Heartbreak Anniversary x Jeremiah Fisher (2)

Chapter Twelve

~ Then ~
August 11th, the funeral

Mindless thank you after thank you was said as Angelina shook hands with people she's never even met before as they passed by her to take a seat for the ceremony. Julian and Cristian stood beside her, never leaving her alone. When people began asking how she was feeling, Julian and Cristian would intervene and have the person move along. How can anyone even think to ask that? How can Angelina even answer that question? The person that meant everything to her was about to be buried underground.

The past week had been nothing but chaos to her. The accident, Jeremiah breaking up with her, getting discharged from the hospital, flying back to Rhode Island and getting thrown right into the planning for her dad's funeral all meshed together into one.

~~~

Angelina gripped the edges of the sink, her head leaning down. Her body felt like it was going to collapse any moment. They just got through the greetings and now the worst part was about to happen- the burial. She had been keeping it together for the most part but the thought of her dad going down was it- it meant her dad was gone for good. A silly thought really because she knew he was already gone.

A soft knock was heard on the other side of the door and Angelina looked up, finally facing herself in the bathroom mirror. She looked miserable. Small cuts were still on face and neck from the car accident. The doctor told her they'll heal eventually and not scar but right now, it just made her look more of a mess- a reminder of what her life had become.

"Angelina, we have to head outside now," Julian called out. His voice was so soft it made Angelina whimper. Everyone here was on edge around her and she didn't blame them. She knew her meltdown was coming soon, she just didn't know when.

~~~

The front row was Julian, Cristian, Angelina and Conrad. Behind them were extended family from Mexico and then some Brown professors.

Steven, Belly, Laurel, Susannah and Jeremiah were a couple rows behind.

The ceremony was held in English and Spanish for family members that didn't speak English. Angelina's dad had everything planned out exactly how he wanted it and thankfully Julian has been an angel and took care of most of the arrangements for Angelina.

The whole ceremony was a blur. Angelina couldn't even recall what the pastor had said. Nice words here and there about her dad obviously, but nothing compared to the actual person he was. How can you fit forty-four years of his life into thirty minutes?

"Angelina, te gustaría decir algunas palabras, would you like to say some words?" The pastor called out.

Angelina's breath hitched. She felt her throat tighten and heart race. She knew this was coming yet she was still unprepared. She didn't want to say goodbye, not yet. Anger started building, hating the fact that she had to say goodbye and hating that her dad was taken from her.

She felt it coming, another meltdown. But she knew she couldn't have one here, not when this was supposed to be about her dad. Angelina took a deep breath in. She felt all eyes on her, the same ones she always sees whenever someone looks at her, full of pity. Angelina quickly grasped onto Conrad's arm beside her trying to keep herself from collapsing.

Jeremiah watched from a couple rows behind. His eyes forced solely on Angelina. He knew what was about to happen and he had to get to her. He saw the signs for two weeks, the cries, the panic and the tantrums. He inched forward but felt his arm being tugged back. Jeremiah turned to look up at his mom trying to pull him back to his seat.

Susannah shook her head no at Jeremiah. "But mom," Jeremiah whispered.

"Not now," she said.

"But she needs me mom, I know the signs. If I don't go help her-" Jeremiah began.

Susannah cut him off, "that's enough, Jeremiah. The last thing that girl needs is you going over there and causing a scene. She's handling it the best she can."

"I wouldn't-" Jeremiah paused. "Not at her dad's funeral," he whispered.

Jeremiah sighed and positioned him back next to his mom. He didn't want to upset his mom. Jeremiah also knew the last thing Angelina would want is him walking up there and seeing him after he's ignored her for a week since they left San Francisco.

He remained quietly in the back the entire time not saying one word to Angelina, only observing from afar at the funeral. He couldn't, not after seeing her covered in blood in her car the night of the accident. That image of her laying there motionless haunted his dreams over the last week. Jeremiah couldn't sleep and he could barely eat anything knowing it was his fault Angelina was in that position.

Jeremiah lowered his head and stared at his feet. The heartbreaking voicemail Angelina left him last night still replayed in his mind. She was crying, begging for him to talk to her, to go see her. But none if it hurt more than Angelina's second call right after that one, her last words cold and haunting, "this will be the last message you receive from me. I know when I'm not wanted and I won't continue to put myself in that position. God, it breaks my heart Jeremiah, knowing what we could have been. Tomorrow is my dad's funeral. The beginning to an end, just like you and me. This is goodbye, you won't hear from me again."

~~~

Angelina sat on the couch in her living room. Cristian and Julian were busy around the house cleaning and making sure they weren't low on food and drinks for the family and guest. Angelina was able to continue on with the rest of the funeral without having a meltdown thankfully. Following the end of the funeral, everyone came over to her house.

She was surrounded by a lot of people here but never felt more alone. Conrad, who had not left her side, had just gotten up from beside her on the couch to go to the bathroom.

Angelina's leg bounced up and down impatiently. Julian had promised her people wouldn't be here for more than an hour and she was counting down every second till the hour was up. But then what, everyone will leave and she will be all alone once again and this time, forever.

The front door slammed shut and heels were heard coming towards her. Angelina murmured, "great." knowing someone was about to give their pity sorry to her. She let out a small breath and looked up, forming a fake small smile ready to embrace the awkward sorry. When she locked eyes with the cruel greens ones she grew up hating, her entire body stiffened. "What are you doing here?" Angelina choked.

"That is no way to speak to your mother, Angelina," Claire Flores spoke with demand, crossing her arms against her chest looking down at Angelina.

This had to be a dream, no, more like a nightmare, Angelina thought. There was no way her mother was actually here. This whole day felt like a nightmare, one she hasn't been able to wake up from in the past week.

"Kitchen, now," Angelina barely heard her mother hiss.

And at that moment, Angelina now realized she had no one to protect her from the wrath that is her mother.

End of chapter notes:

Hello loves! Sorry for the short chapter and sorry for the hiatus in this story. I have been enjoying writing my Conrad story a little bit too much and was on a roll with that one. But the next chapter for this one will also be a past chapter, part two of the funeral.

Hope you enjoyed.