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Striderlicious - Bro Strider — Description
I don't really know why I went back to the playground today. All it brought me was tears and memories. Those years spent playing the stupidest games were all I ever thought about anymore.
"Piper! Look at me! I'm a freakin SUPERHERO!"
Those days that I didn't do my homework because I wanted to play instead seemed closer than before. It was almost like I was reliving the moments I held so close. Childhood was so fleeting. I hope I spent it well.
There were two little girls playing while I visited. They were so much like the two of us...
"You can't climb all the way up there!"
"Of course I can! Watch me!"
I can't accept that those days are gone now. That she's gone now.
How long has it been since that day? Since I got the call that crushed my dreams...?
"Is this Mrs. Harris?"
My suspicions were raised immediately."Yes, why?"
"Your friend Josephine Kidwell has been involved in a car accident. She's here at Eastern Hospital right now. I'm sorry...so sorry, they've only given her a few more hours to live."
Time froze in that moment. Not Joey. She couldn't die! What about all that we had talked about? The future and our plans... They meant nothing now.
"Hello?"
I hung up and rushed to the hospital. I got her room number when I went through. My heart was pounding like mad. She would be okay. We had been through hel* and back. Something like this couldn't take her. The sight that met my eyes when I entered the room horrified me. All the blood. All the brokeness.
"J-Joey?"I murmured. Was she even awake?
"Took you long enough. These fuvkers are saying I've only got a few hours left. I was afraid you wouldn't make it."She replied quietly.
"But you're going to live so much longer than that! You've been through much worse..."But I was lying. I knew she was going to die.
"I don't think so. John was here a few minutes ago, but he started sobbing and they had to take him outside for moment. What a wuss!"She managed a laugh, though it hurt her.
"You know he's just worried about you,"I took a seat next to the bed. She was in so much pain... I could see it in her eyes.
"I guess so, but gosh, can't he calm down?"Joey smiled a little.
Oh my gog. Her smile. I was going go miss it so much. All of her snarky remarks about everything.
"Do something for me, will you? Tell Gamzee that he's still my blood brother and that he made my life so much better. And make sure Karkat knows that I still really hate him. Wait, no. Tell Karkat that I love him. Just this once won't hurt. And tell John that I'm sorry I'm missing our wedding. It would've been beautiful..."
My tears started to flow."You really know that this is it, don't you?"
"Of course."She seemed so calm about it all.
"....why did you have to go and do this? I can't live without you!"I reached out and took her hand in mine."You're my best friend. I need you here with me."
"But that's just it. You can, Piper. And...my time has come. There was nothing I could do to change it."She whispered, holding as tight as she could.
"Please don't go..."
"I'm sorry. I'd love to stay for a while longer. There's so many things we wanted to do... Now we'll never know. It's okay though. Because you'll move on. From me...from everything."
"But I- oh no. NO!"Her breathing was getting weaker. I wanted so much to stop this.
"Haha...you know, I didn't want to die...this way... I wanted to die to save someone like Kanaya died to protect you that night. But this...it's so pathetic...AH! But it still hurts...like a bitgh."She shuddered, going limp."See you...around, Piper. I love you..."
I'd like to say she lived. That she braved through it. But I can't lie. She died holding my hand on May 5th at 3:57 PM. John came back a moment later. He wanted to say that he loved her one more time and never got to. We sobbed in eachother's arms for what seemed like hours.
"She w-wanted me to tell you she's s-sorry that she's missing the wedding. She said it would've been beautiful."I finally managed to talk again.
"Sure wouldve been. I can see her now, half tripping down the isle and cursing every time she slips."He smiled through tears, staring intently at her engagement ring.
"What a sight!"I laughed just thinking of it.
I never got over it like she would have wanted. But I did go on. I finished all the pictures she had watched me start to paint and then give up on. I got a new job as an artist because that's what my dream was. I think she's proud.
I went to her grave after the playground. I talked for a while, even if I looked crazy. I told her all about the things I had done."John is doing well. I told Karkat and Gamzee what you wanted me to. They were devastated, but I'm glad that they know how you felt. Your father came to your funeral. And your mother, too. They had her under close watch but she was there. I'm sure Lizzie is doing fine up there with you. Don't wake the neighbors with the arguing! John wears your ring on a chain now. He played at your funeral. A song you had written. It was beautiful. We had s ceremony afterwords, like a mock wedding. He gave you his vows to always be with you in spirit. The whole thing was amazing. Oh, no.. I've gotta go. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay? I've got an art show tonight! Be rooting for me!"I waved goodbye and rushed off.

"Good luck, Piper! You were always so talented, I know you can do it!"
I imagine her being there. And maybe she was. I'll never know, but it's fine. She will always be with me in my heart, however cliche it sounds. Josephine Ann Kidwell, my best friend. She wasnt just the girl who died at 25 that was in the news. She was someone's love, my sole comfort and possibly the craziest person ever to walk on earth.
And I didn't even say goodbye.