Together Forever

Rina Xavier glanced slowly at her best friend, Isa Fournier at the back of the classroom. She was laughing with her group of friends, using codenames for crushes and other people they loathe.

'But that's the way it used to be with our other group,' she thought mournfully. She was left alone, neglected. 'We were best friends... Are we still?'

She couldn't bear to see other people making HER best friend smile. But that was being selfish. So Rina Andrea Xavier would walk away and let other people make her happy. She doesn't know what Isa wanted anymore. But would that group be there when Isa would fall on her knees and sob? No. That's because she would already.

Tears stung her eyes as she fought her way out the door. She didn't notice Isa glance sideways and see her get lost into the crowd.

***

Rina fought back tears as she slid down and slumped in the girls' bathroom. She couldn't take it anymore. She let the cold tears slide down her cheeks and soft sobs escaped her mouth. Isa peeked into the bathroom and saw her crying. "Hey," she said softly, entering the bathroom and sitting down beside her. "What's wrong?"

"I miss you," was all she could reply and hugged her knees to her chest, her head bent down. Isa sighed and embraced her best friend.

"How can you miss me? We talk."

"Look, haven't you noticed you're always with someone else except me? It's like we're not best friends. I miss talking to you, okay?! I miss the times we'd talk on the phone until forever..."

"We do that."

"When was the last time we did?!"

This time Isa couldn't answer. She didn't remember. "Um..."

"See? It's always because you're either chatting with Becca or Krista or someone! You always talk about them even when you talk to me!" Rina sobbed. "You know what, guess what happened to me for the past week?! Firstly, I vomited three straight times in a day. Secondly, I can barely eat now! And thirdly." Rina's voice became a bare whisper. "I feel as if my best friend is drifting away from me and she doesn't really care."

Rina couldn't help but burst out crying, her body shaking. Isa's eyes widened. 'So much had happened to her... And I wasn't there to help her way through it,' she thought.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I'm so sorry, Rina..."

Suddenly, Rina stood up, covered her mouth and ran into a stall. Vomiting sounds could be heard and a thump sounded. Isa broke open the door and saw Rina, collapsed on the floor, her hand cradling her forehead. Blood was spilled over the bowl. "Holy crap," Isa whispered and broke into a blood curdling scream.

***

Isa's hand laid on Rina's as the paramedics drove her to the hospital. Tears formed behind her eyes as she saw a deathly pale face, eyes closed. 'Don't die on me,' she thought as she gripped on Rina's hand. They reached the hospital and they ran to the emergency room.

Isa was forced to stay outside with Rina's parents. Isa felt terrible as she paced back and forth across the emergency room doors. The doctor stepped out and said shakily, "Ms. Xavier is in a comatose. We don't know if she'll live. It's a 90-10 case."

"Which one's the living?" Isa asked shakily. The doctor bowed his head. "It can't be the 10."

"I'm sorry."

***

Rina's life depended on the breathing machine. Isa would stay in the room everyday, refusing to eat. The doctor finally entered and reported the unfortunate. "I'm sorry, Ms. Fournier," he said softly. "She's dying and she can't revive."

"But..." Isa could barely speak. Her eyes filled with tears. Her best friend was dying. She felt helpless. The doctor left her alone. She sat softly beside Rina. "I'm sorry for being so mean and neglecting of you. I love you so much as my sister... I can't afford to lose you."

She heard Rina sigh softly. "We'll be together forever," came a soft whisper, a thin hand grasping her own. Tears fell on Isa's cheeks as she felt Rina's hand go limp in hers.

"Please don't die on me!" she whispered. She rested her head on Rina's hand and sobbed until Rina's soul softly rose upwards towards the skies.

"We'll be together forever, Isa Fournier... I love you."