"It's a long story."

"You conned me into thinking you were dead for eleven months. I have time."

"Liam..." Her voice is unbearably broken.

"No, don't act like I'm the bad one, Lily. You're the one who didn't think to even contact me to tell me that you're okay!" I snap, deciding that I don't care when she flinches.

"I'm sorry, ok?" Her eyes are flooded with sadness as she lifts them to mine.

"You're sorry?" I scoff. "You're sorry?! Well, ok, that makes everything better." My voice is bitter with sarcasm. A tear rolls down Lily's cheek, leaving a trail of water.

"L-Let me explain," she says quietly. "Please," she adds when I stay silent. I look at her and nod. She takes a deep breath and quickly wipes the tears away. When she's finished, she looks up at me unblinkingly.

"Liam. Yes, I let you believe that I was dead. And I had the option to contact you, to let you know I am okay. But I chose not to."

"Why?" My eyes search hers for an answer.

"Because," she sighs, "I thought that I didn't deserve you. That you would be better without me." She averts her eyes.

"Well... I guess you should've been smarter." She winces but I ignore it.

"Liam," she calls softly as I storm off.

I slam my bedroom door behind me just as a tear escapes my eyes. I glance around my room, seeing memories of Lily and me everywhere from when I shared this room with her.

I still remember her funeral...

It was a rainy day, dark. The clouds hid the warmth of the sun and the crows squawking drowned out the songbirds' cheerful music. It all seemed fitting, given why we were there.

We all walked slowly, out of respect for the dead. Lily's parents were already crying, and we hadn't even buried their daughter yet.

But I didn't blame them. I had a deep unsatisfied wanting in my chest, a wanting for Lily to be there with me, holding my hand. But it was a wanting that would never be fulfilled, and I wasn't sure it would ever leave me. The light wooden casket was being carried in front of Lily's friends and families.

When we reached the already dug hole, I just stared at the gravestone. It said:

Lily James
Loved daughter, sister, friend, and girlfriend.
Lived a happy life with her family, friends, and boyfriend.

I remember thinking that Lily was an amazing person, but her life was far from perfect. She had OCD, trust issues, and her family always blamed her for all her problems and for her not being religious.

I stared at the words, until Anthony, my best friend, elbowed my side and led me to stand across from Lily's parents. The minister stepped forward after the casket is set in its hole.

"Receive the Lord's blessing. The Lord bless you and watch over you. The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace; In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." He finished.

"Amen," Everyone echoed the minister.

One by one, everyone took a white rose and placed it on the casket. When it was my turn, I was unable to keep my hands from shaking as I placed my rose on a bare spot on the casket. I was silent as they buried the casket, but I remember something breaking inside me.