Chapter 1

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EDITED

2 weeks later
(It's still kind of like a prologue though, sorry😕)

Scarlett
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I wasn't prepared for my fathers funeral. Physically, I was. My eyes were drier than a desert, and my speech was written. But mentally, I was still getting over his death. I didn't want to put on the black dress that was laid on my bed. I didn't want to put on the black heels that were sitting by my closet. And most of all, I didn't want cry again. I was done crying.  I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I said weekly. Percy stepped through the door, already dressed in his suit.

"Mom told me to come check on you. We have to leave in 30 minutes." He told me.

"I know." I sighed, sitting on my bed and rubbing my eyes. Percy sat next to me, and took my hand, giving it a squeeze.

"You okay?"

"No."

"Are you better?"

"A little."

"Good." Percy hugged me, then got up and left the room, giving me a small smile before he closed the door.

I looked at the dress, stripped, then pulled it over my head. I put on some makeup, curled my blue hair, then strapped on the heels. I twisted in my nose ring and clipped on a gold necklace.

I walked down the stairs, careful not to slip. My mom, Percy, Evy, and Anna were already downstairs waiting for me, so once they saw me they gave me a quick signal to head out. We were having the service in church with a graveyard that's a couple minutes walk from our house.

The inside of the small, brick church was almost the same as normal, except they moved the podium to the side to make room for the coffin. Only a few close friends and family(which wasn't that many, to begin with) were invited, so there were only about 10 or so families filling the aisles. We took our spots in the front row and waited for the ceremony to start. I've always hated funerals, so I didn't pay attention to the beginning, but I was pulled from my daze when I heard my family name.

"Mrs.Jacobson, can you and your family come and pay your respects?" The minister guy said.

We all stood, and I smoothed out my black dress. I liked my outfit for the most part, but the heels were a bit much in my opinion but I'm only 5,2 so it helps me look a little less like a dwarf.

We all walked up to the platform with the casket. It was an open casket, as chosen by my mom. I was surprised when I heard her choice since for the past couple weeks, all she's done is cry in her room, not coming out until we force her to come into the kitchen and eat.

When I got to dad, I almost immediately broke my promise not to cry. I felt a tear roll down my cheek but wiped it away before anyone could see. Obviously, Percy saw it though, because he put an arm around my shoulder and gave me a quick hug.

"D-dad..." I stuttered, trying to see through the tears. Keyword: trying. "Dad, I'm sorry. I feel like this is all my fault even though it isn't. I miss you a lot,  we all do. I love you." I finished. Then I wiped my tears, and straightened myself up, preparing for my speech.

I walked up to the podium, standing beside my mother, who also was giving a speech. She spoke about how she and dad met, a story I had heard many times, and that she would stay strong for us kids because she knew he would want her too. When she concluded her speech, she gave me a small smile, which I returned, and squeezed my hand.

I turned to the rest of the families, already holding back the tears, and cleared my throat before I spoke:

"My father was a kind man. Very gentle, never impatient. One of those people I've always wished I could be like. He was always there for me when I was having trouble in school, or if I was sick. He never left my side whenever I needed it.

"But I never truly realized until recently, that life is far more precious than it seems. That in can fall apart in less than 8 hours. It could crumble within minutes, even. Some people think that life doesn't have a point, but it does. Life was made to make more life, to level out nature. Without life, Earth would be kind of useless. Which is why we shouldn't always mourn someone's death. Sure, it's good to mourn a little, but you should always celebrate their life. That they were on Earth, that they were in your life, and may have even created your life. So just think about how much that person, in this case, my father, did. And what he has done that will help future. That's all, thank you." I concluded and walked carefully back to my seat, where I saw my mother smiling warmly at me.

* * *

We got home from the funeral pretty late in the day. I was so tired and just wanted to collapse on the couch and never wake. But unfortunately, I was interrupted by mom.

"Hey Scarlett, can I talk to you for a second?" She asked. "I have something to show you."

"Yeah, sure." I replied, and sat next to her, curious as to what she had in her hands. "What is it?"

"So, a few weeks ago, before the... Incident... Your father went looking for a birthday present for your birthday on the 12th of August. He decided on this necklace—" she handed me a note and dark blue box which I opened to find a silver necklace, with a pendant that had a compass etched into it. "Because it reminded him of you. He also wrote you this note. I'm giving you to this now because I know you didn't want to celebrate your birthday right after he died."

"Thanks, mom

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"Thanks, mom. I love you."

"I love you too honey."

I smiled at my mother and hugged her. Then I took a deep breath and looked at the note in my hands.

My dear Scarlett,

The note read. His loopy writing was already enough to make me bawl, but I refused and kept reading.

My dear Scarlett,
It seems you're already eighteen. My, how the time flies when you're raising four kids! But really, it's gone by in the blink of an eye. It feels like only yesterday you were a baby in the crib, but the next thing you know, you're an adult! You've grown up into such a beautiful young woman, and I couldn't be more proud. I wanted to get you this necklace to show you that wherever you may go, I'll be there with you the whole way. So anyway, I hope you have a happy happy birthday baby girl!

With lots of love,
Dad

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And there's the first chapter! This was greatly improved from what it was, and I really like it. I'm sorry if there are some mistakes, I'll go back through it later this week and fix it up. Also, I really like the name, Scarlett. I think it suits her even better than Britney, although I sometimes still accidentally type Britney rather than Scarlett. So school starts soon, but hopefully, I'll keep updating, but I can't make any promises.

QOTD: do you have a piece of jewelry or anything else that means a lot to you? If so, why is it so special?

I have a cross necklace that I always wear, and it's special because it reminds me that God is always with me. :))

Anyways don't forget to vote, comment, and share with your friends! Love yah!

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