[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190616/9d4f427f8d427edbc7abce3e14563dcd.png[/img][/center]
[center][sub][url=https://youtu.be/WnUR3be5Ebk]idontwannabeyouanymore[/url][/sub][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ahyNQ1m.png[/img][/center]

[right][sub][@Allycat][/sub][/right]

Sitting on the edge of her bed, tears streaming down her face, Elizabeth stared at a bright orange hoodie in her hands. She had been sitting there for at least 5 minutes, silently crying and unsuccessfully trying to pull herself together. 

The hoodie had been Lily's favorite. It was bright, loud, sometimes a bit obnoxious, comfy, and cute. Just like her.

The last piece of Lily that she had to hold had been left in her room by accident. On the eve of her disappearance they had gotten into a... disagreement. Lillian had left the house in a hurry, seemingly upset. The thought crushed Elizabeth's heart. Picturing her walking out the door made it feel like her entire heart had been ripped out of her chest in the process. She was just an empty shell now. Alive, but not really. 

[color=SteelBlue]"I-I... I'm so s... sorry, L-lily..."[/color] She pressed her face into the fabric, the guilt inside tearing her apart. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself as well as surround herself with the comfort of Lillian's floral scented perfume left behind. 

Before the breakdown, Elizabeth had gone to her room to figure out what to wear for the press conference. What was one supposed to wear to these things? Did people dress up? Did people wear their normal clothes? Business casual? Lillian would have known. She would have told her what was appropriate for the occasion. When the thought crossed her mind, she had locked onto the forgotten hoodie that she had been sleeping with every night since her best friends disappearance. 

Pulling her face away, she stared at it again. [url=https://i.imgur.com/R1Miccz.jpg?1]This was what she would wear.[/url] Perhaps it wasn't the right attire, it was most likely too casual. But it was Lily's and that's all she cared about. What other people thought didn't matter... not anymore. 

As she pulled it over her head, Elizabeth felt her phone vibrate in the back pocket of her jeans. Her heart skipped a beat. Something inside of her hoped, prayed, that it would be Lily. Somehow, someway, it could be her. 

She pulled the phone out quickly, hands shaking from the jolt of adrenaline she had gotten from wishful thinking. [i]"Elliot..."[/i] She thought, reading the name on the text message notification. She sighed, letting go of breath she didn't realize she had been holding. It wasn't Lily. What a ridiculous thought to have. Instead, one of her other dear friends. Elliot had been in her life for a long time, and she could imagine that he was hurting similar to her. They had lost their trio and were now a duo. Even though Elliot had often been their third wheel, he always handled it graciously. He, like everyone else it seemed, was closer to Lily than he was to Liz, but it was to be expected. Lily was always the center of attention, rightfully so.

[color=SteelBlue][i]"Yeah... I think I'll need it."[/i][/color] She paused with her finger over the send button for a moment, then continued, [color=SteelBlue][i]"Can you meet me there a little early? I don't want to sit up front alone... I should be there in about 20 mins"[/i][/color] She hated admitting it, but she wasn't sure if she could get through the conference alone. Her father and brothers would try their best, but it wasn't the same as having someone who knew Lillian closely like she did. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ahyNQ1m.png[/img][/center]

[center][h1]11:45 am[/h1][/center]

[right][sub][@BeastofDestiny][/sub][/right]

[center][sub](OOC: Everyone - Please hold off on reactions to Kei the arsonist for a bit. I'd like to get through the conference first, where it will be addressed there. Okay back to your regularly scheduled sad post!)[/sub][/center]

She had driven alone, wanting some time to herself on the drive over to the community center. It didn't seem to do well for her. She had cried in the car and all her efforts to appear like she hadn't been a sobbing mess for 7 days straight were all for nothing. Her face seemed permanently flushed, even behind makeup, and her eyes a bit puffy and red. Not her best look, but what did she care at this point? 

As she pulled into the community center, she rolled her eyes at the surrounding news station vans and all of the news anchors practicing their lines and memorizing what questions they needed to ask. This was all a game to them, wasn't it? Just another story for their job. It didn't matter who it was, it was just good for business. As she surveyed the land, she spotted a family friend sitting on a bench near the river. [i]"Mr. Clarke..."[/i]

She exited her car and made her way over to the bench. Silently, she sat down next to him and stared out at the river. It was a little chilly out, which made her glad for the hoodie, but the clouds in the sky only reminded her of Lily. She loved clouds. They brought the rain, her favorite weather. 

After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth turned to face Ollivander. [color=SteelBlue]"Doing okay, Mr. Clarke?"[/color] She forced a sheepish smile, knowing the answer to her question. She had no idea what else to say, and it was typical of her to make sure everyone else was okay; even if she was a wreck. There were no words that could cure this sadness.