May collapsed in front of me. Everyone was standing rooted to the ground, in a state of shock. Her hands were gripping tightly onto her skirt as she lay on my lap. Her mouth was open and she was gasping for breath. I looked at her with my eyes wide open. She tried to say something but it could not be heard. I bent down a little and only managed to figure out the sentence, " I'm sorry I have to leave."
I shouted as loudly as I could for help and hoped that the ambulance would arrive quickly. Teachers and students crowded around the two of us. They tried all means to save her but to no avail. Her parents had been contacted and were making their way to the school. The teachers and students could only stand by our side, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. It seemed that the Earth was turning around and round while we just froze on the spot. I combed her hair to one side with my cold and clammy fingers, telling her to hang on. Tears welled up in my eyes. I did not want her dead.
Her breathing was lighter with each passing minute, until it became only a slight wheeze. Finally the moment I hated most came. Her heartbeat stopped. I shook her and called out her name, but she did not respond. The air turned still instantly. My heart sank as tears rolled down my cheeks. I just could not accept the fact that May was dead. Everyone present just stared blankly, unable to believe what was happening. With May still lying on my lap, past memories of our times together flashed through my mind.
I first met May when she moved with her family into the apartment next to where I lived. She had a beautiful set of teeth, baby blue eyes and long blond hair.
Once, I fell on the road while heading home and was bleeding profusely and May had given me a hand. She had accompanied me all the way home. Her kind-heartedness melted my heart and she soon became my best friend. She was always cheerful and kind to everyone she met. We shared laughter, pain and even tears. May really knew me well.
Unfortunately, asthma was May's biggest obstacle in life. She had been suffering from it since the tender age of four. Her condition had started to worsen when she was older. Life was really unfair to her. Many times, she could be seen standing by the side watching other children play. I just could not understand.
Many took life for granted while May just wanted to live longer. One does not miss until one loses. With my hand on my heart, I bade a tearful farewell to my friend.
