I'm dead.

That's the simplest I can put it. My soul had continued to walk as my body was left behind. My funeral is today and I don't think I have the courage to go; I've never been an important person, and I just wouldn't be able to handle it when no one shows up. My house is filled with family members dressed in black who were forced to come by my mom; they wouldn't have come otherwise.

My memorial stands the living room, surrounded by flowers and small teddy bears. My 16-year-old self stares back at me, a fake smile plastering my face as I try to hold the artificial position I was placed in. My black hair curls down past my shoulders, covering the blue scarf I was using to hide my exposed bra strap. I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose, judging what I looked like wearing contacts. Who'd think that death would put your glasses back on? Or take your makeup off? I guess it's all some metaphor; the only thing that'll reveal your true self is death... or whatever. I guess that's why my hair is brown now.

There's a Wonder Woman bear in the center; mom always knew me the best.

I'll miss you the most, mom.

Wherever I go after this, I'll be joining my dad. He died in a car accident a long time ago. I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. It was so stupid; I was checking to see if my crush had texted me back and the next thing I know, I'm sitting on the side of the road, knees to my chest, watching as some paramedics scoop my corpse up from the asphalt.

I turn away from the memorial and right into my mom. I stare at her and can see something cross her beautiful face; a sudden calm comes over her and she smiles a little.

"Katey," she whisperes under her breath.

She knows I'm here.

"Mom?" It's the first time I've spoken out loud for awhile, no one ever hears me, so what's the point? "I'm here, mom. I love you." I try to reach up to touch her face, but my hand passes right through. She reluctantly turns away and heads towards the front door; my funeral is starting soon. Everyone starts filing out and I run out behind them- well, not behind, through.

My mom's in one of the front cars and as I look in through the window, I can see that there's no space for me. Sitting inside of someone isn't an experience I want to have so I do the next logical thing, I sit on the roof of the car. The wind still sends my hair flying which I don't even understand, the only difference being my hair doesn't get tangled anymore, that's an upside to being dead.

We come to a stop in front of the local church in front of the graveyard where my dad lays. We used to make it to church about once a month, but that doesn't matter anymore. I'm surprised to see cars filling the entire parking lot to the point that my family has a hard time finding spots to park. I jump off the car and drift through the crowds of people making their way towards the church. Classmates I didn't know knew I existed are here; even a few of my classmates. Both librarians are here, the one from school and the librarian from the public library; I did love to read.

I'm almost to the church when I spot her, the one I love. She isn't alone, she's walking with my friends. I'm not surprised considering that she's my best friend. I've known Angela since kindergarten. I remember running around our backyards together; that evolved into biking around the neighborhood which turned into driving around town together. We've been through highs and lows and anything you can imagine, but no matter what, we were always there for each other.

It's why I love her.

The church is full; people are even standing on the side, pressed against the wall. People from all over town are here, not just family and students from school. Baristas, salesmen, servers, people I've met in my everyday life in this small town. I didn't think I made such an impression on so many people. All I did was try to be as nice as possible to everyone I met; I simply treated them as I'd wanted to be treated.

I guess I never really knew how my actions affected other people on a daily basis. If I'd acted different, treating others poorly and whatnot, this entire building could've been completely empty, just as I'd feared. I wasn't aware of the impact I had on the world around me, I didn't think people knew I existed; I couldn't have been more wrong.

Feedback catches my attention as a priest sets the funeral in motion. As the prayers and songs begin, I drown them out and make my way over to my mom. There's no space for me to sit next to her, so I stand. I feel so bad leaving her all alone in this world; I shouldn't have been on my stupid phone, risking my life for one text. I'm not the only victim and I've realized that too late.

"Good morning." The sweet voice sweeps through the room, immediately turning my head.

Angela.

She stands at the podium donning a black dress. She clears her throat and begins to speak. "My name is Angela Maginsky, and I've been Katherine's best friend for years." She pauses for a bit, appearing to be gathering her thoughts. "And even after all those years, I was never able to build up the courage to tell her how I felt; to tell her that I loved her."

Well, shit.