There are so many words I never got to say, so many laughs I never got to share, so many unsmoked cigarettes in my pack. If you were still around, I would tell you how when you walked in a room, everyone noticed. Not only because you’re gorgeous, or that you were bronzed and tall, not only because your hair was long and golden, but because you had a presence that everyone couldn’t help but notice, and your smile was contagious. Although we were never really close, I’ll miss meeting you quickly before class to get our nicotine, many times missing the first bell. I’ll miss helping you with your Spanish homework (or sometimes just doing it for you) every fifth period.

I loved how although you had many reasons to hate me, you were NEVER rude. You were such a good friend to those you were close to, and such an amazing person to anyone and everyone who deserved it. Although I do not believe in God, you were an angel in the flesh. I don’t know if I’ll ever see beauty that pure, inside and out, ever again; and if I do, there might very well be a Heaven.

There are so many words I never got to say. I wish I could have explained how much you were loved by all you knew. I wish I could tell you that every time I was with him, he was talking about you and how much he loved you. Though, above all, I wish I got to tell you that I’m here for you. I wish I could have told you not to. I wish I could have told you that things will get better, even though I’m not sure if that is true. I wish I could have told you that everything will be alright, even though right now, things are far from that. It has only been three months, but I wish you knew how much we all think about you. There have been so many situations where you have been brought up. I wish I could have told you that no one ever has a bad thing to say about you. I wish you knew that every time the sun is shining, we’re thinking “Thank you, Sydney”.

I wish I could explain how you made me not hate all the preppy girls in middle school, because even in middle school Spanish you would talk and hangout with me. Tu era bonita, fuerte, y maravilla. Ojala donde alguna vez tu estas, sea alegra porque tu te mereces todos que tu quieres en todo el mundo.

I wish there were no such things as guns. I wish I could tell you how much your friends needed you, and how everyone’s falling to pieces without you around. I wish you knew how many people you touched, young and old. You’re an amazing individual, and remember, I’ll always be here if you need help with Spanish.

Heather, age 16