Chapter 3: Thoughts and Prayers
Today we mourn the loss of a true friend, Jenny Batista. She and I have known each other since we were kids. We grew up together, our families went on summer vacations together. We laughed together, cried together. We were supposed to graduate together this June, but some heartless monster took that all away. Rest assured, if you're out there reading this, we will find you. I know you think the anonymity of the internet will protect you, but it won't. Jenny was a kind and caring person, and my friend. How anyone could push her to this is beyond evil, and there's a special place in hell waiting for you.
Jenny was nearly 18. She was smart, beautiful and the best friend anyone could ever ask for, and she will be greatly missed. This should never have happened to her, and that's why I am officially setting up the Jenny Batista Cyberbulling Prevention Foundation. I know it's a mouthful, the name is a work in progress. All proceeds from this campaign will go to making sure that this never happens to another innocent person again. Thank you for your donations, anything helps, even just sending your thoughts and prayers to Jenny's family in these trying times.
Rest in Peace girl, I'll always miss you,
-Anna Mathers
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The girl finished her post with a sigh. The story was already trending on Twitter, and it would be viral across the country within the next day. Her parents stood behind her, one on each shoulder. She addressed them, not wanting to turn and face them.
"It's done. Are you sure this'll work?"
"Of course," her mother started, "it's worked so far, hasn't it?"
Her father gave a chuckle.
"Besides, there's no going back now. Do you have any idea how much work we put into this?"
The girl sighed again, hanging her head.
"Yes father, of course I do."
It was her mother's turn to laugh.
"I swear, I was beginning to think poor Jenny was never going to crack. Those last few messages did the trick though."
The girl cringed, remembering revising the last draft before that message was sent. She knew exactly what to say to cut right through her friend.
Her father picked up on her slumped shoulders and put an arm around one of them.
"Don't be so down, Anna. You wanted to get into Harvard, right? You'll be a shoe-in after this. Grieving friend, hero to the downtrodden. You're going places kid."
Her mother put an arm on her other shoulder, and she felt the full weight of everything pushing down on her.
"Exactly, sweetie. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. What was she ever going to do with her life? Now get dressed, we've got an interview with Fox 11 in twenty minutes and they'll be here shortly. Make sure you get some tears going first."
Her parents walked away, cracking a few more jokes to each other on their way out of her bedroom.
She looked over the screen again, at that message her parents so carefully crafted for her. All except for the last line, that was all her. She shut off her monitor and caught a glimpse of herself in the dark reflection of the screen. She didn't recognize that girl, she looked, what? Relieved? Happy? That was enough to bring a few real tears to her eyes. She had to get ready and face the world before they went away.
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