Young Writers Society

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Hi, you’ve reached Trinity. I’ll return your call as soon as possible. I would have answered, but I was already on the phone with Bill Gates - I swear. Oh, if your Soph call again... beep.

I let out a sigh and call again because it’s habitat and what else would I do? I stare at the sunset that is complementing the lake. I take in the blue and orange view that should not exist in nature. The bluish-orange colors stand out but also blend, making the sky look as if Bob Ross painted it. I pull my gaze down to Lake Michigan. I take in the water that has a hint of blue and orange. I focus on the waves that cascade across the ocean-sized lake and smile, really smile for the first time in 2 months.

Beep

I jump and the smile falls almost as fast as it came.

“Hi Trin, it’s me Sophie ha…I um this is the 8th time I’ve called. I don’t know why I keep calling or if it’s okay that I am.” My stomach sinks and abruptly, I don’t know why I’m here; staring at the sky where my best friend is staring right back (hopefully) Instead of focusing on that this is the closest I will ever get to her again, I rip my gaze up to the seagulls flying around.

“School starts tomorrow, it’s crazy that we are,” My breath catches on the last word and I punch myself for saying we “Or I am a junior. I truly wish you were here to mark things off of our bucket list. I just miss you so, so much. I don’t think I can do this. It feels wrong to be checking things off without you. I can drive now. I drove myself to the lake. I guess I can check off the list.” I stopped and recalled the last time we went to the lake one week before she would never see the sky again. This sunset was different. It was light pink and purple. We took pictures of each other and posted them on our Instagrams. I go back to that post so many times, just so I can see us together, smiley and living life to the fullest. I blink back the tears I’ve been holding in my eyes since I got here and focus the on seagulls one last time.

“Anyway I love you, Sophie, out”

I set the phone down next to the blankets that keep me warm on top of my car, gather my things, get in my white jeep, and start the 10 minutes of curvy roads back home.