I thought I was alone
In the second-floor girls bathroom
But then I heard something
I heard her choking
I wanted to help her
I wanted to save her
I wanted to reach out to her
I wanted to be there for her
To tell her that she wasn't alone
That she didn't have to do it
It didn't have to end this way
That things would get better
Regardless of how they may look now
Improvement is imminent
Change is mandatory
Death is inevitable
But it shouldn't happen now
No – not just yet – too early, too soon
Too premature, so young
I raced to the shower
Where I heard her gasping for air
Pleading for aid
Already regretting her decision
I knew she didn't want to die
But when I got there
The noises stopped
The running water the only sound
I dreaded I might be too late
I ripped back the curtain
But there was no one there
And the water was off
And the walls and floor dry
I had thought I was alone
But her ghost reminded me
That we never really are
Oh, how ironic.