My Best Friend

The story begins a few years ago, at the beginning of my teenage years. I, as many others, was learning how to navigate the world, and learning what it meant to be a person. Like many others, I was emotionally inept, moody, and pessimistic. Though I had not lived long, I was convinced I knew everything about everything, and that life was terrible. I was rude, angry, and mean. But no matter how gloomy and doom I was, my best friend was the opposite. He was, in every sense of the word, a golden child. Radiating warmth and kindness, you couldn’t help but want to be around him, a small solace within dark times. But even more than that, he loved to live. If I found no point in existence, he was the opposite, finding meaning and cheer in the smallest things. He laughed, smiled, and brought joy.

Coming into my life, he began to share these experiences with me as well. Much to my regret, I rejected these things, believing him to be misinformed and delusional, as in my eyes, there could be more reasons why anyone in their right mind could be so happy. I didn’t understand until finally the day I did.

That day would have been any typical day. The weather was nice, with sunlight, but it wasn’t too hot, the perfect day for picnics and hikes and being outside. That day, I really walked with him outside class, as school ended, and we were waiting for our parents to pick us up. My father was always late in picking me up, unlike his, who picked him up immediately during rush hours. Both of us wished his parents would pick him up later, as we desperately clung to any time we had together. Thinking back, it was a cruel reminder,that if he stayed for a bit longer, if his parents picked him up slightly later, if there were fewer cars, if that would change anything. But it wasn’t.

I waved goodbye to him as he got into his car, and that was the last time I ever saw him. The day passed uneventfully, and there was little to remember. Until the next day, when I waited impatiently for him to appear, watched the minutes pass, and the warning bell rang. But there was still no sign of him. I watched my teacher’s grim face look over to me as I walked into the classroom, sympathy in her eyes, asking me to accompany her outside.

I stood there, watching her mouth move, and the words came slowly at first. She was sorry, there had been a car accident, and there were no survivors. The words were heavy, mean, strangling me. I couldn’t understand how it happened or why. Later, I learned that the crash was caused by a reckless driver who sped through a red light, distracted by a phone call. In my grief at the loss of my dear friend, I became miserable. I couldn’t comprehend how such a beautiful life could be snatched away because of one careless mistake.

Over time, as I began to heal, I couldn’t help but think about how easily preventable it was. Driver education could have made a difference, teaching people to stay alert and focused on the road. Understanding the responsibility that comes with driving, learning to manage distractions, and following traffic law, all of these things matter. It was something that was taught as a basic warning, to not be distracted. I couldn’t help but think that maybe if that person was able to go through driver’s education, if that person even considered applying for it, that life would have been so much different.

But it made me realize and grow so much as a person. My friend’s death, and his cause made me change into the person I am today. I thought of my friend’s laughter and how he would have wanted me to move on. I realized that part of honoring his memory meant being more mindful and careful in my own actions.

My friend’s words echo in my mind: “Life is short. Don’t waste it.” I’m going to live with that in mind, responsibly, safely, and with a newfound appreciation for the life he can no longer live. I will make sure his story serves as a reminder that driver safety is not just a responsibility, it’s a way to protect the people we care about.

My friend is gone, no amount of tears or late night grief will bring him back. His youth was taken from him, the same youth that will be taken from me if I make the same mistake many people have made in the past. Of course I cannot control other people’s actions, and I might die on the road due to somebody else. But I can control what I do, and being safe is something I can do. Memories of him dance around me all the time, his laughter, his kindness. His anger, and his joy. He will never be able to live the life he wanted, but I can live it for him. I can continue on, and keep a part of him with me, and live the life he always encouraged me to live.

Now, I am determined to be a responsible driver when I finally get my license. I know that I’ll avoid distractions, follow the rules, and always keep safety at the forefront. I’ll also encourage those around me to take driving seriously and make smart choices. No one should have to lose someone they love because of a reckless mistake. That day he passed, but he stays with me everyday, through every action I take, and through smart choices and rule following, I can keep increasing my chances of living everyday, so I can help him live as well.