"Lauren!" My mother called, and I opened my eyes. The sun blinded me, and I rubbed my eyes to try and get them to focus in the light. I rolled over, and stared at my alarm clock.

It read 12:30 pm, and I groaned as I rolled out of bed. "Lauren! There's someone here to see you!" My mother called again, and she was really starting to irritate me.

"I'm coming!" I snapped, changing out of my pajamas and into a pair of skinny jeans, a white t shirt, and brushing my long, blonde hair.

I brush my teeth, then hurry down the stairs so my mom won't throw a hissy fit at me.

I walked into our living room, to see a bleary eyed Caity Lotz sitting on my couch.

She looked upset, and tired; she was clutching a box to her chest. "Oh, uh... hi." I said awkwardly, silently cursing myself.

Caity gave a weak smile. "Hello." Her blue eyes were full of sadness. She looked down at the box in her arms. "This is for you."

That was all she said.

"Who's it from?" I asked, gently taking the box out of Caity's shaking hands.

"Katie." She murmured.

My mom had a sad expression on her face.

"What's wrong with Katie?" I asked, panicking a little.

Though I was a fan of Katie's, her and I had grown close after I met her at Heroes and Villains Fan Fest in New Jersey, after I told her she had saved me from hitting rock bottom.

"She's..." Caity's upper lip started to tremble.

"She's what?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

"She's dead."

Those were the two words that broke me.

She's dead.

"How?" I asked, choking on tears.

"She drove her car off a bridge in Vancouver." Caity said, tears falling down her face.

"Why?" I couldn't believe it.

Katie was dead.

"She couldn't handle the hate anymore." Caity said.

I stumbled out of the room, and back into my room. I sat on my bed, and opened the box.

On top was a envelope with my name written on it.

In Katie's handwriting.

I gently open the envelope, and began reading the letter.

Dear my darling Lauren,

I want you to know that you are not one of the 13 reasons why I made my choice.
  
I really had to sit and think about if I actually wanted to fall through with driving my car off the bridge.

Your pretty smile will be the last thing I think of when my car hits the water.

I'm writing this little note to you to tell you I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not that strong, independent woman you thought I was.

It was just all the hate...

I couldn't take it anymore.

I tried to get better; I really did.

I tried to get better for you, and your undying faith in me.

Thank you.

You were a good friend to me, and I appreciate all that you've done for me.

I miss you, my darling.

Sincerely, Katie.

I chocked back sobs as I reread Katie's note. Attached to the bottom, was a picture of Katie smiling.

On the back it said:

Something for you to remember me by. Be strong my darling.

I couldn't read the first letter now. I'll read it when I was ready.

Now, however, was not the time.