It was late as Kaya walked down the path through the park her and Jo always did on their way back from school. The definition of a best friend has always been obscured with different people, but Kaya knew that their definition was what everyone strived for. As she walked down the path she remembered all the times her best friend and she had. From skipping class, helping each other through break ups, shitty parents, and getting drunk for the first time. Memories that’s all they were and all they ever would be now.
She was reaching the end of the path now, an opening that led to a sidewalk and street, where the accident happened. There she saw Jo facing away from her.
“Yo Jo!” Jo turned at the sound of her name. “Kaya.” she said with a sad smile on her face. Kaya looked at Jo’s face. She looked like hell. Her skin was deathly pale, as if she had gotten little to no sun and she was way too skinny.
“You know if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were close to your death bed.” Kaya joked although the smile on her face didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“True. I’ve seen better days. Most of them were with you.” Kaya’s smile fell from her face and an air of seriousness descended around them.
“You look good though, is it that much easier without me?”
Kaya didn’t know how to respond to that. Each year after the accident Jo seemed to be getting worse, more depressed. Kaya knew what she needed to do but that didn’t mean she wanted to though.
“You know that’s not true I miss you as much as you miss me.” Out of habit she took a deep breath. "This is the last time Jo. You need to move on and seeing each other every year is keeping you from doing so. You need to let go. Let go of me, of what happened and move on.”
Jo began to cry. “I can’t! Can’t you see that? How can I?” Kaya stepped back at her outburst as Jo continued, almost frantic. “It’s like I lost a limb, we grew up together did everything together. I don’t want to let go.” She almost whispered the last part.
Kaya watched as tears streamed down Jo’s face but she could see behind the frantic behavior, that in her friends grief filled eyes that she knew she was right.
“I won’t ever forget you Jo but I can’t let you waste away like this.” Jo fell to her knees, breathless, knowing it was done.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I miss you so much.” Jo looked up at Kaya. She hadn’t aged a day past 18 while she, now 23, looked like she was well into her 30’s. Kaya didn't want to prolong this any longer than she had to. She turned to walk back down the path but stopped mid step and took one last look at Jo.
“I miss you too, always will Jo, and I’m sorry I couldn't stay. Goodbye.”
With that she turned away. Jo looked on at her best friend as she walked away and slowly disappeared for the last time.