The Commune

II. Vivian.

Vivian

What a day.

If there was ever any doubt of Gwen's funeral being one to remember, Felicity Walker surely destroyed it.

Never a dull day whenever that family's involved.

I guess it's true what they say, 'more money, more problems.' I learned that a long time ago, from my own family.

My parents are actually good friends of the Walkers, which makes sense considering they're all dickheads. I don't usually make a habit of talking about them around other people, it's a lot easier to disassociate myself from their drama that way. Most people don't even know who my parents are, not unless they need to. I used to dream that one day I'd finally be free of all their bullshit, but sadly, I fear that day may never come. Things aren't as bad as they used to be though, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. And as much as I disdain my family's chaos, it is nothing compared to the Walkers. They have just a little bit too much of everything. Especially issues.

Even Gwen had his fair share. He was a very complicated man, just like the rest of his family. It sounds a bit cruel to admit, but I'd be lying if I said it was entirely shocking that he'd end up in an early grave.

For whatever reason, trouble and scandal seemed to follow his family everywhere. And unfortunately, this time, it decided to make Gwen the next victim. Permanently.

I still get chills thinking about it.

I can't help but wonder if there was any truth to what Felicity had implied in her little outburst earlier. The walkers certainly didn't get along with everyone. Quite the opposite. But what else can you expect? They're elitist assholes and most people don't typically enjoy keeping company like that. So it's safe to say they had a few enemies. But did anyone hate them enough to cause the death of their son?

Truthfully I don't know what to believe. Gwen's mother has always had a sort of thespian perspective on life. For as long as I've known her, she's been nothing short of a stuck up, temperamental drama queen. So it's usually best to take anything she says with a grain of salt, if even that.

Normally the ridiculousness she spouts irks my soul, but today not so much. I may not understand it fully as I'm not a mother, but I do sympathize with her in that regard. Anyone would be as upset as she was if they lost their son like that. I can't even imagine how that must feel for her.

He was my friend of course, but in all truth we weren't even that close. We didn't really have much in common and mostly hung out because of Alex. When we first met Gwen during Alex and I's freshman year, there were far too many rumors I had heard of him all over campus. As you can probably tell by now, I don't enjoy getting caught up in drama, so I suppose that led me to keep a sort of distance from him. Well, at first anyway. He kind of grew on me, gradually. Like a weird and annoying, but sometimes cool fungus. Before I knew it, a year had passed and he was starting to become one of my best friends... and then just like that, he's gone.

I've never really been the sentimental type, but still, this sucks.

Everything was so different last year. We used to have so much fun, the five of us. Now I'm sitting in a bar trying to drink my sorrows away with cheap wine. How times have changed.

"Vivian..." I hear a soft but startling voice snap me out of my thoughts. "I know your friend's funeral was today and I'm so sorry I couldn't make it." Raven, one of my classmates, apologizes from behind the bar. I forgot she worked here from time to time. "I can't imagine what you must be going through but I'm here if you ever need to talk."