I really don't know how to start this off. I'm new here and this is first thread of my own I've posted, but I wish it wasn't. I didn't want my first thread to be about something like this.
A brief intro: I'm 16, in my junior year, and I go to a high school that houses 3 neighboring small towns. Everyone here knows everyone else. It's just how it works.

Anyways, our school's homecoming football game was last Friday (October 17) and after our triumphant win, a group of seniors went to a party. The party was behind someone's house I guess...not really sure...but it was at an old abandoned airport. They had a bonfire and drank alcohol, what most high school kids do. A girl named Taylor decided she wanted to go home and said she would call for a ride, and that was that- she headed off in the direction of the road. The place she was in was surrounded by woods and swamps, but is surrounded by roads on all sides- the woods isn't very big.

Well, what we'll never know is what exactly happened, but we have a pretty good idea. She was reported missing the following Saturday night after nobody could get in touch with her.

The following Monday morning- while everyone else was back in school- her body was found in a swamp. The autopsy determined she drowned.
The entire school was devastated. Like I said- everyone knows everyone. It was shocking for the entire community.

I never knew Taylor that well. She was the best friend of my neighbor and I saw her around every now and then. I also played softball with her for many years, however it was against her because our little tritown loves rivalries

I'll never forget one thing, though. Homecoming 2006, I was a freshman and Taylor a sophomore. Taylor stopped my cousin (a junior) from driving after she had been drinking. Taylor and a few other people kept her from getting in her car and made her stay there until she could find a ride. The irony is unsettling to me.

But I wanted to post this because a lot of awful things like this can happen any day. I just wish people would be careful- but right now I'd rather put that aside. Her funeral is on Monday and I plan on attending the church service.

Although I barely knew you Taylor, and you were just a simple acquaintance to me- I will miss you. Rest in the sweetest peace