I awake to a buzzing sound, coming from the top of my bedside table, I reach over to feel for my phone and then I proceed to switch it on, which was a very bad idea, the brightness was on FULL nearly blinding me!

I check my phone once again as my eyes adjust to the light and see that it's 1:00 am in the morning!

Everything's still pitch black besides my phone being the only source of illuminating light.

My phone continues to buzz rapidly.

I unlock my phone and see over a dozen messages from Sasha. I quickly lose any sleep I had left in me as I know she wouldn't message me this early in the morning unless something was wrong.

I begin reading the messages.

Hey, I know it’s pretty early in the morning but I’m just really worried!

I couldn’t sleep properly at all last night.

My parents haven’t come home yet, I know you’re probably asleep but I’m gonna spam you with my thoughts anyway- I apologize in advance for the spam that may come :)

I know you’re thinking that I should stop worrying they’re probably just having a good time.

BUT I’ve sent multiple messages and I’ve even tried calling them and there’s been no response for a few hours now!

And I can’t help but feel this ugly feeling in my stomach like something really bad happened.

Okay I think this will be the last message, just now I actually wake you up, lol

I’ll just go watch some TV and keep myself occupied

ANASTASIA WAKE UP PLEASE

I NEED YOU

NOW

I feel like I can’t breathe, I was watching the news and there’s been a reported incident of an accident…

There’s been a car crash and it’s an adult male and a female!

Their car looks exactly the same as my parents'!

Hey, I’m here, don't worry everything is probably okay and they're probably just arriving late.

It could just be someone else.

A lot of people drive similar cars- remember when we were younger we even played a game to see how many cars looked similar to your parent's car, it was a lot.

Okay yea, you’re probably right

Plus look at it like this, you haven’t been contacted by any cops or family members saying that something bad happened to your parents, so that means everything is okay.

Okay yea, I’m just overthinking

Sorry for waking you up so early

No, it's okay, don’t be sorry I’m glad you woke me up, now I can keep you company while you wait for your parents

Do you wanna call?

Is it fine if we just continue messaging?

It’s not because I don’t wanna call, it’s just my throat feels really tight.

Okay no problem, that’s completely fine

Can you do me a favour?

Yea?

Please take a few deep breaths

Okay

How does that feel?

A lot better, my throat doesn’t feel so tight anymore

Okay good

Hey I’ve gotta go, somebody is at the door

I'll message you as soon as I’m done checking who it is

Take a bat with you for safety

Will do- I’m already holding it

Ok cool, keep me updated

My phone begins to ring a few minutes later after my conversation with Sasha.

I answer it quickly as soon as I notice the caller is Sasha!

“The- they’re gone” she cries out into the phone.

I can hear her pain as she tries to get her words to form a sentence her voice cracking each time.

“They were in the ACCIDENT” she screams out

“I’m so sorry Sasha” my voice a bit tight, feeling absolutely useless with not being able to console my friend and taking away her pain!

“I’m on my way” are my final words to her as I hang up.

I rush frantically to put on my shoes and run downstairs

Before leaving I leave a note to mum and Apollo explaining what has happened.

And I rush outside and jump on my bike, speeding my way toward Sasha’s house.

I see police vehicles leaving her house as I reach her driveway and start to run inside her house.

“Sasha” I run up to her and engulf her in my biggest bear hug ever.

“I’m here, it’s gonna be okay,” I say to her as I hug her tightly allowing her tears to flow into my pajama shirt.

“It hurts so bad,” she cries out into my shirt as I rub her back.

“I know- I know I can’t make it better or take away the pain, but I'm here for you” I hold back any tears as I try to be strong for her.

“I’ll always be here for you” are the last words I say as we stand there for a few minutes allowing the tears to fall momentarily.

It’s been a few hours since Sasha received tragic news about her parents and I’ve managed to get her to fall asleep.

I don’t wanna wake her up just yet; I don’t want her to have to face this horrible reality.

My phone starts to vibrate and I answer it quickly, not wanting to wake Sasha up.

“Hey, is everything okay,” Apollo asks sounding empathetic.

“For, now” I whisper back, my throat feeling so tight from seeing my friend in so much pain.

“Why are you whispering,” he asks

“Because she's asleep now and I don’t want to wake her up” I respond softly

“Oh, okay, sorry that was a dumb question from me” he whispers back

“No it's okay” you're just concerned that’s all.

“How are you doing with everything,” he asks

“Apollo” my voice cracks slightly, “ I don’t know what to do, I don’t want her to hurt, I just don’t know how I can make her feel better” I whisper back as a tear slides down my face.

“There’s nothing you can do to make any of this feel better” he sighs, “all you can do is be there for her and just trust that she’ll make it through this like the warrior she is” he says trying to comfort me.

“Okay, thank you for that”

“Anytime sis, by the way, do you have any idea by what time you’ll be home?” he questions.

“I don’t know, ill probably be here a bit longer to comfort her when she wakes up” I reply softly

“No, that’s not exactly what I meant, you'll both be coming home” he sounds almost as if it’s a command

“Really, thank you” my voice more at ease knowing that I won’t have to leave her later today.

“Just message me when you’re on your way back home” he states.

“Okay, I will, talk to you then” I reply back before I hung up.

I look down at Sasha as her head lies softly on my lap and her tear-stained face is all puffy, having managed to cry herself to sleep.

I slightly graze my fingers on hair amber hair, as my thoughts run wild on what to do next.

She moves slightly and slowly opens her eyes.

She goes still for a brief moment as if recapping the events earlier in the morning.

“Anastasia” her voice sounding hoarse.

“Yeah” I whisper back.

“Please don’t leave me” her eyes withholding a tear as her mouth quivers ever so slightly.

“I won’t, I promise” I grip her tightly allowing her to know that she's stuck with me.

“Thank you” she lies still.

After a few minutes of silence, I tell her that she’s going to be coming home with me.

And she starts to sit up, allowing me to get off the couch.

I walk toward her room and stop briefly, checking if she has followed me, but instead, she sits quietly on the couch with her overwhelming thoughts floating in her head.

I don’t plan on asking her to follow me and help me pack some clothes, instead, I let her sit with her thoughts, allowing her some space to breathe and let her feel her emotions.

I open her closet and get a backpack and stuff as many clothes and underwear as possible.

Once the bag is to its full capacity I head back to where Sasha is sitting and I tap her on her shoulder softly, “you ready to go”

She looks at me and nods.

I quickly message Apollo, letting him know that we’re on our way home.

The drive back home I deliberately made slow allowing the fresh air to hit our skin.

As we got home Apollo and mum had already been waiting in the lounge with a big cup of warm hot chocolate ready for Sasha and I.

“Ah honey I’m so sorry” my mum hugs Sasha tightly as she consoles her for her loss.

Apollo and I just stand there awkwardly not knowing what to do and neither of us having the right words to use.

Mum beckons us to all take a seat as she has some news for Sasha.

“I know I should probably let you get some rest, but I think what I have to say for you may ease your mind,” mum says as she holds Sashas' hand.

Sasha just nods at my mum's words.

“Sasha honey, I know this is hard” she pauses, “but hopefully this can make it a bit better”

“You might already know this, but I’m just confirming it with you” she pauses again, “your parents left me as your guardian and I don’t want you to stress now, as you won't have to worry about moving to any other family relative”, she pauses and looks at me and back to Sasha, “unless you would rather live with your family members, I don’t want you to feel like you're forced to live here, because you do have a choice” she ends her sentence as she waits for a response from Sasha.

“No, of course I want to live here, you guys are my family” she exclaims.