“But you’re also my best friend. You’re the girl who defended me from bullies twice her size. Who made me sit through terrible dramatic readings in Spanish. Who took me into her family, who forced me to dance, who radiated sunshine so bright it was sometimes hard for me to look at. And losing you”—he choked—“losing you hurt more than anything I’ve felt in my entire life.” Tears started to run down my face again. “You are a daughter beloved by her parents, a sister adored by her siblings, and my best friend in the whole fucking universe.” He paused. “But you are not the thoughts in your head.
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