𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 → 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌

02.

November 9th, 1995

"Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming today. We are here today to honor the life of my wife, Maureen Prescott." I watched in distraught as Neil clearly was doing his best to hold it together. "As we all know, Maureen was a bright light in our little community that was called back to The Lord too soon."

I wrapped an arm around Sidney's shoulders, pulling her into my side as she began to cry. The day was colder and gloomier than usual, even in November.

"She was the world's greatest mother, and helped me bring my pride and joy into this world. I remember on our first date she told me straight out that she wanted to have a girl and name her Sidney, after her late grandmother." He dropped his head as he laughed to himself. "She was a go-getter from Day One."

A low rumble of laughter erupted from the crowd, including Sidney as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She sniffled and leaned her head on my shoulder, squeezing my arm tighter.

"Our daughter, Sidney, would like to say a few words."

I felt Sidney tense up as a few pairs of eyes fell on her at her father's words. She had rehearsed what she was going to say a million times before the service, but I didn't think she would ever truly be ready.

"You got this," I whispered as I gave her one last squeeze. She nodded and sent me a weak smile before walking up to the podium, her body visibly trembling. Her dark brown eyes looked over the crowd as she uncomfortably tugged at the sleeves of her black cardigan.

"Hi," she sheepishly greeted, nervously smiling to herself as her eyes dropped down to the floor. "My mother was loved by all, and she was my biggest role model." She paused, and I could tell she was already beginning to choke up.

I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces. I couldn't even begin to imagine what Sidney was feeling.

"I'll never forget when I was little and she would take me to the beach to collect seashells, and told me that each shell counted as one wish." Sidney smiled at the memory as I felt tears brim in my eyes.

No matter what she did, Maureen was like a mother to me. I had let her betrayal fog over all the good memories I had of her growing up.

"I would trade in all the seashells in the world to have her back."

Sidney finally let go of the tears she was holding back, letting them stream freely down her face. I covered my hand over my mouth to suppress the inevitable sobs from escaping.

I watched as she sucked in a deep breath, her facial expression hardening.

Oh god. I know that look.

"My mother was murdered," she spat into the microphone, her voice shaking. "And whoever did it is going to pay."

Guests began to quietly murmur amongst each other, and I looked around to see so many people's faces in pure shock. Apparently it wasn't common knowledge yet.

My eyes were immediately drawn to a tall, brooding boy standing on the other end of the sea of people. His dark brown hair was styled in a messily slicked back look and his jawline was sharp, his gaze intense on Sidney as she stepped away from the podium.

I felt a sharp pit in my stomach once I recognized him. He was the boy from the house party last night. The one I went into the bedroom with. The one whose shirt I slept in last night once Sidney and I managed to stumble our way back into her house without getting caught.

My eyes followed next to him to see a short blonde girl, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Was that his girlfriend?

As soon as Sidney stepped away, Neil took over again. I watched carefully as Billy stepped out and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her in and pressing his lips to the side of her head. I could hear her sobs from here as she clung onto his fitted black dress shirt.