(REED)
It was just so unbelievable. Constance. Constance Talbot, one of the sweetest best friends I'd ever had. And she was... dead. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. She would never run excitedly into Billings to spill some scandal, or gossip over champagne with the whole dorm, or run in and comfort any of us when the drama drove us to tears, she would never chatter crazily at me, ever again. She was... gone!
On the day of the funeral, the cold December chill was interrupted with warm bright sunshine. It was as if the sky had planned this day just for her, warm and sweet and perfect. I sobbed quietly into Josh's shoulder through the whole funeral, and I had to leave as they lowered the urn containing her ashes into the cold damp ground.
I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't glance up. I kept walking, but then I slid on some slushy snow, my feet flew out from under me, and I fell backwards. I landed into strong familiar arms and looked up into Josh's eyes... and started bawling, burying my face in his chest. "I- can't- believe-she's-G-G-Gone!!!" I wailed, tears creating a darker pool against the dark fabric of his black silk shirt. He held me close, kissing my hair and whispering in my ear, "it's okay to cry Reed, you need to cry. She was special to you. It's alright to cry." Josh held me there in the freezing quad, letting me cry myself out. "she was the first person I met when I came here." I whispered " I used to think she was so annoying, I never imagined I would love her this much." I felt another sob building in my chest " she had so much kindness, even with all the drama, she always stood by me. I, I just can't believe she's gone." suddenly I was bawling again, and Josh held me, like if he let go I'd break, like I was going to fall apart. "I love you." I managed to choke out. And he responded by kissing my forehead " I love you too, and I know how much you'll miss her. I know how you feel, and I know that this will never completely heal, no one should have to go through this as many times as you have. I'm so sorry." his voice broke on the last word, and I noticed there were tears in his eyes, "Are you okay?" she rasped, he nodded, "I just hate to see you hurt like this over and over," I hugged him close, feeling so...loved.
Days later, I still felt a twinge whenever I passed Constance's empty room. Repairmen had been hurrying in and out for 2 weeks, and now the room looked good as new, except, none of Constance's posessions donned the shelves, and her posters no longer lined the walls. The room was alien, empty, it made Constance's absence real, she was never coming back. It hurt to think I'd never see her again, but it got worse. The police discovered that the fire was no accident. Constance was... murdered!