"Hurry up Kayla."

"I'm coming. I'm coming, Emalin."

I shut the door behind me, trotting down the stone path through the yard. I held my hand up to visor over my eyes, glancing up to the sky. The sunlight beamed down on me, feeling like I would become blinded if I stayed lingering any longer.

Emalin danced her way around the car, singing along to the lyrics blaring from her phone. She paused beside the driver's seat, staring at me in the middle of the pathway, a blank face washing over her.

"You know, I really am grateful towards you, Kayla." Emalin grinned, the curves of her mouth barely turning.

I felt somber intent behind her smile.

"You don't have to be grateful, just because I'm helping you pick out your wedding dress doesn't mean this is the last time we will be together."

I dismissed the thought entirely.

I continued down the broken stones, making my way into the back of the car. I plopped myself directly in the middle, locking the elastic belt over my lap.

Emalin entered after, readying herself up in the driver's seat.

"Seatbelt!"

"Done!" I saluted.

Emaline glanced back at me with a scowl. Furrowing her eyebrows into my eyes, it was impossible not to laugh. She looked down at my lap and smiled, turning around with light taps on the steering wheel.

"On we go!" She yelled in a playful tone.

The car stuttered when she turned the key.

click

Stutter.

click

Stuttered once more.

click

The engines roared, coughing out into a running start.

"How much longer before you buy something that…works?"

"You are overreacting." Emalin drove onto the street, roughly scraping the road. "I've had this baby ever since I learned how to maneuver a vehicle, I can't just abandon it now."

I rolled my eyes from the annoying over-sentimental part of hers that would hoard useless pieces of junk over the years. Throw it out lady! I've seen your unfinished knitting, you will drown in your own possessions.

We came to a halt before a traffic light, not another vehicle beside our own.

"So what kind of dress do you have in mind?"

"Something not too showy, but I do love flower decor!" Emalin exclaimed.

"How about, hmm… ruffles! You like ruffles?"

"That's being too showy!"

"Well, all dresses basically have ruffles. What kind of bride doesn't like a little fluff." I leaned forward, smirking beside her face.

The light flickered green.

The car sputtered, snailing forward.

I stared, glancing out the window past my cousin.

It’s fast.

Screeching towards us with ferocious speed.

"Emalin!" I screamed.

It was too late.

Her goofy smile blurred between my squinted eyes.

Fading.

She knew it was coming.

Giving her final goodbye.

"I really am, so grateful."

The PA speakers buzzed, an automated voice coming on.

"Visiting hours are now over, please make your way out the rooms."

The emergency sign flashed off over the room, but I shuffled out into the hall. I clutched at the lower part of my gown, hair overhanging the bandages wrapped around my forehead

"Kayla, we have to go." Mother rubbed her hand on my back, softening her voice with every word.

I shook my head in protest.

"I want to stay." I couldn't control it.

"Bu-"

"Let me stay! Please!"

I pleaded to her, blurring in vision when I looked up.

"It's my fault… It's all my fault!"

The tears cascaded down my face like a waterfall.

Mother leveled her sight with me, grasping at my shoulders.

"Honey, you've been blaming yourself for the past three days… it will never be your fault, no matter how many times you claim it to be."

"But…what do I do!"

"Nothing. She will make it back to us either way, I promise dear."

She kissed me on the forehead and pushed me along slightly from the back. We made our way into the general patients room, void of anyone else inside.

I slid in between the covers of the farthest white bed, turning to lay on my stomach. I dug my hands deep under the pillow and buried my face under the sheets. Shutting my eyes from the reality of the world.

Let me die.

The white space enveloped me once more. I closed my eyes, focusing on the orchid fields.

"Kay? You're here unexpectedly."

I opened my eyes to orchids mixed with daisies wallowing under my feet. The familiar scent lingered under my nose, taking a big sniff of the air.

Grandpop and Granny faded into vision, a look of confusion visible on their faces.

I thought I could handle it.

My smile wavered, the loud wailing I once did as a kid now made its appearance after so long.

"Kayla dear, it's okay."

Granny shuffled over the field, embracing me warmly within her wrinkled arms.

"She'll be fine here."

Those words caught me off-guard. I pushed her gently, looking at her with the worst fear crossing through my mind.Behind her stood a blurry image. Wearing a sleek white dress with ruffles on the ends. I focused on the image, becoming clearer by the second.

"No, no, no!" I gasped, weakly walking towards her.

Standing with a white dress on with the ruffles puddling below her. An unfinished flower crown half visible on her head.

"I told you didn't I? How much I loved flowers."

The oh so familiar voice rang in my head as echoes. I made my way closer to her, grasping onto the ruffles on her shoulders.

"You…You said you didn't like ruffles. What is this? What are you wearing!"

"Hmm, I had a change of heart? Something like that." Emalin chuckled, combing through the back of my hair in gentle strokes.

I punched her softly on the shoulder, tears not ceasing to stop.

"You were supposed to be at my wedding…Why are you here. Why are you selfish when I agreed to come to yours?" I wavered with each syllable.

"You're getting married? To who? Is it Alice?"

"Stop it! I'm being serious.."

The soft punches turned into a flurry. I swear I'm not weak, it's just that she is inhumanely strong.

"Well when you do get married to whoever regretfully catches your eye, pick the dress of my choosing."

"…No ruffles?"

"Hm, hm. We shall see when the time comes. Now go, you've been in here for too long."

"But it's fine right? Let me just stay here forever!"

Emalin scowled at me once again, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Kayla."

"Yes?"

"Breakfast is ready."

Snap