Prologue

I’m melting! It’s so hot! This year’s summer season is by far the worst that I have ever experienced. I look back to check on my best friend, who’s too busy looking at her phone. She’s walking slowly because of it.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked when she started grinning from ear to ear. 

“It got delivered,” she answered as she put her phone in her blouse pocket.

“What did you order this time?”

“My book!” She answered happily as she jumped happily to be on my side.

“You bought another book? I thought you’re saving up some money.” 

“No! No! This was the reason I was saving up. And the book that arrived home is my self-published book!”

That made me stop as I said, “You publish your book? Wait, since when did you finish it?”

I know she’s been writing something since she has a notebook for it. Yes, a hand-written story. I’m quite surprised, actually. Not just because she’s writing a fiction story, but also because it’s a handwritten one!

“Yes! I finished it last month, and then I started drafting it on my tablet at the beginning of this month.”

“That’s great, but why did you suddenly publish it? I mean, how did someone discover it? Did you post it online?”

She shook her head and said, “Nope, there’s no online copy. After writing the draft of it in my notebook, I started working on the soft copy. Then, my favorite publishing house suddenly put up a notice of discounted self-published books! I saved up for it since it’s not just the printing cost; I also need help in proofreading and book cover making.” 

“Okay. So, where can I buy it?” 

She stared at me. “You can’t buy it.”

I frown. “Why?”

“I only publish one copy.” She then started walking again after saying that.

But, what? Only one copy? I run towards her and match her walking pace. 

“What do you mean by only one copy? After all the expenses and work, you only publish one copy?”

“I didn’t write it for others to read. And I only publish it because I want to feel the hard copy of it. As simple as that.”

“Still, it’s a shame. I can’t buy one.” 

“As if you’re going to read it. If you buy one, you’ll probably just put it on the shelf for it to collect dust.” 

“I’m not into reading books, but it’s your work, so of course I’ll give it a shot.” 

She stops walking and looks at me straight in the eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” 

A smile suddenly forms in her mouth. “Then I’ll get the copy from my house, then bring it to your house after!” 

“Just bring it to school tomorrow.”

“No way! Last time I bought a book with me, one of our classmates borrowed it and then returned it in a trash state,” she said bitterly. She’s still upset about it. It's not a surprise since it’s her precious possession. And if I remember it clearly, it’s also a book she ordered from an international online bookstore. 

“Then, are you sure it’s okay to lend it to me?”

“It’s you, so, of course!” 

“If you say so,” I said as I shrugged.

We walked past the school gate.  We bid farewell, as the tricycle lane where I will ride is just outside the gate. For her, she needs to cross the street first. 

“I’ll bring it later.” 

“Okay, I’ll wait.” I don’t think she’ll ever agree to bringing another book in school aside from her textbooks. 

We wave and smile at one another. She started crossing the streets while I went in front of the tricycle to inform the driver where to drop me off. 

I covered my ears after a loud and deafening squeaking sound covered the entire area. It was followed by loud screams. I slowly turn my head around, hands still covering my ears, to see where those sounds came from.

I felt the air leaving my body when I saw the white blouse and sky blue skirt of my best friend turn a bloody red color.

July 7, 20XX

My best friend died when a van ran over her.