HER
Wilner Francois
19
“... every time I listen to that song, I hear her voice”
I lost my best friend. Her name was Camille. She was 18. We talked every day and did everything together. It was hard when we lost her. I couldn’ t function. It happened about a year ago. One night, she went to a club with some guys. She was ignoring them and didn’ t want to talk to them, so when she wasn’ t looking, they drugged her drink. They gave her too much, and she overdosed. They left her alone, and she died on the spot at the club.
My other best friend, who was Camille’ s cousin, told me that we lost her. I didn’ t believe it. I hung up immediately and started calling and texting Camille. I thought she was joking, that she was just messing with us. When I found out it was true, I was heartbroken. It felt like a piece of me was torn out of my chest. To find out someone who was always there is gone was too much to handle.
I loved her voice. She was so articulate and present. And when she sang, it was striking. We acted this piece together,“ Dance of the Robe” from Aida. There was a part where she sang, and every time I listen to that song, I hear her voice. She was loving and caring and inspired me to do so much in life. She gave me strength and guidance. She made it seem like it was possible to do anything, like I had super powers. When people told me I couldn’ t, she would tell me I could.
When you lose someone, it’ s hard to deal with. Later, you overcome it, and you know that they’ re watching over you. They’ re making sure you go on with life and that you’ re living in their name. You’ re doing things that they can’ t. It’ s something you can take advantage of. Every day, I want to let people know that I’ m passionate about who Camille was, and I live with her in me. I let her dreams live through me.