WHO WILL IT BE?

CHAPTER 26:THE FUNERAL

"I think we should go down," he said. "Yeah," I said and felt... disappointed. We made our way down and a huge brawl took place outside. Jodie and Lyle. Eve stood on the doorstep with a horrified expression on her face. Jodie's lip and nose were bleeding whereas Lyle's nose bled and his cheek was swollen. Lyle was pinned beneath Jodie on the ground and was being punched by Jodie. I saw that Matt was heading to the fight. "Guys. Stop!" I screamed before Matt could get involved. Jodie gave Lyle one last punch befode standing up. Matt helped Lyle up. "Lyle what are you doing here? Again?" I asked with a sigh. Jodie has a temper but someone or something has to trigger it.

"I came to see you," he said moving to me but Matt pulled him back. Why cant this boy go torture another girl? "Right. You came here after telling everyone in the school how pathetic I am. After I specifically told you to stay away from me. I dont regret what Jodie has just done because that pain you are feeling is nothing compared to the gut-wretching pain I felt when I saw you. Im going to say this in front of everyone so that you cant go and spin a story. Leave me alone. The only things separating the rest of the school from your group is your money and self confidence.

"Lia. I didnt..." he started but Jodie interupted him. "Leave or we will make you," Jodie said. Lyle left and all attention turned to Jodie. "What happened here?" I asked. "Lyle came to see you and said that no one could stop him. Thats when Mr Muscle over here pounced," Eve said. "Jodie!" I said. "What? Im not letting that bastard anywhere near you," he defended himself. "Are you going to come with me to school now too?" I asked sarcastically. "No but he should know now," he said smugly. "Aargh! You cant go around hitting people. They are definitely going to talk now," I said and sighed. "Sorry," he said glumly. "Lets go clean you up," I chuckled. I can never seriously be mad at him. After his blood was nowhere to be seen we went down again. "Are your hands sore?" I asked. "I didnt punch walls Lia," he said and rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah. I still cant believe you did that. You should know better. I mean you are two years older than him," I said. "I know. Its like one moment everything was normal and then, BOOM! Everything spirals out of control," Eve said and we all laughed. "Besides he deserved that. At school he acts all mucho but in reality he is a wuss," she said.

"Lets not dwell on that anymore," I said. "Now that things are okay we are gonna head home. Its getting dark," she said. "Okay," I said and watched them leave. Why does Matt go silent once the whole group is together? "So you and Matt?" Jodie asked. "No. Nothing," I said. "Okay," he said and we got ready for bed,greeted my mom and then went to sleep.

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Today is my dads funeral. The past two days were hectic with planning. Mom and Jamie were planning while I sat in my room and listened to Jodies failed attempts at cheering me up. I have to bury my dad in 4hours. Everything is taking place at the graveyard in Muizenberg at 10am. At my house we will have tea and cake.  I couldnt sleep. All I could think of is my dads funeral. There is no one to call me kiddo anymore. My mom has no one to protect her.

For an hour I just laid there in bed thinking and  staring at the ceiling. At 7am I washed and changed into a jean and a baggy tshirt. I switched on my data and saw a whatsapp message from Tyler:
Tyler: hi sorry about what happened. Wont happen again. Please forgive me:-(
Me: you right. It wont. You are forgiven. See you:-)

Tyler: you're up early. Im guessing you told Eve about yesterday. She called me last night and started screaming. She dumped me,thank you. So I wont be seeing you today. Good luck with today;-)

Me: oh? She seemed calm when I spoke to her last night. I never thought she'd dump you because I know how much she liked you. Im sorry.

Tyler:its ok. I dont think I will be hanging out with you guys anymore. She wants me to stay away from you guys. I'll give her that.

Me: dude you're giving up that easily? Look at Lyle. He was told to stay away and yet he still comes back even he gets beat up everytime. Show her how much she means to you. Not me.

Tyler:you never took him back after how many times his been there. What makes you think Eve will take me back? And I do like you btw.

Me: aargh! You making things harder for yourself dude. I saw lyle kissing  the girl and nothing happened between you and I. It stopped before anything could happen. I dont have feelings for you so date someone that has.

Tyler: shes not the only one interested

Me: what you talking bout

Tyler: robyn asked me out

Me: when?!

Tyler: a while ago

Me: you telling me now?!

Tyler:i was just mentioning it

Me:please tell me you not considering dating her

Tyler: maybe

Me:  what about Eve?

Tyler:  she dumped me remember

Me:  she will come round. Dnt date robyn. I cant believe you considering it. Your standards have dropped.

Tyler:  you dated a memeber of that group. I doubt you should judge

Me:  that was a low blow. If you knew them like I did you wouldnt have said that. I cant deal with your dating problems. See you when I see you

I replied and never recieved a response from him. We had our first arguement. Robyn out of all people. At 9am eveeyone got ready and we met up with Jamie at the graveyard. Only ten people attended the funeral. Me, mom, Jodie, Eve, Jamie, Joe, my dads parents and two siblings. While the priest did what he was supposed to everyone was crying except me. I guess I have no tears to shed anymore. Mom made me write out a little speach and the priest indicated that it was my turn now.

"Hello everyone. Johnathan Thompson was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle and father. He was also a very dear friend when we needed him to be. He was a great person in general. He hardly ever said no unless it was required. I know that this is a big loss but with the help of one another we can get there. Dad always wanted people happy so lets try and be happy for him. He should be in a happier place now and he knows that we all love him dearly. Always and forever," I said and a tear escaped.

After the burial we went to my house. Around 1pm everyone had tea and cakes. The funeral was a success and I hardly spoke to anyone. Around 5 everyone left except Jamie and Joe. Jodie and I were cleaning the kitchen in silence. "How ya holding up?"he asked. "Not in the mood to cut myself so thats a good sign," I said with a chuckle. He scowled at me. "Lia," he said. "I will be okay. Thank you," I said and bit my lip. "Im always here for you," he said and hugged me. I gave him a weak smile. "Jodie we leaving," Jamie said. "Coming," he replied. "Gotta go Ames. Look after yourself," he said and left.

A/N
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