Tara is dead... but why would Luis be missing?
"...What do you mean?"
He looked down for a moment almost as if preparing himself for something.
"Firstly, what happened to Tara..."
He told me all about how Tara was killed by someone, the culprit is still at large. He then told me about how Luis was there when it happened, how he became scorned by the family and finally how he ended up living separately from them cause they couldn't take him being there.
"How does that relate to Luis going missing....."
"What happened next was mostly told to us by policemen but apparently he was working somewhere illegally to save up money to go somewhere and then eventually he left without saying anything to anybody. Of course, that's mostly speculation based on what the police found after some investigation."
He left this place... He left me. No, I can't think like that...Was it Tara that triggered it...but somehow, it feels extreme...
".....So he saved money and then left New York? But then, where would he go? Does he have another place to stay or a way to leave unnoticed?"
"The thing is... after he left our family decided to completely cut off any ties they had left, they didn't even want to push for a search or anything for the like calling it a 'child's tantrum'... I will admit it looked a little extreme and there were some things that I didn't quite think looked right but... the fact of the matter is that he left and we have no idea where he is."
....I don't know what to think anymore...This is too much for me to think about.
"....I understand... I'll take my leave... I- I need some time to sort out my thoughts and feelings."
".....Ok, I'll walk you to the station."
".....Ok."
We left the apartment and walked silently side by side. Neither of us said a word on the way there and we didn't say goodbye either. All he did was escort me to the train station silently but I was still somewhat grateful for that.
I have no idea how I got back to my apartment but before I knew it I was laying down on my bed without thinking of anything. My mind was blank and I couldn't think of much... I'm not sure what to think of this... How did this happen?
Tara was killed by some random person and Luis left New York without telling anyone..... I don't know what to think, i-it just doesn't feel real.
I really can't think...I kept on thinking about it over and over again, It felt like my chest was about to burst from my fast heartbeats and as if a knot was tied around my throat. But even then, I couldn't think of anything. Whether it was the death of my best friend or the fact that Luis had left, I can't find anything..... eventually, I fell asleep without being able to figure out anything...
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Three weeks later after much concern and convincing on behalf of her parents, Mary finally decided to visit the cemetery in which Tara has been buried. They start walking inside when Mary suddenly spoke.
"Could I please have a moment alone in there?"
"But what if-." (Mom)
"Dear," The father said as she looked into the mother's eyes. After a brief moment of silence, the mother finally conceded.
"I understand." (Mom)
Tara slowly walked inside checking each grave one by one, having a remorseful face yet keeping an air of dignity and conviction. As she passed each grave you could see the dark blue dress flutter every step. The wind felt still and the August sun was covered slightly by the clouds. This continued until she finally reached her destination in front of Tara's grave.
Mary stared at the grave and then gave one heavy breathe... She waited for a little while before finally speaking.
"Hello, it's been long since I last saw you. It sure was a surprise to see that you weren't around anymore. At first, it didn't sink in... the fact that you were...dead. But the more time went on...the more I realized that was the case...."
Tears could be seen on Mary's face as she kept on talking.
"And while you aren't alive anymore. I just want to say... thank you. Thank you for being my friend, thank you for supporting me and thank you for being there when I needed you....." Her tears start to drop.
"I miss you, Tara, I really do. I missed you when I was away but I miss you more now that I can't see you anymore *sniffle*..... But today, I take a step towards moving forward...but, I will definitely cherish those memories we had together....."
Minutes go by in silence and Mary looks at Tara's grave while crying.....Finally, after some time had passed and Mary had calmed down; she slowly walks away in the same manner that could be felt since she first arrives. The only difference was a sense of closure and confidence that could be faintly seen in Mary's stride.
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One week later school finally starts for Mary. Currently, 9th-grade orientation is taking place and everyone is assembled at the assembly hall. The speech has ended and everyone is slowly filtering out of the auditorium.
Amongst this chaos, Mary slowly walks out of the auditorium and finally walking towards her classes. Amidst the chaos, a group of rowdy kids suddenly pushes one of their own in a playing manner. This sends the guy flying towards mary who in turn drops her notebook.
The boy looks at Mary
"Sorry about that, here, let me help you out." (Boy)
"It's alright." (Mary)
The boy helps out in picking her notebooks until the last one is picked
"Thanks for that. Looks like I won't be late to History now." (Mary)
"You're going to History? Same here, should we go together?"(Boy)
Mary opens her mouth to say something but then closes it.
"....."
She opens it again and says something else.
"Sure."