Chapter Eight: Girl Meets Tragedy
I got up the next morning and went in to my closet to pick out something to wear. Once I was dressed I went over to my vanity and brushed my hair. I applied some mascara and eyeliner before walking out of my room. "Good morning." I greeted walking into the kitchen. "Moring." They all replied. I grabbed a banana and went to get my bag. "I'm leaving." I told them. I picked up my bag and walked out the apartment. Last night I decided to go to school early because I asked the principal if I could work on a project I was doing.
As I walked into the school I made sure that no one I knew was there yet. It's not that I don't want to talk to them, it's just I don't want anyone to see what I'm doing. I walked into the classroom that I was allowed to use. It had everything I needed for my project. I took out my sketch book and pulled out my mannequin from the closet. I got back to working on the outfit because I needed it done before my performance. So I have this performance and I decided to make my own outfit and dance, since I am using someone else's song.
I was so busy working on my outfit that I didn't notice someone walking into the room. "What are you doing?" someone asked. I threw a cover over the mannequin and turned around to see Lucas standing there. "Um nothing." I lied. He walked over to me and pulled the cover off of the mannequin. "This doesn't look like nothing." Lucas stated. "It doesn't matter what it is no one is supposed to know" I told him. I covered the mannequin back up and turned to look at him.
"Why won't you tell me?" he asked. I knew that either I told him or he would ask Riley and Maya, but they don't know. "If I tell you will you promise not to tell anyone else?" I asked. "I promise." He promised. "I have a show coming up and I decided to make my own outfit." I told him. "Do Riley and Maya know?" he asked. "No and I plan to keep it that way until the actual show." I answered. "Okay." He said. "So tell me more."
I explained the whole thing to Lucas. I have to say I felt kind of bad telling him and not Riley and Maya, but I would get over it. When they actually see me perform and not just find out what I am doing. I loved talking with Lucas because I knew he would listen and he wouldn't judge me. There are just somethings that I would rather tell Lucas than Riley and Maya. It's not because I like Lucas' better I just think he's wiser than Riley and Maya.
3rd person POV*
Topanga was seated on the couch reading a book with a cup of tea when she heard the phone ring. She grabbed the phone and answered it. "Hello." She said. "Hello is this Topanga or Cory Matthews?" the voice asked. "This is Topanga, may I ask who is calling?" Topanga said. "Yes this is officer Michaelson." Officer Michaelson answered. "May I ask why you are calling?" Topanga asked. "Yes you and your husband were on their emergency list." The officer answered.
Topanga was confused about who he was talking about. "Who?" Topanga questioned. "Marie and Christopher Howard." The officer answered. Topanga felt her heart stop, what could have possibly happened to Caroline's parents. "What happened?" Topanga asked. "It seemed like they were on a flight back to New York with their sons when there were difficulties with the plane. It ended up crashing in a field in Virginia." The officer explained. "Also I understand that if anything happened to them you would be the guardian of their daughter." "Yeah that's right." Topanga replied. "Thank you for telling me." "You are welcome and have a nice day Mrs. Matthews."
Topanga hanged up the phone and just stared into space. She then realized that she need to tell Caroline before someone else found out and told her. "Auggie." Topanga called. When Auggie heard his name he ran into the living room. "Yes mommy?" Auggie questioned. "We have to go." Topanga told him. She grabbed her purse and keys before putting on her and Auggie's coats. "Where are we going?" Auggie asked. "To school." She said before pulling him out of the apartment.
The kids in Cory's class were for the first time working instead of listening to Cory talk. Cory heard a knock on the door and saw Topanga standing there. "I will be right back." Cory announced before walking out of the room. "Topanga what are you doing here?" "You haven't heard?" She questioned, Cory shook his head not knowing what she was talking about. "Well Marie and Christopher got in a plane crash with Chase and Max and they didn't make it." Cory couldn't speak, he just found out that one of his friends and most of his family was dead. He also just realized that Caroline is now an orphan.
Cory turned to look into the classroom at Caroline. "How are we going to tell her?" Cory asked. "I don't know, but it's better we tell her than someone else." Topanga replied. Cory agreed with her. They walked into the classroom to tell Caroline the news. Riley looked up and noticed her mom there. "Mom what are you doing here?" Riley asked, but she didn't get an answer.
"Caroline can we talk at my desk?" Cory asked. "Sure." Caroline replied. She put her pencil down and got up from her desk. She walked over to Cory's desk and looked at them. Cory and Topanga looked at Caroline, but didn't say anything. "Mr. Matthews what's going on?" she asked. "Did you know that you parents and brothers were coming back to New York?" Cory asked.
"Wait they're coming back?" Caroline questioned. "No they were coming back." Topanga questioned. "So they're already here!" Caroline exclaimed. "Not exactly." Cory told her. "What do you mean?" she asked. Cory and Topanga looked at each other, but they didn't look at Caroline. "What did you mean by not exactly?" she asked once again. Cory and Topanga sighed before looking at Caroline, they didn't notice that everyone else was trying to listen.
"What are they talking about?" Riley whispered to Maya. "They said that her parents and brothers were coming back to New York." Maya whispered back sadly. "What's bad about her parents and brothers coming back?" Farkle asked joining the conversation. "They said they were coming back, as in they aren't coming." Maya told them. "What?" Lucas, Riley, and Farkle asked. "Just listen." Maya told them.
"What I mean is they were coming back when the faced some problems." Cory told her trying to avoid telling Caroline that her family is dead. "Oh, so can I call them?" She asked. "I don't think you can." Auggie piped up. "What does he mean?" Caroline asked. "Caroline your parents and brothers were in a plane crash and they didn't make it." Topanga said slowly.
Caroline started laughing like they said a joke. She stopped and let what they said run through her mind when she finally understood what Topanga just said. "No." she said shaking her head. "Care, we're sorry." Topanga said. "No, no, no, no, no." Caroline screamed. By now she was crying, she was about to fall to the floor when Lucas got up and caught her. He wrapped his arms around her and she clung on to him. Her cries had turned into sobs and she was shaking uncontrollably.
She couldn't believe what she just heard and she hoped it wasn't true. "Tell me it's not true!" she pleaded. "We're sorry Caroline." Cory and Topanga told her, but she wasn't listening. Lucas was holding on to her and rocking her back and forth. "Care you have to calm down." He whispered into her ear. "Just calm down, everything will okay. Even though it doesn't look like it." Lucas kept repeating those sentences to her until she stopped sobbing and shaking.
"Maybe we should take her home." Cory suggested. "Lucas can you come with us?" Topanga asked the only person who was able to calm her down. "Sure Mrs. Matthews." Lucas replied. Lucas picked Caroline up before following Topanga and Auggie out of the classroom. Riley and Maya tried to follow them, but Cory stopped them. "Dad what are you doing?" Riley asked. "You still have to stay in school." Cory told her. "I will inform the principal and they will bring someone to watch the class, but you are not leaving."
"But she's our best friend!" Maya and Riley exclaimed. "I understand that, but there is no need for you to be there." Cory told them. "What about Ranger Rick?" Maya asked. "He's with Caroline because it seems that he is the only one that can calm her down." Cory answered. Not being pleased with the fact that a boy could calm down his goddaughter, but he couldn't. "Now sit down and don't go anywhere." Cory commanded them.
He grabbed his stuff so he could go to the principal's office then home to check on his goddaughter. Riley sat back down and Maya looked at her. "What are you doing?" Maya asked. "Listening to my dad." Riley answered. "Come on Riles we are going." Maya told her. She grabbed Riley's hand and pulled her towards their lockers so they could get their and Caroline's stuff. They made sure no one was watching before they ran out of the school so they could get to their best friend.
When Topanga, Auggie, Lucas, and Caroline got back to the Matthews' apartment, Topanga directed Lucas to Caroline's room. Lucas walked into her room and laid her on the bed hoping she wouldn't wake up. When he saw no sign of her waking up he walked back to the living room. Cory had just arrived and he sat down on the couch. "I can't believe this happened." He said in disbelief. "It's going to be okay." Topanga said. Cory turned to look at her.
"I know we will be okay, but what about Caroline? She just lost her parents and brothers." Cory said. "Cory I know, but we will be there to help her." Topanga said. "I know." Cory replied. "Riley they're probably in Caroline's room which will give is time to sneak in." Maya whispered as she opened the apartment door. "You're probably right." Riley replied. "No she was wrong." Cory said. Riley and Maya looked up to see Auggie, Cory, Lucas, and Topanga in the living room.
"Daddy what are you doing here?" Riley asked. "I could be asking you the same thing." Cory stated. "Listen here Matthews that is our best friend that just found out that her family died. So of course we are going to be here." Maya said to Cory. "I know and I'm not mad at you." Cory told them. "You're not?" Riley and Maya questioned. "No because you just want to be there for you friend and I can't take that away from you." Cory explained to them. "So where is she?" Riley asked. "She's in her room sleep." Lucas told her.
"So we got through the break down, what happens when she wakes up?" Maya said. "We are going to have to be careful with how we treat her." Topanga said. "She'll be venerable so we have to choose our words wisely or we could set her off." Lucas added. "I feel so sorry for her." Maya said. Maya kind of knew what it felt like to be all alone, but she realized she wasn't. She was lucky to have her mom and the Matthews because they were like her family. Caroline would be devastated at first, but when she realizes that she has people who love her she will be fine.
Caroline's POV*
I groaned as I sat up in my bed, wait why am I in my bed? I got out of my bed and walked towards the living room because I heard voices coming from there. When I got to the living room I saw Auggie, Cory, Lucas, Maya, Riley and Topanga. "Can someone please tell me why I woke up in my bed while I should be in school?" I asked. Everyone went quiet and looked at me. "You don't remember?" Cory asked. "Don't remember what-" I stopped talking when everything came back to me.
I remembered Cory and Topanga telling me that my brothers and parents were did. I remembered having a break down not wanting to believe what they said. I also remembered Lucas being the only one to calm me down. "I think she remembers." Auggie stated. "Thank you Auggie." Maya said sarcastically. I started shaking and I knew I was about to cry again. I saw Lucas get up and come towards me. He wrapped his arms around me and sat down on one of the chairs with me in his lap.
"Caroline I know you're sad, but you need to be strong." He told me. I nodded understanding what he told me. "Now Caroline we know you don't want to talk about it, but we have to worry about your apartment and their funerals." Topanga said to me softly. "I know." I replied. "Maybe we can go to the apartment tomorrow then after that I can start planning their funerals." "You won't be planning their funerals." Cory told me as he stood next to Topanga. "What?" I asked in disbelief.
"We will be planning their funerals." He explained pointing to everyone including me in the room. "Oh." I said sheepishly. I leaned against Lucas and played with my charm bracelet. "So how many people know?" I asked. "Anyone who was close with your family knows." Topanga told me. That means that Chase knows which means he's going to try and come over here. I really hope he doesn't because that would cause more problems.
There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it." Riley announced. She ran to the door and opened it. I looked past everyone and saw Chase, like this couldn't get any better. "May I help you?" Riley asked politely. "Yeah I need to talk to Caroline." Chase answered. "How do you know her?" Riley asked getting ready to close the door. "He's a friend of mine." I stated answering for Chase.
Chase looked past everyone and at me. "Care I heard what happened how are handling it?" he asked. I saw him look me over and he probably noticed me on Lucas' lap and his arms wrapped around me. "What are you doing here Chase?" I asked. "Wait that Chase?" Maya and Riley questioned. "Yes." I answered. "Wow." Riley said in awe. "Why are you here Chase?" I asked again. "My parents wanted me to come get you since you know." He trailed off.
"We are glad that you are worried about Caroline, but she's staying here with us." Cory told Chase. "And who made you the boss of her?" Chase asked. I've never seen this side of Chase because he usually respects his elders. "I'm her godfather and guardian." Cory told him. "Since she is my goddaughter she is going to stay with me and my family." Chase looked at me. "Care do you want to stay here or come with me where you belong?" Chase asked.
I looked at Chase then I looked at the people who have been here with me since my break down at school. I think it was obvious who I was going to pick. "Chase you know that you are my friend." I told him. "So you are going to come with me." Chase guessed. "But Maya and Riley are my best friends. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are my godparents and guardians so I have to stay with them." I continued with my explanation. "But my parents could fight for custody!" Chase argued. "Chase this is my family and I don't plan on leaving them." I told him. "Fine be that way, but I want my necklace back." He told me. He thought that was going to make me go with him, well newsflash Chase my charm bracelet is more important than the necklace.
I made Lucas unwrap his arms from around me so I could get up. I walked over to Riley where she stood by the door. "I knew you would change your mind." Chase said. I took the necklace off and handed it to him. "Goodbye Chase." I told him closing the door on him. I turned around and looked at everyone. "Well if you don't mind I'm going back to sleep because I have school tomorrow." I said before walking back to my room. I put on my pajamas and hoped that I could go to sleep without getting nightmares about my parents, Max, and Chase.
The next morning when I woke up I decided that it would be better for me if I didn't care. I walked into my closet and got dressed. Once I was done I walked over to my vanity and brushed out my hair and straightened out my beanie. I walked out of my room and toward the kitchen and living room so I could leave. I walked past everyone at the table and grabbed my bag. "Caroline what are you wearing?" someone asked.
I turned around to look at them. "Clothes." I answered. "What's with all the black?" Topanga asked. "Wanted to try something new." I told them. "But you love wearing colorful clothes." Riley stated. "I don't love anything." I retorted. I opened the front door and walked out into the hallway passing Maya on my way out. She didn't know it was me because I didn't look like I usually did, but I didn't care.
I was sitting in Cory's class, but I wasn't paying attention. I could feel people staring at me, so I looked around to see Riley, Maya, Farkle, and Lucas staring at me. "Is there a reason why you're staring at me?" I asked them. "What are you wearing?" Maya, Farkle, and Lucas asked. "Clothes." I answered. "You don't dress like that." Farkle said. "I can and I will." I told him. I turned back around and pretended to listen to Cory.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Riley raise her hand. "Yes Riley." Cory called on her. "What do you do when you have a friend that hides their emotions by being something they're not?" Riley asked looking at me. I rolled my eyes and looked at my nails. "Well usually you try to talk to that person. There's a reason why they are hiding their emotions." Cory explained. "What would that reason be, sir?" Lucas asked.
"Well Mr. Friar it means that they are not used to sharing that kind of emotion or something happened just as emotional as what they are going through and they don't want to relive it." Cory explained. "So say this friend already had to say goodbye forever to somebody they were close to would that be a reason for them to close themselves off?" Lucas asked. I turned to look at him in disbelief, I knew he wasn't going to tell, but the fact that he's bringing it up hurts.
"So say they lost someone important and they thought it was their fault." Lucas continued. I could feel the feelings that I got when Jenna died were coming to surface. "Well yes because usually someone doesn't want face that same pain again. So they tend to act or be something they're not." Cory stated. Lucas looked at me when he spoke. "You don't say." He said in a fake shocked voice. "Wow Care isn't that amazing." "Lucas what are you doing?" Riley asked.
"I mean to have feelings like that I mean then it must have been your fault both times, right?" he questioned. I could feel my eyes start to water. Before anyone could see my cry I ran out of the room and towards the auditorium. I sat down and started to cry. I could feel everything, everything I tried to ignore. Not just from my family's deaths, but from Jenna's too. The fact that Lucas of all people brought it up made it hurt even more. Then I realized something he was doing that so I understood not to bottle up my feelings.
I heard four pairs of footsteps coming towards me. I looked up to see Riley, Maya, Farkle, and Lucas who was carrying a bag. "How did you find me?" I asked. "Come on Care we are your friends it wasn't that hard." Maya said. I turned to look at Lucas. "Thank you." I said while giving him a hug. "You're welcome." He replied.
"You know I'm still confused about the whole thing that happened in the classroom." Riley said. "He was bringing up memories that he knew had an effect on me to show me that I can't bottle up my feelings." I explained. "Oh." She said. "So what's in the bag?" I asked. "Ranger Rick told us that we needed to bring some of your clothes, but he never told us why." Maya told me. I took the bag from Lucas and left the auditorium and went into the nearest girl's bathroom. I opened the bag and looked at the outfit that they picked out for me. I also noticed that I had a new necklace, but it wasn't mine. I walked out of the bathroom and back into the auditorium.
"So who picked out my outfit?" I asked motioning to my outfit. "I did I thought it was cute." Riley answered. "Hey Care where did you get that necklace?" Maya asked looking at the heart necklace. "I thought you guys put it in there." I said to Maya and Riley. "But we didn't." they said. I turned to look at Lucas who was avoiding eye contact. "Thank you Lucas." I thanked. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and I saw his cheek redden. "So now that you are over your little phase let's get back to class.' Riley said quickly. "Yeah she's right." Lucas said. "Then off to class we go." I announced. All four of us laughed walking out of the room together.
Today was the day I was hoping wouldn't come. My families' funeral. I decided that we would just have one funeral because it made everything easier, especially for me. Though earlier this morning I didn't want to see the Matthews until the funeral so after I got dressed I called one of my dad's friends and asked them to pick me up. Right now we were at the church and people kept coming up and telling me that they're sorry for my lost. I was now tired of hearing that from everyone.
"There she is." I heard someone say. I turned and I saw the Matthews plus Maya, Farkle, and Lucas. "You guys are here." I said. "Where were you this morning?" Topanga asked. "I asked one of my dad's friends to pick me up because I some things to do." I answered. "You should have just told us." Cory said. "I know." I replied. After a while we had to take our seats. The funeral started with the pastor talking about my family then asking if people had something to say. Cory and Topanga did, even Maya and Riley. Sooner or later I knew it was going to be my turn. "Now if we could have Caroline come up here." He said.
I got up and walked to the front near the caskets, I took the microphone and turned to look at everyone. "I know that going to a parent's funeral is inevitable, but I thought it would be when I'm older and they die of a natural cause. I thought that I wouldn't have to go to one of my brothers' funeral so soon. Yeah Chase and I had bets on who was going to be going to a funeral, but I didn't expect to win that bet so soon. Then Max I never would have thought that I would have to go to his funeral you know him being younger than me and everything. Usually when I think of how my family would slowly grow smaller I didn't expect me to be the only one living. Though it looks like the universe has a way of screwing up a person's plan." I stopped and took a breather making sure I didn't start crying.
"Anyways as you can see I don't like following rules. Ever female here is wearing dress shoes so why should I be any different? I'll tell you why because my mom told me that I should never go anywhere if I don't feel comfortable. While my father would argue and tell me I shouldn't go anywhere that has boys. Which probably would have led me to being home schooled if it wasn't for my mom. My mom and dad taught me how to be the person I am now and never once did they doubt me. My brother Chase he was like the protector I had when my dad wasn't around or able to protect me. Most girls would talk about how they hate their older brother because they are too involved in their lives, but that's what I love about Chase. He cares about me not because he has to, but because he wants to. Besides Chase there's Max, Max is one of the best little brothers ever and I couldn't feel luckier. Actually I couldn't be any luckier than to have been with the family I was given. If I didn't have them I don't think I would be who I am today. The only problem with today is that I'm giving my family away. I don't think I'm saying goodbye I just think that I am giving them to God telling him that it's time for them to go. I think the universe does this so we can understand how the world works better. I've learned multiple times that you can't control what happens in the world. I learned that lesson from one of the best teachers ever and I am proud that he is my godfather. I don't think of him and his family as people who are taking care of me, I think of them as the rest of my family who has always been there for me. Even when I wasn't close by. I know I'm ranting, but I want to end my time talking about my family with three songs."
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watch?v=BphrCg8SDFI
watch?v=RUsOtEV4zAs
Once I was done everyone clapped and moved to sit back down. The rest of the funeral was like any normal funeral. I was fine until we had to go to the cemetery and lower them into the ground. I stood there trying not to cry since I cried enough when I found out. Though I should have known that trying to be strong was going to work out well for me since I loved showing my emotions because they make me who I am. Someone moved beside me and I turned to see Lucas standing there.
"Hey." I whispered. "Hi." He replied. "How are you?" "Do you want the truth or the lie I've been feeding myself?" I asked. "The truth." He answered. "Honestly I feel horrible I wish I wasn't here right now and I wish my family was still alive." I told him. I could feel my eyes watering and I tried to hold the tears back. I felt Lucas wrap one of his arms around me and he pulled me close to him. "You know it's okay for you to cry." He informed me. "I know, but if I cry then it means that I'm weak." I replied feeling tears fall down my cheeks.
Lucas titled my head so I could look at him. "It doesn't mean you're weak, it means you have feelings and you don't hide them." He told me. "Thanks Lucas." I replied. "Though I don't think a girl like you should cry." He said. He wiped the tears off of my cheeks before kissing my right one. I felt my face heat up and I dunked my head hoping Lucas wouldn't see. Why am I feeling like this all of a sudden? He has done things like this before, but it has never affected me before.
"Caroline, Lucas we're leaving." Someone yelled. "Coming." We replied. I took on more look at my family's caskets before walking away with Lucas. "You know you're even cuter when you blush." He whispered. I didn't reply I wish he didn't see that, but if he thinks that does that mean that he has feelings for me too? This is so confusing and my best friend does have a crush on him and I don't want this to ruin our friendship. I bet it's just my imagination since I am an emotional mess. But it's Lucas and he would play with my emotions because he knows how emotional I get. I just lost my family and I have to worry about a crush that might ruin a friendship.