Yours Truly, Angel

The Funeral

The next day was hard for Kendall. She woke up with the reminder of the funeral that day. She sighed as she slipped into the black dress and met her mother at the car. She squeezed Kendall's hand, reassuringly as they pulled out of the driveway. She parked into the flooded parking lot of the funeral home. They silently walked into the home, greeted by Amanda along with Rose. Jenny's hands rested protectively on Angel's shoulders. Amanda's arm was looped through Sam's. Her eyes were teary as she gripped tighter onto his bicep. Rose was crying with Jenny as Angel looked down, uncomfortably.

Kendall frowned. "Where's Chloe?"

Angel pointed to the room filled with people. The thing that stuck out was the closed casket and the screaming that came from Chloe. She was hugging the casket and screaming.

"Why is it closed? Open the casket! Come back, Zoe, I need you!"

Her wailing became louder as her parents were forced to drag her away from the casket. Kendall watched helplessly as she screamed and thrashed.

"Please, Zoe, come back! I can't do this." She collapsed on the ground at stranger's feet.

Kendall felt a tear trickle down her cheek and quickly rushed outside. She bent over, puking all of the food that hadn't yet been digested and took heaving breaths.

Colin stepped toward her. "I hate it in there too."

She wiped her mouth, looking up at him. Feeling sick to her stomach, she bent back over, puking the remaining of her meals. He stepped closer to her, putting a comforting hand on her back. She felt the comforting feeling of him rubbing her back in circular motions.

"It's okay. I mean, of course this isn't okay but it will be. I promise."

She pulled her hair back, wiping her mouth and looked up at him. A sigh escaped her dry lips as the acidic taste of post throw up filled her taste buds.

"I wish that I could've done something. You know?"

He looked down. "Of course. I know exactly what you mean."

Bill walked outside, glancing around with a sick look twisted on his face. He quickly saw the two of them and forced a smile.

She frowned. "Did you see Chloe?"

Bill looked down, solemnly. "Yeah."

She sighed. "I'm worried about her. Zoe and her were inseparable and now that she's gone..."

Colin winced. "She'll be fine soon."

She shook her head. "It's kind of like a mother losing her own daughter. They practically shared the same blood. I don't think she'll be fine soon."

Colin nodded, scratching his chin. "She has to move on. She's seventeen years old. She can't just give up on life right now."

"I think that I really should talk to her."

Bill's eyes widened. "I don't think that would much such a good idea. Did you not see her?"

"But I feel like I should do something."

Bill nodded. "Maybe you can talk to her after the funeral?"

She nodded as a sinking feeling almost swallowed her whole. "Okay."
~
When the funeral was finally over, Kendall walked over to Chloe. Jenny and Angel followed shortly after. She stared at Chloe just as Amanda and Sam came over, forming a little crowd. Colin ran over to her with Bill following, adding to the small crowd. He took a step away from the scene while Bill stood next to Kendall. Chloe's eyes were red from crying so Kendall reached a hand up to her shoulder in a friendly notion. Chloe pulled away which left her with a stinging feeling.

Jenny exhaled softly. "Chloe, I'm really sorry about Zoe."

Kendall suddenly remembered Zoe and Chloe turning away when she and Amanda heard about Rose at the party on Monday night. A smile tugged on the corners of her lips, as she recalled the memory. Jenny gave Sam and Amanda a strange look that was almost like jealousy.

She glanced back at Chloe. "I miss her too."

Chloe glanced up at them and an angry reply screamed. "I hate you all!"

Amanda looked at Kendall with wide eyes as Chloe's eye ran with tears. "You're all playing by your roles. You don't really miss her. In fact, you didn't even know her."

"Of course we knew her."

Chloe lifted her arm, pointing to Angel. "Not her," She pointed to Sam and Bill. "Not them," Then she pointed to Colin. "And not him." They all looked at her, helplessly. "None of you were her friends. I bet you all thought she was creepy because she was quiet and had those eerie brown eyes. But she wasn't. You didn't know her."

Kendall looked at the ground. "Maybe you're right. Maybe me, Amanda, and Jenny never considered her a friend. But, that doesn't change the fact that we've all laughed together, spoken, or even had a sleepover. It doesn't change the fact that we cared about how you both felt. It especially doesn't change the fact that we still care about your feelings either."

She stared at the ground and started walking away. Jenny went after her but she slapped her in the face.

Jenny cupped her raw face. "Zoe wouldn't want you acting like this."

She pursed her lips once before turning on her heel. "You don't even know her."

Jenny turned back to the group, her cheek beet red from the slap. She grabbed Angel and took one last at Sam before disappearing into her car.

Colin was staring at Kendall. "I have to go. I'm sorry."

She nodded as he walked away and she walked over to Bill. His strong arms wrapped around her shoulders and he whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry, too."

Amanda hugged her fiercely. "I miss her and I barely even knew her."

Sam looked at Bill, sadly. Tears formed in Kendall's eyes. "Me too."