9:27 a.m.

Dear Diary,

Today is the anniversary of my best friend's murder. Sarai... Her birthday. She would have been 22. She was so perfect and innocent. Her pearly white smile always managed to turn my frown around. Her sense of humor always managed to turn any situation into a riot. The smooth, gentle touch of her chocolate brown skin always managed to dry my tears.

But now she's gone, and I don't have the strength to wipe my own eyes.

I stomped down the staircase and swung open the basement door.

I felt rage slowly begin to replace my sadness. Arms folded, I shuffled over to the corner and glared at my hard work.

"Hello." I said to it. It looked up at me with weak, crying eyes. Eyes that I'd had literally moments ago.

"Let me go, dickweed." It replied.

I laughed out loud. Who does it think it is?

"Oh, be careful, Jessica. I wouldn't talk to me like that if I were you. Especially after all the things you put me through."

It smiled back at me and leaned forward. "You. Don't. Own. Me." It seethed.

I laughed even harder. It was so stupid!

"Of course I own you! You're the one chained to my basement wall."

It growled and slumped back in it's chair.

"Not for long." It mumbled. But I heard it clearly.

"Excuse me?"

It didn't respond this time. I turned back to it and stared into it's evil, decietful eyes.

"Not for long, you say. Not for long. You wouldn't have to be here at all. But YOU killed her! YOU ruined my life. And YOU. WILL. PAY."

I screamed at her, voice trembling and tears streaming down my face.

"HOW DARE Y--" *SLAP*

The red mark on my ex-girlfriend's cheek practically glowed in the darkness as she'd tried to backtalk me.

As I slowly lowered my stinging hand, I grinned.

"That..." I started. "That is what you did to me...from the inside out."
*****
4:29 p.m.

I'm flipping through t.v. channels while eating mac n cheese. It was Sarai's recipe. Black people seem to make the best mac n cheese.

I remember where she sat on my couch. She sat near the edge so she could lean on me. But my feet were propped on where she usually lay.

I moved them out of respect. I removed the roses from the vase near me and placed them there. Roses were her favorite...especially white ones.

I have to admit. I was in love with her. Jessica was catching on to that. But killing her was a bit much, don't you think?

The now empty bowl was propped on my chest. Sports commentators voices faded away in the background. I shut my eyes and tried to think of her before she started being stalked by my bitter ex. She was always so happy.
I thought of that one time we went to Disney World, and we waited in line for Space Mountain for two whole hours. But she made it some of the best two hours of my life. The actual ride was just a cherry on top.
I thought of that one time we went to Clearwater Beach, and she asked me to put on sunscreen, but I never burned, so I didn't. The next day, I was red from head to toe. Instead of saying 'I told you so', she took care of me for hours, rubbing me with aloe and keeping me company.
I thought of that one time we went to the mall and I was short a few dollars so she graciously gave me her money. It was all she had left.

As I thought of the good memories, I couldn't help but think of the worst one of all.

"Come on, Mitch! We're gonna be late!" Sarai yelled, waving my keys in the air.
It was her birthday and I had spoiled her the whole day. But now I was going to take her to a nightclub since she was now officially 21 and could drink.
"Okay, okay. Just give me a sec. Start the car." I said, unaware that those last three words would be the last spoken to her.

I heard the car rumble. It wouldn't start. I noticed something strange underneath the car. Then just as I realized what was happening, it was too late.

The dark sky was awoken with a fatal explosion. My car erupted in flames, and Sarai was inside.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!" I'd screamed, and ran back down My driveway, blinded by tears. But from what I could see, Jessica stood on the other side.

"Now you only have one girlfriend."
*****
3:25 a.m.
I've just snapped out of my nightmare. That same dream...every night...ever since it happened.

The dream of what I just described to you. Sarai's death. Very vivid. Every detail, from the amount of stars in the sky to the black eye shadow she wore.

Now that I think about it, I think the bomb Jessica planted underneath my car was meant to kill both of us. She couldn't have known that I wouldn't be in the car when it was going to be started. But...what if she did...?
I'd fallen asleep on the couch. Wait...what time even is it? I guess ill check the clock...
It's 3 am.

I'm going to go back to sleep now, since there's no point in staying awake. Well...I should probably feed Jessica.

You know what?
Nah.
She can wait.