She was riding in the car with her friends; it was her 16th birthday and she was celebrating. The music was turned up on the radio and they were all laughing-so happy. In that moment, she was the happiest she had ever been. Then the deer appeared in the middle of the road. Then the driver swerved to avoid it. Then the car went off the road. Then it flipped and hit a tree. Then there was screaming and blood and confusion. Then it was still.
Tori and Emily laughed as they walked into the dorm room at two a.m. from a late-night rehearsal.
"Wow" said Tori, laughing and smiling as she closed the door "another long night".
Emily just groaned to which Tori giggled.
"And we still have that homework for honors!" Emily exclaimed, reaching for her laptop. "I completely forgot!"
"Oh, come on, all it is is a response to that movie, it won't take long" Tori said, walking over to Emily and patting her on the sholder. "After all, it's not the hardest thing we've ever done…"
Emily turned around to Tori.
"I thought we weren't going to talk about that anymore, now that we're here"
Tori sighed "I'm sorry Emily, I keep forgetting I said I wouldn't bring it up; but it's so hard, only you knowing what happened and me not telling the others about that night and-
"STOP IT!" Emily shouted as she slammed her laptop lid down and stood up so fast that Tori, leaning on Emily's chair, nearly fell over. "It's so hard, being reminded of that night" Emily said, close to tears. "You don't know what I-what we've had to…" Emily began to sob, collapsing into Tori's arms.
Tori held Emily close and began rocking her and soothing her. Honestly, Tori didn't know what to do other than pat her back and tell her everything would be alright. She gently eased Emily back into her chair then went to make her a cup of tea.
Tori tried not to show that it was hard for her too, remembering that night, but her shaking hand gave her away. She made two cups of tea. She re-crossed the room and handed one to Emily while eagerly sipping her own, attempting to find solace. They finished their tea in silence.
Emily inhaled shakily butting down her tea. "I'm sorry about overreacting", she said, "I don't know what came over me. I guess something about realizing one's mortality-well, really, one's nature- made me so scared…just like that night."
Tori patted her hand. "I know, I get scared too, sometimes, thinking about then and what has happened since."
