"Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps, my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now. He set me free."

Sitting on the hard fold out chair, Adilynne Carver stared blankly at the mahogany casket in front of her. She could hear the preacher inviting everyone forward for one last final goodbye, could see them placing their flowers on the casket before turning to look at her and her mother with their sympathy, but she made no move to respond to any of it.

She sat still staring forward as her mother whispered it was time to go. Shaking her head Adilynne told her she wanted to stay, "Just a little while longer. I'll meet you back at the house," Adilynne whispered. Hesitating Jenna Carver studied her daughter before slowly nodding, "Not too long," she told her, kissing her temple before standing. Adilynne watched as her mother stopped one last time at the casket before slowly walking back to the black limousine that had brought them from the church to the cemetery.

Adilynne didn't know how long she sat there till the boy sat two chairs away from her. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye Adilynne waited for the inevitable to come from his mouth. "Hey, uh, sorry for your loss," he eventually mumbled, making Adilynne roll her eyes. "If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that this past week I could take a trip to Europe," she scoffed. Snorting the boy glanced at her, "Pretty sure you can do that anyway."

Shrugging Adilynne sighed, "You know what I mean," she said. "He was pretty decent. You know for a cop and all," the boy told her, studying the flowers on top of the casket. Feeling herself begin to smile for the first time in a week she looked at the boy, "You should know, he probably arrested you like 500 times in the last few years." Holding up a hand the boy glared at her, "First, I've never been processed," he told her pausing to glance at the casket, "In large part because of him and second probably more like 501," he told her causing her to let loose a small laugh.

Biting her lip Adilynne looked back at the casket taking a deep breath she let it out slowly, "He was a good dad too," she whispered. "Yeah, he took care of this island," he muttered. The two were quiet, just content in the silence as they both stared at the casket of the former sheriff of Kildaire Island. Eventually the blonde rose to his feet, "I'll see ya around, Addie," he told her quietly. Sucking in her breath at the nickname her father used Adilynne watched as the boy began the walk back to where she could see his dirtbike sat.

Standing quickly Adilynne placed the rose she had been given earlier on top of the casket, "Bye daddy," she whispered, touching the casket one last time. Turning she hurried towards the boy and his dirtbike, "Wait," she called, "Can you give me a ride?" she asked coming to a stop in front of him as he sat on his bike waiting for her.

Looking her over the boy motioned to her, "You want a ride in that dress?" he questioned. Glancing down at herself Adilynne shrugged, "From what I've heard of you I figure a chance to see a girl's underwear wouldn't be something you'd say no to," she said smiling. Snorting he tilted his head at her, "Touche, Princess," he said, "Well come on then," he told her as he started the bike. Climbing behind him Adilynne gripped the back of his shirt. Hearing him laugh he turned his head to look at her, "You're gonna wanna hold on a bit tighter than that, Addie," he told her.

Gingerly Adilynne repositioned her hands and wrapped her arms around him. "How do you want to do this, fast or slow?" he asked, smirking at the innuendo. Taking a breath Adilynne leaned forward, "Fast," she whispered in his ear, laughing when he popped the bike in gear and tore off out of the cemetery. With the wind in her hair Adilynne felt like she could finally breathe for the first time since her father died.

Pulling to a stop at the bottom of her driveway Adilynne climbed off the back of the bike. Glancing around at the amount of cars still parked in her driveway and the ones on the street she knew her house was still packed with people, "I guess I put this off long enough; having to go in here and listen to all these fake ass people," she said, motioning to the house. Furrowing his brow he sighed, "You could come with me, if you want," he offered. Biting her lip Adilynne glanced behind her before looking at the boy, "You have no idea how bad I want to go with you, but I can't leave my mother any longer," she told him, before leaning forward and kissing his cheek, "Thanks for the ride, JJ," she breathed out before turning and hurrying up her driveway.

Slipping into the house Adilynne searched for her mother. Finding her in the living room surrounded by friends and family with their empty words of sympathy Adilynne made eye contact with her mother. Slipping through the throng of people Adilynne was by her side in seconds, "Excuse me. I have to steal my mother away for a moment. The caterer needs her," Adilynne spoke up as her mother smiled, taking her daughter's hand. "Of course honey," Jenna said, weaving through the crowd behind her daughter towards the kitchen.

Pushing the door open the two escaped into one of the few rooms not occupied by guests, "Thank you, darling," Jenna breathed out, looking at her daughter, "I know they mean well but I'm literally ready for Ambien and my bed right now." Leaning against the kitchen island Adilynne rolled her eyes, "It's our house can't we just ask them to leave?" Smiling sadly Jenna wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Unfortunately that would be rude. Your father was loved by a lot of people on this island and they just want to pay their respects." "They make me feel like an animal at the zoo," Adilynne retorted.

Adilynne tried sticking it out for her mother but after having yet another mind numbing conversation with Rose Cameron, who personified a trophy wife, she found her mother yet again in the crowd. Leaning over she whispered in her ear, "I have to get out. I need air." At the slight nod from her mother Adilynne moved back through the house, ignoring the looks her friends were throwing at her, she stopped in the kitchen to grab a full bottle of wine out of the rack before slipping out the back door.

Walking down the street Adilynne debated on where to go. Most of her friends had been part of the crowd back at her house looking at her with sympathy or like she was going to flip her shit at any second. Taking a large swallow of her wine bottle Adilynne thought about the boy on the dirtbike. He and his friends weren't exactly in Adilynne's friend circle, although she was friendly with one of them from school. She knew from her father where they mostly hung out and with another pull from the bottle started to head in that direction.

In the fifteen minute walk Adilynne had consumed over half the bottle of wine and was feeling pretty numb to her feelings. Stumbling along she squinted at the fishing shack and laughed upon realizing they were having a party. She could hear the music and see a crowd in the backyard dancing under several strands of colored lanterns. Thinking of the sad faces and solemn looks she'd just escaped from, Adilynne snorted, "Knew I should've come with him," she muttered as she made her way towards the backyard after downing the rest of her bottle.

Standing on the edge of the lawn Adilynne rubbed her eyes before attempting to focus on the party. Scanning the crowd she didn't see the blonde from earlier. Zeroing in on one of her classmates Adilynne stumbled her way towards where the girl was sitting, "Hey, Kiara have you seen JJ?" she asked, swaying slightly as she came to a stop next to the girl. Startled Kiara whipped her head towards Adilynne giving her a confused look, "Adilynne, what are you doing here? I thought your father's," "Okay so you don't know where he is, great, thanks," Adilynne interrupted as she stumbled away from the girl before she finished reminding Adilynne of what she'd had to do that day. "Hey, hey, how much have you had?" Kiara questioned jumping up and rushing to Adilynne's side. Laughing Adilynne held up the now empty wine bottle, "I've had this many," she answered giggling. Sighing Kiara wrapped her arm around the girl, "Okay, how about we go inside and you lay down?" Kiara suggested.

Pulling away from Kiara Adilynne shook her head causing a wave of dizziness, "No, I want to find JJ." Glancing around Kiara looked for someone to help her with the clearly intoxicated girl. Not seeing anyone Kiara decided to lie, "Actually Adilynne I think JJ's inside. So why don't you let me help you in and we'll see if we can find him?" Closing her eyes Adilynne swayed for a moment before nodding, "Okay," she told the girl smiling widely. "Okay," Kiara whispered wrapping her arm around the girl as she helped her towards the back porch. Stumbling Kiara did her best to keep them upright but once they reached the steps Adilynne completely missed the step and they both hit the steps painfully. Hearing Kiara swear next to her Adilynne laughed, "Sorry, I don't think I learned to walk."

"Kie you need help?" asked a voice from behind the girls. "Yeah, actually she was looking for you," Kiara answered the boy as Adilynne turned to look behind her, "JJ," she exclaimed laughing hysterically as she launched herself from the steps at him. Dropping the beer in his hand JJ grabbed her around the waist as he stumbled backwards, "Ummm…..you okay Addie?" "She had an entire bottle of wine," Kiara told him before Adilynne could answer him. Pulling back JJ looked down at the girl in concern, "Adilynne, what the fuck? You don't drink," he reminded her. Snorting Adilynne let go of the blonde, "I know that JJ," she said, rolling her eyes, "Cuz god forbid if my father would show up to a party and have to arrest me but you know what he's not fucking here anymore, his choice by the way, so I can finally do what I want," she told him, before turning and attempting the steps once again. Stumbling she fell against the steps again.

"Okay, come on. Let's go inside," JJ told her, helping her up. "No, I want to party," Adilynne told him, attempting to pull away from him. Holding her firmly by her arm JJ smiled, "I've got a whole secret stash inside, Addie, trust me," he told her. "JJ," Kiara warned. Sparing his friend a glance JJ wrapped his arm around Adilynne as he opened the back porch door, "I've got this Kie, relax," he told her, letting the screen door slam behind him.

"Why are we in here? I don't see a stash," Adilynne questioned when JJ led her into a bedroom and sat her down on the bed. Eyes wide Adilynne looked up at the blonde boy biting her lip, "Does it actually work?" she questioned. Scratching his head JJ asked what she meant as he was confused. "Sex," the girl whispered, "I've read about it. People use sex to make themselves forget and well obviously it makes them feel good," she answered shrugging her shoulders. Choking JJ backed away from the bed, "Damn, Princess, you are fucking drunk," he laughed. Eyeing the boy Adilynne stood swaying slightly as she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, "I want to try it," she declared, throwing her dress to the side.

Turning quickly JJ slammed the door of the bedroom shut before anyone else could see the girl standing in her underwear, "Okay, Adilynne, we're not having sex," JJ told her as he grabbed one of his t-shirts from the dresser. Pulling the t-shirt over the girls head he wrestled her arms through the sleeves before pushing her down on the bed. Sighing Adilynne rubbed her eyes again causing more of her mascara to smudge on her face, "I just want to forget; to not feel just as dead," she mumbled. "Baby, if you were sober I'd definitely be taking you up on that offer, but considering you won't even remember me telling you that in the morning it's probably best you sleep it off," JJ told her pointing to the bed.

Blinking Adilynne attempted to focus her thoughts before sliding from the bed and crawling to her dress. "What are you doing?" JJ asked, confused. Pulling out her phone from her dress pocket she didn't answer the blonde as she stared at her phone, "Oh god. When's my birthday?" she questioned holding up her phone to show him the lock screen. "What do you need that for? Planning on making prank calls to go along with your trip into alcohol?" JJ asked. Rolling her eyes Adilynne stared up at him, "No, I need to text my mother, you ass," she answered.

"Good lord. Give me the fucking phone," JJ stated snatching it from her hand, "You're like the only 17 year old who can get shitfaced but also remember to do the responsible thing," he complained punching in her birthday and unlocking the phone for her, "You want to text her or should I?" JJ asked, looking up when she didn't answer him. Sighing at the girl passed out on the floor he sent the text before crouching down and picking her up. Putting her in the bed he pulled the blanket up over her before grabbing the small trash can by the desk and putting it by the bed. Chewing the inside of his cheek he listened to the sounds of the party going full swing outside the bedroom before deciding to lay down next to the girl, 'Just in case she needs anything,' he thought, making himself comfortable.