned.
“Brian! She’s gone!” I yelled so upset I couldn’t control myself.
“Anne! Are you okay? Where are you? We’ve been so worried!” He exclaimed.
“I’m fine. I’m at home.”
“Okay.”
“Do you remember Laura? From the very first meet and greet?” I tried to explain.
“She was your best friend, right?”
“Right. Well, mom called me up two nights ago, telling me Laura was in ca accident. So I rushed down her. I meant to leave a note about AJ’s car and where I was going. Sorry.” I mumbled through my tears.
“No. I’m sorry, Anne. You don’t know how sorry. Did you get to be with her?”
“Yes, she died holding my hand.”