Hey, Everyone! Another chapter for today! You might get one more before I go to bed tonight (hopefully)! I don't really have much to say so . . . Read on!

Chapter Fourteen

Ivy Mellark's POV

I lean my head against the back of my seat on the train. It is six a.m. and we're heading for District 2 for my Grandma Everdeen's funeral. I still can't believe she's gone. She was always so happy to see us when she came to District 12 or when we took road trips to visit her in District 2.

Grandma Everdeen was the best grandmother anyone could have ever asked for. She was always proud of her grandchildren, no matter we had (or hadn't) accomplished. And she opened her arms to those that weren't her own; like with Alex. The second she met him, she welcomed him to be her grandchild with open arms.

Lilac takes the seat next to me. Last night she had come into my bedroom at like one o'clock in the morning. She couldn't sleep. I wasn't too surprised. I was having a tough time falling asleep. So, instead of sleeping, we had pulled out some old photo albums and reminisced.

I hear the muffled sounds of light conversation as everyone else boards the train. I can understand why mom wants to have the funeral in District 2. It just makes it a little easier to bear. The train starts moving and I let the steady motion lull me into some much needed sleep.

"Wake up," I hear Finn tell me as he shakes me lightly. I rub my eyes and look around. The sun is at its highest point in the sky. "Time for lunch," Finn tells me before he makes his way to the dining car. I wake Lilac up and we head to the dining car together.

Two hours after lunch, we pull into the District 2 train station. I can tell that mom is trying really, really hard to stay strong. She absolutely hates breaking down in front of people, especially her kids. We all changed on the train so we take taxis right to the church that Grandma's funeral will be held at.

The ceremony is very nice. Eventually, mom does break down. Dad is there to comfort her, pulling her into his arms. Lilac and Liam stand together. They haven't fully made up yet but Liam knows how much Lilac needs someone to lean on right now. Harper decided to come, to be there for Phoenix, which is sweet of her. Surely she could be doing something more fun with her weekend than attending a funeral. But she gave up her fun weekend to be there for my brother. Finn sits in a pew, holding River by the neck. Mom didn't want him to bring River but I think she realized that River is Finn's best friend and eventually broke down.

I can't help but feel alone. Blake couldn't come. He didn't really tell me why, he just said he couldn't. I wish he was here though. I wish he could wrap his arms around my shoulders and comfort me like dad is doing for mom.

I feel someone touch my arm and look up. It's Alex. He's dressed in a simple, black suit. He gives me a very small grin. We both know there is nothing to smile about. I return his grin anyway. His hand moves up to squeeze my shoulder. I can't help but lean into him. I need someone to lean on so bad.

He pulls me into him and I finally let it out. I sob into his chest, probably ruining his suit with my mascara. He just holds me tightly to him, whispering to me. I have no idea what he is saying but his voice comforts me. After a good five minutes, I pull away and wipe my eyes with the tissue that Alex offers to me.

The ceremony ends and then we all make our way to the cemetery that is behind the little church. I watch as the workers at the church lower my grandmother's casket into the six foot long, six foot deep, and three foot wide hole. The minister says a few more words that are aimed to comfort us in our grievous state.

Instead of staying overnight, we all decide that we would rather take the late train home tonight. So, after a quiet dinner at a local restaurant, we board the train once more. This time, Lilac sits with Liam. It looks as if they are trying to talk things out.

Finn and Ash sit together, attempting to teach River some sort of new trick. Phoenix and Harper are sitting together, Harper trying to get very reserved Phoenix to talk. Phoenix has never been a big talker. He'd rather just let all his emotions out through his artwork.

"Hey," Alex says as he stands in front of me.

"Hi," I reply.

"Can I sit here?" He asks, gesturing to the open seat next to me. I nod silently and he sits down. He takes out his IPod and offers me one of his ear buds. I take it, grateful for some sort of distraction. The Scientist by Coldplay comes on. Alex and I were obsessed with this song when we were younger. It was really only because we're science nerds.

Alex and I sit, never exchanging words, just listening to the music. Really, this has a calming sensation to it. Just sitting with him makes me feel better. And it makes me realize how much I've missed him over the last few weeks. He's my best friend.

"Alex," I say, pulling the ear bud from my ear.

"Huh?" He asks.

"I think we should talk," I tell him.

"Okay," He says.

"I'm sorry about what I said to you at that party." I tell him, looking into his deep, grey-blue eyes.

"I was out of line. It really wasn't any of my business," He replies.

"Do you think we can get over this and be friends again?" I ask him.

"Of course we can." He tells me with a smile. "As long as you don't steal my number one spot in the class," He jokes. I can't help but laugh. Oh, I've missed him so much!

"Can I ask you something?" I ask him.

"You just did," He replies with a cheeky grin. I hit his arm playfully, holding back my laughter. "Go ahead," He tells me.

"Well, it's stupid really; just something mom told me. She, ah, she thinks that you have a crush on me." I tell him.

"Oh," He replies.

"You don't . . . do you?" I ask him seriously.

"Oh, no," He tells me with a shake of his head. "You're mom's crazy." He says with a laugh.

"See, I knew you didn't have a crush on me. I mean, you would've told me by now." I say, a weight being lifted off my chest.

Alex and I continue to listen to his IPod. The world is dark except for the lights that highlight the train tracks. The steady motion of the train's movement is rather soothing and, before I know it, I am fast asleep.

Alexander Abernathy's POV

I, Alexander Cole Abernathy, am an idiot. I had the perfect chance to tell Ivy how I felt and I blew it. How could I have been so stupid! Now, I have no chance with her; absolutely none, zero, zip, nada, nothing.

Boys can be so stupid sometimes, can't they? Well, it looks like Ivy and Alex won't be lip locking quite yet *sigh*. Well, I guess we'll have to see how things unfold in the next few chapters. Guys, I hate to tell you this, but we're about a third of the way through this story already. Much, much shorter than No One Said It Would Be Easy. Maybe I'll make a third one . . . Please review and thanks for reading!