There are a couple of really clever features to this…

That opening paragraph is almost overly emotional, exaggerated even – a style which actually reflects the character’s own admission that she ‘is not usually’ that way. May or may not have been unintentional but I liked it.

Also, the use of the idea of one-sided conversations – the irony being that any conversations she tries to have with Liam now would be one-sided for an entirely grimmer reason…

I don’t know whether the very last line packed the emotional punch I wanted from it, but I liked the simpleness in your statement ‘today my best friend died’ – elegant and dignified indeed.

Overall, a sad, well-written piece – my only typo pick up was ‘stupified’ which should be ‘stupefied’ – other than that it was technically secure and creatively interesting – MH :)

I have to disagree with MH. The beginning was over emotional, but not the right kind of over emotional. There was too much description involving the characters appearance. I don’t know how to explain it, but I think that if you would have specifically talked about how the character ached inside, then maybe I would grasp her moarning a little more. However I am just one person giving one opinion. Good job.

The first paragraph bugged me a little as well. I found it hard to express myself, I guess. My best friend Liam died on Tuesday and we really did convene on the swings and talk.
I may have to reenter and get it right this time, if that’s okay.

I edited the first paragraph.

</3

I think that the “softened concrete” is an interesting visual to open with. Perhaps you can expand on it as a metaphor in this essay.
The softened concrete allowing the swing to come loose and, eventually, topple the swing. It also works for a softening of the heart.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. He sounds like he would have been cool to meet.

He was.

I love when people point things out that I didn’t intend. It just proves that the author really doesn’t have a final say.

In my brain, the softened concrete is just what it says, in the park we hung out in there’s softened concrete so if kids fall off they don’t break their necks.