Red Light

It was a sunny Saturday morning. Elizabeth Stone never imagined her life would change so much.

She finally got up at 11:30. Quickly taking a shower and getting ready for the day, she grabbed a yogurt, a spoon, and headed out the door. Her boyfriend, Kyle, was waiting in the Red Viper for her.

“Hey Kyle,” Elizabeth said, getting in the car. “We’re going to the Mall, right?”

“Right. Hey, I got something for you,” Kyle said reaching under his seat. “Ah-ha,” he said. In his hand was a white bear holding a red heart bearing white words saying, “I love you” on it. “Happy One Year, Beth.”

“It’s so cute!” Elizabeth squeeled. “Thank you so much, Kyle!” Leaning close to him, she gave him a kiss and said, “Let’s go! I can’t wait!”

All day, Kyle and Elizabeth shopped and had lots of fun. Elizabeth got new clothes, Kyle got a new pair of shoes, and they made memories to last forever. At 6:05, they left.

“Wow! That was the best day ever!” Elizabeth exclaimed as Kyle pulled into her driveway.

“Yea. It was fun. Especially being with you,” Kyle said as her kissed her on the lips.

“See you later!”

“Love ya, babe!”

That night, Elizabeth stayed home while her parents went to a costume party at the Oaks’ house. She watched reruns of Laguna Beach, ate leftover pizza, and chatted on AIM.

At exactly 9:18, the phone rang, startling Elizabeth. Grabbing the phone, she answered. “Hello?” Only the sound of music in the background. “Hello?”

“Beth?”

“Kyle?”

“Yea, it’s me.”

“Are you ok? You sound…drunk…” Elizabeth began to worry.

“Yea, I totally had some beer. It’s GREAT!”

“Where are you, Kyle?”

“At my cousin’s nightclub. You know…One, Two Step? It’s AWESOME!”

“Kyle, you really should get out of there. You’re underage! You could get arrested!”

“What? You mean I won’t be able to play football anymore?”

“Right. Please…don’t be there.”

“Got it. CHRIS! We’re going!” Elizabeth listened to Kyle’s heavy breathing in the phone. She could almost smell the beer on his breath.

“Where are you Kyle?”

“We’re leaving, babe. I’m coming to you.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m on West St. I’m with Chris Windblow. We’re coming to you.”

“I love you. Thank you, Kyle.”

“I love you too Babe. I…” Then, Elizabeth heard something she’d never forget.

“Kyle! Red light!” Chris yelled. “RED LIGHT! RED LIGHT! OH MY GOD! KYLE!” There was the screech of tires, Kyle and Chris screaming, the crunching of metal on metal… and then dead silence.

“Kyle? Kyle? Chris? Hello?” The phone was dead. Heart racing, Elizabeth hung up the phone and ran out of the house and to her car. Driving as fast as she could to the corner of West St. and Lighting Dr. Elizabeth prayed that Kyle and Chris were still alive.

“Oh my God!” Elizabeth got out of her car and ran up to the overturned Viper. Reaching in, she pulled out Chris.

“Chris? CHRIS!” She yelled. Chris opened his eyes and coughed. “Chris, where’s Kyle?” Chris pointed to the car. Going to the other side, the driver’s side, Elizabeth was afraid of what she’d see.

“NO!” She screamed. Hurrying to Kyle’s bloody body, she pulled him into her arms. “Oh my God! No, please! KYLE!” When Kyle didn’t wake up, Elizabeth felt the tears run down her face. “KYLE! KYLE!”

The funeral was the absolute worst. Sitting by Chris, Elizabeth sat, quietly mourning. The football team, all of the students and staff, Kyle’s family, and some of Elizabeth’s friends were there.

She stood quietly as they lowered the coffin into the ground. Where would she go from there, she didn’t know. But what she did know was that Kyle would be watching over her from his place in heaven.