Jess

I wake up with a throbbing headache. Fumbling for the Panadol, I swallow two with some water. I turn over to a side, waiting for the Panadol to start working. I turn over again and when I finally can't stand the pounding in my head, I bang it against the wall, which eases the pain.

After a while, the pain is gone, but so is my sleep. So I head to the bathroom, take a wash and pull out a dress. I switch on my phone as well to check the time, but stop, my breath short.

When did we take this?

On my lock screen is a picture of Hayley laughing along with Lia and Tina. I was taking the picture, but when? And suddenly it clicked. This was the day before everything changed – before Hayley changed.

I swallow a breath.

It doesn't feel real. Nothing does anymore. Although it's been a week since Hays – Hayley – was found dead, it doesn't feel like a week; it feels like a few minutes since I last saw her – minutes since I pulled her jacket and minutes before everything changed.

No, minutes before Hayley died.

Because everything changed a long time ago. It changed when she no longer hung out with us at our 'hang-out spots' and even when she was there, it seemed like she never was. Somehow, some day everything changed. Somehow, some day, she didn't belong with us anymore.

'But why?' I murmur caressing her face, my thumb moving slightly across the screen.

She was our best friend.

She is our best friend. Just because she's dead, doesn't mean she has to be dead. I can make sure she stays alive. So I wear my heels, the ones Hayley likes and comments on every day, even though it doesn't really match my dress. Hayley would say something about it again. She will.

She has to.

When I walk to my locker, the students swarming the corridors, turn toward me. It's the first day I'm back, I understand, but must they be so blatant?

Closing my locker, I wait for Hays to come. I wait for her link her arms with mine. I wait for her to walk together to class. I wait and wait, even though the bell rings. I wait and wait even when the students disperse to the classrooms. I wait and wait even when the corridor is deserted – even when no one is there.

But me, myself and I.

I run around all the hallways, checking the bathrooms, library and even the labs, but she isn't here.

'Where are you, Hayley?' I whisper.

Then suddenly, it clicks. Maybe she's in the classroom, waiting for me.

That sneaky girl!

Did she think she can stay away forever?

I run into class, laughing and push the door open, only to be greeted with wide-eyed, inquisitive stares from my peers. Even my teacher, Ms. Sarah, looks confused.

But I don't care because I'm searching for Hayley's face.

She isn't here.

'Did Hayley leave class?'

Ms. Sarah's eyes shine with pity.

'Maybe she went to the bathroom just now? Or did she go to the nurse's office? Or maybe... to dance class?' My voice is an octave higher while my knees shake.

Ms. Sarah comes forward but I take steps behind.

'She's here, right? She came. I know she did. She has to.'

'Darling, Hayley isn't here. She never came. She will never come.'

'But... but... she has to!'

'Hayley is dead and you know that. That's why the school declared Wednesday as a holiday.'

'But Hayley is not dead! Just because she fell off a building doesn't mean she's dead!' I shout.

'It is a very high three storey house.'

'So? She didn't die! She can't die! She promised she wouldn't!'

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

So Panadol is a brand name and  is actually a Paracetamol but it's easier to write Panadol than the other one lol. Also where I live, everyone just says Panadol so yeah... :)

It's similar to an aspirin, if you're wondering what it is.