3 Days Later
Nick's POV
Today is the funeral of Annabelle Jayne Taylor; right now, me, Joe, Kevin, Stella, Macy, Mom and Dad were standing together. The pregnant lady, Annie's Mom, Sapphire, was crying into a man's chest, presumably her fiancée, I'd forgotten what Annie said his name was, Rob? A lone man stood as close to the grave as he could without going anywhere near Annie's Mom; presumably this was her Dad.
I'd been provided with a pack of tissues by Mom and, boy, did I need them.
I was crying from the first word though I remained remotely composed and let my tears fall freely and silently. Annie's Dad did the same.
By the sounds of it, Annie had lived a complicated life, and the club incident had caused the final blow. In a way, I was glad she was at peace, though my heart still ached.
I went forward as the coffin hit the ground and placed a single red rose on the coffin. I received a steely glare from Mrs Taylor but Mr Taylor smiled. I s'pose he was glad that someone cared as much as I did. And I still do.
We went to a reception room and the morbid 'party' began. I noticed Rob, Annie's Mom's 'partner' taking a bit more red wine than he needed. Though he did have a pregnant wife who'd daughter had just died. I remember the last words she said to Annie.
"Nick my family is falling apart." Annie finished.
"Is that what you think?" Annie's Mom reappeared. I put my hand back in Annie's, entwining my fingers with hers, though she barely held on.
"Mom, I,"
"Forget it Annabelle, go live with your father when he leaves."
"No, Mom, please," Annie pleaded but her Mom had already left. "I don't want to go to Seattle." Annie whispered.
I can't imagine the guilt Mrs Taylor must be experiencing right now.
I was hanging around the food table, trying to detract myself from my family; I needed time alone.
Annie was so young, only 17 and her life was stolen. It was all over the news this morning; Nick Lucas and mystery girl attacked outside club. Girl dies. Nick feints with left over shock and breaks down when revealing that this girl, his girlfriend, has died. It was all the same. As they do on most news shows, they went to the streets and asked people their opinion.
Mostly it was snooty teenage girls saying; 'She wasn't pretty enough for him. Though I hope he's ok.' They'd often wink to the camera, probably thinking I was watching and now considering they know me. I hate it when they do that.
But Annie wasn't pretty, she was beautiful. Those girls are the ones I'd steer clear of, not the ones I'd go for.
A man approached me by the food table and introduced himself as Logan Taylor, Annie's Dad.
"I'm sorry, Mr Taylor," I automatically apologised.
"No, no, it's fine. I see your limping…?" He asked.
"Yeah. From the club thing."
"If you ever want any help in trying to walk on it, here's my card, I'm a physiotherapist." He handed me a small white, laminated card. I looked up at him and nodded my thanks. "You look like you knew Annie well."
"I met her 2 days before she died."
"Not so well then?"
"She was my girlfriend."
"Oh,"
"Do you not approve?" I asked.
"No, no, I'm glad she had someone to care since her mother was so strict with her." He Dad smiled slightly.
"Mr Taylor, I think she was happy when she died. Surely that's all we can wish for at this unfortunate event?" I don't know why I was so bold but something struck me about the loneliness in the man's eyes.
"Of course. I leave for Seattle next week; I wouldn't have wanted her to come with me. It wouldn't be fair on her." I could see Mr Taylor hated having to leave, but he couldn't bear to be around the woman that broke his heart; he really loved Mrs Taylor soon-to-be Mrs-something-else. "Nick, Sapph asked me to pick a song that really represents what Annie stood for, but we both know there isn't a song that sums up how wonderful Annie was. I think she'd like it if you sang a song for her." Mr Taylor burst out.
"I'd love to Mr Taylor." I put on a fake smile. What was a supposed to sing to the father of my diseased girlfriend?
"Thanks Nick." He smiled and went to make small talk with a man with more apologies for the loss of his daughter. I knew exactly which song I would sing. I was ushered onto the small stage. I sat down at the grand piano and spoke into the small mic resting on top.
"Hi, err, I've been asked to sing a song as a tribute to Annie, and before I start, I'd just like to say, rest in peace, Annabelle, we're all going to miss you."
I started playing the opening melody, an enchanting song.
There's a man dying on the side of the road
Won't make it home tonight
He was driving fast on his cell phone
That's how he lived his life
And while he was hangin' by a thread
These were the final words he said
My girl turns sweet sixteen today
She's beautiful, so beautiful
It might get rough sometimes
But I hope she keeps her faith.(hope she keeps her faith)
I wish I grabbed a chance to say to her
Life is too short so take the time and appreciate
There's a women crying on the kitchen floor
She got a call tonight
Now she's trembling outside her daughter's door
Walks in and holds her tight
Wondering how and where to start
Is there a way to shield her heart?
My girl turns sweet sixteen today
She's beautiful, so beautiful
It might get rough sometimes but I hope she keeps her faith.(hope she keeps her faith)
I wish I grabbed the chance to say to her
Life is too short so take the time and Appreciate
Any but a loving way
get hurt along the way
Don't be afraid to open up
And use the time you have before it fades
Show your love today
My girl turns sweet sixteen today
She's beautiful, so beautiful
it might get rough sometimes
but I hope she keeps her faith.(hope she keeps her faith)
I wish I grabbed
chance to say to her
Life is too short so take the time and appreciate
Life is too short so take the time and appreciate.
I saw tears spilling down Mr. Taylor's cheeks and he clapped solidly, like my Dad did when he was proud. Everyone burst into a thunderous applause; Mr. Taylor, Mrs Taylor, Mrs Taylor's fiancee, Zoe, Tash, Lexi, Joe, Kevin, Stella, Macy, Mom, Dad and a bunch of strangers. I sniffed as tears welled in my eyes. I stepped off stage and Macy came over to hug me. Her hair smelt like strawberries and her cheeks were wet.
"That was beautiful Nick." She whispered.
"Thanks Macy."
It was the Macy hugged me that night and showed me how she'd moved on from being our biggest fan to one of our best friends, that encouraged me to ask her out the next month.
I knew Annie wouldn't mind, she was watching over me and sometimes I've dreamt about her, she told me to move on, to forget her, but I'd always argued to never forget. Whenever I sang that song now I would think of her, but I would think of the girl I met at the bar before her drink was spiked, the girl I got to know while she was recovering, not the girl that died.
So what did you think? I know we all like a soppy, depressing fic and here it is :)
If there's any other Jonas fics you'd like to see, just tell me and I'll work on it :)
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Ly all!
~SalJCDKSL xxx