We were still at the hospital, this time standing over my grandma's lifeless body. The sight of her, so still and peaceful, made me want to trade places with her. I'd lost so much today, and I was ready to call it quits with life. Everything felt like a cruel joke, a sucker punch straight to the gut. People hurt you for no reason, you get punished for doing good deeds—what was the point of it all? I was done with living and the living.

Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at her. She was my rock, the one constant in my chaotic life. Now she was gone, and I had to accept the harsh truth. I wiped my tears, trying to pull myself together. I was causing a scene, but who could blame me? Losing her felt like losing a part of myself. Yet, in the midst of my grief, I knew I had to woman up. Death happens. People die every day. It's a harsh reality, but it's the truth.

After hours at the hospital, getting all emotional and stuff, my mom, grandpa, Adam, and I decided it was time to leave. Adam wanted to come home with me, to comfort me after my hectic day, but I assured him I'd be fine. As we left the hospital, my mom made a detour to drop Adam off at his house before we called it a night.

Back home, with my grandpa, mom, and little brother Amari, who had been safely tucked away with a nanny, the emotions hit like a tsunami. The moment I opened the front door, a cocktail of anger, sorrow, and frustration surged within me, hot and fierce. I felt like I was going to explode, so I just screamed. I wasn't shedding any more tears tonight; I was done with crying.

I went straight to bed, desperate to escape the reality of Grandma being gone and the loss of my friends. But sleep offered no reprieve. Nightmares swirled, each more harrowing than the last, and I woke up screaming and soaked in sweat. My mom rushed to my room, her face a mask of concern.

"Dena, are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Mom, I'm fine," I said, wiping the sweat off my face, even though I knew I wasn't fooling anyone.

"I don't believe you," she said, eyes piercing through my facade.

"Mom, I just lost my friends and Grandma today. What do you think?" I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Come here, let me give you a hug. I'm so sorry," she said, moving closer.

"No, Mom. I said I'm fine. Please leave my room," I snapped, my voice cold.

She left, her face etched with pain. She had just lost her mother, and here I was, pushing her away. But I was done with people feeling sorry for me. I was done with the hurt.

I needed an outlet, so I decided to go for a jog. The cool night air hit my face as I ran, but it did little to calm the raging storm inside. Memories attacked me from all sides, and I stopped, nearly collapsing from the weight of it all. But I didn't cry. Not this time.

"Screw this," I muttered, turning back towards home. I wasn't going to let the nightmares win. I was going to face them like a warrior. I walked back into the house, climbed up to my room, and collapsed into bed. This time, sleep came gently, wrapping me in a much-needed, peaceful embrace. For that, I was grateful.

Days passed, and the grief of losing my grandma still clung to me like a heavy shroud. It felt as if a vital piece of me had been ripped away. In my sorrow, I ended up pushing Adam away too. At one point, I even yelled at him, and I could see the disappointment and disgust in his eyes. It's been three days now without a word from him—no calls, no texts, nothing. But whatever. If he felt what I was feeling, he'd understand. Still, I felt a pang of guilt for driving him away, and now, I was completely alone.

In my isolation, I developed a nasty, feisty attitude. I became disrespectful to my mom and everyone around me. I couldn't stand the sight of anyone, and I didn't know why. It was Wednesday, and I was still on a holiday break from school. The entire morning, I raged and bounced around my room, feeling like a caged animal with nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

Eventually, hunger gnawed at me, so I decided to go out and eat. I hopped into my car, looking like a mess—a broken-down version of a sad little girl. I didn't care. I drove to my favorite spot, hoping a good meal might ease the turmoil inside me. As I stepped inside, I saw them: Karissa, Jaelee, and Xalia. They saw me too. Our eyes locked, and I rolled mine dramatically before heading to the counter to place my order.

But of course, they had to approach me.

Karissa stepped forward, her voice hesitant. "Dena, how are you doing?"

I shot her a withering glance. "Why do you care how I'm doing? We're not friends."

"Please don't say that," Karissa pleaded, her eyes earnest.

"Yeah," Xalia chimed in, looking remorseful. "We're so sorry we just cut you off like that. It was immature."

Jaelee nodded, her expression one of genuine regret. "I'm so sorry, Dena. We all are."

I crossed my arms, feeling the anger bubble up. "I'm sick of people being sorry for me. I forgive you guys, but that doesn't mean I want to be friends with you again."

"Dena, please," Karissa tried again, her voice cracking slightly.

"Just leave me alone," I snapped.

"Dena, you're hurting right now," Xalia said softly. "Let us be a shoulder you can cry on."

Fed up, I turned to leave. "You know what? I'm done. Have a blast here."

Just as I was about to walk away, the ultimate drama queen, Deanesh, appeared in front of me, holding a bouquet of flowers. Of course.

"What do you want, Dae?" I asked, exasperated.

Deanesh put on her best fake smile. "I just wanted to give my condolences to you. I'm so sorry that you lost your grandma."

I narrowed my eyes. "You can save your condolences. I'm sure you wish it was me that died."

Deanesh gasped, feigning shock. "I'm just trying to be nice."

"Stay the hell away from me, tramp," I spat, pushing past her.

I stormed out, the girls hot on my heels. I hurried into my car, started it up, and sped off, leaving them behind. I found another spot to eat, trying to calm the gnawing hunger in my stomach. After I finished my meal, I went back home, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anger. As soon as I got to my room, I cranked up the music, filling the house with a deafening beat.

It didn't take long for my mom to come barging in, her face a mask of frustration. She turned the volume down and we started arguing, voices rising until she burst into tears, screaming at me. I screamed back, the tension between us so thick you could cut it with a knife. My grandpa intervened, pulling me out of the room and hugging me tightly.

"Baby girl, it's okay to cry," he whispered, trying to soothe me. "Please let it out. You're holding in too much."

I shook off his hands and ran downstairs to the kitchen, splashing cold water on my face to cool down. As I stood there, the doorbell rang. I answered it to find the girls standing there. They didn't waste any time pushing their way inside.

"I didn't say you guys could come in," I said.

"Dena, stop it," Karissa said firmly. "We are your friends and we are here for you. Curse us out all you want, we aren't going anywhere."

"Whatever," I replied, crossing my arms.

"Seriously, Dena, what's gotten into you?" Xalia asked.

"What kind of stupid question is that?" I shot back. "I lost you guys the same day I lost my grandma, and now I've lost Adam too. So yeah, lucky me."

I started to cry, the weight of everything finally breaking through my tough exterior. The girls came forward, hugging me all at once, their presence a small comfort in the chaos.

"We got you, Dena," Jaelee whispered. "Always know that, no matter what."

"Thank you guys so much," I said, my voice trembling.

They started to cry with me, expressing how much they missed me and regretting how they ghosted me and left me alone. I told them all was forgiven and that I just wanted to move on and start fresh. I'm glad to have my girls back; in times like these, everyone needs friends like them, and I'm so grateful.

After our emotional reunion, I remembered how horribly I talked to my mom. I needed to apologize. I told the girls I'd be back in a few minutes and headed up to her room. When I reached her room, I saw her holding her head, looking exhausted.

"Mom, I really want to apologize," I began, my voice softer. "I was being a selfish brat while you were trying to help me, even though you were in pain too."

She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. "I forgive you, sweetheart. But please don't yell at me like that again. It broke my heart and turned me into something I promised myself I wouldn't be as a parent. I'm also sorry for doing the same."

"Thank you for forgiving me, Mom. I promise I'll never do it again. I forgive you too."

"Okay, thank you. Come give me a hug now."

I went to hug my mom, and it felt so good. I needed this from the start, and I'm sorry things had to turn out this way. But now, everything is resolved—except for one thing. I need to speak with Adam.