I woke up this morning sad, and I just got more and more sad as the day went on. Today was Tuesday. The day of the funeral. I rubbed my eyes, and looked over at the bright red letters blinking 8:25 out at me. I slammed my hand down on the off button to make the beeping stop. I got out of bed, and went absent-mindedly to the closet to look for something to wear. I found a black dress, and slipped it on over my head. It had a round neckline, there's a single chest pocket on one side, and then the dress gathers a little above my waist, and then goes back down again. Yeah, I know it's hard to describe. And yes, I am wearing a dress, as hard as that is to imagine for most people. I found a skinny tan, braided belt that I put over the gather material at my waist. I added a simple silver necklace, with diamond studs (fake of course!), and my black sandals.
Once I was dressed, I headed downstairs, but was stopped by a determined looking sister. Oh God, was she going to do my hair? And makeup? Like more than my usual mousse and mascara? Yuck.
"Max…" she started, and then being the little devil she is, pulled her bambi eyes. Yes I am hard-core. Yes I am Max. But did I fall like a sucker for her stupid bambi eyes? Yes I did. Man, I should have totally seen that coming and ran screaming from her. "Pretty please let me do your hair and makeup for you."
I sighed. Well more groaned, but you catch my drift. "Fine." I dragged my feet as I stomped into her brightly painted bathroom. She pushed me into a chair with a zebra cushion, to match her zebra knobs. Her straightener was already plugged in, and heated up, to a degree which could easily kill my hair. Why did I let her talk me into this?
"Yay! Max! You look absolutely gorgeous!" she exclaimed after about 15 minutes of over-heating my hair and smudging stuff on my face. She claimed it looked good, and I don't exactly have an eye for this sort of thing so I just nodded.
"Thanks Ells," I muttered. But I definitely had to admit, this girl was some sort of miracle-worker because my hair lay shiny, smooth and pin straight past my shoulders. She had taken a chunk from the right side and braided it back, pinning it in place with a bobby pin. She put on a thin layer of foundation making my skin glow, put some shimmery natural colored eye shadow on my eye lids, and curled my eyelashes and then did (in my opinion) a perfect amount of mascara. A little.
She herself was wearing a black dress, harder to describe then mine. It was sleeveless, and the top part was lace, and then it went into a black fabric. It also gathered at her waist, and then went out again, a little above her knees. Her normally straight hair, was in perfect beachy waves. I noticed her crimper sitting on the counter cooling down. She pulled back a section and added a small poof (no where near Snooki sized thank God) on the side. Her makeup was more prominent then mine, but she pulled it off really well. I'd always been jealous of how naturally pretty she was though.
"Gosh Max, you just look stunning," she said sighing softly.
"Look in the mirror Ella! You look gorgeous! Thanks by the way," I replied with a slight smile. "C'mon let's go downstairs. It's already 9:00 and it starts at 10:00. I told Fang I'd go early with him." I noticed she hid a smirk, most likely resisting the urge to tell me 'what a great couple' we'd be. Yeah right. I couldn't go out with my best friend. It'd be weird and I don't like him like that anyway. Right? Man I hate being a teenager and hormones and all the crap that came with it. Whatever, I didn't have time to deal with the future with Fang, I had to deal with the present with Fang now.
Ella snapped me out of my thoughts, "You know Max, if you aren't going to come downstairs, I can always add some more makeup to you. Maybe some pink, it would really bring out your eyes," she said with a smile.
"Let's go," I said using my if-you-ever-think-about-doing-that-I-will-kill-you voice. She giggled and grabbed her black purse, and skipped down the stairs. Yes, apparently it is possible for one to skip yes, I said skip, down stairs. Without falling, as amusing as that would have been.
"Morning girls, you look nice," mom said looking up from the newspaper she was holding. She was wearing a dress, black of course, and it was rather simple and I'd prefer not to have to describe another relatively similar black dress to you, for the sake of you (and I) will die of boredom.
Anyway, I plopped down on the chair next to her, "Mrs. Ride is going to drive me at 9:30. Fang asked me if I would go early with him."
"Yes, Molly called over here last night to tell me. She's also going to give Ella a lift because I have to drop some papers off at the office on the way. I won't be late but figured you two wouldn't mind skipping that," she took a sip of her coffee and then realized I had (well Ella) had done my hair and makeup. "Max, you look beautiful. Nice job Ella," my mom, the genius, knew me well enough to realize I would never voluntary do my hair and makeup by myself. Ever.
"Hey," I said frowning, "What if I did my hair and makeup?" Mom just looked at me, then all three of us cracked up.
"Yeah right," Ella muttered grinning. I rolled my eyes at her, as I took the last bight of my muffin. Did I tell you I love muffins? Well they are freaking delicious.
"C'mon Ella. I told Fang I'd walk over at 9:20 so we could get there by 9:40." She nodded, slipped on a pair of black heels.
"See you girls over there."
We walked over to Fang's house, and Ella rang the doorbell. Molly answered right away. She was in another black dress, which I shall also spare you the details of having to read about. It was black. It was a dress. It looked like my moms. Done. "Hi girls. Thanks so much for coming early with us."
"Oh no problem Mrs. Ride," Ella chirped sweetly.
"If you want, you can finish getting Angel ready," she told Ella and her face lit up.
"I'd love too!" she said grinning, and then bounded off to go apply her beautification skills on the little children who don't know better of our generation.
"Really Max, thanks for coming. It means a lot to Fang. And me too of course. You've really helped Fang a lot since you've became friends. He talks about you all the time," she informed me once Ella had left. Wait what? She just meant because we're really good friends right? I nodded and smiled.
"Anytime. I'm really glad I could come. Where is Fang?" This conversation was starting to get awkward and I wanted out.
"Yes, he's in his room. He's upset, but we all are. Michael's already there getting everything set up."
"Okay thanks." I headed up the stairs, and saw Fang come out of his bedroom. He was wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, a black tie on his white button down shirt, with a black dress jacket over that.
"Hey," he said softly as I approached. "Thanks for coming. Early too."
"Of course," I said. He looked miserable so I went over and I gave him a hug. Normally Fang is the most unhuggable person on the planet, and I usually just do my best. But today he actually opened his arms and hugged me back. It was a relatively longish hug too, at least 6 Mississippi's. That's pretty long in my book. But that meant Fang was also really upset. I could totally see why though, and this sucked. Everything about it. "It'll be okay," I whispered, and I could feel him nod, barely, into the back of my dress.
He pulled back, "Sorry, I'm just-" and I cut him off.
"No, don't be sorry for anything. You didn't do anything. You're great. C'mon let's go," I said more gently.
"But really Max. Thanks." He said softly. I nodded, and took his hand and we walked downstairs.
Ella eyed my hand in his when we approached them, but I gave her a say-a-word-and-I-will-punch-you look, and I guess she understood because she didn't say anything. Or smirk. Or giggle for that matter.
"Okay, let's go guys," Molly said and I noticed her eyes were swimming with tears already. This would be the worst feeling in the entire world. Losing one of the few people you care most about.
"Max!" Angel yelled running over.
"Angel," I crooned, hugging her closely. Yes, she too was in a black dress. However despite my dislike of dresses, she looked adorable. But Angel always looks adorable. Her eyes were red, and puffy and I could tell she'd been crying.
"I like your sister too Max," she said with a sniffle, and Ella smiled modestly. I nodded, her sitting in my lap now. "Your coming with, right Max?"
"Of course."
"You look super pretty Max. You should always look like that. I bet Fang thinks you look extra pretty too," Angel said sweetly.
"Thanks Ange," I said with a small smile. "I love your dress too. And your hair looks extra pretty today." I pushed one of her perfect golden curls out of her face. What was that about Fang thinking I was pretty? I pretended not to take anything from it and smiled. I could tell Fang was blushing from the way he was awkwardly shuffling his feet.
"Thanks," she said with a grin. She'd just lost a tooth so her grin had a small black hole in it. This kid was just so dog-one cute. But honestly, what was with everybody pushing on the whole 'Fang thinks your pretty', 'Fang always talks about you', 'Fang needs to ask you out' and everything like that? I guess everybody thinks we should be 'together'. I'm still not sure where I stand on that.
Molly saved me from having to ponder it anymore, "Well we better get going."
We got to the funeral home and set up everything. About 15 minutes after we'd been there, people started showing up. Nudge's family was first, soon followed by Iggy and Gazzy's family. They too were dressed in formal black clothes. My mom came. Lots of Kaylie's friends from college and highschool were there. Ben's family came too with Alexis. Her dad was at work, and her mom was out of town. Her older brother was away at college. Fang's family was also there. His grandparents, aunts and uncles, and only a few cousins. Everyone came and shook Fang's hand, and a few hugged him. Finally we were asked to take our seats.
A coffin was placed in the front of the room on a table beautifully decorated with flowers. There was a picture of her from her senior year of highschool, and I had to admit she was drop-dead gorgeous. Any guy would be lucky to have her. She had thick long black hair, and had a similar tan to Fang. She had the same cheekbones as him, and her sparkling white teeth formed into a perfect smile. However, unlike Fang, her eyes were a beautiful turquoise blue color that stood out. I noticed Angel had the same eyes.
Michael went up and talked about Kaylie. How she was a wonderful daughter and top of her class in school and sports. He was tearing up as he continued to talk. He talked about her as a toddler, in elementary school. He read a speech he had prepared, and he finished with "A thousand words won't bring her back I know because I've tried. Neither will a million tears I know because I've cried." He came and sat down next to Molly. She was sitting next to Angel, and then Fang and then me and Ella.
I squeezed Fang's hand, and I stood up. "I'd like to sing a song in honor of Kaylie," I said. My voice came out shaky, and I steadied it. I took a deep breath. "It's called Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton."
Angel was crying hard, and Fang had an arm around her shoulders. Michael and Molly were both holding hands and were silently crying. Fang's eyes were a little wet, but I knew he would do anything but cry in front of people. I adjusted the microphone and closed my eyes. I new this song by heart so well, and I'd sung it about a million times.
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
Beyond the door
There's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
I opened my eyes, took another breath and stepped back from the microphone. Fang had finally given in and tiny rivulets of water streaming down his face. Both his parents were sobbing silently. I left the podium and returned to my seat. Fang wiped his eyes as I came and sat down. The tears stopped suddenly, as if he remembered he was in public.
"Thanks Max. That was amazing," he whispered softly. I just smiled in response. The funeral was almost over. A few more people spoke, and expressed condolences towards the Ride family. I reached up towards my face and I pulled my hand back as I realized it was wet. I hadn't even realized that tears had been flowing down my face.
Once the funeral was over, people began to clear out. However Nudge, Iggy and Gazzy and their families remained. Nudge's face was red and Gazzy had dried tear tracks running down his cheeks. He went over to go talk to Angel. They were the cutest kids in the world, and really good friends. Nudge and Ella were both wiping their eyes and talking quietly.
"Hey man," Iggy said walking over. Fang nodded in acknowledgment and walked to meet Iggy.
"Hey," he said quietly. "Thanks for making it." Iggy nodded.
"Your song was really good Max," Iggy said surprising me slightly. He was never really one for compliments and mostly relied on sarcasm as his main way of communication.
"Thanks Ig," I said, and I noticed him glance over at Ella every few seconds. I could tell she noticed too and was blushing and kept busily talking to Nudge. Iggy walked over to Ella and Nudge and talked to them, leaving me and Fang there. I put my arm around his shoulders and we stood there for a while, as his parents finished cleaning up.
"Okay well we're all done." Michael said as he herded us all out the doors. We got in the car with him, leaving Molly talking to Nudge's parents. It was just Fang and I in the car, because Ella went to Nudge's, and Gazzy and Iggy went home with their own parents. My own mom had already left. We rode home in a quiet silence. The sad mood hung in the air the whole ride home.
I arrived home to a cup of hot chocolate, courtesy of my mom, and sat down with her and cried. I hadn't cried much at the funeral, but had tried to be strong especially for Fang. I just needed to be able to let my emotions go, just for a minute. Once I pulled myself together, I went upstairs put on a pair of sweats, a T-shirt and went to go watch movies in the basement. I just needed to be alone for a while.
Hey guys. Sorry this chapters kinda sad, and very short. I need some ideas! Running into another writer's block! Thanks! Please review!