Things I Can't

Chapter 22

Authors note: Hey guys, so I realize that this book has a lot of errors and I wanted to let you all know that I plan on editing every chapter once this book is completed. Other than that, I hope you're enjoying this and please vote and comment! Thanks lovelies!! :)

Third person

Liam Payne's funeral was held on Monday, April second. It was a typical day, bustling traffic, blue sky, but for the handful of people who had gathered to watch Liam's wooden casket lower into the ground, it was anything but normal.

They stood under the protection of two cherry blossom trees, watching the scene unfold with somber expressions. Harry and Niall stood in a corner, blankly staring at the hole that was now being covered with dirt, while Louis and Zayn both stood at the podium, preparing themselves for a speech.

"Liam Payne." Louis began, his voice raw with emotion. "What an amazing, Inspiring person he was. You could know him for all of five seconds, and still be able to appreciate his good natured humor, his concern for your wellbeing. Fortunately, I had the privilege of knowing Liam a lot longer than five seconds. I remember the day I met him." He paused for a moment, scanning the small crowd before continuing. "Liam was..different back then. He wasn't treated right by the other students. I remember watching him at recess one day in fourth grade. While the other kids were off playing tag, Liam was alone on the blacktop, dribbling a basketball between his legs. I remember thinking 'wow he's really good!' So naturally, I went and joined him. From that day on, we were invincible. Sure, people would throw comments at the two of us, but Liam was a pretty cool guy and we just learned to ignore them. He was cautious back then...scratch that. Liam was cautious his whole life. He was the sensible one between Zayn and myself. Whenever I got too wild, he'd bring me to my senses, and thinking back now I probably would've gotten arrested if it wasn't for him, so thank you Liam." Louis wiped a tear away from his eye. "I don't know how life's going to be without you, but I want to thank you for all the memories we shared and I'm going to be strong for you bro. And to everyone that's here," Louis motioned to the small group of people. " please Stay strong as well. I know Liam would've wanted it that way."

With that, Louis left the podium and ran straight into Harry's arms, who had previously been weeping softly in the corner.

~.~.~.~.~.

Harry's pov

I held Louis against my chest, feeling his tears soak the black fabric of my shirt. We stood together with Niall and Zayn, watching with despair as more people took their place at the podium to pay their tribute to Liam.

Eventually, most of the guests trickled out, heading home to continue with their lives like Liam now never would. I listened as Louis sobbed, repeating 'It's not fair' multiple times as he shook his head.

"I know baby I know." I cried, running a hand through his hair. When we'd first received Zayns cryptic text, both Louis and I thought it was fake, a dare maybe but when Zayn called us minutes later in tears, we urgently booked the first flight home and returned early this morning. Mrs. Payne didn't want to waste anytime on the funeral, stating that she wanted to honor her son as quickly as possible, and my mom being the wealthy women she is pitched in and organized the whole funeral, following Mrs. Payne's close instructions.

The Payne's were here now, along with a few other close family friends lingering around the site of Liam's new grave stone. To me, the stone wasn't good enough to commemorate his life, and it brought tears to my eyes thinking that a stone was the only thing left of a beautiful person.

"Shocking isn't it?" Zayn whispered, glancing at the words engraved on the grey surface. "It's like it hasn't sunk in yet." I didn't respond, watching Louis set a rose down on the burried grave. "Louis was Liam's first real friend. They were closer than you think."