Chapter 23
Author: Thanks you guys for reviewing! Sorry I totally forgot about Christian, so I am going to add some things in to the story about him and how he is recovering and how he takes the news finding out that Laiken died. Sorry again! Enjoy! Oh yeah I am going to be getting into the movie really soon, probably in the next few chapters! I am starting Monday and I don't know if I will have time to write a lot all the time! So yeah…..:(
Jack couldn't sleep yet again that night. He watched as Kennedy laid in his arms sound asleep. He was happy that she finally went to sleep, but all he could think about was ripping Cooper's heart out and stomping on it. He cringed every time he thought of Cooper putting his hands on his best friend. He was happy that everything was ok with Jenna, but he just wished that he was there to help her. He sighed as he thought about everything that happened in the past couple of days. His mom finally came home later on that night. Her face showed that she hadn't gotten any sleep in 2 days. She didn't say much to her children, just embraced them in a hug. Jack tried his hardest to hold back the tears at the sight of his mom. She let them go and just slowly walked to her room. Jack laid in his bed remembering the look on Evelyn's face as she walked into the house. She looked so defeated. He wondered how Cindy was holding up. She just lost her daughter, and has a little girl who probably had no clue what happened. Jack rolled over a little to get comfortable again. He tried closing his eyes, but always found himself opening the again. He didn't want to go back to school. He didn't want to go the funeral later on that day. He didn't even want to get out of bed. All he wanted was for everything to go back to normal, where they were all friends, and just hanging out with each other.
"Maybe if you actually made yourself sleep, you actually could." Kennedy replied. Jack looked down at her and saw her staring up at him. He smiled at her.
"I wish it was that easy. I just keep thinking about everything and every time I close my eyes I see it."
"What are you thinking about?"
"The look on my ma's face tonight. Cindy and how she is dealing with everything. Christian and how he is going to handle everything. The funeral today. Jenna and that dick Cooper."
"There's a lot going through that head of yours."
"I just wanted to go away."
"Me too."
"You want to go see Christian tomorrow after the funeral? I've been meaning to go see how he was doing."
"At the hospital?" she leaned up and looked at him.
"Yeah, I will be with you."
"I don't know if I can go back into that place."
"It's the least we can do. I mean I think he deserves some visitors."
"He deserves more than that." Kennedy closed her eyes and laid her head back down. Jack leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before laying down. He closed his eyes and just let sleep take over him.
The next morning Jack reached over to wrap his arms around Kennedy, but she wasn't there. He got up and looked around the room. He got up from the bed and looked down the hall. Everyone's doors were open, meaning no one was in them. He walked downstairs and heard laughing. He walked into the kitchen and saw Bobby, Angel, and Jenna sitting at the table. "Hey, what's going on?" Jack asked walking up to them
"Kennedy decided she would cook us some breakfast." Angel replied
"Sit your ass down. Your girl is finally good for something." Bobby replied patting the chair beside him. Kennedy comes in with plates. She laid a plate in front of Angel, Jack, and Jenna before walking back into the kitchen. "Excuse me, you kind of forgot about someone." Bobby yelled.
"Oh yeah." Kennedy replied. She got another plate and laid in front of an empty seat.
"I meant me." Bobby replied
"Why don't you be good for something and get it your damn self." She replied before twirling around and walking into the kitchen. Jack just stared at Bobby trying his hardest not to laugh. Bobby glared at the door that Kennedy walked back into. He turned and looked at Angel who had the biggest smile on his face.
"Don't say a word." Bobby replied
"You just got told." Angel replied
"Shut the fuck up Angel."
"That girl just told you off man. You just got played man, by a girl."
"Angel, I swear if you don't shut up."
"Hey come on, I am cooking breakfast here. Who wants to eat?" Kennedy yelled showing her face again.
Everyone shut up. "I mean you guys can still bitch, while I eat all these pancakes and eggs that I made. I mean I made a whole meal, so I mean I wouldn't mind eating it."
"Just bring out the damn food." Bobby replied. Kennedy started laughing before going back into the kitchen. She brought out all the food, plus another plate for Bobby.
Later that day Kennedy stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a black skirt, with a blue shirt. She fixed her hair and decided not to put make up on. She looked over at Jack, who actually dressed up yet again. She gave a little smile. "You ready?" she whispered
"Are you ready?" he asked
"Not really."
"Me either. I just want to get it over with."
"Me too. You want to go see Christian afterwards?" she asked
"I think he would like that. Let him know someone still cares."
There was a knock at the door. "You guys ready?" Angel asked poking his head in. Kennedy looked at Jack again, before nodding.
"I think so." She replied. "As ready as we can be."
"Ok, let's go. Ma's waiting downstairs with Bobby and Jerry."
Kennedy held out her hand before they headed downstairs to the car. The car ride was silent the whole way to the church. No one really knew what to say. Jack held onto Kennedy's hand the whole time, while Bobby looked back at her every now and then. Jenna stared at the window and prayed that everything would go ok at the funeral. The car came to a stop and Jenna's head shot up. She heard Kennedy take a deep breath in before everyone got out of the car. She looked at Jack, who was just staring straight ahead. They walked into the church and saw tons of people sitting in the pews. They found them a seat and sat down. The service began. Kennedy felt Jack's arm wrap around her. She just laid her head on his shoulder as tears streamed down her face. Cindy, Laiken's mother got up to say a few words.
"Laiken, really didn't want to move from New York. She thought she was going to go to a place where no one liked her and where it was always cold. She heard that it snowed here and never really stopped during the winter time. I finally convinced her to move. The day that we moved in, we met the most wonderful people. Evelyn Mercer and her boys. They helped us move in and just really made us feel welcome. Then there was a girl that came over too. Her name was Kennedy. Her and Laiken really didn't hit it off too well, but became the best of friends. Laiken was so happy that she moved down here because of those people sitting right there." She pointed to where they were sitting. "She would come home everyday talking about everything that they did and how much she loved every one of them. That weekend that she was in the wreck, she came home and told me that Kennedy invited her over to a sleepover before she went back to New York for the weekend. She came running up to me and was so excited that she finally got invited to something. She was so happy that she had friends that would do anything for her. Kennedy, you saved my little girl that night. She wouldn't have been able to tell me bye if it wasn't for you. You have a heart of gold because you actually were worried about her. Most people wouldn't have thought about it, but you did. I am so happy that in the little time that my little girl had, she spent it with all of you. Laiken will always be in our hearts no matter what. I would like to thank you for coming today. It really means a lot that you cared." She wiped her face before stepping down. During Cindy's speech, Kennedy had buried her head into Jack's chest to keep from crying. He put his hand on her and just soothed her by rubbing it. She leaned up when Cindy was finished and wrapped her arms around Cindy's neck. "Thank you." Cindy whispered. Cindy walked over to her little girl and picked her up in her arms and just hugged her.
"Come on sweetheart, let's go." Evelyn replied grabbing hold of Kennedy's hand who was still staring at Cindy and her daughter.
Everyone walked back outside and got back in the van. This time it was Kennedy's turn to stare out the window. She saw grave sites all around her and knew she was in the cemetery. She closed her eyes and just laid her head on the window. Bobby opened the door for them and held out his hand to Jenna and Kennedy to help them out. Kennedy gave a soft smile to him before letting go. They slowly walked over to the green covered top, with chairs and flowers underneath. They stood there for what seemed like hours until the preacher walked up to Cindy and hugged her. Kennedy was the first the walk up the casket. She kissed her two fingers and placed them on the wood. She turned her head away and walked away. She started walking to the car as everyone followed her. They all stopped to see Evelyn standing behind Cindy at Laikens grave. A small hand appeared in Bobby's.
"Hi." A small voice came. Bobby looked down to see who just grabbed his hand
"Hi, there. What's your name?" Bobby asked kneeling down
"Daphne." She squealed
"My name is Bobby. Is that your mommy up there?"
Daphne nodded her head "My sister was in a car weck."
"I know and I am really sorry." Bobby whispered "Why arent you up there with your mommy?"
"She told me to stay at the car. She really sad."
"Yeah we all are."
"Hey there Daphne, my name's Angel. Would you like to go sit in the van with us?" Angel asked bending down
Daphne looked at him, before nodding her head. She held onto Bobby's hand as they walked to Evelyn's van. Jack looked at Kennedy who was still staring towards Evelyn and Cindy. He walked back to her. "We have no clue what that woman is going through. How much pain she is feeling and the lonliness that's in her heart. I don't know how she is ever going to get through this. She doesn't deserve this. She is a single mother, who just lost her oldest child and has a 6 year old she has to care for now. Why did this have to happen?" Kennedy asked feeling someone standing behind her.
"Life sucks sometimes. You just have to go through it like nothing is wrong." Jack replied
"We are only 18, Jack. Lifes' not suppose to suck this bad."
"Come on, lets go home. Ma is going to ride with Cindy. I don't think Cindy is going to leave anytime soon." Bobby replied walking up to them. "We are going to take Daphne home with us until she comes back."
Kennedy turned around and without saying a word walked to the van. Jack looked a Bobby before shaking his head and walking to the car. "This is getting old." Bobby replied before going to the van. He got into the drivers seat and turned around. "Is anyone hungry?" he asked
"I am starving." Angel replied
"Yeah me too." Jenna responded. Jack looked over at Kennedy who was staring out the window.
"Jack? Kennedy?" Bobby replied
"Yeah sure." Jack said. He was still looking at Kennedy. "Baby, you hungry?"
She looked at him before nodding her head. Bobby started the car and drove to the nearest pizza place. Everyone got out of the car except for Bobby and Kennedy. "You guys go in there and order and get a table. I am going to talk to Kennedy for a little bit." Bobby replied to the others. Jack kissed Kennedy one the cheek before going with everyone else. Bobby opened the back door and climbed in the backseat with Kennedy who was staring out the window again.
"Hey there." He replied. She didn't move "Tell me whats wrong?"
"Everything's wrong Bobby." She replied not looking at him.
"You know that Laiken's death was an accident. You cant still be blaming yourself for what happened."
"I blame myself everyday for what happened ok."
"I don't understand why."
"Because, I don't know why either. I just have this feeling that if we would have gotten there sooner then maybe she would still be alive,"
"You don't know that. That storm was horrible that night. I am so happy that you two didn't speed to get to them. You two could be dead right now. That would kill me. I love both of you with all my heart. Even though he is my brother, I love you like my little sister. All I kept thinking about that night was I should have never let you go. Then that phone call, oh my god I thought my heart stopped when he said to come to the hospital. I never knew that it would be Laiken and Christian. Know that you did everything possible to help her, but you just weren't meant to save her."
"Can we just go get some food? I am a little hungry." She replied looking at him.
"Sure." Bobby replied "Don't tell Angel that I was getting soft on you in there van." He replied helping her out. "I will never hear the end of it."
She smiled at him. "There;s that smile. I was beginning to miss that thing." He replied smiling back at her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her into a hug. She returned the hug before heading inside the pizza shop.
2 weeks past and things were starting to get back to normal. Evelyn made Jack and Kennedy go back to school that Tuesday after the funeral. Everyone at school was talking about Laiken's death that Kennedy normally would skip some of her classes and go sit out on the football field and think. Jack walked outside one day and found her sitting in the bleachers staring into space. "You know, I always thought you were the good one. Now I guess you have known me too long. Skipping classes, sure isn't your thing." He replied sitting next to her. He had a cigeratte in his mouth, smiling at her.
"Yeah well, when people want to talk about your dead friend its kind of hard to pay attention. So I thought why the hell should I go to class when Im not learning anything anyways."
"People still talking about that?"
"Yeah, they will always talk about that."
"It'll get better."
"I don't care anymore if it gets better or not. I just want it to be summer break and then everything to go back to normal and me and you can hang out doing nothing."
"Yeah well 2 more months and then we graduate and then the summer is all ours to do nothing but sleep all day."
"Yeah that sounds great."
"You want to go home now or do you want to stay out here a little longer?"
"Let's go home." She replied. He held out his hand to her and she smiled at him before grabbing it. He pulled to him and kissed her on the lips. She pulled away "What was that for?"
"I haven't kissed you all and I was kind of starting to miss those gorgeous lips on mine."
She blushed. They began walking to his car, until they saw Jenna talking a guy. As they got closer Jack noticed it was Cooper. Kennedy saw this too but before she could do anything Jack was on his way over to them. "Jack!" she yelled. Jenna spun around
"Jack, its ok." She replied stepping in front of Cooper
"Dick!" Jack replied pointing his finger "What gives you the right to even remotely talk to her after what you did?" he spat
"I am talking to Jenna about that." Cooper replied.
"You need to stay away from her asshole! She doesn't need someone like you."
"Jack, just let it go." Jenna replied "Its ok. We were just talking."
"Jenna, get in your car and drive away. Me and Cooper here need to have a little talk." Jack replied
"Jack, come on lets go home ok." Kennedy replied walking up to him.
Two guys walked up next to Cooper and glared at Jack. "Is something going on?" one of them asked
"No, we were just leaving." Kennedy replied grabbing hold on Jack's arm.
"Yeah, your jackass friend doesn't know how to treat a girl. I was about to teach him." Jack replied pulling away from Kennedy.
"Were you?" one asked.
"Whats it to you?" Jack asked
"Jack, just leave." Jenna replied
"Yeah Jack, just leave." The other replied
"Fuck you!" Jack retorted. "No one treats a girl the way he did and gets away with it. Especially my best friend."
"Look, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to her and everything was fine until she came. So I suggest you leave and let us finish our conversation."
Jack turned around and grabbed Jennas arm pulling her with him. "Hey!" Cooper yelled walking towards them "She doesn't want to go with you."
"Stay out this pretty boy, before you become very ugly." Jack replied without turning around. Cooper grabbed Jacks shoulder and turned him around. Jack looked at him until Cooper's hand connected with Jack's face. Jack let go of Jenna's hand, as she backed away from them. Jack leaned up and put his hand to his lip that was bleeding. He looked at him finger before punching Cooper in the jaw. The two boys behind him joined it, making it 3 against one. Kennedy looked at this and knew she had to do something. "Stop!" she yelled. She tried to pulled Jack off of them, but one of the boys hands hit her in the mouth knocking her backwards. She hit the ground hard hitting her head on the back of a car. Jack looked over at her causing the boys to jump on him. Jenna ran over to Kennedy how was holding her head. "Jack." She whined. She pulled her hand away and saw that her heard was bleeding. Jack was getting his ass kicked by the guys until whistles were being blown in all direction. The basketball coach and football coach came running over to them. They grabbed the guys who were on Jack, as Jack's rushed over to Kennedy who was still leaning against the car. He grabbed her arm and threw it over his shoulder before picking her up in his arms. He looked over at Cooper who was on the ground. "You can bet your ass Parks that I will see you again!" Jack yelled
"Whenever you want to go rockstar." Cooper yelled back
Jack glared at him "Jack, I am bleeding. We need to get me home ok." Kennedy replied
He looked down at her and saw the tears in her eyes. He walked to his car and gave Jenna his eyes. "Drive." He replied. He got in the backseat and held Kennedy in his arms the whole way home. As they arrived home Angel was walking in with Sofi at his side. He looked over at Jack's car and saw him getting out with Kennedy is his arms.
"What the hell happened?" he asked
"She knocked her head on the car." Jack replied walking past him
"What the hell happened to you?" Angel asked noticing that Jack looked like he got the crap kicked out him.
"Got into a fight." Jack replied shortly
"With who?"
"Does it matter?" he yelled turning around "She needs help. Her head is bleeding."
"Ma isn't going to be home for another hour or so." Angel replied
"Does anyone know anything about first aid in this house?" Jack asked
"I know a little." Jenna replied appearing behind him. "I mean its not bad so I think she is going to live." She replied with a laugh. Jack just looked at her. Bobby appeared at the top of the stairs. He saw Kennedy in Jacks arms. "what the hell happened?" He asked half jogging down the stairs skipping a few.
"Jack was getting his ass kicked andapparently someone hit Kennedy and knocked her into a car." Angel replied
"Why were you fighting?" Bobby asked looking at Kennedys' head
"Because they said something to Jenna that I didn't like so I got involved. There was 3 of them ok. So I think I look pretty good knowing that there was 3 of them and just one of me. Things just got out of hand."
"Obviously" Bobby retored. "Bring her in the kitchen and let me look at it."
Jack walked into the kitchen with Kennedy still in his arms. "Kennedy." Bobby whispered. He put a piece of her hair behind her ear. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at him "I need to stay awake ok."
She nodded her head slowly. Jack sat down in the chair while Bobby bandaged up Kennedy's head. He gave her some pain medicine and told Jack to take her to bed. Jack slowly walked back downstairs knowing Bobby was going to start yelling at him.
"So tell me the real reason why you got into fight at school today." Bobby replied
"This guy Cooper was messing with her so I went to say something. I turned around to leave and the dude punched me. I was doing good until his two buddies came over and joined in. Then some how one of them knocked Kennedy back and she hit her head on the car. I didn't see anything until I heard a scream and saw her laying there. That's when I stopped fighting and ran over ot her but the guys jumped on me and started kicking me and shit."
"What did the guy do to Jenna?"
"He was just messing with her."
"I know you are lying to me, so why don't you tell me the truth."
"Bobby, he was messing with her."
"So he didn't try to have sex with her when she told him no?"
"Who told you that?"
"Jenna did. When you took Kennedy to bed, she told me everything."
"I didn't think she would want you to know."
"Well she told me and you didn't need to get into all that. Look at you. Ma is going to kill you for getting into a fight."
"Well I mean I was just trying to protect her. I thought he was trying to do something again."
"She said they were just talking and that he was apologizing for what happened."
"I don't care if he was apologizing or not. It shouldn't have happened in the first place."
"You're right, but it did. That was over 2 weeks ago Jack. Let it go."
"Fine, I am going to go upstairs. Call me when dinners ready."
"Don't go waking that girl up man."
"Yeah yeah." Jack replied going upstairs. He went into his room and saw Kennedy peacefully asleep on his bed. He grabbed his guitar and began softly playing a melody. He kept his eyes on Kennedy who looked so peaceful laying there. He smiled to himself as he thought of her being with him. He always wondered how he got her. He loved watching her, when she thinks no one is watching. Her smile made him think everything was ok. Her laugh brought joy to his heart. The way she touches him sometimes sends goosebumps all over his body. Her kisses make him want more and more every time they touched his lips. He loved the way her warm body touches his at night and they way her feet always had to be touching his for her to sleep. At times when they weren't sleeping together, he would long for her all night to be by his side so he could sleep. He prayed that the love he shared with her wouldn't go away and would forever be his. He smiled at her thought about her and as he watched her sleep. She was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen laying peacefully and so innocent in his bed.
Author: Ok, so the next chapter at the end I am going to start the movie so I hope everyone will like how I do that. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was too sad as the other ones! Haha! But I hope you liked it anyway! I am starting school Monday so it might be a while before I post again!
Ryo Wings:yeah well most guys are douches like that so you know! Haha thanks for the review! Except Jack of course! Haha
Skyler Jenaiyah Mercer: yeah I hate horny guys too! Hahaha! They do crack me up too until they take things a little too far and actually think that they will win. I would have beat the living hell out of him if I was her! But yeah! She just kicked him in the nuts! Hahah! Thanks for the review!
Iluvgarretthedlund: yeah that is funny that I forgot about Christian and trust me I know I didn't put him in this chapter because I am saving it for a flashback in the next chapter! I didn't forget about him again! Hahaha! Yeah Jack kicked his ass, then got his ass kicked but all is well! Haha! Thanks for the review! Go nasty! Hahaha! More nasty to come! Haha!
Cheetah girl 15: awww boo school! Thanks for the review though even though you had school! I'll keep updating, don't worry. You just keep reviewing! Haha! Thanks girl!