Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: 1/13/23

Word Count: 935

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Sometimes bad things have to happen, and when these things happen, you never know what to expect. When Avery's dad called her into his office one day she expected him to surprise her with a new adventure, but that wasn't the case. She walked into his office with a bright smile and shining eyes. Her day had started out amazing. She woke up to find her mother not working, and she had actually made pancakes. One of Avery's favorite foods! Avery did a small dance when she realized her mom had made her favorite food. It had been months since she had eaten it because most mornings she ate a quick breakfast before heading to her friend's house. She was wondering if she would get to see her today because both of her parents were home. They had decided last week that they were going to have a movie marathon. Just the two of them with lots of popcorn and other movie snacks. After Avery finished breakfast, her dad called her into his office. He was sitting there at his desk. Hands limp in his lap as he stared at his computer screen. Avery cautiously walked in. He didn't look like his happy self, so Avery was worried. She didn't know what was wrong. "What's wrong, Daddy?" She asked cautiously. He turned around at that. He looked at Avery and sighed. He rubbed his face with his hand before saying, "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but something happened this morning." That got Avery on edge. She quickly walked up to her dad and sat down at a chair next to his desk. She looked up expectantly at him. Ready to hear what bad news he had. Maybe he had planned a trip that fell through? Or maybe he had to go to work and couldn't spend time with her like he had promised they would next week. Or maybe he was just teasing her in order to surprise her. She hoped it was that. "Is something wrong?" Avery asked. Now confused. He sighed again before responding, "Yes, something terrible has happened. This morning there was an accident." He paused. Trying to hide his sadness. "Daddy?" Avery asked again. "The accident this morning. . . it was a car wreck. . . your friend. . . was in it." He finished. Avery froze. Her friend? As in her best friend? How? Why? Is she okay? "She's okay, right? No life threatening injuries, or any other injuries?" Avery questioned. Avery's dad shook his head and said, "It was bad. . . her and her family were taken to the hospital but. . . it's not looking good. There's a higher chance of her not surviving than her surviving." Avery felt underwater after that. She didn't know what to do. The pain in her chest pressed down on her to the point she felt she couldn't breathe. She tried to hold in her tears, but it was no use. They began to flow, and when they began, they couldn't stop. Avery fell into her father's arms and cried for her friend. That morning had started out exciting. She was going to spend the whole day with her friend, but now, it may never happen. Ever. "Can I go see her?" Avery asked. Hoping she could. "Yes, but only for a little bit. She needs her rest." Her father responded. Avery and her dad drove to the hospital. Hoping it wouldn't be too late. Avery hadn't said a word the entire trip there. All she could think about was what she wanted to say. She loved her best friend, and couldn't bear to lose her. Avery and her dad talked to the nurse before heading into the room that housed her best friend. She was lying there. Helpless. Avery barely recognized her with glass cuts and burns all over her body. Avery cried again when she saw her friend before walking up to her and taking her hand. "Hey. How are you feeling?" Avery asked. "Not great." She rasped. "I'm glad you're here." Avery nodded as she sat down in the chair her father dragged over. She watched her friend. Not knowing what to say. She glanced at the heart monitor, and saw that her friend's heartbeat was getting dangerously low. That scared Avery. She wasn't ready to watch her friend die. She was too young! "Before I have to go, I need to tell you something." Avery started. "I love you, and even though I haven't been the best friend at times, I want you to know that I still love you." Her friend gave a small smile before pain contorted her face. Something was wrong. Her monitor began to beep. "I love you too." She said before her heart monitor stopped. Suddenly her friend went stiff. Her chest no longer slowly rising. Avery called out her name. Nurses rushed into the room. Forcing Avery and her dad out of the room as they prepared to get her heart to start beating again. Avery screamed her friend's name as her father dragged her out of the room. She couldn't believe what had happened. She had just lost the first person she became friends with when she moved here. Now she was gone. Avery cried as her dad carried her out to the car. At this time, she didn't think anything could cheer her up. She couldn't even respond when her dad asked her if she was ready to go home. All she knew was that her friend. Her BEST friend. Had just died in her arms. And Avery couldn't do anything about it.

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