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Description
I still feel like this is a bad dream.

It was just before 9am when my ex was desperately trying to get a hold of me via text. Being half awake already, I was confused to the text asking me if I had gone out the night before. I replied with, "I didn't go out. Why?"

Instantly, my ex replied, "Haven't you heard? Mass shooting at pulse. 20 dead and 40 injured." My brain did not want to process this. I read it over three times. Before I could reply to my ex, my mother called, looking for me. I picked up, voice still groggy from waking up. My conversation with my mother was brief, the information had started to sink in. Names and faces of people I had to contact starting popping up in my head. My best friend had spent the night, and was just waking up on the other side of the bed. My roommate? Worked overnight. My sister? Where's my sister? I have to call her. Nelson, did he go out? Kase? My brain kept spitting out first names, last names, faces all at once. I couldn't think clearly.

Vanderwolf. Kiona. Tate. Amanda. Michael. Zach. I had to reach out to them all. My fingers stumbled across the touch screen keyboard as I typed a simple "Are you ok?" to each contact.

I started looking up news articles and reading about the event. My heart sunk as I realized this was real. This was now. Just 15 minutes away from me.

As my friends messaged me back, one by one, I was quickly relieved. Few had been in the area, but all were safe. I was fortunate to not personally know anyone affected by this event.

However, I went on with my day with a heavy heart. I learned a co worker had friends in the hospital. All of my customers were keeping me updated of what was going on. The news was everywhere. My phone kept going off with people trying to get a hold of me or asking me about Randy or Megan. Have I heard from this co worker? Or that person? How about this person?

Leaving work, I went to the gym. Just like I would any other day. But on this day, it was... gloomy. Every television was broadcasting the event. Names of victims started to be released and flashed on the screens. The numbers went up. Stories of a mother looking for her son. Video from snapchat that was released of a girl in the midst of the shooting. Photos of buildings and streets that I recognized and knew well. I could mentally see the exact spot the photographer would have been standing on. I could see everything outside of the camera's frame.

Someone I know lost 7 friends that night.
A co worker lost his best friend.
Another is currently by the sides of her friends.

Despite this tragic event, Orlando has come together. The blood banks were at full capacity. People lined up around blocks to donate. People flocked to hospitals to visit those injured. Candlelight vigils and group prayers happened across the city.

But it wasn't just Orlando. The whole country responded in different ways. Well known figures like Anderson Cooper had a hard time reading the names of victims after giving tribute to them. Adele broke down in tears in Belgium after dedicating her show to Orlando. Even outside of the country like Paris, New Zealand, Australia, London, and many others all showed love and respect for my city.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for supporting us. Please show the ones you love how much you appreciate them. These victims won't have another chance to do so.

May you rest in peace, beautiful souls. You went out that night to party and dance away. May you forever be dancing above us.

Description
I still feel like this is a bad dream.

It was just before 9am when my ex was desperately trying to get a hold of me via text. Being half awake already, I was confused to the text asking me if I had gone out the night before. I replied with, "I didn't go out. Why?"

Instantly, my ex replied, "Haven't you heard? Mass shooting at pulse. 20 dead and 40 injured." My brain did not want to process this. I read it over three times. Before I could reply to my ex, my mother called, looking for me. I picked up, voice still groggy from waking up. My conversation with my mother was brief, the information had started to sink in. Names and faces of people I had to contact starting popping up in my head. My best friend had spent the night, and was just waking up on the other side of the bed. My roommate? Worked overnight. My sister? Where's my sister? I have to call her. Nelson, did he go out? Kase? My brain kept spitting out first names, last names, faces all at once. I couldn't think clearly.

Vanderwolf. Kiona. Tate. Amanda. Michael. Zach. I had to reach out to them all. My fingers stumbled across the touch screen keyboard as I typed a simple "Are you ok?" to each contact.

I started looking up news articles and reading about the event. My heart sunk as I realized this was real. This was now. Just 15 minutes away from me.

As my friends messaged me back, one by one, I was quickly relieved. Few had been in the area, but all were safe. I was fortunate to not personally know anyone affected by this event.

However, I went on with my day with a heavy heart. I learned a co worker had friends in the hospital. All of my customers were keeping me updated of what was going on. The news was everywhere. My phone kept going off with people trying to get a hold of me or asking me about Randy or Megan. Have I heard from this co worker? Or that person? How about this person?

Leaving work, I went to the gym. Just like I would any other day. But on this day, it was... gloomy. Every television was broadcasting the event. Names of victims started to be released and flashed on the screens. The numbers went up. Stories of a mother looking for her son. Video from snapchat that was released of a girl in the midst of the shooting. Photos of buildings and streets that I recognized and knew well. I could mentally see the exact spot the photographer would have been standing on. I could see everything outside of the camera's frame.

Someone I know lost 7 friends that night.
A co worker lost his best friend.
Another is currently by the sides of her friends.

Despite this tragic event, Orlando has come together. The blood banks were at full capacity. People lined up around blocks to donate. People flocked to hospitals to visit those injured. Candlelight vigils and group prayers happened across the city.

But it wasn't just Orlando. The whole country responded in different ways. Well known figures like Anderson Cooper had a hard time reading the names of victims after giving tribute to them. Adele broke down in tears in Belgium after dedicating her show to Orlando. Even outside of the country like Paris, New Zealand, Australia, London, and many others all showed love and respect for my city.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for supporting us. Please show the ones you love how much you appreciate them. These victims won't have another chance to do so.

May you rest in peace, beautiful souls. You went out that night to party and dance away. May you forever be dancing above us.