The Samoan (A Roman Reigns Story) (Reupload)

The Aftermath

~May 18, 2015~

It was 2:00 am and I had called Caroline's parents. They lived in West Virginia. I called my mom too and she was on her way here. Caroline was still in surgery and I hadn't heard anything for hours. I couldn't believe what happened. Couldn't even wrap my head around it. If she died tonight, it would be all my fault. And I don't know if I could live with that.

"Hey, sweetie."

I looked to see my mom. I hugged her tight and she held me. I felt like a little kid again, crying in my mom's arms. I wish I was a little kid again. Things were simpler. Less complicated. I don't even remember knowing what death was about. It was never something that I even thought about. Death wasn't a thing in my childish mind. And I wished now more than ever that my childish mind was right.

"Caroline Taylor?"

I stood and the surgeon came over to me.

"Are you family?"

"Friends. I called her parents. They got on a plane and are on their way here."

The doctor looked sad.

"Can you not tell me? I'm like family. We've been friends for years."

He sighed. "I'm sorry but, we tried. Her injuries were too extensive..."

No. He wasn't saying this. This couldn't be true. He was lying. No...

"I'm sorry but your friend is gone."

At first, I felt numb. It was like the rest of the world around me didn't exist. I couldn't even comprehend what was just told to me. Then realization hit and I cried out harder than I ever had in my whole life. I felt like my heart was being ripped open from inside of me. It was a pain I had never felt before in my entire life and I finally understood true heartache.

~May 25, 2015~

"Evanna?"

I looked to see Gregory in the doorway of my office. I came back to work. I needed something to clear my head. Being stuck in the house all day wasn't helping anything. I needed to concentrate on something other than the crash. Gregory said I could have my old job back and he gave it to me. He told me that I could take some time off for another week or so and didn't need to come back to work until I was ready. But I didn't want time off. Time off meant thinking about the crash and thinking of my friend's dead body in my arms.

"Yeah?"

"I told you that you could take off work. I understand if you need time to..."

"No, this is the only thing that is keeping me from thinking about it. Please don't make me leave."

He nodded. He started to leave but I saw he had a file in his hand.

"What's that?"

"Oh, nothing. Just someone's file. Don't worry about it."

He seemed off. All the pieces fit together. "It's hers, isn't it?"

He hesitated. "Yes. Her parents would like you to arrange it. But only if you're up for it. They thought you would be the best fit to plan it."

Tears brimmed my eyes. "Yeah, I can do it."

"You sure? I can find someone who..."

"I can do it."

Gregory seemed reluctant but handed me the file anyways. I opened it up and all of her information was inside. I started to search through different things she would want for her funeral and I had to take a break to cry. This was something I never wanted to have to do but I was going to do it. It was my fault this happened. It was the least I could do.

~June 3, 2015~

It was the day of Caroline's funeral. Everyone was dressed in their best (...) and I tried to stay positive. She would have wanted that. I planned the whole funeral and everywhere I looked, Caroline existed. I felt like Caroline almost planned it and I felt confident that I done everything right. I wrote a eulogy and I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it without breaking down. When it was time for me to go up, my knees felt week and there was a pounding in my chest as I stood in front of Caroline's casket.

"Caroline Taylor was my best friend. No, she was more that. She was family. Caroline tried to be the best she could be. She brought so much joy and happiness to those who were around her. We fought a lot, that's true. But sisters fight and we always found a way to forgive each other. She was the closest I ever had to a sibling. When my parents got divorced, I felt like my world had crumbled to pieces. But Caroline was there for me. She told me something that day. She said it didn't matter if my parents got divorced. She was would always be my family no matter what. It's so hard to see her like this but I know she wouldn't want me crying over her. That was just the type of person she was. I love you, sis. Goodbye, Caroline."

I sat back down in my seat and tried to keep in my tears. They lowered the casket and my heart ripped once again. People talked all around me and it was time for the reception. I couldn't bring myself to stand.

"Evanna?"

I looked up to see Caroline's mom standing in front of me.

"Oh, hi, Mrs. Taylor."

"I just wanted to tell you that your eulogy was so great. Caroline would have loved it."

"Thank you."

"You made the ceremony so beautiful and happy. Caroline would have wanted it that way."

"I know."

She gave me a hug. "I know that you blame yourself for what happened. I can see it in your eyes, sweetie. But what happened, happened. And Caroline wouldn't want you blaming yourself for this."

Tears brimmed my eyes. "Thank you, Mrs. Taylor."

She smiled at me and walked away. But it was my fault and there was nothing that could change that. I went over to Caroline's casket and put the thistle on her grave stone. It was to help her. To help keep her safe. It felt good to give it to her. I wiped my eyes and watched as the people were starting to disperse but I looked passed those people and saw a man. He was wearing a black dress shirt and black pants. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Joe was here.