The Devil on Her Shoulder (gxg)

Part 6 - The Day of the Funeral

Mila's funeral was a blur.

It was in my hometown, and because there was an ongoing investigation into her death, it was a very small, private event.

All of my roommates were there. I sat next to Nicki during the funeral, and she held on to my hand.

All I could think was- did one of you bitches really murder Mila?

I felt awful for Tim and Jocelyn, Mila's parents. Jocelyn was never particularly kind to me, Tim was always nicer. But seeing them at their daughters funeral was crushing. Seeing Chloe, who was 17, and Willa, who was 15 have to say goodbye to their sister- devastating.

After the funeral, there was a small gathering.

Jocelyn pulled me to the side. Mila looked a lot like her, with the same blonde hair and delicate features.

"Cassidy. Please tell me, who do you think is responsible for this?" Jocelyn asked me.

"I wish I knew." I said back, "Believe me, I wish I did. But it is going to be figured out."

Surprisingly- Jocelyn pulled me into a hug. An unexpected gesture, I had never hugged her before. I could feel how badly she was hurting.

At the end of the gathering, Daisy walked up to me.

"How are you holding up?" she asked me.

"Hanging in there." I said, "Today just makes it seem...real."

"I know." Daisy said, "Today is the first day that it is really sinking in that Mila is...gone."

"She didn't deserve this." I said, feeling a lump forming in my throat.

"Cassidy, do you want to go for a walk? There is a Starbucks up the street from the Church, we can grab coffees if you want." Daisy suggested.

"I would love to do that." I nodded, "I need to clear my head."

Daisy and I left the Church together. We walked together, not saying much, to Starbucks.

Daisy ordered her coffee, and I ordered my skinny vanilla latte with soy milk. I reached for my wallet to pay, but Daisy said, "Don't worry about it. I've got it." as she pulled out her card.

"Thank you, Daisy." I said, "You didn't have to buy that for me."

We got our drinks. It was cold outside, but it felt nice to be in the fresh air. The leaves were still multi colored shades of orange, red, yellow, and green.

"I know that you came here with Nicki, but I can drive you back to school if you need." Daisy said to me.

"Thank you." I said, "I will probably take you up on that. I was going to stay with my dad and step mother, but I was told I wasn't allowed to- because of the investigation, they need us all on campus."

"I'm sorry." Daisy said, "I know you'd probably want to stay with your parents over staying on campus."

"I'd feel safer too." I said.

"Tell me about it." Daisy said, "Knowing we could possibly be living with a murderer...I honestly feel sick over it."

"Do you have any idea who could have done it?" I looked at Daisy.

"I've been non-stop thinking about it. But no, I honestly have no idea." Daisy shook her head, "I just know it wasn't you. Or me."

"I know it wasn't you." I said to Daisy, "There is no way. Though I always found it funny that you and Mila were friends."

"How so?" Daisy asked me, with a chuckle.

"You're so different than Mila. You're very...relaxed. Easy to get along with, and easy going." I have Daisy a small smile, "You know how Mila is...was."