I could still hear the sound of her screams.

Eli, I don't want to fight. It's not what you think!

Really? Then what the hell is it, Julia?

He came onto me, not the other way around

Why would my best friend every do that? Give me one reason why I should believe you

Because I love you Elijah

Psh, I'm so sure. Just leave, I need to think things over.

Ugh you're so DIFFICULT! Why can't you take my side? I thought you loved me

Yeah, I thought so too

And then, she was gone. Forever. The next morning I thought it was all a horrible nightmare. I made myself believe that the night before had never happened. Julia never kissed Eric. We hadn't really fought. Her mother never called me crying. She wasn't dead.

But then I was faced with reality. The time and date of Julia's funeral was scrawled on a post-it note stuck to my computer screen. I spotted her name, Julia Marie Rosenfall, in the obituary this morning. Tears fell from my face and onto the black and white print. This can't be happening. Was my love really gone? One stupid fight and it was all over. Why had I told her to leave? Why didn't I allow myself to listen to her pleas?

"Elijah, are you almost ready? I'd like to get their early to help Mrs. Rosenfall out." Mom didn't knock before coming into my room, but what did that matter? Normally I'd correct her manners, but right now, I couldn't do much but cry. I forced myself out of my clothes, the same ones I'd worn the night before, and into my Dad's old Bar Mitzvah suit. People later questioned my fashion choice, but only because they never knew. They didn't know that I wore it solely because it was Julia's favorite. She loved the way the green tie matched my eyes. My eyes. They were currently red and puffy from spilling all those tears. I couldn't let people see me like that, I had to convince them I was strong. If I couldn't push through this, the most important person in Julia's life, than how could I expect anyone else too? I had to set an example.

I ran into Mom's room, looking for anything to cover hide my red eyes. I found an eye pencil and traced under my bottom lash line, temporarily concealing the red. I then combed down my long, dark hair. I decided to do my hair today in honor of Julia, because she always said it made me look handsome. I laughed for the first time all day. I don't know why, but the thought of her saying "Very handsome Mr. Goldsworthy" on the night of the dance humored me.

I sulked back into my bedroom. I looked around, for any object that would briefly bring Julia back. I then glanced down at my few pieces of jewelry. I scanned over a few necklaces, mostly gifts from Jul, until I came across a silver encrusted ring that bore a large black stone.

I remember clearly the day I obtained that ring.

It was a Sunday, and every Sunday I visited Grandma in the hospital. She was nearing her end, and the last time I saw her she grabbed me close. She whispered to me:

Elijah, take this, please

She shoved a ring into my hands.

Grams, I can't. That's your favorite

It was my favorite because your grandfather gave it to me. Grandpa is gone, and I soon will be too. Once I die, the love in this ring will die as well. Please take it and give it to the one who possesses your heart.

I accepted the ring, and two hours later Grandma passed on. I stared at the band, tracing the markings with my shaking fingers. I was going to give it to Julia on our one year anniversary next month, but Julia won't make it to our one year. She'll never see the picnic in the park I set up for us. She'll never see the ring, and the proposal that came with it. She'll never know that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. After college I would've married her, and she would've mine and only mine forever.

I had to stop myself from crying, because eyeliner running down my face wouldn't look very nice.

I slid the ring onto my middle finger and tightened my hand. The cold metal felt so right on my skin.

I took a look at myself in the mirror and saw someone new.

In the dark suit, eye liner, and black ring, I looked like a different person. I looked darker, more mysterious. Julia liked it that way. She said when I wore black in made look different, and unique, she didn't care if my long dark hair made me look emo. She was always such an individual, which is only one of the reasons I fell for her.

I got into the car, saying nothing the entire way there. I cringed as we passed places that once meant the world to me. Passing the park, where we fought that night, nearly crushed my heart. I turned away from the window until we pulled up at the cemetery.