Nina thanked Jake for the handkerchief and they sat there silently, watching people drift in and out of the room. At one point, Charlotte’s mother collapsed in a fit of tears and Nina moved as if to go comfort her, but Jake motioned for her to stay.

“No, let me.”

Wordlessly, Nina watched as Jake ushered Charlotte’s mother out of the funeral home, his strong arm around the woman’s shoulders.The sorority sisters followed them outside, clearing the space in front of the coffin. Nina still hadn’t felt brave enough to go and face it directly. Though she knew that she had to, would regret it forever if she didn’t. She couldn’t escape the perverse notion that when she walked up to it, she would find her friend waiting to jump out and scare her, like one of their old childish antics. Walking up to the coffin now, she held her breath, waiting.

The girl she once knew as Charlotte lay there, her hair combed in smooth waves. Her face was peaceful, as if sleeping. Nina kissed her on the cheek.

“Good-bye, Char-Char.”