Chapter 4
I couldn't believe what I was seeing, everything felt so real, but I knew it couldn't be Matt, he was dead, and yet… Matt smiled, "You seem surprised to see me," he teased. I stared at him incredulously. "One
doesn't normally expect their dead best friend to show up and talk to them." I blinked forcefully several times. I thought Matt might disappear the instant I closed my eyes, but thankfully he didn't. "I think I've
finally gone crazy." I whispered, reaching my hand out to touch his cheek. I half expected my hand to pass through him, like in the movies, but it didn't. He was solid. Matt laughed again. "I could've told you that
much." He reached up and grasped my hand in his. As I watched him, his face grew somber. "I shouldn't be here," He sighed. Panic rose in my throat, "No! Matt, don't go." I pleaded. It'd been so long since I'd
heard his voice, I wasn't ready to let him go again. My hand clenched his tightly and Matt smiled, but his eyes were sad. "I'm not leaving yet," He spoke quietly and he watched me closely. I guess I looked worse
than I thought. "Oh Clara," He moved our entwined hands up towards me and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand, "What have you done to yourself?" Suddenly I couldn't keep eye contact. "Nothing," I
muttered defensively. "I just have a little bit of trouble falling asleep some nights. Nightmares…" Matt closed his eyes, "I'd hoped you would've been able to recover by now you stubborn girl." He said after a
moment of silence. Again I grew defensive. "It's not everyday somebody loses their closest friend in a car accident." Matt opened his eyes. "How's Rachael?" He asked suddenly. The change of subject threw me
for a second, but I caught on. Unfortunately I had no answer, so I responded with a meek shrug. Matt looked disapproving. "How about Caleb?" When I didn't answer he continued on, almost brutally. "Sophie?
Jessica? Calvin? Aaron?" He rattled off names like he was reading them off of a list. I shook my head slightly. Matt gave me his most piercing look, the one that always seemed to see straight through me, into my
soul. "Clara, what about John?" I winced and looked up. Matt sounded so disappointed. "Sorry," I whispered, "No." Matt shook his head, "You've spent enough time mourning Clara." He reprimanded me sternly,
"Tomorrow you won't wear black, you will smile, and you will live again. You did not die in the accident, please do not waste the gift you were given." I gazed at him silently, and with a slight sense of foreboding.
"I have to go now," He began cautiously; I suspect he was afraid of how I would react. "No, Matt! I just got you back!" I felt the panic rise in me again. "Silly Clara," He smiled fondly, "You will see me again." I
wasn't reassured yet, "So this dream? Is any of it real?" Matt nodded, "And there will be more like this one. It seems it would be more hazardous for your health if I were to stay away from you." I smiled, relieved.
"So I will see you tonight?" I asked. Matt rolled his eyes, but he smiled, "Yes Lara-bug. Now go wish our friends a happy graduation." He said and kissed my forehead as the scene melted away. I blinked my eyes
open into morning glow and smiled. I hadn't heard anyone call me by my childhood nickname in three months. It felt nice to hear it again.