Adam peered into the coffin. His best friend lay inside, hands clasped over a favorite t-shirt bearing the name of a band they had seen live countless times. There was a flower on his chest, pulled from one of the many bouquets surrounding where he lay. One of his nails, Adam noticed, was bitten around the cuticle; his best friend always had that bad habit.

As he turned, he tripped over his shoelace. The gathering crowd gasped, and those who were already seated stood. His best friend’s father rushed towards him, helping back back up, ensuring the coffin was secure on its stand. All the while, music played on a slideshow of pictures of his best friend smiling, living, existing. He looked up at the screen.

Adam felt nostalgia, fear, and sadness. The three were indistinguishable from one another, forming into a new emotion he would remember for the rest of his life.