Violence Never Ends :
Part 2: The memorial
Today is the day of the JT memorial at school. Jimmy made JT tee-shirts and Spinner and Peter made a little presentation of him. It surprises me how considerate Peter has been. Jay Hogart is even here!!! He is sitting with Sean while we wait for the presentation to begin. Ms.Hatsilakos said that she wanted people to talk about their memories of JT and what we think about this tragedy. She was pissed beyond belief when she learned what had happened and WHY it happened.
As I sat there watching as the presentation began I see Liberty sitting three seats down shaking with heartwracking sobs as she watches. It is all that she has been doing lately. It is all anybody has really been doing since the tragedy happened.. Danny and Derek who had always been so immature are now sitting quiet and wide eyed. They respected JT. Danny seemed almost as if he was a bit like JT used to be when he was thirteen. But...noone could ever replace JT in our hearts. He was and will always remain one of a kind.
Suddenly Ms. Hatsilakos walks up to the stage and adjust the microphone to her level and says,"Never have I been so upset with anyone. JT Yorke was killed because of gang violence and school rivalry. The thing is it might never have happened if the Lakehurst principal Travis Marcus had actually punished his students for the fight that happened in this gym. Or if they had gotten in trouble with the police for breaking Toby Issac's arm.
JT added alot to this school. He was full of spirit and laughter. He was mascot for the cheerleading team,he was the director and actor of many of our school. But perhaps the people who knew him best where his friends. Manny Santos will you come up and speak please?"
"Hello everyone." I said." I am glad that all of you could come to the memorial. JT was...Jt was the funniest, sweetest,most lovable guy that I have ever known. Nobody could ever compare to him. He could make you smile even when you had just had the worst day of her life. He was the best friend anyone could ever have and so protective. I remember when Paige Michaelchuck had been raped by Dean. JT found out and went to confront Dean even though he was only thirteen and so much shorter and skinnier than this sixteen year old because that was the kind of person he was. As many of you know,I had my share of escapades with Craig Manning. Everyone blamed me. Just me. They didn't seem to care that Craig had lied to both Ashley and I. But JT...he didn't blame me. I have known JT for years. Ever since I was just a little kid. He became like my brother. I am really going to miss him. But everyone...please...please remember that he can stay alive as long as we keep him in our hearts. Remember his spirit and his friendlieness. I HATE those guys for killing JT. I actually wish that THEY would die for what they did but death is too good for them. They deserve to spend the rest of their lives in Jail! In a way I think JT was too good for this world. I like to believe that god and the angels wanted him for themselves...that's what I think..." I finished softly before walking back to my seat,wiping my freely falling tears from my eyes and cheeks as Emma goes up to speak next. Even more tears fall as she tells everyone about how we met and all the things we had done together and about his whole personality and everything he had ever done for us. She tells all about all the embarrassing and silly moments we have ever had in all these years of being friends. I can tell that her voice is breaking with tears. And as I look around I see everyone looking down to hide their saddness, or just freely crying and sniffling through red,puffy eyes. Toby has his arm around Liberty. Perhaps to comfort her or maybe just to comfort himself. I really don't know. Another video begins to play and JT appears on the screen playing with and hugging Mia's two year old daughter Isabella. I smile because JT was so good with her,with all kids. He would make a great father. Then suddenly JT is sitting infront of the camera llooking so serious as he says," I have to admit this. I never stopped loving my ex girlfriend Liberty Van Zant. I tried but I couldn't she to much of a part of me. I feel awful for dating Mia when I don't love her like that,I love her as a friend just like I love Emma,Manny and Toby. I just hope she can forgive me for this." Then the screen goes blank and everyone is silent. Liberty and Mia both stand up and rush out of the gym and Toby hurries after Liberty. Emma,Sean,and I all look at eachother our mouthes hanging open. Liberty discovered that JT was still in love with her only after his death. It is so sad because they never even had the chance of getting back together and I knew Liberty would never love anyone else. She would never get married,or,kiss,or make love to anyone because her heart belongs to a dead boy.