Weight

A voice—familiar and urgent—calls her name. Alexis. Her best friend. Her lifeline.

"Stay with me, Naomi! Help is coming!"

Darkness tugs at her, but she fights it. Memories push through the haze, pulling her back to a different summer. A different night.

Lemonade. The annual summer social event. The air was thick with laughter, the scent of grilled food, and the tart sweetness of freshly squeezed lemonade. She and Alexis had arrived together, weaving through a crowd of mutual friends and old classmates.

And then she saw him. Camden. A friend of a friend, standing just off to the side, drink in hand, smiling at something someone said. When their eyes met, something shifted. He introduced himself with an easy confidence, his voice warm and inviting. They talked—really talked—and before the night ended, he had her number. Within twenty-four hours, he had the first date planned.

Naomi was wearing a white short set, her hair blonde at the time, pressed and flowing down her shoulders. She felt effortlessly confident, the summer air warm against her skin as she laughed and moved through the crowd. Camden was flirting hard, his charm undeniable, and Naomi couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear. Their banter was quick, witty, and playful, each teasing remark met with an easy laugh. It was the kind of connection that felt instant, electric.

Camden wore a pinstripe shirt, the fabric hugging his frame just right. A gold chain rested against his collarbone, catching the summer light as he moved, and a matching gold bracelet gleamed on his wrist. His hair was cut low, neat and sharp, but what stood out the most were his eyes—bright, engaging—and that smile, the kind that could make anyone feel like the center of his world.

That was the day she knew he was different.

And now, as the world fades, she wonders if she'll ever get the chance to tell him.

She wanted to stay in that moment forever—to cling to the laughter, the warmth, the way Camden looked at her like she was the only one in the world. But reality was cruel, and as the present bled into the past, her body gave in. Naomi let go.

Alexis's breath caught in her throat as the monitors erupted into chaos. "No, no, no! Naomi, stay with me!" she cried, her hands trembling as she pressed harder against the wound, willing her best friend to fight. Paramedics swarmed around them, pushing Alexis back, but she refused to move. Tears streamed down her face as she watched, helpless, as the fight slipped from Naomi’s body.