Chapter Sixteen

The Funeral

(June's POV)

The week passed by all too quickly for my liking, and now it was the day of Johnny's funeral. Darry and Sodapop were rushing around (as always) trying to get everything together. Steve and Two-Bit were meeting us there. Ponyboy couldn't leave bed yet and also he refused to believe Johnny's death….I could barely believe it. While I was looking myself in the mirror, someone knocked on my door and when I turned to look at them, I saw Ryan standing there.

"Hey Ryan."

"Hey, June." He walked up and I hugged him tightly. "It'll be okay, I've got you."

"Thank you." I said softly.

"You're welcome." He kissed the top of my head. I let go of him, not wanting to.

"We better get going and check up on those two before they go nuts." He suggested.

"You go ahead; I'm going to check on Ponyboy." Walking out of my room and I made my way into Pony's room. He was lying awake, staring at the ceiling.

"Hey Pony." I said.

"Hi." Pony's voice was sad. I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Looking at Pony carefully I noticed that he'd been crying. "Pony?" My voice cracked. Ponyboy sat up and stared at me sadly. Suddenly he wrapped his arms around me. We sat there for a few minutes, crying.

"June, let's go!" Darry yelled to me.

"I'm sorry Pony." I got up, whipping my tears and left the room. When I reached the living room, they guys were ready to go. Mrs. Mathew's was there to keep an eye on Ponyboy.

"Are you ready June?" Darry asked grabbing the car keys.

"I guess so." Soda walked up and grabbed my hand, giving me a small grin.

"Alright than lets go, Mrs. Mathew' for looking out for Ponyboy for us. We'll be back later." Darry said.

"It's no problem at all, dear. Go, before you're late." She said and shooed us out a little quickly.

We all piled into the truck and took off down the street. Ryan and I sat in the back while Darry and Soda were in the front. I stared out the window as we drove in silence the entire way to the funeral home. My eyes started to water as we passed Johnny's 'house'. Even though he hated it there, it was still his. About ten minutes we reached the funeral home. My face dropped slightly, knowing that this was it. Darry parked the truck and we all got out, we were the only people there besides the employees. I sighed.

"Come on June." Soda said, putting an arm around my shoulders. I just followed him and stayed quiet. Once we went inside Darry went to speak with guy in charge, while I found a chair off to the side and sat down. Soda came to me and kneeled in front of me.

"I can't do this, Soda. I'm not ready to let go." I whispered softly.

"Yes you can, June. Trust me, you're strong and it takes the strongest person to cry and admit things, rather than bottle it up." He said. "Plus it's not like its goodbye forever. You'll see him again." Soda grinned, which made me grin. Soda has that effect on people.

"Guy's, they said we could go inside." Darry said, my smile faded again and my stomach was tied up in knots. Standing up I followed the others into the room and in the towards the front, laid a large casket. I stopped in my place. Ryan turned around and walked by me.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I lowered my head as I shook it, crossing my arms over my stomach. He hugged me and I tried not to cry just yet. "It's okay." Ryan said rubbing my back. We stood there for a few minutes.

"June, we have to go and start greeting people." Darry said, putting his hand on my shoulder and I sadly nodded. Ryan led me to the door. For about a half, we greeted people we knew, some of Johnny's relatives, and the parents of the children from the fire. Steve and Two-Bit joined us when they arrived. When it got closer to ten, we took our seats in the front row. I sat in between Soda and Ryan; Darry sat by Ryan, Steve sat next Soda and Two-Bit next to Steve. Looking around the funeral home and I didn't even see Johnny's parents around. The priest, guy or whatever he's called came to the front of the room. I began to cry as soon as he started, and Ryan grabbed my hand.

The priest, dressed in a black cope, greeted the coffin at the door of the Church, sprinkling it Johnny with Holy Water, and intoning the De Profundis (Pslam 129) and the Miserere (Psalm 50). The Introit asks that eternal rest be given to the departed, and the Collect asks that God deliver his soul. The Epistle read the I Thessalonians 4:13-18, in which St. Paul speaks of death. After the Gradual, a Tract asking absolution from every bond of sin on the part of Johnny was intoned, followed by the glorious Sequence, the Dies Irae. The Gospel of John 11:21-27, the story of St. Martha's profession of faith that her brother, Lazarus, will rise again, was read. The Offertory prayer asks Jesus Christ, King of Glory, to deliver the souls of the faithful departed from Hell, and for St. Michael to lead them into the holy Light. The Secret asks pity on the soul of the Johnny. The Communion asks that light eternal shine on the departed, and the Postcommunion asks that the Sacrifice of the Mass purify him.

Afterwards, the priest, stands at the foot of the coffin and grants the Johnny absolution, which is followed by the Responsory, Libera Me. A Kyrie is then chanted, followed by the Pater, during which the priest passes twice around the him, sprinkling him with holy water and incensing him. This is followed by a prayer asking that the holy angels bear the Johnny to heaven (Sorry guys, I'm not sure how a funeral goes so I took this information off of a website , please forgive me).

Throughout the entire service I was crying, and holding onto Ryan's hand. At some point during the service, I looked over at the others. Soda, Two-Bit and Steve all had tears in their eyes, especially Sodapop. Darry was still, hands shoved in his pockets. Ryan wasn't crying either, he doesn't cry in front of others. Finally, the priest stopped talking and everyone was beginning to get up. Standing u, I tried wiping away my tears but they didn't stop falling. People started lining up at the casket, waiting to say their final goodbyes to the Johnny.

"June? You ready to get in line?" Darry asked.

"If it's okay Darry, I'd rather wait until everyone's gone and do it privately." I said quietly.

"That's fine." So I sat down, while the others waited on the line and slowly made their way to the front.

"Hey kid." I looked over and saw Tim Shepard standing by me.

"Hi Tim."

"I'm sorry about your brother. He was a good kid."

"Thanks Tim."

"Take it easy kid." He walked out of the funeral home. By this Time, Steve had said his final goodbyes and came over.

"You okay?" He asked sitting down beside me.

"Not really Steve. I just-" I put my head in my hands and cried again. Steve put his hand on my shoulder and sighed. Just then I was pulled into an embrace by someone. I clung to them and sobbed. That person kissed my head and I could hear them crying as well. I looked up slightly to see Sodapop crying as well.

"Soda…" I whispered.

"I know." He said, Soon the rest of the gang was all sitting with one another. Eventually, the room was almost empty and the priest let me have my final moment alone with Johnny. Slowly I walked up to the casket. I kneeled down in the front of it and tears flowed.

"Oh, Johnny, why did you have to leave? You had so much to live for. I wish we just had more time to spend together; it's just not fair that you had to go. But Johnny I'm so proud of you for what you did, you saved those little kids. At least I know you're not alone up there, yes I know you're going to heaven, you'll have the Curtis's and Dallas. I'll talk to you soon but for now I have to go. I love you." Tears fell as I got up and walked out of the door.

Steve was comforting Soda While Two-Bit and Darry stood off with their heads down. Two-Bit was defiantly crying. Ryan looked at me worriedly and I closed the door. This brought Darry's head up to stare at me. We all walked back out to the truck and followed the rest of them to the cemetery. I leaned on Ryan's shoulder the entire ride and he just held my hand as the tears silently.

"I got you." Ryan whispered so only I could hear and wrapped his other arm around me. Eventually we reached the cemetery and we went to the front of the crowd and near Johnny's grave. Looking carefully at the stone I read it.

'John Nicholas Cade

1950-1966

Stay Gold'

Everyone had a flower in there hand to throw down into the grave.

"I would first like to call, John's sister to place her flower down." I looked around for someone to come with, but I went ahead on my own. Walking up to the grave and looked down, bawling again.

"I'll miss you Johnny, I love you. Goodbye big brother." Tossing the rose into the hole and I walked over to the side as a line started forming. Eventually Two-Bit walked by me, his laughing eyes weren't laughing. They were depressed, just like his expression on his face. He just wrapped his arms around me and we both just cried for a minute. After we let go and he wiped some of his own tears away. Ryan than came over by us along with Steve. We both looked at each other and it felt like forever, but the tears fell again (she cry's A LOT in this chapter). Without thinking I just grabbed onto him, sobbing loudly. My body was trembling badly. Sniffles were coming from above me and I could feel Ryan crying. We stayed like this for a few minutes.

Darry, Sodapop, Two-Bit, and Steve went to go start filling in Johnny's grave, but I couldn't watch them. Instead I stayed buried in Ryan's chest as he comforted me.

"Guys?" Soda came up to us when they were finished. "It's time to go. Are you ok ay, June?" He asked but I didn't respond. Sodapop put his hand on my cheek, making me turn my head towards him. His eyes read worry, but I just shook my head. We silently went to the truck and drove back home.

When we pulled in, we all got into the house and found Mrs. Mathew's in the kitchen.

"Hey, guys. Ponyboy's doing fine, a little upset but he's fine." She said a little down. Soda walked down the hallway into Ponyboy's room. I went to my room to change out of my dress and take my hair down. It rested simply but sadly down my back. Quietly I went over to my and plopped down on it, crying. Eventually I gave myself a migraine and passed out soon after.

(Ryan's POV)

June never came out of her room and Soda was still comforting Ponyboy I assume. Mrs. Matthew's left a few minutes ago and Darry was sitting in the kitchen, so I decided to join him.

"Hey Dar."

"Hi Ryan." Darry softly said. Pulling out a chair I joined him at the table.

"How are you holding up?" I asked.

"As good as can be expected. You?"

"Just worried for June mainly."

"You really care for her don't you?" Darry looked at me with a weird look on his face. Where was he going with this?

"I really do. Ever since we were little kids."

"You have feelings for her?" He asked…that's where he was headed.

"No." I said, not sure if I was being totally truthful or not. "I don't know how I feel right now, besides worry." Just than Sodapop joined us in the kitchen.

"How is he?" Darry asked Soda.

"Pretty torn up. Just fell back asleep. June's sleeping too." Soda also looked gloom. This was going to be a long weekend.

(Nobody's POV)

A few more weeks went by and Ponyboy was back in school, but he wasn't himself. Soda was aching from the loss of Sandy. She got pregnant with some soc's kid and moved to Florida. Darry was Darry, working as hard as usual. Steve and Two-Bit haven't changed much either. June has slowly been getting better. Her grades were good and she even joined the girls track team. (Just because my mom's always hounding me to join the track team and this is as much as I'll do ^_^). Ryan is still concerned for June's sake; also he's kept his job.

Darry and Sodapop have been concerned about Ponyboy. His grades are bad and he's stopped caring about school. Darry is harsher on him now though because of it.

(June's POV)

It's been about a month since Johnny's death, I'm still not over it but I'm getting there and the gang has been helpful. Homework has also been keeping me very busy. Darry seems to approve though because my grades are pretty good.

I've come to a conclusion…I am in love with Ryan! (I've had this planned since I added him!) But I'm not sure if he likes me back though. Probably not because we've been friends for so long. Oh well, for now. Today I'm going to the cemetery to visit Johnny. Typically I go every Saturday at noon, sad I know.

After I was finished getting ready I left my room and walked into the living room.

"Hey Dar, I'm going to the cemetery." I said.

"Okay, just be careful." Darry replied and I walked out and started down the street. My mind was wandering off into space until I heard someone run up next to me.

"June! Wait up!" Looking around I saw Ryan running up behind me.

"Hey, sorry. I zoned out again."

"Not surprised but that's okay." Ryan smiled at me. His smile was sincere and caring. The same one that I've always like.

(Ryan's POV)

June was probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I love her eyes, smile, and everything about her! The way she looks at me when I get smile at her, makes me wonder if she likes me too. Well I don't just like her…I love her!

"Where are you headed?" I asked.

"Cemetery." I wish she would stop going there so much…I can tell how much it hurts her. When she's hurt, I swear it kills me! Damn it! I need to tell her how I feel! Here I go, deep breaths, relax.

"June, hang second. I need to talk to you." We both stopped and she looked at me. "This is going to be hard to say. June, you are the most beautiful girl on the entire planet. For a while now I was unsure of my feelings towards you. We've been friends for a long time, but I want to take it to the next level. June, what I'm trying to say is….I love you, will you be my girlfriend?" My body was starting to tremble as I waited for her answer. I was almost positive, she would say no until I saw her smile.

"Ryan, I love you too. Of course I will! I thought you'd never ask me!" Happiness filled me so fast, that I hugged her and just kissed her, right then and now! She kissed back too. The fireworks were going off in my mind the until we had to breath for air. This moment was absolutely perfect in our eyes. My life was now complete now that I had June, not as a friend anymore but my girlfriend.

(June's POV)

My mind was going in so many directions. Never would I ever think that Ryan loved me back. We broke for air, my arms around his neck and his around my waste. All of a sudden we heard whistling and cheering from somewhere behind us. We turned around and saw Sodapop and Two-bit in the DX parking lot. Immediately my face turned beat red as I covered my faced with my hands. Ryan laughed and engulfed me in a hug.

"WAY TO GO GUYS!" Sodapop yelled at us.

"So can I escort you to the cemetery?" He asked and extended his hand. Smiling, I grabbed it and we walked on hand in hand. I have a boyfriend, it's weird but I love the idea. This had to be happiest moment in my entire life. Throughout the entire walk, we talked about random things. My mood died down once we reached the cemetery.

"You want me to come with you?" Ryan asked.

"No, I'd rather go alone, if that's okay."

"That's okay. I'll be waiting here for you." I nodded and walked away, towards Johnny's grave.

(Steve's POV)

My shift ended about an hour ago and now I was on my way to the cemetery to visit mom (idk if she really died but I'm making it that way). She died when I was about ten from breast cancer. That diesis has killed many people and there was no cure for it yet. After her death is when dad started being a total douche to me. He threw me out once maybe twice a week.

Once I pulled into the parking lot by my mom's grave, I got out and walked towards it.

'Nancy Lee Randle

1927-1960

Loving mother and wife.

You will be missed.'

I reached my mom's grave and placed the flowers I bought her in front of the headstone.

"Hey Ma. It's been awhile and I'm sorry. There's been a lot going on with the gang recently. The Curtis's especially. Ponyboy's been mouthing off and flunking school; Sodapop's hurting because of what Sandy did to him. June's still upset about Johnny but she's getting better. Dad….is still the same since you left. Damn it! I wish he'd stop! But he won't listen to me. Like he even cares anyway!" Just than the wind kicked in really quick and fast. "Well, it's true! I'm sorry if you disagree, but you don't see what he does and if it weren't for the Curtis's I would of left by now. Look, Ma. I have to go now…I have homework too do. I love you and I'll visit soon, bye." Standing up I walked back towards my car. When I was driving out I noticed Ryan standing by the building, I honked at him.

"Hey Steve."

"Hey, kid. What are you doing here?"

"June's visiting Johnny. I'm just waiting for her." He said. While thinking of June….I was thinking about her eyes. Why was one of them blue? I've been wondering this for a while.

"Ryan?"

"Yeah?"

"I've been wondering this for a while, but…why's June's one eye bright blue? I mean, isn't that a little odd?"

"Yeah it is, but I'm not sure. Let's go and check on her." He said a little too quickly and left to go and get June. Strange.

(Ryan's POV)

Once Steve asked the question, I quickly tried to avoid it, so I walked over to where June was and sat down next to her, where I found her smiling.

"Hey. I was just telling Johnny about us." She said and I couldn't help but smile.

"Hey Johnny. I'm taking good care of your sister. You can trust me." I put my arm around her. Just than Steve arrived.

"Hey June."

"Hi Steve!" She smiled.

"What are you two dating now?" We looked at each other and smiled.

"Yeah." She said.

"Well, anyway. June there was something I wanted to ask you." 'Oh no.' "Why is your one eye bright blue?" She looked at him with an astonished look.

"Uhhh….." She said, not sure what to say next. Should she tell him?

Well, that concludes A New Start! Over two years of work and I'm finally done! So June and Ryan did get together. They were always going too. Now why does June have a blue eye? Well you'll find out in my sequel! I don't know when I'll write it, but it's called 'Behind the Blue Eye', but I might write my Avatar the Last Airbender story first. This if you're interested is called 'The Return of the Princess'. Bye for now guys, oh and btw. A New Start is almost at its goal of 1,000 hits! A little more than forty to go! R&R!