Alone

Emily was a straight-A student, one of the top GPA’s in her class, and was well know and liked throughout her school. She had many friends, and was quite popular with the guys. She had shoulder length hair that bounced as she cheerfully walked throughout the halls with her group of other beauty queen friends. Her light blue eyes twinkled at every smile her perfectly curved lips would make.

Emily's best friend was Jessica but everyone would call her Jessie. Jessie had another group of friends quite different from Emily's. Her friends were into a lot of drugs and alcohol but didn't care a whole lot about where, and if, they went to college. Despite the difference between the two groups, Emily and Jessica managed to work around it, and were quite close. One days things changed dramatically after an incident that could change their lives forever.

It all started when Jessica asked Emily to go to a party her friends were going to. After refusing several times, Emily said okay, figuring it couldn't be all that bad. The bell rang, and school was out; Emily went home, took a shower, and got ready for the party

The party was at a club over by the apartment buildings Jessie lived in. When she arrived, there was bad music, bright lights, and alcohol around. She spotted Jessie and her friends over by the stage where a live band was performing and walked over to them.

Jered McKain, who was class president and captain of the football team, asked Emily to dance. She accepted, but before long Jered and his friends pulled out cocaine and offered it to her as well. She refused over and over again, but they forced her so much she felt uncomfortable, and finally gave in. After the first time, she began doing it over and over again. She was now high, and began to feel dizzy. Every thing appeared as if it was spinning, and she passed out.

As Emily awoke and opened her eyes, she was staring into those of Jered. She felt light-headed and dizzy and like she was going to throw up. The night before was now a blur to her, and all she could remember was loud music and bright lights. She got out of bed and ran to the bathroom, grabbing her clothes she had found scattered around the room. She rinsed her face and threw her clothes on. She walked out of the bathroom grabbed her purse and quickly ran out of the room, ignoring the look of confusion and amusement on Jereds face.

When Emily got home, her parents asked where she had been, and claimed they were worried about her. Off the top of her head, she came up with the excuse that she had fallen asleep on a friend's couch and hadn't realized it until she woke up. Obviously, her parents bought it as if they didn't care either way.

She ran up to her room and called Jessie's number. No one answered, so she called Tina, one of the girls at the party, looking for an explanation to the night before.Tina answered the phone, obviously being woken up. She said that Emily and Jered had disappeared about an hour before the rest of them had left. Emily didn't tell her about this morning and wasn't about to, she was embarrassed and afraid of how the others would think of her irresponsibility.

Over the next two weeks Emily felt sick and rotten, having been so humiliated. Many things raced through her mind, and she thought the worst and took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. Emily was shocked; she had no idea how to break it to her family and friends. She decided to come clean with everyone, hoping to gain support from them. After her parents explained they were too busy at the time, she turned to her friends. She invited Tina and Jessie over and 25 minutes later they both showed up. It took half an hour to get the whole story out, with sobs of fear and loneliness.

Time could never heal this wound because she had the rest of her life to deal with it. As the days went on, Emily's friends slowly disappeared. Even Jessie was making excuses not to hang out with her. As usual, her parents paid no attention to her. Her whole life was falling apart. Her grades were dropping, she had no one to go to, and she couldn't possibly think about raising a child.

One rainy day while her parents were out for the day, Emily laid in bed all morning, sobbing to herself. She was scared and alone in the world. She went to her parents bedroom and got into her father's closet; Emily took out a small handgun and brought it back to her room. She pulled out some good stationary and began to write a note.

Dear Mom, Dad and friends,The pressures of having a baby are too extreme for me to handle by myself. I had no support from you or any one else. My friends turned on me when I needed them the most, leaving me with no one else to turn to. If I lived to raise this baby I would fear their health and security. A 16-year-old can’t give a child the love and support it needs and also continue high school, go to college and obtain a career. My life up to now has been filled with love and joy, but if I had to sit and watch my world fall apart right before my eyes, then its no use. I am not strong enough to deal with so many struggles any more. Maybe when I’m gone you will realize the wonderful friend, daughter and companion you have lost who loved you all so deeply. I will always love you. Love always, Emily

She placed the letter on her desk and picked up six red roses. She stood at the end of the bed, made her final decision, and pulled the trigger.

Emily's body was found six hours after her death. Her parents came home and called for her. After no answer, they decided to go to her room. They walked in and saw her on the bed with a gunshot wound. After reading the suicide note, her mother fell to her knees and began crying. Phone calls were made to friends and family about the tragedy. The funeral was held the following week, in which many students and teachers at Madison High School attended.

Emily Nielson would always be in their hearts and remembered and appreciated by all her classmates, teachers, and family. Maybe now Emily would get the life and attention she always deserved.