Does It Ever Get Better? (On Hold. Again. I'm Sorry)

"Time To Be Strong." - Chapter 19

Evan's p.o.v.

Today was the day of the funeral for Anthony Summers. God, I loved him. I have to give a speech as well because Gavin's parents insisted. Instead of Gavin just giving a speech because he hates public speaking, I wrote a song for him to sing. He nearly broke down in tears when I played it for him. I got dressed in a black v-neck dress with laced long sleeves and I know it's a funeral, but I don't wear heels, so I threw on black converse. We drove to the place it was being held and Gavin's parents called in a stage for him to perform. They kind of went all out on his funeral and I get it. He was their first born. It was nice, but the day was too sunny for something like this. I know that sounds bad, but maybe it could cheer everyone up a bit. His parents viewed it more as celebrating his life, rather than the loss of him. Although, I can only assume that was after many, many tears. We parked the car and got out. The whole ride was silent unless Michael spoke up to my brothers to be on their best behavior, we are here for them, and don't you dare cause a scene with other words along the lines of that. My brothers went to set up because they were playing the music for Gavin. It was only going to be Seth on piano, Jordon on violin, and Todd on a cello. This song was far from heavy. I went for an orchestrated ballad. This was the one time my brothers actually agreed to do something like this for me and it wasn't for me. It was for Gavin. Although, when they wanted to rehearse it all togther, I refused and told them that, "They'd have to wait." Which they were very frustrated with. Todd only ever played cello in middle school, barely did he ever go back. Jordan is amazing at the violin, but also rarely plays. Seth only ever learned piano. I got out to find my broken-hearted best friend, but had to say my condolences to his parents first. When that was done, I eventually found Gavin. He was sad, but you could tell he was hiding it. I hated when he did that. He was skipping rocks by the lake. "Hey, Gavin." I said softly.

He turned and saw me wearing a dress and smirked. "I never thought I'd see you wearing a dress in a million years." He said with a small laugh.

"Oh, shut up!" I playfully glared and walked over to him. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine. Great. Why?" He answered before throwing another rock at the water.

I gave him a small smile. "It's fine if you don't wanna talk about it, but-" I was cut off by the ceremony starting.

We took our seats in the front row and Gavin's older sister, Ivy began. "Hello, everyone. It means a lot for you all to be here. It shows how much you truly care about the one we have recently just lost. Umm... Wow I uh- I never thought I'd ever be up on a stage saying goodbye to the one I- l-love. Minus all the countless fights." She gave a half-hearted laugh as a few others gave a chuckle. "But God, I'd take them all back in a heartbeat. Being a younger sister of such a wonderful person, brother, son, and friend was like an honor." She began to get choked up. "I uh- I um- I'm sorry." She apologized as tears began streaming down her face. "Let me move this on to my Mom, Linda Summers." There was a round of applause that then settled when their Mom spoke. The whole time when she was talking, she cried a lot. I don't blame her. It was heartbreaking to see Ivy cry. According to Gavin, she only cried when a boy didn't ask her out, or if her phone cracked. I kept looking at Gavin, but he never turned to see me. Soon enough she finished by saying, "Allow me to pass it on to my son, Gavin."

Gavin's p.o.v.

"-my son, Gavin." That was all I heard. I stood up as people clapped and made my way to the stage. The applause stopped when I stepped up to the mic. "Hello..." I hesitated. "I'm Gavin and it um- well, it took a lot out of me as I'm sure it did with a lot of you, but being there..." I felt my eyes tear up. "Seeing a body healthy and breathing to silently dying was worse. Umm, I'm not the best with speeches and stuff so my best friend, Evan helped me write a song." As I said that, Evan's brothers came up and grabbed their instruments. It took a moment for the music to start filling the air. Soon it came to the part I had to sing, but I couldn't. The sun shined right in my face. It reminded me of the headlights coming at us and all that happened to my brother. I ran off stage and went to the bathroom. I slid down the wall hugging my knees to my chest and resting my head on them.