She remembers that night as if it was only yesterday. Every. Single. Detail.

Leah had always thought that her older sister Emily was beautiful. As a child Leah would set on Emily’s bed watching her do her hair and make up, as Leah got older Emily would always ask Leah for her input. Leah had always told her that she looked gorgeous. That night, she had a date with Ethan Long, the high school quarterback and total dreamboat. Of course he fell in love with Emily. She was kind, funny and smart. When she left the house, she had promised Leah that they would stay up and binge watch all their favorite movies as they did every year for their birthday. Although Emily was four years older then Leah, there birthdays fell on the same date, September 12. Leah had hugged her sister and told her that she loved her. Later that night there was a knock at the door. Emily probably just forgot her keys. As Leah opened the door she was met by two solemn looking policemen. The news that Emily and Ethan were hit head on by a drunk driver and they were killed instantly. Grief wrapped around her heart like thorns. Leah had begun to scream and cry. There was a mistake. There was no way that Emily, whom she’d just seen an hour ago and her boyfriend was dead. Emily promised she had cried to herself. Leah was now twenty one. Most days, Leah genuinely enjoyed life. She promised she would live for Emily. Some days, the grief she felt wrapped around her heart like chicken wire. The more Leah tried to tug it off, the more painful it became. Today was one of those days.

Leah sat on her bed hugging her knees to her chest and sobbed uncontrollably. Leah still kept their birthday movie tradition alive, despite Leah not actually celebrating her birthday. Leah would often visit her sisters grave. Sometimes talking for hours, keeping Emily updated about her life. Other days she’d simply set in silence, tears streaming down her face.

Today was a bad day. One bad day cannot overcome the good days too come. That’s what Emily had always told her. Leah was slowly realizing the truth of the statement.