Twenty One

She curled up in a ball, taking quick short breaths and convincing herself she wouldn't cry. She wasn't the type to cry but it hurt so much. She felt like a failure. Guilt combined with fear and self pity weighed her down. Her eyes swam with tears and she squeezed them shut, in the hopes of stopping them. Yet they still flowed down her cheeks, wetting the pillow she was lying on. If they'd left earlier, this wouldn't have happened. She regretted all the mean things she'd told Twila. At the time, they sounded logical to her. Clarisse couldn't understand why Twila was hurt when she was only speaking the truth. But now she did and she was so sorry she hadn't apologized. She regretted not caring for the only person she had. 

They'd grown up together. Ever since she could remember, Twila was always there. As if the universe was compensating her for taking away her parents. Her mean words and standoffish manner didn't deter Twila from trying to make friends with