I didn't want this day to happen.
It's the day of her wake.
Tomorrow's the funeral.
The first time I'm going to see her body after the incident.
My mom and I get out of the car.
We were one of the first one's there.
Her parents were by the casket.
Her grandma had flew in from Mexico.
I walked up to the coffin.
There she was.
Her hair was wavy and pulled back into a bow.
Her eyes were closed, showing off her beautifully done makeup.
The thing that got me the most was she was in her prom dress.
It was maroon and strapless.
It stopped before her knee.
I blinked tears away.
I looked at what was tucked under her arm.
It was my hoodie.
"We hope you don't mind." Her mom said.
"Not at all." I said letting the tears run down my face.
I was glad a piece of me was going to be buried with her.
The room started filling up.
Family members and people from school.
My English teacher was there.
He gathered her friends and I.
"You guys were always the closest with her," he said, "you guys should know this." He said taking in a breath.
"I overheard the principal saying they were going to try to take Ashley out of the yearbook." He said.
"They can't do that!" Her best friend exclaimed about to cry.
"I know. The vice principal put a stop to it. I couldn't help but interject myself." He said.
"What did you say?" I asked.
"If you take her out, you're going to have to find another English teacher." He said.
I was happy to hear he was on our team.
"I need you," he said pointing to her best friend, "to possibly interrupt the graduation ceremony." He said.
"What? Why me?" She asked.
"Cause they may not call her name or do anything to acknowledge her. And you're loud." He said.
She giggled nervously.
"If they don't acknowledge her, you can count on me to call her name." I said.
