Elena lost her best friend: 'We talked a lot about the future'

Elena, an 18-year-old student, is grappling with the loss of her best friend following a devastating attack at Brinellskolan. The two friends, who had known each other since primary school, shared a close bond, speaking on the phone every evening for hours. Elena recounted how they discussed their aspirations for the future, including university plans, just the night before the tragedy.

“

Now it will never happen.

During the attack, Elena was in the school's club room on the top floor, making posters and talking to her boyfriend on Facetime. She heard loud noises from lower floors and initially thought it was a fight. As friends began messaging her about a serious incident, Elena, fearing for her safety, turned off the lights and locked herself in the room.

“

I wasn't going to risk leaving, so I just locked myself in. I was so incredibly scared.

She later saw a picture on social media that she recognized as her friend's clothing, but she couldn't bring herself to believe it was true. The confirmation of her friend's death came late that evening. Elena expressed her disbelief, stating it feels unreal and that she expects to see her friend at school next week, as they used to exchange numerous messages daily.

“

I saw immediately that it was her clothes, but I didn't want to believe it was true.

Elena remembered her friend as exceptionally kind and sociable, capable of befriending anyone instantly. They had spent the summer together, planning to meet their boyfriends and go swimming, a plan that will now never materialize. Her friend had expressed a desire to attend Karolinska University.

“

It doesn't feel real. It feels like we're going to meet at school next week, like she'll reply if I send her a message. We used to send a thousand messages every day.