"It really hurts." I tell my mom as she applies medicine to my wound. She said if I don't push through the pain, I won't grow into a big and strong girl.

I got it after I fell biking around the neighborhood with some friends. We even reached the main road now. It was fun!

"We should live together once we're all grown up!" Derrick, my best friend suggested to my friend group. He was a good friend. He bought me ice cream when I got the scar.

"We second that!" The twins, Jamie and Jackson replied. They're really sweet, you know. When I celebrated my 4th birthday, they gifted me the bike that I use today. I will forever be thankful for them.

"How about you, Charlie?" Lilith asked me. She was the rich kid of the neighborhood. Unlike her siblings, she was nice. She picked it up from her mother. Her mother gave me clothes for Christmas.

"Yeah! We should live together when we grow up. Let's buy that one house near Mr. Ordred!" I excitedly answered. We really were kids with dreams back then.

Fast-forward to Senior Year. Derrick now plays for the basketball varsity team, Jamie is earning tons of money with the business she opened, Jackson has been getting straight As and is expected to go to a prestigious college, and Lilith became a star after moving out. I'm just a wee-old Charlie. The normal person of the group. My grades are doing alright, I have a stable minimum wage income, I joined cheerleading for a while for some extra credits but left soon enough.

I'm proud of my friends. I was always proud of them. Then until now.

We had our monthly meetups at the Sundance Restaurant. There we would talk about how our lives are going and reminisce.

"Charlie! Over here!" I heard Jamie calling me over at Table 4. Jackson and Derrick were talking about some vintage cars they saw earlier. Boys.

"As I was saying that '70 Camaro has got to be the best old car that I have seen." Jackson geeked out. Derrick looked annoyed as he held a picture of a Ferrari 250 GT. These guys really like cars.

Well... I also liked cars.

So, I showed them a picture of me with a '69 Dodge Charger.

"I think this would be the best old car, Jackson." I said as I slide the picture to them. I smiled as I saw them talk about the picture.

"Damn, Charlie. I never knew you were also into cars." Lilith jokingly said. She looked cool with her fur coat. The way she drank her milkshake, she looked like a celebrity. I mean she is.

"Okay, that's enough car-talk, you two." Jamie said to Jackson and Derrick as she gives them their food. "Come on, sis. We were getting into the good part." Jackson said as he clicks his tongue. Even with that, he continued to eat the waffles.

"So, Derrick. What's happening with the team?" I asked him.

"Coach gave us our assignments for the week, our star player was benched due to some allegations, and the cheerleading team has been spreading rumors." Derrick answered as he munched on the waffles.

I guess a lot has been happening to each of us. Can't do anything about that. It is what it is.

"I swear, Sundance always makes the best waffles." Jackson says with half of his mouth full of food. He looks happy every time he eats those. "By the way, the three of you should go on a Girls' Night." He continued.

Lilith looked at him confused.

"Come on, Lilith. Don't look at me like that. Charlie has been living boringly for quite a while now, Jamie is too busy with her business, and you miss us very much. Don't you think that's enough?" Jackson explained. He always was able to convince us what to do. What a guy.

"While you three do that, me and Jackson would probably look at some cars." Derrick jokingly remarked. We all laughed it off and enjoyed the day.

We all leave the restaurant one by one and wait at the parking lot to chill and talk more. Fresh air with the wind hitting us. Just like how we were in the neighborhood as kids. This really feels so nice.

"What's up with you?" Lilith asked me. She seemed so concerned.

"I'm alright. It's just... I wish we could stay like this." I answered. I want everything to stay like this. "You guys are family." I continued.

Lilith smiled and gave me a tight hug. Oh, this is fun.

"Hey, Charlie. Prom is upcoming, who's your partner?" Derrick asked. If I remember Derrick is attending prom with Lilith. They weren't romantically into each other. They just don't like dancing with other people.

"I don't know. It'll probably be the same as last time." I shrugged it off. When I attended prom last time, I just came for the food. Maybe for the experience too.

We talked more about our future before we said our goodbyes and went home.

I rode my bike from the restaurant to the dorm I'm currently staying at. It was just a 15-minute ride anyways. I should call Mom when I arrive.

The feeling of the wind hitting you when biking... It feels so unreal. Is this what birds feel? Is this freedom? Ah, this is so calming. Despite the stress of school and my homesickness rising, the wind always calms me...

I arrive after a few minutes. I stopped by a convenience store to buy some snacks. I should call Mom now.

After a few phone rings, she picks up. "Hey, Mom."

We talked for hours until I got tired and fell asleep.

A good 8 hours is all I need. I don't dream anymore. Probably because of the stress.

Suddenly, I was woken up by my alarm. Despite having an 8-hour sleep, I'm still tired.

"Miss Watson?" I hear a voice from outside my dorm room. The voice sounded like it came from a teacher. I quickly hurried to wear some decent clothes and rushed to the door.

"Yes?" I answered as I open the door. The person gave me a letter and just walked away. They didn't say anything. Just gave me a letter and that's it.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"Ah..." It's too early for this. It's still 7 am... I shouldn't cry this early... Fuck.

Time passed and I slowly coped with reality. I just did my morning routine and continued the day. I should call Jamie.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hey, Charlie. Did you miss me already?" Jamie jokingly said as she answered the call. "So, how are you?" She continued.

"Um, hey Jamie. It's just... Can I meet you?" I answered. I felt like she knew something was up with the way I talked.

After a while, we met in Sundance. Table 4.

"Hey, Charlie. What's happening?" She asked me as she sat down.

I didn't say anything and slid her the letter.

She read it silently. The silence was loud.

Dear Charlie Watson,

This is Mr. Ordred. Remember me? I remember when you and your friends told me that you were going to buy the house next to mine. You really were kids with dreams.

I heard that you and your mother called last night. That was nice of you. I hate how I am the bearer of bad news for you. A few hours after you and your mother finished calling, a fire started in the neighborhood. Your childhood house, the house where your mother lived in. I am sorry to tell you this.

Your mother has passed due to the fire. No foul play was found. The fire station suspected bad wiring. I really am sorry, Charlie.

Condolences,

Mr. Ordred.

"Charlie... Oh, I am so sorry." Jamie said as she gave me a tight hug. I wept.

"We were just talking, Jamie. We were just talking." I told her as I cried in her arms. I grabbed her coat tightly. I felt comfortable with this. I didn't want her to go yet.

"It's okay, Charlie. I'm here. I won't leave." Jamie assured me. It was nice to cry again.

I'll miss you, Mom.

The day passed quick. I didn't even notice it. It was probably of my crying. Jamie drove me to the dorm. She said she would stay the night to take care of me. I really am grateful for her.

"You're heating up, Charlie. I'll place some cold towels on you. I'll stay here. Get some rest." Jamie said. She really is the mother of the group.

"Thank you." I say as I drift off consciousness.

...

...

...

"Charlie? It's Mom. How are you?"

"Are you taking care of yourself? Eat properly, okay?"

"I will always love you. Then until now."

Why'd you had to go, Mom? I still wanted to see you at my graduation. Is Dad with you? He's proud of me, isn't he? He was so happy when I learned how to use a bike.

Wherever the both of you are, please continue watching over me. I'll be with you soon. We'll be a happy family again.

...

...

...

I feel something heavy on my legs as I wake up. It was just Jamie resting her head on it. She really didn't leave.

"Hm? Charlie?" Jamie woke up as I woke up.

"Did I wake you up?" I ask her in my morning voice.

"It's fine, Charlie. Everything is fine." She answered.

Oh, Jamie. Thank you for being there for me.

A few hours pass and Jamie says her goodbyes. I tidy myself up and try to attend school.

I look at the mirror... "Damn. I look like a mess."

I wore the jacket Mom gave me before I left for the dorm. I didn't have time to wear contacts, so I just stuck to my glasses.

I heard knocking outside my room.

"Hey, Charlie. It's Derrick." If it was anybody else, I would've tidied up before opening the door. It was just Derrick.

I opened the door. I was still depressed about what just happened. I hugged Derrick tightly.

"I'm sorry about what happened." Derrick said as he hugged me.

We went inside my room. He was there to console me.

"Look. I don't think you should attend school yet." Derrick said. He was making sure that I wouldn't do anything stupid.

"But my grades might flunk, Derrick." I retaliated. It wasn't in a hostile way. I just wanted to make sure that I would graduate.

Derrick stood up and sat next to me. "Don't worry, Charlie. Jackson and Lilith are having a talk with the school. They can handle it." He continued.

I heard two people talking outside my room. I think it might be them.

"Speak of the devil." Derrick opened the door. Jackson and Lilith brought some gifts and food. These are my friends.

They gave me a hug and consoled me with their words. They also did that when my dad passed.

"Aunt Watson are looking on us, Charlie. Cheer up." Lilith said. She was also hurt by the news. Mom took care of her as a babysitter when we were young. Oh, Lilith.

We really are the Circle Kids.

We talked for hours and hours. Reminiscing and making fun of Derrick. These few hours remind me of what I always wanted. Even during a fun time, something always kills me inside.

"I hope we always stay like this."

Being with my friends really feels like home.

We had so much fun that we didn't know it was already dark outside. Jackson and Derrick left first. Lilith said she would stay here for a few more minutes.

"You're going through a lot, Charlie. I know it hurts... but please. Promise me you will not do anything stupid." She said as she lifted her pinky finger.

"Pinky promise." Our first promise since we were kids.

A few weeks passed. I'm still in mourning.

I've been leaving voicemails and texts to Mom. I really can't move on.

It was prom night.

I can hear them laugh and dance.

I stand on the rooftop of my dorm.

"Where's Charlie?" Jamie asked in concern. The others were getting worried. They expected me to be eating at a table somewhere in the venue.

"I already checked Sundance. She isn't here, Jamie." Derrick sounded like he was panicking. I really am sorry, Derrick.

"Charlie! Charlie Watson!" Jackson is screaming his lungs out in the venue. You really were a great friend.

"Have we checked her dorm?" Lilith asked the others. She really knew me well. I can hear them hurrying to the dorm.

The wind hits my face. This feels so free.

The door to the rooftop slammed open.

"Charlie!" Derrick shouted. You shouldn't shout, Derrick.

I look at them. One last time.

"It really hurts."

Charlie Watson, a student from Sunny High, has passed away at the age of 21. Her friends are currently in mourning. The school will be having a month's break as a moment of silence and respect for one of their students.

Mom, Dad? I'm here.