Eighteen

Dakota

I whisked Sara away and we raced into the house, giggling and laughing so hard that tears filled my eyes

"This is all your fault," I playfully pointed at her and collapsed on the sofa. "I'm never listening to you again. I'd rather poke my eye out."

"It was fun," Sara broke into a light-hearted giggle, throwing her head back. The joy in the air was still so real that I couldn't believe I'd laugh this hard after the misfortune that befell me.

As if Sara could read my mind, she gave me a sympathetic look. My laughter dwindled and I sighed.

"It's good to see you laugh again. Refreshing even," Sara smiled at me tenderly. "it's like you're a new person."

She sat beside me and I took both her hands in mine, staring at our joined fingers. They were beautiful, with perfectly round, smooth nails and soft pink skin.

"I wish…this would last..." She said quietly, and I let go of her hands. She got on her feet and returned with a cup of water.

Sipping it, I had flashbacks of my d