Lacey White does what she wants and when she wants to do it. Although, her tactics may have gotten her into some trouble last year when she decided to mess with Michael Burke and Braden Williams. Two hot head basketball players. She left freshman ye...
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trigger warning: talk of overdosing and death.
I lean against Carter's car sliding my hands over my black dress. I should have steamed it before I came here. I sigh again and glance back at Carter. She stands beside Asher, hand in hand. We all drove her together in Carter's car from the hotel. Trey is stepping out of the other side of the car with Jeremy following behind him. I glance across the misty parking lot of the church and swallow.
Things feel awful. I don't even know how to describe it. Everything feels so off. Nobody spoke on the car ride here nor did we speak when we saw each other. Tori, Julie, Rae, and the rest of the boys are not too far behind. The only people have seen Braden are Carter and Asher to which they aren't offering me up any type of information.
As soon as I got that phone call from Carter, I called Braden. I had to talk to him. I had to see if he was okay. He never responded. I haven't talked to him since the day I showed up at my parents house. We celebrated Christmas and now we are all here for Tyler's funeral in New York.
It's a misty, gloomy day. The air is cold and I bring my jacket tighter around my body.
I think it is a representation of how we all feel. How I imagine Braden should be feeling right now.
We found out Tyler's death was caused by drugs laced with fentanyl. He was doing so well when he was with us and the minute he got home everything went to shit. They think he only went back to the dealers because he wanted out. He wanted to be better and now he doesn't have that chance. He doesn't even have the chance to grow up and fall in love and become a man.
My heart clenches in my chest and I inhale a breath. I look up at the sky and to the clouds to stop the tears from coming. I have to be strong for Braden and my friends. I need to be strong. An arm wraps around my elbow and I look down. Julie is standing there with her head on my shoulder and a frown etched on her face. I lay my head on top of hers and release a breath.
"What time does the service start?" Rae asks, breaking the silence. Asher silently checks his watch before looking back at the church. People have been going in for a while now but we haven't been able to go in. I think we all don't want to believe that this is real.
It can't be real. That Tyler is dead. How could this be fucking happening?
"Soon," Asher says. He pulls Carter closer to him.
"We should probably head in," Robbie states. Trey and Jeremy stand side by side, unmoving, staring at the church. Sanders is beside them with his hands in his pockets. I suck in a breath and nod my head. I should lead the way. Someone has to make the first move into the church.
But, the minute we go into the church it will all become real.
"Man, this is all becoming real," Jeremy says. He rubs his jawline looking distantly into the graveyard behind the church. I swallow thickly again as I feel Julie sniffle against my jacket. Rae and Tori nod their heads in response, breathing in. Robbie intertwines his hand with Rae's and inhales. I can tell he is fighting back tears. I am fighting back tears.
