First of all I would like to thank Stevoes1994 and bsrichards15 for their reviews and I constantly keep what Anon said in my mind as I go over the chapter before I upload and post it. Just a little heads up, Mr. Ragins who I created in this chapter I pictured Jon Hamm doing the role.
It is the week before graduation, students are happy and sad. Lunch time, Jill is sitting at one of the benches outside with Trevor, eating her sandwich and he is having fries. "They should be here," Jill said under her breath and Trevor nods.
Swallowing his three fries, "I know, but they will be there in spirit."
Giving a slow nod, wishing for them to be there isn't going to bring them back, the whole event shouldn't have happened, but because of… shaking her head. Jill finishes off her sandwich, students were happy because they could say they were done with high school, sad because they were leaving and because four students got murdered weeks before graduation.
"Miss Roberts?" Jill looked up to see Principle Ragins, "are you busy?" he enquired and she looked at him a bit confused at first and shook her head.
"No, I just finished my lunch," Jill answered, he is a tall man, a bit of a long face, set eyes and a deep voice with some light stubble of a beard and mustache. His dark hair is combed over and parted down the left, always in a shirt, tie, and a jacket and dress slacks. He always looks business like, but he is nice.
"Can I talk to you, in private?" Mr. Ragins asked and Jill nodded.
Standing up she walked with him over to the water fountain, he motioned for her to take a seat first and he sat down next to her, facing her.
"What I am about to ask you, I'll understand if you are uncomfortable with it, but I know you were very close with Olivia Morris and Kirby Reed," Mr. Ragins started.
Jill felt a chill go up her spine, curious but also unsure if she wants to hear what he is going to say.
Looking at her in the eye, "I am going to have their pictures and Jenny Randall and Marnie Cooper's pictures on display at graduation. I was wondering if you would be up for giving a small speech, to tell the students who didn't know them to hear about who they were. I also thought that their parents would appreciate it coming from you, but if you are uncomfortable with it I'll understand."
Jill took a moment to maul it over, going over what she'd heard he could see that so many things were running through her mind. "It can be just a few words, it is all up to you and your comfort level."
Looking at Mr. Ragins, "I'll do it," Jill gave a firm nod that she was set on it, knowing that it was coming from her, both of their parents knew they were best friends. It wouldn't sound right coming from a stranger on the stage.
He gives her a smile, "Alright, I'll be giving a small speech about the overall ordeal and everything at the start. Would you like to give your speech after I have spoken?"
I wouldn't have to be waiting long, thinking about it and get all emotional later if I do it at the start Jill figured. "Sure, sounds good."
A light pat on her right shoulder, "Great, let me know if you want to talk about it alright? Any questions, just come by my office."
They both stand up, "Okay, thank you," Jill smiles and he smiles back before looking out at the crowd of students. Jill walked away and he went back into the school while she went back to find Trevor where she left him.
"So, what did he want?" Trevor asks, looking curious but concerned about what transpired.
Taking her seat and picking up one of his fries, she bites it in half. "He asked if I would like to say a few words about Kirby and Olivia at graduation, I said I would," Jill put the second half into her mouth and chewed.
Smiling now, "Wow, that'll be nice, a little tribute," Trevor commented and picked up two fries and put them into his mouth.
Smiling up at him, "Yeah," Jill picked up her bottle of water to take a few gulps. A bit of the water leaks out and dribbles down her chin, as she wipes her chin with the back of her hand she freezes. "What do I say though?"
Resting his hand on her upper back, Jill looks up at him and he smirks, "Your living with a writer, you can ask her how to get started."
At first Jill didn't know of how to approach Sidney about writing this speech meant for her friends. So she didn't mention it when she first got in, or had dinner, however because her mind is on it constantly, Sidney could tell something was up.
Resting on her back, lying on her bed, butt of pen resting between her teeth, pen resting on the back of her middle finger with her index finger tapping it gently. A couple of pages resting next to her that only have a sentence or two before she decided she wasn't happy with what was being written.
I don't want it sappy, I don't want it too personal and tell stories… but how do I start and what do I say? 'Kirby Reed and Olivia Morris were my best friends, they were taken away from those who loved them. Kirby drove Olivia and I to school and I knew when she got to my driveway, I could hear her music blasting' yeah… right. That is personal, they won't care as lots of people like to blast their music!
Setting down her pen she groans at herself and rubs her face before resting her head back. A small knock comes to her door and she looks up and over to see Sidney open the door a little.
"Is everything okay?" Sidney asks and Jill looks down at her new empty page before looking up at Sidney.
"I'm stuck… on a speech I'll be giving at graduation," Jill said and Sidney stepped into the room.
Not wanting to be nosey and skim her eyes over what has been written on a few pages, "What is your speech on?"
Jill looks over at a picture of her and her two friends together on her desk, "Kirby and Olivia," feeling that saying their names would be enough.
This is what has been on her mind Sidney gives a small nod, "having a hard time starting?"
Looking at Sidney with honest eyes, "I don't know how I should write it or what to write."
Jill moves over a bit to make room and Sidney sits down next to her, taking the hint that she wants help. "You can start off with the basics, not everyone in the crowd knows you girls, what you did together."
Back to holding the butt end of her pen between her teeth, "It feels like it has been said hundreds of times that we were best friends though."
Putting her left arm around her shoulders, "They were your best friends, having it said hundreds of times or thousands of times makes no difference. To say it to everyone there, it will say that no matter what, it affects you and will always affect you, because they were an important part of your life. Tell them again, because it is important to you."
Smiling a little at her words, Jill writes down what was just decided.
"Okay," Sidney starts to think about the next part to the starter, "what did you girls do that was different from other students?"
Rising her eyebrow at her, "Different? How so?"
Looking at Jill, "Well, something that may have been routine for you wasn't for others going to your school."
Not everyone went outside to eat; then again we ate indoors too. Everyone went to the movies… but we didn't take a bus in our last year Jill wanted to scratch that one off of the list, but knew it would be something different.
"Kirby drove Olivia and I to school in the morning," Jill said and Sidney smiled and nodded.
"Not everyone does that, it shows something different about you three," Sidney commented and Jill realized, she hadn't thought of it that way.
Writing the next part down, with a small explanation.
"You may want to talk about each of the girls, their separate traits, personalities, what they liked and what they had interests in doing after school," Sidney added.
Thinking about their traits made Jill smile, "Kirby loved a challenge, especially when it came to her knowledge on movies, she was strong headed." Tears brimmed her eyes and Sidney rubbed her arm to give her some comfort.
"Tell them," Sidney said and looked at the sheet of paper, "do a brain storm, write down their traits and then you can organize it all."
Giving a small nod, Jill smiles and looks at Sidney, "Thanks."
Smiling back, "No problem," standing up and opening the bedroom door to step out, she looks at Jill while holding the doorknob. "Don't stay up too late, you can always work on it tomorrow."
Giving a firm nod this time, "I won't, good night," Jill said as she flipped her big notepad over to start her brainstorm.
"Good night."
Standing before the flood of parents, friends, siblings, aunts, uncles, grand parents and other family related to the graduates waiting. The Mr. Ragins rests his hands on the podium; pictures of the students lost because of the murders, an accident or health problems standing on the stage.
"Today, we recognize the graduating students of this year, for their hard work, their achievements, and what they've lost. They have lost a friend, a sister, brother, a mother, and together by standing as one, we've pulled through this," he looks over the faces in the crowd.
"Even though Kirby Reed, Olivia Morris, Jenny Randall and Marnie Cooper had their lives taken away from them when they were just starting… we will all remember them. We will cherish their memory, today they graduate with all of our graduates," he motions to the side, knowing they're waiting in their gowns, but also listening.
"What Robbie Mercer and Charlie Walker did to our loved ones, is something we will never forget. For their family, I would like you to remember them for who they were to you, they were influenced by things in their personal lives to do the things they did. Remember everyone up here on this stage for the times they made you smile, laugh and for the times you needed someone to talk to and they were there for you."
Principle Ragins sees tears in the crowd, sad, happy he couldn't tell or maybe a mix of the two. "Now, I have a couple of our graduates back here waiting to give a few words about the friends they've lost, please give welcome to Jill Roberts," he begins to clap and the crowd claps as she walks out.
Wiping at her eyes, and fighting to stay composed before everyone, her speech written up before her, as she didn't want to screw up anything she had to say.
Looking over the crowd, she spots Sidney, Kirby and Olivia's parents and gets the nod to start. "Kirby Reed and Olivia Morris were my best friends. Kirby would pick Olivia and I up for school, as we were on her way and Olivia and I were neighbours," Jill takes a slow deep breath.
With a smile at the memory, "Kirby loved her horror movies, you could ask her anything and she would have the answer right away, she knew when to be blunt and when to use sarcasm," Jill swallowed to clear her throat. "She was very strong, independent, head strong, she would take a challenge by the horns, she applied to go into theatre. Kirby wanted to go into acting, quiz movie geeks and put on a show.
"Olivia liked the horror movies as well, however not the hard core fan like Kirby," Jill picked up a tissue to wipe at her eyes, their parents smiling but crying in the crowd. "She liked fashion, looking at it, criticizing it, and she had a big book in her desk drawer with concepts. Olivia would pick at what actors and actresses wore in movies, make fun or make comments here and there, but only with movies we knew.
"She was also laid back, compared to Kirby, she liked to take things as they came, but if something came up that she loved, she would pounce on it," Jill felt her emotions rising up. Tears sliding down her cheeks, remembering seeing her friend fight for her life and be put on display. Sidney felt her heart break at seeing Jill start to lose her control on the stage.
Taking a deep breath to try and regain control, but only getting some of it back. "Olivia was a kind, sweet girl, she could also be blunt but she had a great heart. I lost my mother that evening, now I have my loving cousin Sidney watching out for me, Kirby's parents and Olivia's lost their daughters'. We will miss them. We loved them and they knew that, thank you," Jill felt a hand on her back, it was Trevor, and he came out from the lineup to put his right arm around her shoulders.
Turning to leave, Jill could hear a small amount of clapping and then it grew as she and Trevor walked to the back. She didn't care about the looks she got from everyone now, she got to say what she needed to, let everyone know who didn't know them what they were like. A friend to Jenny Randall and Marnie Cooper was waiting with another friend, both with tears in their eyes and trying to hold in their own emotions.
"You did good Jill, they would have liked it," Trevor said as the two other girls went up to talk about Jenny and Marnie.
Blowing her nose on her Kleenex, Jill nodded, "thanks, I knew it wasn't going to be easy when he asked me if I would like to say a few words for them."
"You did a great job, their parents appreciated it, I saw it in their faces," Trevor stopped at her spot in the line up at last.
Upon reaching the corner to the stage, Jill felt like she was there just a minute ago giving her speech, even though it was several minutes ago. "I wish you were here mom," Jill whispered to herself, "I wish that you, Olivia and Kirby were with me here today… you would be taking pictures, and video recording."
"Jill Roberts," Mr. Ragins said, taking a deep breath to keep her emotions in control and to try and be happy in the moment. Jill walks out, shaking hands with Mr. Ragins in the middle and taking her diploma. "Congratulations Jill, your mother would be proud," he smiles at her and Jill smiles and nods before looking out at the crowd.
She sees Sidney with a camera out, taking her picture, "thank you," Jill said before the handshake ended and she walked down to the end where the rest of the graduates are.
A few more students came out to get their diploma's and once everyone was standing together on the stage before the crowd, Mr. Ragins went to the microphone. "Give it up for this years graduating class!"
The crowd stood up, taking pictures, applauding, crying, Jill felt Trevor take her hand and rise it up to do a victorious pose. Sidney clapping and taking pictures.
More pictures were taken when the students came down to be with their families, pictures with their family taken all over the place. "Come on, we need a picture of the two of you together!" Trevor pushed for Jill and Sidney to get their picture together.
Standing side by side, arms around one another, Trevor snaps the photo just as a tap comes onto Jill's shoulder.
Turning around she is met by Mrs. Reed with drying tears down her cheeks. "Jill, I just wanted to say thank you, for what you said up there," she dabbed a tissue at her eye. "It means a lot, how have you been holding up dear?"
Feeling slightly uncomfortable with the topic, but not having spoken to her best friends parents since they were killed because they hadn't answered her phone calls and she knew they were dealing with a lot. Pulling a lock of her hair behind her ear, "doing my best, it hasn't been easy, I think about them a lot and I miss them."
Mrs. Reed nodded, fresh tears coming to her eyes, "I know you probably don't want to come by the house, after what happened," she sniffled. "But if you're up for it, I have been going through Kirby's things… I've set aside things of hers I thought you would like."
Flashes of the night went through her mind, Jill wondered if she could actually go into there again, but knowing there was no one there to harm her. She gave a nod, "I'll come by, sure."
Mr. Reed came up, just having talked to Mrs. Morris and put his hands onto her shoulders gently. "I Jill, it's good to see you," he gave a small smile. Looking at his wife, "we should go," and she nodded, her emotions getting the better of her again as they walked away.
Olivia's mother then walked over, with her boy friend close behind, a tissue clenched in her hand, her way of trying to hold in the emotions most likely, her eyes red but no tears on her face.
"Jill… Miss. Prescott," she greeted them both, knowing they were the last ones to see her daughter alive and fighting. Looking at Jill, "I'm sorry for not returning your calls, for witnessing my daughters death…" she clenched her fist on the tissue. Looking at Jill in the eye then, "I have been thinking about the stories often. What happened that night," looking at Sidney, "thank you for running over and trying."
Her boy friend put his arm around her shoulders protectively, "I think that is good enough for now," he said.
She shook her head, looking at Jill again, "Olivia fought, didn't she?" tears welling up in her eyes.
Why would she ask me that? Jill wondered, she had said that Olivia did in the paper I guess she wants to hear it directly from me. "Yes, Olivia fought."
Giving a small nod, "I read every story, but I've had nightmares that have twisted it all and made me wonder."
"Come on sweetie, let's go home," her boy friend said and this time she was led away.
Sidney put her hand onto Jill's back, "time go to home?" she asked and Jill gave a small nod. A look of feeling uncomfortable was on her after those two conversations.
"If you want to talk Jill, remember you can contact me anytime," Trevor said, concern in his eyes and she gave a forced smile to assure him that she understood.
Reaching the car doors, "Miss. Roberts, Miss. Prescott!" Jill and Sidney turned around to see Principle Ragins hurrying over to them.
Looking at Sidney and then over at her principle just one more... this day is turning into more of a stressful and emotional day than I thought it would be. Walking around the front of the car to meet Mr. Ragins as he stopped in front of Sidney.
"I just wanted to say thank you for coming down, Miss. Roberts your speech was great," he smiled at her. "What you said was exactly what was needed for the start of the ceremony, a chance for graduating students and families to know about two of the lives we lost."
Holding out his hand and shaking Jill's hand, "Thank you Jill, it was a pleasure having you," and then turning to Sidney he extended his hand to her.
Sidney took his hand next, "Miss. Prescott, I can see how much you have grown from everything that has happened to you. Thank you for coming down with Jill and becoming a part of her life to help her through these hard times."
"Thank you," Sidney said with a smile, "and your welcome."
Releasing her hand, Mr. Ragins looks at the two of them, "please, keep in touch." With that he turned around and went back to the group of students and families.
Looking at Jill, Sidney could tell that there was a lot on her shoulders and she now wondered how much of it was gone or possibly added on. "Are you okay?"
As if taken out of a trance, Jill blinked twice before looking up at Sidney, "Eventually."
To Be Continued...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was going to be done differently (and shorter) but in the end ideas just blossomed for me and I am very happy with how it turned out.
Please review, tell me what you liked, what you felt, ideas and suggestions!
Thank you for reading!
-SLITH