Reprinted with permission from Brunswick County Early College High School’s The Firebird Times.

I met this girl in high school

We talked about a lot of things

We instantly connected

One day she said “I’ll always love you, here and thereafter”

I smiled, said it back,

And hugged her for a long time

We were always going to be together

Second year of school came around

It was pretty hard on her

She was failing

Mentally and physically

It got to a point where she looked like she had fully given up

I stayed with her through it all though

Because she’s my best friend

A time came where she sat with me and said she’s near death’s door, and laughed

I said nothing

She looked at me and with a sad smile,

She said “I’ll miss you”

I smiled and said it back

“We’ll always love each other here and thereafter”

We crossed our pinky fingers over each other

Nothing would get in the way of us

Not her school life getting better

Not even her death before my eyes

Because even if she’s gone

In my heart, 

We’ll always love each other

Here and thereafter