She stood silently and clothed in black. The winter’s wind blew her black silk dress as she clenched herself tightly with a heavy knitted sweater. I watched flurries cling on the top of her dark straight hair like powder sugar. My eyes fell to her pale white face. Her eyes were glossy like glass and her pink pale lips trembled with hurt. I saw the rivers of her tears run down her face. They were the tears of my friend Lily Saunders.
I stomped slowly through the dusty snow to plant myself beside her. I slowly put my arm around her small figure and gently rubbed her back. Lily needed all the comfort she could get.
Along with other people that were faces of friends and strangers, we stood in the center of a cemetery with sorrow. We were attending a funeral. A blanket of snow laid underneath our feet as the sky stayed clear, but grey. Gravestones were frosted with heaps of snow. There was only one pile of brown dirt from a newly dug out ditch that will sonly be filled again.

I starred in the direction Lily’s eyes focused on. She starred at a dark brown polish casket. The thought of who laid dead in the casket brought the rush of tears to Lily’s eyes. The body that lay in the casket was Lyndsey Gamble… And Lyndsey Gamble was Lily’s best friend.
A couple of weeks ago, Lyndsey had been murdered. The girl who has everything had lost everything. She was smart, nice, and successful. The event was the town’s tragedy of the century; a high school girl was found dead in a storm drain. She had been stabbed to death with a knife multiple of times. Her lifeless body lay in a blanket of lilies, blood stained sheet music, and Reese’s Pieces. The police have not caught the murderer, and the case is still pending.
When the casket was being lowered into its grave, Lily turned to me with watery eyes, “Michael?”
I looked down at her beautiful and innocent face, our eyes looked immediately.
“It’s true to be careful what you wish for, I guess,” she whispered quietly.
“What on earth do you mean by that?” I asked with a serious tone.

Lily bit her bottom lip, “It’s my fault that she is dead. I wished for Lyndsey to die…And now she’s dead! It’s entirely my fault…”

I shook my head as I moved my hand that rested on her back to hold her soft and cold hands. My free hand pulled her to face me and I cupped her angelic face. My face came closer to her, making our noses almost touch. She could feel my warm breathes. I gasped, “It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is!” Lily cried bursting into tears.

I pulled her into a loving hug and I nestled my cheek on the top of her head, “No, don’t blame you,” I whispered near her petit ear, “Trust me.”

I let go of Lily who grabbed my hand. She cried, but a smile creped upon her heartbreaking face. I smiled back.

“Can I say one last good-bye?” she asked through her smile as a tears fell down her face. I nodded.

She walked to Lyndsey’s dug out grave. She said a few words that were so quiet for me to eavesdrop. She then pulled out sheet music and trough it down the hole. They floated onto the casket. My eyes followed her walk up to Lyndsey’s headstone and kneeled into the snow. Her almost frozen tiny fingers held a banquette of daisies that she placed in front of the gravestone along with a wide assortment and varieties of flowers. Lily stood up from the ground and knocked off some snow off her dress, and I finally heard the word of farewell, “Good-bye.”


After Lyndsey Gamble’s funeral, Lily and I went home to change out of our dark and gloomy attire. I promised Lily that I would pick her up in an hour so we could go out for ice cream. Ice cream always lifts Lily’s spirits up. I hoped the treat would make her feel a little better, but I know ice cream would not heal the full pain of lost and death.

Lily and I walked through the Ice Cream Co.’s glass doors where a ring of a jingle bell welcomed our entrance. By the hand, I guided Lily inside the icy, but playful atmosphere. The shop’s walls were painted like a cotton candy blue with white dots. There were picture frames of sundaes and milk shakes hanging on the walls. The tables and chairs were white, but the seats and table top were a primary blue.

I squeezed Lily’s hand, “The usual?” I asked with a smile.

“Mint chocolate chip, please!” Lily agreed with a giggle.

I gestured to her to find a table while I ordered our ice cream. I watched her glided to an unoccupied table by the window. She waited patiently, fidgeting with colorful advisements on the table. Reading her timid face, I knew there were a lot of topics cramming in her mind.

I finally sat down across from Lily, placing her two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream with a bright red cherry on top in front of her. She clenched the bowl and grabbed a spoon.

On the other hand, my sundae was topped with a large amount of whipped cream. A puddle of hot fudged melted the mountain of ice cream. Nuts, sprinkles, and candy were rained upon it. Unlike Lily, I like to be adventures and try different flavors. I got a few scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

No conversations stirred up while we dug into our creamy treat, until Lily had eaten half of her serving.

“This is going to be the worst winter vacation,” Lily spoke, poking at her melted ice cream.

I chucked, “That means more ice cream, right?”

She laughed at my joke and shook her head no.

A long pause of silence to place as I noticed Lily drifted off into space. I waved my hand in front of her blank face to breaker out of her daydream.

“Sorry,” She snapped and sighed, “I just… I just feel bad for Caleb, you know?”

Caleb was Lyndsey’s boyfriend.

Lily went on, “He is a suspect in Lyndsey’s case, and I am too.”

I snored and said heartlessly, “I think Caleb killed her anyways.”

Lily dropped her silver spoon on the table in shook. Her eyes grow wide with disgust, “How can you say that? He loved her!”

I shrugged, “Well, if you put the puzzle together, Caleb murdered his girlfriend.”

I reminded her that in the police report that Lyndsey was found dead in a storm drain, nearby Caleb’s house.

Lily cupped her ears because she didn’t accept the truth and she didn’t want to hear it.
She refuses to see and believe in the reality.

I then explained to her that I went out to see a movie with Caleb on the Friday night that Lyndsey was predicted to be murdered. I said that Caleb had been really angry that evening with Lyndsey because she was ignoring his phone calls. She’d been to busy rehearsing choral music to addition for a solo, the same solo that Lily wanted. I also mentioned that Caleb got Reese’s Pieces that night too. He said he didn’t eat the candy around Lyndsey because she was allergic to peanuts. There were Reese’s Pieces found with her body.

“And after the movies,” I explained on, “Caleb said he was going to her house.”

Lily sat back in her chair in disbelief. She frowned with angry eyes because I talked badly towards Caleb. She fiercely moved her dark brown hair behind her ears. Her eyes shifted to me and sat up in her seat.

“Maybe you murdered Lyndsey!” She spattered irritated, “It seems you know a little to well about that Friday night! I remember seeing Reese’s Pieces in your car too.”

“What?” I shouted back, “Do you know where I was afterwards?”

“Where?” Lily asked rolling her eyes, “Where, Mike?”

I reached out for her hand and I held it tightly. I could sense that Lily’s heat had just dropped with the look in her eyes. I calmly said, “With you.”


Two days later, I found myself sitting in an uncomfortable, hard, wooden chair in a cold and dark room. I felt the hairs on my skinny arms and legs stick up with nerves. I could feel the heat rise to my face as if I were guilty. I felt sweat on the back of my neck as a serious, uniformed man stood in front of me. His tormenting, dagger eyes scanned my shaking, but stern body. His badges and the gun strapped to his belt were torturing enough besides the questions he had asked me. The police officer tried hard for me to slip up, but I stand my ground and didn’t.

“And there is nothing else about Lyndsey Gamble’s murder that your not telling us,” the officer asked glancing over his clip board of notes that he had taken.

“No, I told you everything I know; the movies, the candy, and my friend Caleb being the last so see Lyndsey.” I listed in an annoyed tone, “I’m not even that close to Lyndsey!”

The officer took some final notes, “Okay then, you can be released, but you’ve given us some useful and helpful information. Thank you for answering our questions and cooperating without a hassle.”

I nodded, “Thank you, sir.”

He directed me to the door as I stood up from the chair that I hope to never sit in again. I walked through the police stations lobby were I heard numerous telephones ringing. There were many officers scurrying around. I saw a man in handcuffs being held by an officer in a corner. I couldn’t wait to get out of this environment.

While I walked out into the December air, I took noticed of the dark blue, classic Mustang parked parallel to the sidewalk. I only knew one kid who had that kind of car and who is dumb enough to drive it around in the winter, Caleb Setting.

I saw Caleb packing snowballs by the slippery, sliver sidewalk. He roughly made a ball and randomly threw it in rage. I figured he too, is a suspect in Lyndsey Gamble’s case.

I watched him pack another snowball and wound himself up to launch it straight for his classic Mustang. I ran out, almost losing my balance when I stepped onto the ice, to stop him, “Whoa man, calm down!”

I had my scrawny arms and hands up, protecting Caleb’s car. Caleb suddenly eased his strong and muscular arms down and relaxing his tightly coiled arms. He gently dropped the handful of snow by his feet and falling apart onto the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry, man.” Caleb whimpered like he was about to cry. I’ve never seen him cry before.

“What happen?” I asked calmly.

Caleb hesitated, “I’m done Mike, and they all think I killed her. I’m done and I’m screwed!”

I just stood there in the cold, hearing this rant. He went on and on about charges, court, lawyers, and prison. He feared he would be falsely accused of committing Lyndsey’s murder. Though my eyes, Caleb’s in a tough situation, and I don’t think there is any evidence that would clear his name.

I bit my chapped lips, “I don’t know what to tell you.”

“I’m screwed man, Lynds’s parents have the money to hire the best lawyers in the county,” Caleb sighed with a lot of self doubt, “They’ve always hated my anyways.”

Caleb looked down at the ground and kicked some snow. He gazed at his car and then at the taunting police station.

“I’m going in for questioning in a few minutes,” He finally explained, “Their probably going to lock me up afterwards.”

“Maybe,” I said easily as I began to give him words of hope, “Though, I know you didn’t kill her,”

Caleb smiled, “Thanks for believing in me, Mike.”

I welcomed him as I gave him a reassuring smile. I then went home.


The sun shined brightly as it warmed up the day. The weather became warmer and the snow slowly melted away. I drove up to Lily’s muddy driveway and put my car in park. I got out of my old station wagon and slammed the dirty door behind me. The body has a white substance from the calcium and salt from the road.

I walked up to the Saunders’ door carrying a white plastic grocery bag. I brought a present for Lily. I knocked hard on the light blue painted door where Mrs. Saunders welcomed me cheerfully.

“Hello, Michael!” Mrs. Saunders said with a smile full of white teeth.

I asked if Lily was home. Mrs. Saunders answered that she was in her room and pointed up the stairway. Before anything could get any awkward, I ran up the red carpeted stairs to find Lily.

Standing in Lily’s room’s doorway, I heard her pecking at a keyboard. I quietly watched her trace notes on sheet music and then finding it on the keyboard. I almost laughed when I realized all the keys were marked A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Lily is not very strong in music, but she gives her best effort. I finally knocked on the door frame.

Lily looks up from her keyboard, ‘Mike!”

She happily gets up and runs to give me a hug. I embraced the fragile arms that wrapped around my body. I looked down at her and she had an excited smile painted on her lips.

“I brought you something,” I teased.

Lily’s eyes lit up, “Really, you did?”

From the grocery bag, I pulled out a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Lily laughed as she accepted the gift, “Thanks, I’ve been needing a lot of this lately.”


I put my hand on her boney shoulder, “I know. Do you need to talk?”

Lily sighed and dragged me father into her room. The walls were painted purple, Lily’s favorite color, and the room was kept clean and organized. Books were neatly on shelves and CD’s were placed on a rack. Lily didn’t have any clothes thrown on the floor which were probably kept color coded in her closet. She has always been tidy.

We settled on her bed and Lily remained quiet. I stroke her hair, but she pulled away.

I was questioned the other day,” Lily mentioned.

“I was too, I chimed in, “Yesterday.”

Lily nodded, “Oh, so… Then you know what happened to Caleb?”

“Yes,” I answered.

Caleb’s being tried and accused of murdering Lyndsey. He’s pleading not guilty. The news has been following the trail and the case. Almost every five minutes the news stations discuss and gossip about ‘The Case of Lyndsey Gamble.’ Caleb is being trialed on January 4.

“Lyndsey’s dead and she’s still gets all the attention!” Lily whined.

I laughed, “It will blow over.”

Lily looked at me with a confused look, “Why are you so happy?”

“I’m not!” I argued.

Suddenly the room fell silent. I lay back on Lily’s bed and sighed. I gaped on Lily, still sitting up. I could tell she was thinking long and hard about something. I nudged her arm.

“Hey,” I stated.

“They tried to frame me! Lily broke in, looking down at me with frightened eyes, “The murderer, they know me. There were lilies with her body!”

I shook my head, “No, you weren’t. The flower, lily is the flower of death.”

Lily jumped, “See… I’m death!”

I shook my head again, “No, the name, Lily means innocent.”

Lily looked at my face with teary eyes, “Really?”

I nodded and took her hands. The room fell silent once more. Lily looked back at me.

“Can we stop?” Lily began, “You know… about her?”

“Then… What did you want to talk about?” I asked calmly and openly.

“How about… That same Friday night,” Lily answered, “With… Us.”

My mind had a flash back. I replayed and rewound the moment in the car with Lily, the moment where I stole a kiss from her lips.

“We never talked or mentioned about it, “Lily explained rushed. She was talking about the kiss because she though we were just friends. I want to be more than friends, “What happen?”

“Lily,” I whispered, but I lost my words. I didn’t know what to say, but I had actions. I suddenly sat up from the bed and captured Lily’s mouth once again. To my surprise, Lily didn’t resist. We kissed and kissed and kissed. Finally our lips separated so we could breathe some air and finally the words I have longed to say escaped form my mouth.

“I love you” I whispered as I looked into her chocolate brown eyes. I gave her a deeper and more passionate kiss.


When I finally got home, I locked myself in my room for the rest of the night. There had been so much drama going on that I needed to breakaway form it all. I sat down on mu comfy, tan, leather chair by my window. I looked around my cluttered room that stood still and calm. All the while, chaos ran around and loud in my head.

I pulled out a folded piece of paper from my jean’s pocket. I unfolded it with care, thinking of the original owner. Lily gave this to me before I left this afternoon. She said she wrote a poem about Lyndsey. Lily is an amazing writer and poet, her words can be inspiring. I’m excited to read some of her work.

I looked down at the crumpled up line paper that had been titled, ‘Daisy”

Daisy

Your dead, but I don’t seem to cry.
Am I happy?
Am I sad?
I just feel the pain from my jealousy inside.
You’re my friend, but enemy to.
Will I forgive?
Will I forget?
I’m just tried of hearing it’s all about you.

You had everything, but it’s all gone now.
You’re buried in a grave, far underground,
And you can only push up daisies.
You had everything, but not anymore.
You’re gone and you’ll be nevermore,
And you can only push up daisies.

Your dead, but will I cry?
Am I happy?
Am I sad?
I just ask myself for the reasons why.
You’re my friend, but only my friend.
Will I forgive?
Will I forget?
I only feel the thought of my hate I want to regret.

You had everything, but you still have me.
You’re in heaven, and I hope you see,
I sorry you can only push up daisies.


I read the poem a few more times. I could imagine Lily speaking the poem and her words becoming imprinting and sometimes taunting. This poem composed Lily’s feelings towards Lyndsey then and now. Lily bottled up her hate and jealousy in her heart that Lyndsey had never been aware of. This poem is Lily’s apology. Lyndsey could have gone to do many great, exciting, and successful things, but now she’s dead. All she can do now is push up daisies on her grave.

I looked out my window where snow was falling. Snow flakes spun down to the ground. I watched the flurries dance in the air like fairies doing ballet to the Nutcracker Suite. I imagined the music and a sharp pain struck my heart.


On January 4, Caleb Setting, age 17, was found guilty of committing the death of Lyndsey Gamble. Setting is being sentence to prison for 60 years. He is being charged of man slaughter. Setting receiving the death penalty is still being argued. The case of Lyndsey Game has been resolved.


She stands in the fluffy snow, silent while she read the graving of her dead best friend. She placed a neatly rolled up paper that was tied with a black satin ribbon on top of the grave stone. A daisy stuck out of the scroll that held a poem by Lily Saunders.

I stood next to Lily while I read Lyndsey’s epitaph:

Gone to soon, the lost of great successes.

“It should have been, “She had everything, but not anymore,” Lily sighed grasping my hand. Her voice sounded raspy like she was about to cry.
I thought of Lily’s poem, “All she can do now is push up daisies.”
Lily nodded, “Yeah…”
She turned to face me with a serious face wanting answers. Still holding my hands, she studied my eyes.
“Michael, can you be honest with me?” She asked.
I placed a kiss on her forehead, “Yes.”
“That Friday night,” she asked harshly, “after you kissed me, where did you go?”
I hesitated, but Lily went on.
“The lilies and their meaning,” Lily listed, “There were Reese’s Pieces in your car…”
Tears began to fall from Lily’s innocent brown eyes. I slowly stated to peck at her lips and she still kissed me with passion. I could feel her love in that kiss, but I tasted a bite of hurt. I looked down at her pale, shy, and fearful eyes. Lily hates the truth.
I came closer to her face, almost touching her nose with mine. I true fully sighed and confessed, “And I said I wanted her dead too…”